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. The multifaceted CeraVe cleanser with salicylic acid to naturally exfoliate and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate. Your skin will feel smooth and *won't* have that annoying tight-skin sensation.
Promising review: "I've struggled with incredibly sensitive, acne-prone, textured skin for a lot of my adult life. I stumbled onto this cleanser via TikTok (I wish I was kidding) and bought this in conjunction with CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream and, LET ME TELL YOU, these products have become holy grail skincare items for me. Prior to this, I was using homemade soap and an exfoliating mitt to wash my face, but my skin would quickly develop uneven texture in between exfoliations. This cleanser makes my skin smooth and it doesn't irritate it. My breakouts are already a lot smaller and I've noticed a huge difference in the overall appearance. This is a holy grail cleanser." —C. Hallgrimson
Get it from Amazon for $11.55+ (available in two sizes).
2. Or a luxuriously creamy CeraVe facial cleanser gentle enough for everyday use, but made with powerful enough ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin) to remove dirt, makeup, and excess oils.
Promising review: "This was recommended to me by a dermatologist friend with beautiful skin. She uses CeraVe cleanser once in the morning, once at night, with the regular CeraVe lotion, and I was so jealous of her skin and tired of buying expensive junk that promises the moon, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm very glad I did! This cleanser/lotion combo works beautifully. My skin is cleansed and refreshed and looks great, never feels over-dry, and I'm not paying an arm and a leg for snail goop or milky jelly or whatever marketing bull I was buying before. It feels great to wash my face, too, not like I'm doing a chemical peel or scrubbing a layer of skin off." —E. Giffen
Get it from Amazon for $11.72+ (available in three sizes).
3. Or! A purifying foaming cleanser by La Roche-Posay great for combination skin. This gel will foam up into a sudsy lather that'll help remove excess oil while maintaining your skin's natural protective barrier and pH.
Promising review: "I have found the HOLY GRAIL of face wash for sensitive skin. This product cuts through a full face of makeup with just one pump and lather. Leaves my skin smooth and soft. I have had less acne since using this for a month or so. This entire bottle has lasted me for three months (one pump per day)." —Kat
Get it from Amazon for $11.19+ (available in two sizes).
4. OR! A medicated gel cleanser that targets excess oil and helps clear breakouts while reducing surface oil by up to 47%. Time to say hello to a breakout-free and mattified face that'll make people think you have a full-coverage foundation, but you'll be bragging that it's actually just your skin!!
Promising review: "I have been using La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash for cystic/hormonal acne, and it has seriously been the best product I have tried so far. I have very sensitive and dry skin, so I also follow up with an eye cream and moisturizer (because this product can be drying if you don't). This cleansing gel has completely changed my skin in just 10 days; it is more clear, smooth, and even-toned. I think this product is great for all skin types that struggle with acne, as long as you follow up with the proper moisturizer/skin regimen according to your skin type." —Chelsea
Get it from Amazon for $14.24.
5. OR!!! Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Cleanser, which is here to prove your cleanser can be effective *and* gentle at the same time! It uses matcha and hemp seed oil to help restore hydration and antioxidants. Tight-feeling skin post-wash, you've just met your ~matcha.~
Krave Beauty is a Korean woman-owned small biz that believes in simplicity and aims to make skincare easy and stress-free in an oversaturated and complicated industry. They believe in respecting the skin and restoring it back to health.
Promising review: "Upon first use, my sensitive skin didn't turn red or break out! This is a great gentle cleanser that doesn't strip and leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized. There is a slight fragrance but nothing overpowering which I love. This is also one of the few gel-like cleansers that I've tried that's easier to wash off. Some of them feel a bit too slimy and take a bit more effort to completely wash off, but not this one. I'll definitely be repurchasing in the future!" —Sydney
Get it from Krave Beauty for $16.
6. Radha Beauty Rosehip Oil that'll nourish with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids to help hydrate and soothe your skin. This amazing concoction can also help brighten your skin tone and banish blemishes — *cue infomercial voice* — but that's not all! You can also use it on your hair and cuticles or in your lotion!
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’s 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 soothes any redness. It’s a decent-sized bottle for what you pay!" —Brynnieb09
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
To learn more, check out this facial oil review.
7. A skin-clearing salicylic acid treatment from Paula's Choice, which is a non-abrasive, leave-on exfoliant designed to unclog and reduce the appearance of large pores, loosen dead skin cells, and brighten and even out skin tone.
Check out this TikToker's review here.
