We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm combines the powers of pearl barley and vitamin E to brighten skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, refine texture, and remove impurities (or, say, 10 layers of mascara).
Check out more viral TikTok beauty products that actually work!
Promising review: "I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!! I found it on TikTok, and OMG!! It works so well. I don't have to sit there and rub the crap out of my eyelashes to get the waterproof mascara off. I will admit, it doesn't take 100% of the makeup off, but about 95% of my makeup comes off. It is not water-resistant, as emulsifying it with water helps take the makeup off. I have not found a better makeup remover, and yes, that includes micellar water (which also works well but leaves my skin feeling oily). With this cleansing balm, my face feels hydrated and smooth. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!!!! 1,000/10 would recommend!!!" —Deetje Frederick
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
2. LilyAna Naturals' Eye Cream targets dark circles and puffiness so everyone in the office will assume you got a full eight hours of sleep and definitely didn't stay up until 3 a.m. scrolling TikTok...
Promising review: "I LOVE THIS! I spent every weekend for about a month going to Ulta buying high-end face moisturizers and eye creams and then returning them because my dry skin had gotten soooooo bad on my face and especially under my eyes and nothing was helping! I am someone with super dry skin.....My eyes are still a little drier than I would like but this has helped tremendously and more than any other product. I was about to give up on even wearing concealer because it was looking so dry and crepey but my concealer is looking good again since I've been using this for a few weeks! I am also noticing a small change in my fine lines. Like others I started using this as a face cream as well and I could not live without this product! It is the most hydrating product for my face and eyes I have found and I have tried a lot!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four sizes).
3. Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Spot Treatments speedily pull the pus out of your most worrisome whiteheads. (Sorry that was a gross sentence, but it is what it is 🤷♀️.) Before you head to bed, just slap the dots right on any zits, and they'll work their magic overnight.
Promising review: "I do not claim to understand the science behind these tiny miracles, but they have changed my life. I spent my workday looking forward to going home and putting one of these bad boys on my newly erupted Mt. Zit and the overnight results were shocking. Not only is it grossly satisfying, but it saved me several days of walking around with a bloody crater in my face because my previous method of dealing with unsightly blemishes was to pick pick pick." — Adg
Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $12.99.
4. CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser combines hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to rid your pores of makeup, dirt, and excess oil while also locking in moisture. It's certainly no secret, but if you've been looking for a sign that it's time to finally try it, consider this it. ⬇
Promising review: "I wasn't sure if this would work at first because the texture is like body lotion, but after a couple of days I could really see the difference both in terms of hydration and acne! It’s such a great face wash! I have struggled with my acne for years and have tried a billion different products and none of them worked like this one. My face looked flawless just two weeks after I used this. I don't do a lot of reviews but I’m glad I bought this and I'm writing this review after having bought it for the third time. Trust me, this is a really good product." —RONGHUI XIE
Get it from Amazon for $13.10+ (available in two sizes).
5. Tony Moly's octopus-shaped Tako Pore Black Head Scrub Stick gently removes blackheads, whiteheads, and excess sebum so your T-zone can get a much-deserved breather.
See it in action on TikTok here.
Promising review: "After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me, smells great too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, and then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like myself." —LuckLocust
Get it from Amazon for $12.50.
6. COSRX's Snail Mucin Repairing Essence addresses dullness and dehydration with — yes 😌 — 96% snail sludge that's harvested in a *100%* ethical and environmentally friendly way. Thanks for sharing the goods, friends! 🐌
Promising review: "So I have been using this for a month and I have to say — AMAZING. It really has helped my dark spots, which are also tied to my hormones. So the fact that it lightens them and keeps them from getting dark again during my period is a testament to the power of this stuff. Plus, this stuff just keeps going!! One pump is enough for my face, or two for my face and neck. Because of this it will last! It works amazingly well and considering how much you get, this is an amazing product. I highly recommend it." —J.H.
Get it from Amazon for $22.88.
7. Missha's Soft Finish Sun Milk promises long-lasting SPF 50+ protection as it's able to withstand sweat and even tears if you're just overwhelmed by how beautiful the weather is.
In the progression photos above, you can see a reviewer before applying the sun milk, after applying the sun milk, and then the sun milk under makeup.
