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. An alcohol-free micellar water infused with rose water and glycerin to gently cleanse skin, hydrate, and remove makeup, with no rinsing required. One reviewer declares it one of their "favorite obsessions," and I agree — it's a low-maintenance dream.
I've used this micellar water for several years and *love* it for my sensitive skin! It's especially great for days when I don't have the energy to drag myself to the bathroom to properly wash my face. I keep a bottle of this by my bed and just soak a cotton pad with micellar water to clean my face.
Promising review: "Best makeup remover EVER!! I am head over heels in love with this product! I have used it as my go-to cleanser for years. It's very gentle and even cooling to your skin — a very light lovely scent. Don't saturate the cotton ball or pad too much, or you will get make-up and residue sloshing into your eyes as someone described above. A little goes a long way, and your makeup almost disappears like magic. Note: If you do get it in your eyes, it does not burn. No harsh chemicals to worry about. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!" —Babsie
Get it from Amazon for $7.97.
2. A post-blemish rescue balm because sometimes you're gonna pop that pimple even though you know you shouldn't. (We've all been there.) Just pat some on the popped blemish to calm irritation, help reduce hyperpigmentation, and add moisture. 💪
Promising reviews: "This product is great. It definitely speeds the healing process and minimizes the appearance of active pimples, but I am finding it is doing a good job of addressing older scars as well. I have been using this product in conjunction with CeraVe foaming acne wash, and my hormonal cystic acne is almost cleared up (after only a week), and the scars from previous breakouts are less visible. After batting hormonal cystic acne for years, this seems to be the winning combination." —Joyce Y.
"Whoever made this needs a raise. I wish I can slather my whole face with it. I've had acne for like 10 years (no joke) and recently had a terrible hormonal breakout and this really helped. I know when products work and when it does and this works. PLEASE for the love of gawd try it." —Sarah L.
Hero Cosmetics is an Asian woman-founded brand and home of the popular Mighty Patch and more. Ju Rhyu launched the brand in 2017, and it's since evolved with products such as cleansers, toners, nose strip Mighty Patches, and more!
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two sizes).
3. ~Uber-satisfying~ and mega-affordable hydrocolloid pimple patches for sucking gunk out of acne that has come to a head and (crucially) for protecting deep, under-the-skin pimples from wandering or picking fingers, which can inadvertently inflame blemishes more by adding dirt and bacteria to irritated skin. As a member of the cystic acne ~club~ myself, if I had to choose only one skincare product to use for the rest of my life, it'd be these.
I have used these for years, and I literally buy them in bulk so that I'm never caught without them. I really can't sing the praises of these enough — they make my cystic acne heal faster, whether by sucking pus out of active breakouts or by curbing the beginning of pimples through keeping my hands the heck off them. I like to keep them on overnight, and they're clear and unobtrusive enough that I'll usually use them during the day when needed, too. Different sizes are included so you can customize to different blemish sizes, or simply use smaller patches during the daytime and larger ones at night, lol. This is the product I'm constantly raving to my friends about, and tl;dr it's my desert island item. You cannot go wrong with these. Plus, they're super affordable for the amount you get, and especially for the benefit they provide.
Promising review: "I’ve bought this product multiple times over the last couple of years because they really, truly work. I’m a (now) 37-year-old who still gets breakouts, including painful cystic acne at times. I sleep with these babies on, and in the morning, the size and redness is usually 50%-75% better. If it’s a larger breakout or a cyst, I repeat the process and have been known to wear these to work — depending on location of the pimple. They really are great and makes having acne in your mid-late thirties less stressful. They’re usually gone in one to two days with these patches! Highly recommend!" —Lauren Kerley
Get a pack of three (72 pimple patches total) from Amazon for $14.50.
4. A prescription-strength (!) Differin retinoid gel (with over 52,000 5-star ratings) to promote cell turnover, reduce inflammation, and help clear breakouts — basically a godsend for acne-prone skin. BTW, retinoids are kinda the gold standard of skincare, so this is a no-brainer to stock up on.