Promising review: "I have always struggled with blackheads on my nose. It was something I was super self-conscious about, always. I tried pore strips, masks, scrubs, etc., and nothing ever worked for me. But after using this product, I saw results after 10 days! I have been using it for about a month-and-a-half, and now I can barely see the pores on my nose. The redness around my nose also went away." —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $13+ (available in three sizes).
8. A super lightweight Missha sun milk with SPF 50 that is everything you need and want from sunscreen and none of the stuff you don't. We're talking UV protection and skin tone correction *without* a white cast, goopy consistency, or greasy residue.
Daniel Boan writes, "I finally found it: the PERFECT sunscreen. I've had a constant battle with facial sunscreens — most make my already oily skin look ridiculously greasy and consistently cause me to break out. I refused to give up on my search since basically every dermatologist goes on and on about how SPF is basically the magic ingredient for healthy skin.
I thought the Missha Sun Milk would be like the rest — but it is everything I've been looking for in a sunscreen. The lightweight formula absorbs almost immediately and — here's the exciting part! — it dries down to a powdery smooth finish that keeps me matte all day long. It's basically a mattifying powder and sunscreen in the same bottle. If you hate most sunscreens, trust me, give this one a shot."
Get it from Amazon for $19.50+ (available in three versions).
9. A bottle of Bio-Oil Multiuse Skincare Oil with sooo many uses — fading scars, soothing cracked skin, moisturizing without clogging your pores — try it out and you may just discover the next big thing to put it on!
See a TikToker's before and after here.
Promising review: "After just about three weeks of use I’ve seen such a positive change in both the evenness of time and of the texture of my skin. Melasma and acne scarring have faded pretty dramatically — I don’t even bother putting on foundation when I do my makeup in the morning. The oil is so lightweight and doesn’t exacerbate my already oily complexion." —L T C
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
10. A tub of Aquaphor healing ointment — if you're only gonna buy one product, let it be this because it can do basically anything you could ever want. Buckle up and stay with me here…you can use it on chapped lips, dry hands and cuticles, cracked heels and feet, minor burns, and more! There's even a trend on TikTok for this being the only makeup product you need — put some on your brows to keep them in place, layer a bit on your lashes for a natural mascara look, put some on your lips for the shine, and BOOM, your full face is ready for the day.
Psst: Try it on new tattoos to keep the color from fading while they heal!
Promising review: "Awesome!! I’m on Accutane so I use this for my lips to keep them from getting super chapped and they really help! It’s super moisturizing and I love that it’s in a big tub so I don’t have to keep repurchasing! If you have chapped lips I definitely recommend, it’s super moisturizing and hasn’t caused any breakouts around my lips so far." —M
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
11. A tube of Roc retinol night cream that you'll have to see to believe — put it on at night to help you wake up with smooth and radiant skin.
Promising review: "I did a lot of research on Retinol anti-wrinkle face creams before purchasing this product. It consistently got high ratings and at a price I could afford. I was not going to pay $100+ for comparable products. Much to my surprise, I saw visible results after only one week of use. Wow. Highly recommend." —Lisa
Get it from Amazon for $17.74.
12. An outrageously popular Differin gel beloved by reviewers for helping get rid of existing acne *and* working to prevent new pimples from forming with its prescription-strength retinoid. Go ahead and order a couple of bottles, this is now a staple in your beauty routine.
Because of the prescription-strength retinoid, make sure to consult your dermatologist before introducing this into your skincare routine.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Natalie Brown has tried this out on her own skin! Here are her takeaways:
"1. One pea-sized application per day is all it takes.
2. It's just as effective over moisturizer as it would be if you applied it directly to your skin.
3. Apply it at night, and you MUST wear sunscreen every day when you use this!"
You can read her full review in this post "11 Products We Use, Love, And Swear By So Much, We Had To Share Them With You" at #6.
Promising review: "This product is a MAGIC ERASER on acne. This is the only product that works on my acne. It dried up my hormonal acne within one night! So I have mild hormonal acne due to menstrual cycle but after using this gel every night and following the directions in the package, it has really helped me get rid of acne and dark spots. This product did not break me out in initial use or even later. This one tube lasted me for a couple of months and a few days over. I love the results and I will buy another tube if my acne acts up again but for now I have clean and clear skin. Thanks Differin!" —KARTHICK RAVI
Get it from Amazon for $11.49+ (available in two versions and four quantities).
13. A super-gentle yet hydrating CeraVe eye cream to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness in order to trick all your coworkers into thinking you actually slept for eight hours last night instead of staying up til 3 a.m. watching your comfort show.