Promising review: "I have dark, oily skin and purchased this product after reading recommendations. There is no white cast; you can barely see it upon application unless you use too much. You definitely do not need a lot, it spreads thin. When it dries, any color is gone. It also helps slow down my face getting all greasy as the day goes on, which I love. My skin is very, very oily but I can still apply this after my moisturizer and feel totally comfortable. I'm not a fan of scents, and the scent on this is extremely mild." —Ms. Renee
Get it from Amazon for $14.80.
8. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum wards off wrinkles, evens out dark spots, and helps brighten your overall complexion with a 🍃plant-based🍃 blend of ingredients including hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, witch hazel, and jojoba oil.
Promising review: "I began using this product April of 2018. Two years later and my skin has been renewed!! I love this product so much. If you are of a darker complexion and have hyperpigmentation I would definitely recommend this product. It’s been a life saver ❤️❤️❤️" —Kiara
Get if from Amazon for $21.97+ (available in two sizes).
9. K-Beauty brand The Saem's Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick improves under eye elasticity and keeps bags at bay so no one will be the wiser if you nostalgia-binged The Angry Beavers (my fellow '90s babies — it's on Amazon Prime!!!) into the wee hours of the morning. Plus, it comes in a cutesy polar bear container and, I mean, that's enough to sell me.
How does this cute lil' guy work, you may be asking? It's filled with active marine ingredients like Icelandic moss, xylitol, niacinamide, and adenosine — that's how!
Promising review: "I love this so much! It's super hydrating and feels really nice under the eyes. Recently my eyes have been super puffy due to allergies and this has been helping. I would recommend putting it in the fridge before you use it so it's extra cooling. I think that this product is comparable to if not better than Milk Makeup's Cooling Water Gel Stick (which I have also tried)." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
10. Peach & Lily's Glass Skin Refining Serum is packed with peach extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peptide complexes — all of which help your skin look brighter, dewier, smoother, and just downright radiant. Apply a small amount after you clean and tone your face but before you moisturize!
Peach & Lily is an Asian- and woman-owned small business that specializes in Korean skincare products made of natural and toxin-free ingredients.
Promising review: "I saw this serum all over my TikTok for you page, and I knew that I had to try it out, as their serum is so versatile and can cover and help so many kinds of skin concerns that I've been dealing with since my early teens. And now, ever since using it, I honestly swear by it. If you are considering trying the Peach and Lily collection products, I 100% recommend this serum repeatedly. My skin had never looked this great until I first tried it out. And my face looks so glowy, clear, and radiant." —Natalie Y.
Get it from Peach & Lily, Target, or Ulta for $19+ (available in two sizes).
11. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Balm nourishes rough, dry, and irritated skin with tiger grass — a medicinal plant that aids with cell growth. And if you have sensitive skin, I have extra good news. This formula is *so* gentle, it can be used on babies as young as 1 week old!
Promising review: "I love this stuff. I live in a cold climate with dry air. This stuff is thick, sinks in deep in the skin, feels clean, and really works. Great on the face for extra protection on windy days (still need SPF) and great overnight to overcome dryness." —TLCS
Get it from Target for $15.99.
12. Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel gives your skin a big ol' gulp of hydration with a hyaluronic acid-based water-gel formula. Use it at night, and you'll wake up with baby-soft skin.
Promising review: "I went from very dry, flaky, and angry skin to soft and supple in about one week. I noticed a change instantly. My acne has even started clearing up. Keep in mind I also added vitamin E oil serum to my skincare routine at the same time. I highly recommend. The product has a great consistency, is cooling/calming, light, and has a pleasant smell." —Victoria Couty
Get it from Amazon for $16.79+ (available in two sizes).
13. Elizavecca's Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask exfoliates and detoxifies skin with a combination of carbonated water, collagen, green tea, charcoal, and clay. And the fact that it erupts in a face full of selfie-friendly bubbles after three to five minutes? Well, that's just icing on the cake.