Promising review: "Has completely transformed my skin. I used to get hormonal acne every single month, I still get it now but far less often and severely. Differin has really made a big difference on my quality of life. I have sensitive skin, so I only use it a couple of times a week and always over a light layer of lotion. When I first started using it, my acne did get worse for about a month and then magically one day my skin looked amazing. It's worth a try for sure!" —Britt
Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available as a single-dose pump or a tube, and four sizes for a 30-, 60-, 90-, or 180-day supply).
5. A set of 16 facial sheet masks packed with brightening vitamin E and plumping collagen for any time you could use a skin reset or some pampering.
Each mask features a different kind of essence, like green tea, aloe, or pearl, so they each target slightly different skin concerns.
Promising reviews: "On Friday or Saturday night, if my daughter doesn't have to work, we'll kick back with fruity drinks, foot rubs, and face masks. These masks leave our faces feeling fresh and hydrated and don't make my acne-prone skin break out. The only problem with getting a variety pack, we inevitably argue over who gets some of the more interesting variants. I've yet to use the 'snake' one because she always points out that I was sorted as a Hufflepuff and she's Slytherin, so naturally, she gets it. You can't argue with that logic." —Amelia E.
"These masks are an incredible bargain! They all have the same basic ingredients, which are excellent, and each mask has a different specific ingredient for skin smoothing, moisturizing, pigmentation...you name it! They are made in Korea and contain excellent ingredients. I slap one on for 20 minutes every morning after washing my face, before the rest of my routine. They are very moisturizing, and they’re absolutely dripping in serum." —Daba
Get a set of 16 from Amazon for $11.99.
6. Essence's Lash Princess mascara, which delivers truly dramatic length without clumping or flaking. It's cruelty-free, has over *200,000* 5-star ratings, and is UNDER $5. What else could a mascara-lover want?? Speaking as one myself: not much.
Promising review: "Love it, love it, love it!!! You really look like you have fake eyelashes on. This mascara is amazing! It's not thick and lumpy, and it glides on smoothly and precisely. You feel like you had a makeup artist do your eyes!!! It lasts all day — no touch-up required, no smearing, no clumping. I use soap and warm water to remove. I am 500% completely happy and satisfied!" —Very Satisfied!!
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
And check out our full Essence Lash Princess Mascara review for more details.
7. A pack of reusable and DEEPLY satisfying exfoliating washcloths for scrubbing the dead skin off your body and revealing the ~baby-soft~ skin underneath. Reviewers attest: This product does not come to play.
I use these about once a week, and they are *chef's kiss*. Stay in the shower or bath for five or ten minutes with moderately hot water before using, which will soften up your skin so that when you start scrubbing; dead skin will basically roll straight off your body. Your skin will look and feel as good as new after, and SUPER soft. One of my favorite shower products, and worth every penny.
Promising reviews: "I stumbled upon these from watching a TikTok, and I’m so glad I did! Definitely look into how to use them before you start so you do it efficiently and find what works best for you. I use them after being in a hot shower for at least five minutes, then I start with long strokes in one direction. These got lots of gunk off my body and left my skin feeling so soft and smooth!" —Mariah C.
"Okay, these things are AWESOME! I watched a TikTok about this gal using them, and I figured why not try them. They weren’t expensive, and I spend $5 on useless crap all the time. This, my friends, is NOT useless crap. This gets so much gunk off my body it’s disgusting. How can I have so much dead skin on my body!? I don’t know, but this gets it all off and leaves my skin so soft! Just throw some baby oil on your skin after using it and you are good to go!" —Emilee Brinker
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $6.20.
8. An eyelash curler with over 9,000 5-star ratings that'll gently curl your lashes and is designed not to pinch skin (literally: the company reports it ran hundreds of experiments before deciding on this curler model because it fits most human eyes without pinching). That's science to me!!
The curler has soft silicone pads that enhance your ability to shape your lashes with minimal pressure so it is easier on lashes. It comes with five extra replacement silicone pads and can be used on both top and bottom lashes!
To curl, clean lashes, look downwards, place lashes in eyelash holder, and lightly press down on curler for several seconds. For best usage, curl your lashes before applying mascara as this will prevent the curler from sticking to the mascara.
Promising review: "I have long, full, but straight lashes. Nothing has worked. They just won't hold a curl. I have no idea what is different about this item, but my lashes look great! Gets all the lashes from outer to inner in one easy–squeezy. I FINALLY have found something that holds the curl ALL DAY! 100% recommend!!!" —Tangie4242
Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in two colors).