Promising review: "I've been embarrassed for years about the bags under my eyes, but with two preschoolers at home, stress, and mild insomnia, I didn't see a way out. This is like a little miracle tube. I use it before bed and then in the morning too. I use it even if I didn't wash my face. I've gone from looking like there are bruises under my eyes to looking normal again. I no longer feel the need to use concealer under my eyes on a regular basis. I highly recommend!" —Amber Jaeger
Get it from Amazon for $11.49.
14. The extremely beloved Mario Badescu Drying Lotion that will help dry up blemishes while you sleep. Just dip a cotton swab into the pink solution, dab it on your pimples, and watch them shrink!!
Promising review: "Honestly, I assume that this dainty bottle is powered by some sort of magic, because this stuff is truly ah-mazing! Not long ago, I had a deep pimple that was building to a slow crescendo of awful (important to note, I usually have clear skin), and my mother-in-law recommended this stuff to me. She promised that it would drastically reduce the pimple, if not zap it altogether, overnight. I was wary, but I also had a business trip coming up and I was worried that the tender mound was going to blossom into a third eyeball by the time I stepped off the plane for client meetings. I dabbed a tiny amount of this stuff on the zit after my nightly facial routine (it kind of looks like calamine lotion) and went to bed not expecting much. No joke, this miracle elixir managed to shrink the nasty little sucker so much that the tenderness had gone away!" —Caerley Hill
Get it from Amazon for $10.26+ (available in a glass or plastic bottle).
15. A tube of a celebrity-beloved moisturizer you can use as a lotion, apply before doing your makeup for a smoothing primer, or layer on as a nourishing face mask when you need a liiiittle extra hydration.
Promising review: "Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, Face Cream and Makeup Primer is an amazing moisturizer! I use it as a nighttime moisturizer and in the morning as a makeup primer. My skin used to be incredibly dry but this has made a huge difference. I have already purchased a second tube and I am now on auto-ship. It’s a product that I can not live without! I highly recommend it." —asjdws
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two sizes).
16. A jar of Aztec Secret healing clay mask that is basically a vacuum for your pores. In just 5–20 minutes it'll leave you with smooth and firm skin. And, if you're interested in a ~full~ spa day, you can even use this mask on the rest of your body, your hair, or even to create foot soaks. Talk about a product going above and beyond!
Many reviewers advise mixing the mask with apple cider vinegar for best results.
Promising review: "I used this mask for the first time last night, with a facial steamer I had also gotten off of Amazon, and my skin is HAPPY! Woke up this morning with my face feeling soft, toned, and moisturized. My face can be sensitive to masks and I had no reaction to this other than a little redness after taking off the mask and per the instructions, that's normal. I followed with my cleanser and moisturizer, it ended up being a perfect combo. I plan on doing the mask a few times a week. I've always seen this mask before and was hesitant on giving it a try (trying new things and having reactions to them is soo not worth it to me) BUT it exceeded my expectations." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
17. A sprayable body acne mist, which might just be the best thing since sliced bread. It's made of a blend of salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and witch hazel to help keep your breakouts under control. Plus it has a nozzle that sprays at any angle, so you don't have to scream to your partner to come help reach those awkward parts of your back.
Promising review: "I’ve always struggled with back and body acne, mostly back and butt. But it’s hard to really target that area. This stuff has really been a game changer. I don’t get nearly as many cysts or bumps around my period like I used to. Old scarring has cleared. The bottle is easy to use at any angle. Lasts a good while and is a great price." —Julie Herron
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
18. A pack of Avarelle Acne Cover Patches so you can stop spending your time picking at every zit you see (seriously, your derm will thank you). Just apply a patch and watch it help flatten out the pimple, reduce redness, and pull out allllll the gunk.
Promising review: "I love this product! Whenever I have a pimple that is ready to burst (whitehead), I put one of these stickers on for a day and BOOM, it flattens and sucks up all that yucky junk. It feels really comfortable and can be barely noticeable if you have a small pimple that needs to be removed. There were times where I wore these out to school. Great product!" —Jenny
Get a pack of 40 from Amazon for $7.64 (also available in a pack of 80).
19. First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub Exfoliant, because even though I promise no one other than you actually notices those little bumps on your arms, you want them gone and all power to ya!! Reviewers with skin conditions like keratosis pilaris swear by this product!
Check out a TikTok of the KP bump eraser in action.
Read more about how to treat keratosis pilaris at home at the American Academy of Dermatology.
Promising review: "I've recently had a problem with these weird, itchy, acne-like bumps all over my chest and shoulders. I’ve tried tons of washes, creams, treatments, etc. but nothing seemed to be working and then I saw a review of this scrub on TikTok and decided to try it. I shower every morning and take about a fingertip full of the scrub and gently rub it over my chest and shoulders then wash it off, and after a couple of weeks my skin was already getting so much better, and I have super sensitive skin too so I’m impressed it didn’t get irritated. Overall would definitely recommend!" —Olivia Parker
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in five sizes and a pack of two).