Promising review: "I have used this mask twice, and so far, I love it. I have acne scars, enlarged pores, and blackheads, and after two uses, I can already notice a difference in the appearance of my skin. My pores look smaller already, and the blackheads are clearing. I have used everything on my face, and nothing has worked on my pores. I LOVE this mask. It looks so funny!" —jb107711
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
14. La Roche-Posay's Hydrating Gentle Cleanser was made for sensitive faces as its milky formula preserves your skin's natural protective barrier and pH level.
Promising review: "Love this simple cleanser — it’s gentle and has a pleasant feel/faint smell. One bottle lasts me a long time — I use this followed by micellar water. Easy!" —Dan Shaffer
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes).
15. Bolden's Brightening Glycolic Acid Toner combines glycolic acid and antioxidants to target dark spots, uneven texture, and fine lines. The brand says it's ideal for oily skin, blemish-prone skin, and those dealing with hyperpigmentation.
Bolden is a Black- and woman-owned small beauty brand that creates products that work well for and empower women of color. They also offer a handful of other skincare solutions from moisturizers and cleansers to night serums and spot treatments.
Promising review: "This is my second time purchasing the toner. I love the way it has my face glowing. I have noticed that my skin has a brighter tone or complexion. I highly recommend it." —Latonia J.
16. Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow BHA + PHA Pore-Tight Facial Toner smoothes your complexion and refines pores to reveal glowier skin. Just slap some on after cleansing and enjoy Beyoncé-level flawlessness.
Promising review: "I am 53, had oily skin all of my life, and my pores are much more visible now at my age. This product completely changes how my skin looks with respect to my pores, and makeup looks wonderful on top of it. Have re-purchased many times!" —Johnna
Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in two sizes).
17. Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub — with sea kelp and French green clay cleanses — softens, detoxifies, and evens out skin tone when used three times a week.
Promising review: "I got recommended this by a friend, and OMG I fell in love with this scrub every single bead of it. Gently scrub and wash off with warm water. I so much love how my skin feels after rinsing!! Look so youthful and glowing!! More important is its vegan, cruelty free. You won’t believe how many good things that fit in one tube!!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available individually or in a pack of two).
18. SKIN1004's Zombie Face Masks employ albumin (an ingredient extracted from egg whites) and aloe vera extract to visibly hydrate, lift, and brighten your complexion in just 15 minutes. Just FYI: Reviews say the tightening effect can be startling, but the results are worth it!
Promising review: "I have never written a review before, but I am compelled to do so now. Let’s start with what my 41-year-old face looked like. I had bumps, tiny bumps all over my skin, especially my forehead. My skin NEVER felt smooth even with the prescriptions I was given to help with these tiny bumps. Rosacea=bad, bad, bad. So bad that it was actually causing my cheeks to have what appeared to be thickening skin. Wrinkles, some that were quite deep. My pores were friggin huge and getting bigger day by day it seemed like. I know that it says to use this product every three days. I chose to go with every single day for the first box of eight. The results were so amazing, I decided on every day for the second box. Even more amazing results. EVERY SINGLE ISSUE LISTED ABOVE NO LONGER EXISTS!!!! I moisturize deeply after rinsing, and my face looks absolutely amazing. My face did not even look like this at 30. I am hooked, and I will be buying no less than three packs every single payday so I can stock up on this stuff in case they ever decide to quit selling it. If I had 10 stars available to rate, I would use them and more!" —Amazon Customer
Get a box of eight masks from Amazon for $25.
19. I Dew Care's Chill Kitten Moisturizer combines prickly pear extract, heart-leaf extract, and aloe vera leaf in a deliciously cool-to-the-touch gel that hydrates and replenishes skin without feeling heavy or greasy.
I recently started using this, and I love it!! I have dry, sensitive skin, and one of my favorite things about it is that it's fragrance- and oil-free. It goes on soooo smooth (it's not tacky or greasy), and it leaves me feeling like a glazed donut for a few minutes before it sinks into my skin.
Promising review: "Tried tons of moisturizers over the years and this is by far the best! It absorbs completely with no residue and really feels luxurious. I have sensitive skin and this has been great and doesn't clog my pores." —Jennifer K.
Get it from Amazon or I Dew Care for $23.
20. Pacifica's Glow Baby Booster Serum brightens dull skin and helps with texture thanks to superstar ingredients vitamin C and glycolic acid. You can use it on its own or combine it with your favorite moisturizer for an extra boost if ya need it.