If you are an eyelash curler ~devotee,~ check out this highly rated mini travel curler.
9. The Aztec Secret healing clay mask beloved by reviewers for its ability to majorly deep clean pores, fight active breakouts, and help fade hyperpigmentation. Made with 100% calcium bentonite clay, a first-rate treatment for drawing impurities out of the skin, this mask is ~a longtime classic~ for a reason.
In addition to your face, you can also use it on your body and even in your hair as a scalp treatment. Reviewers recommending mixing in some apple cider vinegar for best use, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Promising review: "This is quite possibly the best skincare product I have ever used. I don’t say that lightly as I am a self-confessed beauty lover and cystic acne sufferer. But holy hell, this mask literally changed my life in less than a week. I’ve tried oral medication, antibiotics, snail creams, vitamins, lasers, retinol, microdermabrasion, monthly facials, birth control pills, homeopathic herbs and remedies and NOTHING has cleared my angry, inflamed cystic acne quicker than this mask. I have very oily skin and hormonal acne along my jawline. This mask is a godsend. I apply it every single day for exactly ten minutes before showering. Within three days, my cysts has dried up completely and flattened (which would’ve taken at least two weeks normally.) No new pimples have emerged and my skin is younger looking, less spotty, and much softer. I even use this mask on my backne. I am beyond thrilled. I’m over the moon. Pro tip though: Do not wash the mud down the drain. It will clog your pipes!" —French_Lentil
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
Check out our Aztec Secret clay mask deep dive for more, plus a silicone facial applicator brush that'll help you apply your masks!
10. A bottle of dermatologist-approved CeraVe AM Facial Lotion for a holy grail drugstore moisturizer rich with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and SPF 30 that's gentle enough for daily use on sensitive or acne-prone skin.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Brittany Ross loooves this facial lotion! She writes: "This is my go-to face moisturizer/sunscreen and I apply it *every* morning. The formula absorbs really quickly — especially considering it has SPF — and it keeps my dry-as-a-desert skin feeling hydrated and looking just a bit dewy without being greasy (aka the absolute worst!). Plus, since it's just 3 ounces, I don't have to run to the store for a travel-sized version whenever I have a flight coming up, and it's super affordable to boot."
Promising review: "I have hormonal, cystic acne (and taken pretty much every cream and pill for acne at some point) so needless to say my skin is now somewhat sensitive and prone to major outbreaks. My dermatologist has recommended CeraVe to use for everyday products such as face cleanser and lotions. This lotion doesn’t seem to cause any outbreaks (or make my face super red after application, which is so nice lol). Also, it is super light and blends in after application. It doesn’t make your face smell like sunscreen either, which is why I am still consistent with applying it. My boyfriend even commented on it." —regan
Get it from Amazon for $14.62.
11. Maybelline Lip Lifter Gloss to give your lips tinted, glossy shine without any annoying stickiness — while simultaneously nourishing with mega-hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Promising review: "I keep going back to buy more colors. This is THEE gloss. You can throw it on alone and it has enough pigment to look great even without lip liner. I’ve never had a gloss wear this well without being sticky. I have some fine lip lines and it doesn’t bleed. Bonus that as it wears off, it leaves a nice bit of color without any weirdness and my lips just feel moisturized. Excellent price point that makes it fun to keep trying more colors. I just ordered my fourth and love them all. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a beauty product." —Natalia
Get it from Amazon for $7.98+ (available in 20 shades).
12. A bestselling hair treatment mask with *23,000 5-star ratings* that's packed with collagen and soy protein to revive damaged, dull, or brittle hair in five minutes, revealing soft, nourished strands. This is salon-level haircare for under 10 bucks, folks!!
Reviewers with all hair types recommend this treatment mask.
Promising reviews: "Hair has never been this soft and smooth before. Another gem off TikTok. This stuff is way better than Olaplex for real. Especially for the price. I have used it only a couple of times and my hair is already super soft and doesn’t get as tangled. My hair was super thin and dry from color and heat damage. It feels amazing now." —Tiffany
"I have tried everything on the market to fix my damaged, bleached hair that keeps breaking off. I stumbled across this hair treatment on TikTok and decided to give it a try. I used it for the first time yesterday and i couldn't believe how amazing it made my hair feel and look. My hair is sooo soft, shiny, bouncy and nourished. It now looks and feels like hair again. Even my boyfriend noticed a huge difference in my hair. And you know it's a GOOD product when the boyfriend notices :D. I’m going to buy a lot more of this product." —Eline
Get it from Amazon for $7.64.