20. Honeyskin Ultimate Face and Body cream designed to help fight rosacea, dry skin, flaking, and acne while soothing and rejuvenating your skin. What could make this better? Oh, just the ahhmazing anti-inflammatory ingredients — manuka honey, Australian cehami, and shea butter.
Promising review: "Simply the best healing, refreshing cream anywhere. This cream is simply magic. I have some rosacea and since I have been using it, I seldom have any breakouts on my face. I had mild psoriasis on my elbows and it is all but gone. One day I got a sunburn and put this on and all the stinging was gone immediately and it never peeled. I have tried many top-of-the line products before this. This is simply fabulous. A friend told me that he had been recommended this by his dermatologist and it was wonderful. I believed him! Glad I got it." —Carole Ciraulo
Get it from Amazon for $14.76+ (available in three sizes).
21. A tea tree and peppermint Remedy Soap with a plethora of uses — it helps improve skin irritations (we're talking dry skin, skin infections, acne, athlete's foot, nourishes skin, ringworm, jock itch, and more!), helps reduce odors, and is just overall nourishing for everyday use. Dare I say we have found the holy grail of soaps?!
Learn more about the many uses of tea tree oil at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "I purchased Remedy Soap for my 'tween' daughter who was struggling with horrible armpit and foot odor. I tried everything to help her control this — men's deodorant, alcohol, lemon under her armpits, tea bags in her shoes, washing her clothes in vinegar etc. I was literally at my wits end by the time I came across this product on Amazon. After reading hundreds of positive reviews, I bought the soap with the hope that it would help significantly reduce her foot and armpit odor. To my amazement, it eliminated her odor completely!! She went through a whole day at school, including PE, and came home smelling as fresh as she did when she left that morning. That has NEVER happened this entire school year!! Needless to say, my husband and I are beyond pleased with our daughter's results. We now have the comfort of knowing that she won't have to continue suffering from the embarrassment of unnecessary body odor. I can't thank Honestie Naturals enough for this product. It has truly put a smile back on my family's faces." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in one- or two-pack and five scents).
22. A powerful snail repair cream that may sound a bit off-putting, but it'll help brighten dull skin, fade discoloration, and add plumpness. It uses snail mucin extract and is rich in hyaluronic acid (hydrates) and glycolic acid (stimulates collagen production).
Promising review: "I'm 55 years old and my skin is a bit sensitive. I don't have a lot of wrinkles, but I'm definitely noticing a few more laugh lines and forehead crinkles than I had a few years ago! I've tried several moisturizers and have not been terribly impressed with any of them until now. This stuff really is great — incredibly hydrating without feeling greasy and it absorbs quickly. It feels great on my skin. In just a few short weeks, I definitely notice an improvement in my skin tone and fewer lines and wrinkles! Plus, the customer service is great. I had questions when I first received the product and got a followup response immediately. I will definitely be ordering this product again. I use it in the evening and morning; no need for two different moisturizers. Very pleased!" —sbakey
Get it from Amazon for $15.95.
23. A bottle of Tend Skin Solution to reduce razor bumps and ingrown hairs and make shaving less of an irritating task and more of a part of your self-care routine. Just apply a thin layer after shaving and stop dealing with the painful aftermath.
Promising review: "This product is a lifesaver, simply amazing!! My before picture (above) is from two months ago without using Tendskin after shaving. That’s how bad my thighs used to get two to three days after shaving. I used to cry so much because EVERYTHING hurt my thighs, including my silk covers. My after picture is from two months later. As you can see it’s a tremendous difference. Although I still have scars, my shaving doesn’t bring tears to my eyes anymore. It’s helped with razor bumps, ingrown hairs, dark spots, and my sensitivity to denim." —Kim
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).
24. Nip + Fab Daily Cleansing Pads that'll reveal brighter and clearer skin by using 2.8% glycolic acid, which provides a chemical exfoliation. And to balance that out, it also has hyaluronic acid for moisture and witch hazel to soothe and tone.
These are designed to resurface and retexture your skin, revealing an exfoliated and brightened complexion beneath!
Promising review: "I’m really impressed with these pads. I’ve suffered from adult cystic acne for about a decade now, and have tried countless products over the years. Adding these things into my skincare routine has made my skin look bright and clear like porcelain. I still get the occasional blemish, but they’re always very small and go away in a day or two. I highly recommend them." —Caroline Powell
Get a container of 60 pads from Amazon for $13.88.
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.