Promising review: "Pacifica has been my favorite lately. I didn’t discover them till 2022 and when I tried the Glow Baby Booster Serum it worked wonders. I’m medium to brown skin tone and this serum just enhances my skin color and I feel like I look more beautifully brown! Even my boyfriend noticed it one time when I was in the passenger seat and the sun was hitting my face. I thought yaaassss! I use the serum alone sometimes too because I feel it moisturizes my face. It also smells amazing and I’d rate the scent at least 8/10. It also makes my face feel plump :)" —Evey_smilies
21. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant helps scrub away dead skin cells, leaving behind clear pores and a bright complexion. Apply it morning and night (after your cleanser and toner), and it'll leave ya lookin' as radiant as Ben Affleck when caught by the paps holding a whole tray of Dunkin' iced coffees.
Promising review: "I have every skin issue you can think of. Rosacea, acne (hormonal, cystic, whiteheads, blackheads), dehydration, excessive oiliness, redness, all of it. I’ve spent probably thousands on a multitude of different products, trying to find one that would at least make a dent. I’ve had many procedures, many trips to the dermatologist. Nothing I’ve ever used, nothing I’ve ever done, has made such a profound difference in the appearance of my skin. Having rosacea, my face often felt hot, bumpy, and burned. While my complexion is naturally fair and pink, this has seriously covered all my bases in a gentle and effective way. I’ve been trying to turn my skin around for YEARS!! this was the product that did it. If I could give it 100 stars I would. It has seriously changed my life!!!"—hc
Get it from Amazon for $13+ (available in two sizes).
22. Garnier's SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water works as a cleanser and makeup remover. Use it in the a.m. and p.m. to hit refresh on your face before applying your regular moisturizer and serum.
23. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray uses just three workhorse ingredients — good ol' H2O, sodium chloride, and hypochlorous acid — to put redness and dullness in its place. 🥊 Used faithfully a.m. and p.m., it'll leave your complexion even and glowing.
Tower 28 is an LA-based small clean beauty brand specializing in nontoxic, nonirritating vegan and cruelty-free makeup and skincare. Amy Liu, the founder and CEO, worked for 15+ years as a beauty exec before leaving to create products that would suit her sensitive eczema-prone skin.
Full disclosure: Many reviewers say the SOS spray's scent isn't super pleasant (think: chlorinated pool water) BUT it has helped them with hormonal breakouts and rosacea.
Promising review: "This is a holy grail product. I swear I have glass skin now thanks to this spray. My texture, pores, skin tone, hydration, everything seems better. I love how it looks, how it smells, and especially how happy it makes my skin. I’ll be buying this for the rest of my life. I’ve already repurchased it twice. Worth the hype." —CBTarker
Get it from Sephora (available in two sizes) or Tower 28 for $12+ (available in three sizes).
24. Habit's N°41 Mister
allows you to reapply your sunscreen on the go without even having to touch your face! It also goes on ~over~ makeup without issue.
You can expect notes of rose geranium and lavender and rosemary with every spritz — plus, this bb is also vegan, cruelty-free, and from a small, NYC–based biz!
Promising review: "I LOVE this sunscreen. It smells AMAZING and the mist is SO fine that you don’t feel it on your skin at all. The bottle is small enough that you can reapply all day by keeping it in your bag. My partner has started to steal it, too, so now we’re a Habit household." —Habit Customer
25. Cosmedica Skincare's Hyaluronic Acid Serum visibly plumps, hydrates, and smoothes skin at SUCH a deliciously affordable price, you won't cry when it's time to repurchase it.
Promising review: "I love this stuff! This is my second order and won't be my last. I use it with my vitamin C moisturizer, and it works great. Just as advertised, it is not greasy and soaks into my skin quickly, so I am makeup-ready before you know it. Highly recommend." —Mary Buker
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four sizes).
26. Olehenriksen's Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner uses AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids) to 🤜 fight off 🤛 dark spots, dullness, and uneven texture in as little as a week. Ofc consistency is key, so pencil it into your Google Cal or set an alarm to make sure you use it every day!