13. A pack of multipurpose dermaplaning razors you can use for shaping your eyebrows and removing peach fuzz on your cheeks, upper lip, or wherever else you please. It'll also help you apply foundation and blush *extra* smoothly.
14. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid because GOSH, if you haven't tried azelaic acid yet, YOU GOTTA. This affordable formulation sports 10% azelaic acid, the maximum over-the-counter strength available, giving you the full benefit of the anti-bacterial, antioxidant-full ingredient without breaking the bank. Calming skin sensitivity, smoothing textured skin, preventing free radical damage, and gently exfoliating, azelaic acid makes this acne-prone bb's heart beat faster — I think it's heaven-sent.
PS: Azelaic acid isn't an AHA or BHA, so it's gentle enough to be used together with retinoids, BHAs, and AHAs.
Promising review: "I almost never write reviews but love this product so much that I wanted to echo all of the other positive reviews. I have suffered from hormonal acne and large clogged pores my entire adult life and after a couple of weeks of use I've notice a HUGE difference. My pores are smaller, acne scars have faded, and no hormonal acne in sight. It is a small container but only a pea-size is needed to cover my entire face so it's also incredibly inexpensive!" —Marduten
15. A K-beauty carbonated bubble clay mask with charcoal and green tea that clears pores and brings gunk to the surface by foaming into bubbles when it's done working! TL;DR: Reviewers say this is as fun to use as it is effective.
See it in action on TikTok here.
Promising review: "Amazing! I adore this stuff! I have a lot of hormonal acne because I have PCOS. This clears most if not all of it! It works well on cystic acne and helps bring it to the surface of the skin, and it also helps with blackheads! I've got my best friend hooked as well! Highly recommend! (Plus it's just really fun!)" —T
Get it from Amazon for $11.
16. Extra-soft makeup blending sponges if you've heard how sponges apply makeup flawlessly but haven't tried them out yet. Reviewers say these are great Beauty Blender alternatives, and at $1.65 per sponge compared to the $20 Beauty Blender, you can prepare to love your new application trick without breaking the bank.
To use the blending sponge, wet your sponge and squeeze out excess water so that it's damp, not soaking. For extra high-coverage looks, trying using the sponge dry.
Promising review: "I usually use Beauty Blender sponges, and I was about to purchase a replacement when I came across these on Amazon! It’s literally amazing, even better than Beauty Blenders. The makeup goes on so smooth and blends so well. It doesn’t absorb as much product, and obviously, the price is unbeatable! I used to think that cheaper products don’t work as well, but this definitely proved me wrong. I’m so glad I gave this a try because it’s my new favorite makeup staple now." —Macy
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.95.
17. The Ordinary's niacinamide and zinc serum that gives you all the blemish-fighting and antibacterial benefits of these powerhouse ingredients in a lightweight, gentle formula you can use everyday. This baby also helps control oil production, minimize the appearance of pores, and brighten hyperpigmentation.
Promising review: "My holy grail! I've had acne since my early years, and two rounds of Accutane later I still have sensitive skin that's prone to hormonal breakouts. If I had nothing else, this is all I’d need. I use it twice a day after washing, on my face and chest. No breakouts for almost a year! Never giving this up." —MMcDo
Get it from Sephora or Ulta for $6+ (also available in a value size).
18. A waterproof eyeliner stamp so you can rock an expert wing on the first try and free yourself from the agony of redoing your winged liner over and over until both sides match.
One side is the curved wing stamp, and the other is a regular fine tip liner for defining the rest of the eye. It comes in a pack of two, one for each eye.
Promising reviews: "I've tried the taping method, tried normal liquid liner, plastic winged stamping devices, stencils, all of it! So, when I saw this, I thought, meh, why not give it a shot. ... It's not like my hopes were high since nothing else has been efficient or worked as it should.
Well, this gem arrived, and I immediately had to try it out, all while laughing at how terrible this would probably turn out...but to my surprise, I put the left cat-eye on first, and it was perfect aside from needing to connect it to my current liner. I thought this was a fluke and did the right eye...again, it came out clean and perfect!" —LadyMeow
Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in three sizes, packs of two, and a combo pack).
19. A unique 2-oz. turmeric hair detox mask to rid your strands of buildup and flakiness so they'll be ~primed~ to receive maximum nourishment from your conditioners and other treatments.
This is packed with antioxidants like turmeric, charcoal, and green tea to hydrate while cleansing. Recommended use is biweekly or monthly.
Promising reviews: "This treatment is amazing! I’m def getting the bigger bottle next order! I also used it on my boyfriends locs and it did wonders." —Sarah
"The only thing that works. I have been having a problem with buildup on my scalp for awhile now. I had tried every product that had good reviews before…Olaplex…scalp scrubbers...treatments…I bought this product on a whim because it was only $10. So happy I did. This product really works. I will continue to purchase this. Please never discontinue this product!!!!!" —Jaimee Lee Winkler
Bounce Curl is an Assyrian-owned hair care company specializing in curly hair. Their products are cruelty-free, use safe ingredients, and are inspired by the founder's ancestors' traditional remedies for hair care.
Get it from Bounce Curl for $11.
20. A NYX lip pencil you can use for defining your pout or as an all-over product to color your lips (extra points for topping with some clear gloss for a unique DIY look)!
Psssst! Reviewers say the Peakaboo Neutral shade is similar in quality to Charlotte Tilbury's popular Pillow Talk shade.
Promising review: "This is by far my favorite lip liner. It looks very natural and perfect for when I over-line my lips. I got the shade 'Ever.' Great quality for the price, too. Paired with NYX Butter Gloss 'Fortune Cookie.' Looking forward to buying more products!" –Victoria Nguyen
Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in 11 shades).
21. Flexible curling wands so you can try out curling your hair without the heat damage that comes with traditional curling irons. Wrap strands around each foam curler while your hair is damp, let them sit overnight, and ~behold~ easy, bouncy curls in the morning.
The wands vary in size so you can pick the size you prefer. Reviewers recommend putting a leave-in conditioner in your damp hair when you use these for optimum curling.
Promising reviews: "Perfect for my 4b coily hair. They're awesome, I've slept with them in for two days and they're beyond comfortable." —Tatianna
"Stop searching for the best value for flexi rods cause I did that already, and this is it lol. These are shorter than what I expected, but I’m now noticing the 'for short/fine hair' description. But I’m still able to wrap the full 24-inch length around the rods. Comes with plenty of sizes which I love. You don’t need anything but damp hair and a leave-in to your preference." —Mo
Get a pack of 47 from Amazon for $13.99.
22. An eye primer to make sure your shadows last as loooong as you please without creasing or smudging. If you don't use primers for your eye makeup yet, trust me, it's game changing — especially if you have oily eyelids like I do.
Promising review: "How did I not know this existed before?? This stuff is truly a miracle for people like me with smaller, deep-set eyelids. No more am I constantly rubbing above my eyes. I couldn’t believe the first day I wore it that after work at 5 p.m., my eye makeup looked exactly the same as it did at 6 a.m. I use just the slightest amount, and it withstands long, hot Florida days. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase and wish I had known of it sooner!" —TP
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
23. A vegan and cruelty-free makeup setting spray for extending makeup wear to 16 hours. One Amazon reviewer describes getting dumped right before a party, sobbing "A LOT" and then looking in the mirror to find their makeup "perfectly flawless."
While we hate to see unkindly timed breakups (right before a party?? BOO!!), THAT'S HOW GOOD THIS SETTING SPRAY IS.
Promising review: "I have been purchasing the NYX Matte Finishing Spray for years but would rotate between this and other high-end sprays. I always end up coming right back to NYX because the finish is incomparable. No matter which foundation I use, my makeup is long-wearing, stays matte and there's no cakey, oily or melted/separated look even after hours of wear. I also have some visible pores on my cheeks and this spray does NOT highlight them or make them stand out more like other sprays do. It's the perfect combination for my makeup needs. Also, so happy that Amazon sells this in jumbo size so this bottle will last me a really long time!" —Krystle M.