Promising review: "I really like this toner, and I do recommend. It did exactly what I expected. I have oily/acne prone skin, with acne scars. This toner is non drying, it evened my skin tone, smoothed out my lines, and gave me an overall clean, fresh, bright skin tone. This is my choice for a nightly skin toner." —Gemaqt
Get it from Sephora for $19+ (available in two sizes).
27. Farmacy's Honey Grail Hydrating Oil rejuvenates dry skin with honey, sea buckthorn, and a five-flower oil blend that absorbs instantly so your face doesn't look like an oil slick — something that really comes in handy if you start to sweat the second temperatures rise even a degree.
Farmacy is a clean and cruelty-free skincare brand that works with family-run small farms in southern California and northeast Brazil to source their ingredients. Use the facial oil alone or combine it with your go-to moisturizer for some extra hydration. You can also run some through your hair to tame flyaways.
Promising review: "Seriously my holy grail for dry skin! I aim for a hydrated, glowing, natural makeup look as much as possible so this helped me get my look on point. It’s very beautiful on the skin simply! I’d wear it without makeup also. Beautifully made!" —lesapls
28. Saturday Skin's Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel erases dull, patchy skin no matter the season. The papaya, pineapple, and aloe vera formula not only leaves your face softer and smoother but smelling downright incredible!
Promising review: "This is by far the best product I’ve ever put on my face…like…I’m not kidding. I use it about twice a week — one minute or so each time with warm water. My skin is absolutely SO soft. You can see the dead skin coming off after a few circular motions and it’s so much more noticeably soft. My complexion looks A LOT better. I will always have this in my skincare collection. It’s great!" —Hannah B.
Get it from Amazon or Saturday Skin for $28.
29. Keys Soulcare's water-activated Be Luminous Exfoliator buffs away winter's dry and dead skin with a mix of gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredients including green tea, hojicha powder, mung beans, oats, and lactic acid. Based solely on Alicia Keys's complexion, I'd say that's a winning combination!
Promising review: "I was sooo surprised by this when I first received it. A POWDER EXFOLIATOR? Let me tell you it works; you activate it with water and it leaves this creamy with slight grittiness texture to it, which works amazing when you work it into your skin. It leaves your skin looking so fresh and glowy. I’m in love! Also you get sooo much in there it will last me ages! If I ever do run out I will definitely be repurchasing and recommend this to anyone as you will be surprised!" —Monika Bruce
Get it from Ulta Beauty or Keys Soulcare for $25.
30. First Aid Beauty's Facial Radiance Pads exfoliates, tones, and brightens with a gentle combination of lactic and glycolic acids, cucumber water, Indian gooseberry, lemon peel, and licorice root. These ingredients work hand in hand to leave your skin bright, even, and refreshed.
Promising review: "My go-to skin care when my face seems dry and dull. It helps in removing the dullness and it makes my skin glow." —Amielle
Get them from Sephora or First Aid Beauty for $18+ (available in two sizes).
31. Radha Beauty's Rosehip Oil addresses all sorts of skin concerns (think: blemishes, fine lines, age spots, and scarring) thanks to its natural vitamin-, antioxidant-, and essential fatty acid-filled formula. If you're trying to combat more than one issue and want to keep your routine simple, try this baby out!
Promising review: "My new holy grail! I have super sensitive, acne-prone skin in a very dry climate. This stuff is seriously so amazing. I use it from my face to my toes. It has completely eradicated any dry skin I had and makes me glow. I’ve gotten so many compliments on my skin since I’ve started using it, even my boyfriend noticed! I love it after chemical peels, too. It gets rid of peeling and dry patches as well as soothing any redness. It’s a decent-sized bottle for what you pay!" —Brynnieb09
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
32. And Korres' Greek Yoghurt Probiotic Superdose Face Mask rebalances dry, oily, and combination skin with *actual* Greek yogurt. You may have been raised not to play with your food, but rub this stuff all over your face and dullness and dryness will be problems left in the past.
Promising review: "This is by far one of the best face masks I’ve ever used. I struggle with minor rosacea, dry skin, acne, large pores, etc. THIS MASK...it cools my rosacea, soothes dry skin and acne, and blurs my pores. I only use it twice a week, but you can definitely tell a difference immediately after."— suzymay
Get it from Sephora for $52.
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.