Get it from Amazon for $9.03+ (available in matte, dewy, radiant, and plump finishes, in regular and jumbo sizes, and in various packs).
24. Cult-fave Weleda Skin Food cream to intensely nourish dry skin with chamomile, pansy, and rosemary so you'll get a much-needed moisture boost. It can also be used as a makeup primer!
Promising review: "I've tried all kinds of moisturizers for my face, and with sensitive skin, I was almost always disappointed in some way by the products I've purchased. I have spent a small fortune on skin products over the years, and then, I found this! The answer to my prayers. It's a miracle worker. My face is never dry, never irritated, I've had no reactions whatsoever, and it has kept me perfectly moisturized and soothed for many weeks now. The scent is light and pleasant, and it doesn't linger on for hours. This is a perfect moisturizer for use alone or under makeup. I would recommend it for anyone tired of being let down by pricey moisturizers that irritate or underperform. And at this price, with a little going a long way, it's an awesome value." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two sizes and travel packs of 10).
25. A lightweight L'Oreal rinse-out moisturizing hair treatment that takes just eight seconds to repair damage and restore shine using patented amino acid technology.
It's activated by water, so you can apply it after shampoo but before conditioner to let it work its magic! Recommended usage is 2–3 times a week. Reviewers say it works on all hair types, including straight hair and curl types 3a–4c.
Promising review: "I don’t usually do reviews on products, but for this one I absolutely have to. I have 3c type hair and struggle with a lot a breakage, unmanageability, and moisture. When my mom mentioned this product to me, I didn’t take her seriously because of the simple fact that we have two completely different hair textures. I never would have thought this brand would work on my hair...I have never in my 22 years felt my hair like this. I feel like I have a completely different head of hair. This product is so amazing and I will FOREVER be using this product in my hair regimen." —Theressa Hailey
Get it from Amazon for $9.87.
26. A hair-finishing stick with a unique mascara-like brush applicator to smooth out flyaways, cowlicks, and frizz without an ounce more effort than is necessary.
Promising review: "I have super-fine hair with lots of breakage. No matter how I put my hair up I have bad flyaways. This stuff is great! So easy and it stays better and looks smoother than stiff hairspray." —Jill Stilfield
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in a two-pack).
27. Or a humidity-resistant edge control gel to help lay edges and baby hairs without flaking or appearing greasy.
BUT we want to add that no one should feel pressure to lay their edges, unless they want to! Check out "Just A Friendly PSA That You Don't HAVE To Lay Your Edges Down If You Don't Wanna."
Promising review: "Hands-down! The best edge control I have ever used and I have used a lot of them. Stayed all day! No flakes and nongreasy! And this one is not even the strongest in the line. Love this product!" —Mrs.Washington
Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in four sizes and a pack of three).
28. A cult-fave E.l.f. poreless putty primer for helping to smooth the appearance of pores, lock makeup in all day, and hydrate skin using gentle squalane oil. Long story short, it helps your skin look like an IG filter.
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and for $8 thought I'd take a chance. I have sensitive skin and have to watch what I use. I LOVE this product! Goes on smooth and you don't need to use a lot. I put it on before I put on my foundation. Makes a huge difference. Highly recommend and will buy again!!" —Leslie Mattingly
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
29. Cult-fave, ~multi-talented~ Mario Badescu Facial Spray to rejuvenate and clarify your skin, refresh your makeup, and pamper yourself with little to no effort. You can even use it for your hair when it needs some quick moisture!
Try storing it in the fridge for an extra pick-me-up on hot days — it's a game changer!
Promising review: "I enjoy the refreshing, cooling sensation this gives when sprayed on the face; it gives a boost of hydration before my moisturizer, and also works well as a setting spray. But the best benefit I've gotten is from spraying it in my hair! My limp, thin, baby-fine hair has never looked better or felt stronger." —Laura B
Check out this BuzzFeeder's Mario Badescu Facial Spray deep dive for more info!
Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in two sizes and various packs).
30. An organic, super nourishing turmeric and calendula soap that conditions and soothes dry, scaly skin so well, that it's basically a must-have for folks with dryness whose normal body wash is just not cutting it (🙋♀️).
It can be used on the body and face.
I recently picked up this soap and it has floored me with how far it has exceeded my expectations. Many soaps promise to clean and moisturize your skin, right? For me, this is the only soap that has ever delivered on that promise. I literally feel the soap conditioning my skin as I use it, which I think is due to the fact that not all of the olive oil used in it is converted to soap, meaning that when you use it that extra oil is ~bequeathed~ to thirsty skin. I'm pretty sure it's the only reason my skin hasn't fully cracked off this winter, since I've been too lazy to use body lotion recently (I know) but my skin is still shockingly soft (and intact). Clearly Zatik is doing some heavy lifting, and we are grateful for this LOL. I'll be repurchasing this for a long time to come. The inclusion of brightening turmeric —one of my fave and IMO, most underrated ingredients — is an awesome touch, too!
Promising review: "Absolute favorite soap. I have had sensitive and dry skin for about the last 10 years and have tried about 30 or 40 different soaps. The first time I tried the Zatik olive oil soap I could feel a difference in how my skin felt. It didn’t feel as dry and also felt softer. The soap does tend to get soft when it’s wet so I keep it on a soap dish so it stays as dry as possible. Also appreciate that it’s a handmade soap and feel it’s worth every penny since it works so well for my skin. Love it!" —Good Thoughts
Zatik is an Armenian, family-owned small business based in California that makes all-natural body, skin, and haircare products. Everything is handmade and organic! "Zatik" means "ladybug" in Armenian, a nod to the regenerative power of the botanical ingredients that are the basis for their products.
Get it from Amazon for $8+ (available in four formulas).
31. A 50-pack of compressed facial sponges for deep pore cleansing, makeup removal, and gentle exfoliation that TikTokers *and myself* love. They're made out of 100% natural cellulose: sensitive skin rejoice!
I ADORE these. My skin feels noticeably softer after using them and I can tell they clean my pores well because once I started using them I broke out less. Who knew that facial sponges were the skincare hack I've been searching for??? They make me look forward to washing my face, which is truly nothing short of a miracle.
Promising reviews: "OMG silly to be excited about a facial sponge but I love them. Saw them on TikTok. Wafer thin but plump up to 1/4 inch when wet. Just the right size for washing face. Gentle. Reusable. Use after face wipe or just with facial cleanser." —Janet
"I’m prone to dry skin so exfoliating is super important to me, but my skin is pale and delicate so anything too rough will leave me with redness and irritation. I’m also obsessed with skincare so I’m really picky about my tools and products. These are my new favorite sponges! I’m going to give them to all my friends because everyone needs them!! I’m so in love with these. The texture is soft but not too soft — after washing then exfoliating with a scrub using this sponge, my skin felt invigorated, soft, and clean. So pleasantly surprised because I’ve never tried this type of sponge and I don’t think I’ll ever use anything else ever again. Once you add water they become spongy and are soft but just the right texture to clean deep into my pores without the harshness of more textured sponges." —RejuveKate
Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $9.98 (available in four colors).
32. A bestselling, oil-absorbing facial roller made of real volcanic stone (!!!) that will mattify your face without disturbing your makeup.
The facial roller is also small enough to fit comfortably in your makeup bag.
Promising review: "I am in love with this! I’ve told so many people about it! I live in Louisiana which is hot and very humid. Therefore, I would get shiny often so I’d touch up with powder and by the end of the day my makeup looked cakey. So this roller is miraculous! It just glides on your face and instantly, shine is gone and better yet it doesn’t take your makeup off!" —Angie Naquin
Get it from Amazon for $12.74.
And check out this pack of natural bamboo charcoal blotting papers for another tried-and-true method for getting rid of facial oil while preserving makeup.
33. A pack of soft microfiber makeup removing towels so you can remove all your makeup by *just adding water.* Now you can ditch spending money and time on expensive makeup removing products. Once I tried these, I literally never looked back! You may say, Haley, isn't that what the Makeup Eraser does? To which I answer: Not quite! These are a ~fraction~ of the price, and dare I say they work BETTER.
I only use these now to remove my makeup, including heavy mascara, and they are great for my sensitive skin. I do follow up with a gentle cleanser to cleanse my skin once all my makeup is off. They're big and dry quickly so you can use the same towel multiple times before having to wash it or switch to another one.
Promising reviews: "I've used many different microfiber facial cloths and these are the BEST EVER!! They do a fabulous job of removing makeup but feel so luxurious. Even after washing numerous times, they still feel as soft and do a super job. Ordering some more to send to friends." —Scotland
"I purchased these just as face cloths to use WITH facial cleanser, but they really do take off ALL your makeup with just warm water…even mascara and long-wear cream eyeshadow, etc. I am so super pleased with these…one of the best products I have ever purchased on Amazon!" —Adriana G.
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in five colors and two quantities).
34. A Crave Naturals detangling brush that'll gently detangle your hair while minimizing breakage and the dreaded puling and tearing that often accompanies brushing hair (*sobs*). It's so gentle that reviewers love it for use on their kids!
The brush works on wet and dry hair, and on thick and thin hair types.
Promising reviews: "I'm a single dad of a 6-year-old girl and combing her hair is the hardest part of taking care of her. She gets really bad knots in her hair. This brush is the only thing that has ever worked. Thank you so much. She even likes to comb her own hair now." —Nguyen P.
"The best brush for 4c natural hair. Easy detangling with wet or dry hair. No pain at all. This brush just slides through without pulling out your hair. A must buy!!!!" —Jackie E.
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in five colors).
35. A Revlon sharpener with two sharpening sizes and over 16,000 5-star ratings that'll fit your jumbo and regular pencils, so your sharpener will no longer be constantly breaking...and then spilling all your shards and shavings in your makeup bag or on the ground for you to clean up (this can't be just me LOL).
Promising reviews: "I have used this sharpener for over 20 years. It doesn’t break, I just lost mine. You can’t find it in the store. It sharpens lipliners or small eyeliners, and it sharpens large pencils as well. It keeps the shavings in the back, so the only time to remove is when it needs to be emptied. REVLON: do not ever stop selling this beauty holy grail of sharpeners." —MrsMommyLoves7
Get it from Amazon for $2.79.
36. A foundation brush that reviewers are raving over for its 20,000 dense, soft bristles (!!!) that apply makeup without streaking and without absorbing (read: wasting) any product. YES PLEASE.
This brush is best used wet for applying makeup and can be used on powder or liquid formulas.
Promising review: "I was looking for a makeup brush and came across this little gem. I was hesitant for a couple of reasons. First off, the price! I thought surely nothing of quality could come at this price. Also, I wasn't familiar with this brand or type of brush. After reading some reviews and researching a bit more I figured why not. After all, its cheap enough. I was beyond surprised when it arrived. First of all it came in this little container that can be great for travel or just storage in general! Loved that! Then felt the bristles and used it for the first time. Wow! Just wow! It worked amazing. I use it for blending foundation and it works 💯 better than expected. I can't believe how impressed I am with this product. It feels wonderful on my face and is completely easy to do a quick wipe off. Its definitely worth the low price. Give it a try!" —Jennifer Reinhart
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors).
37. A stainless steel and alloy false eyelash applicator to help you apply, adjust, or take off false eyelashes. False eyelashes are DECEPTIVELY hard to put on — IYKYK — so I personally welcome this tool WITH OPEN ARMS.
It can also hold your eyelashes while you apply glue!
Promising review: "I most recently stopped getting eyelash extensions and switched to falsies and am new to the game. I was using tweezers initially but they didn’t help. This is a must!! It makes putting on my lashes a breeze!" —Jess
Get it from Amazon for $4.98 (available in six colors).
38. A creamy dual-sided lip liner with each side featuring a complementary shade so you can define your lips *and* create an easy, beautiful ombre effect without having to use a bunch of different products. This is a minimalist beauty lover's dream!
PS! Every lip liner corresponds with one of their beloved matte lipsticks.
Promising review: "Obsessed! This liner is incredible!! I usually have a hard time with pencil liners, they usually feel drying on my lips. But this one glides on so smoothly and looks amazing every time! I love that it's dual ended so I can do different effects. It's perfect!" —Courtney
Treslúce Beauty is a cruelty-free beauty brand founded by singer and actress Becky G. Their consciously formulated products are inspired by her Mexican heritage and seek to celebrate Latine heritage and culture.
Get it from Ulta or Treslúce Beauty for $12 (available in six shades).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.