1. A creamy, oil-based Juno & Co cleansing balm reviewers swear by for removing every trace of makeup, even stubborn waterproof formulas. (Take those makeup wipes out of your cart right now!!!) It's made with only 10 ingredients, including Japanese pearl barley to hydrate and brighten.
New to cleansing balms? Start by warming the product up with your dry fingertips, massage in circular motions on dry skin, then rinse with lukewarm water. If using as part of a double cleansing routine, follow this up with a water-based facial cleanser. Promising review: "I wasn't sure what to expect with this product, but based on the reviews, I decided to go for it, and I'm so glad I did.
I absolutely LOVE this product. It feels so silky and smooth on my skin and easily takes off my makeup, including the waterproof mascara. I wish I had found this product sooner, but better late than never.
It also has no scent, which I love. And it doesn't irritate my eyes at all when I'm taking off my eye makeup. At times, I can have an issue with eczema, and this doesn't harm my skin at all.
So if you're looking for a makeup remover, you can't go wrong with this one." – JoJo Juno & Co. is a small business based in California that specializes in minimal, sustainable skincare products.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 2.
Or an Anua pore-clearing cleansing oil that's specifically designed to help regulate your sebum production and break down blackheads, making it a great option for all my fellow oily-skinned peeps. Promising review: "I love this product. Because it’s oily, I thought it would make me break out, but it’s improved the state of my skin so much.
Massaging this on my nose before washing has cleared out clogged pores, and overall, the skin on my entire face is soft and feels healthy. Wish I found it sooner." — Ursa Get it from Amazon for $17.
69 . 3. And La Roche-Posay's foaming cleanser for anyone whose skin can't seem to decide if it's oily or dry.
(I feel your pain). It provides enough foaming action to break down excess oil and dirt but is still gentle enough to not irritate your dry spots, thanks to the soothing prebiotic thermal water and restoring niacinamide. I've struggled with combination skin for years (super oil T-zone, but the rest of my face is dry as a Wheat Thin), and this has become my holy grail cleanser within the past few years.
I love that the gel-like consistency feels soft and moisturizing, but it still suds up enough to feel like it's breaking down my excess oil. I'd tried countless gentle cleansers before finding this, and you guessed it — I wish I had found this sooner!!! Promising review: "I have combination sensitive skin, often the cleansers for oily skin are too much and the others are too moisturizing. This does strike a great balance and gets all the oil out but doesn't strip it too much.
Wish I found it sooner!" — Vanessa Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (also available in two other sizes). 4.
An SPF 46 EltaMD face sunscreen , which reviewers say is a game-changer for acne-prone and sensitive skin since it absorbs super quickly without any residue. The inclusion of niacinamide helps reduce redness and irritation, and it's also a perfect base for makeup, thanks to its fast-absorbing formula. I burn super easily, which means sunscreen is an absolute must for me, but unfortunately, my skin detests most SPF products.
Most facial sunscreens leave behind a greasy residue on my skin and eventually make me break out. I finally decided to give the EltaMD sunscreen a try, and though it's a bit pricier than other sunscreens, it's truly worth it. It applies just like a normal facial moisturizer, absorbing super quickly with absolutely no residue.
I've experienced zero breakouts since using it, and it kept me completely sunburn-free during a recent vacay where I was outside most of the time! My skin wishes I found it sooner, but it's never too late to incorporate a good SPF into your routine. Promising review: " I wish I had found this SPF sooner, then I’d have been wearing sunscreen every day for a long time. I have acne-prone, combination skin and I hate that SPF usually makes your face greasy and feels heavy.
Not this SPF! It goes on very smoothly, and it’s immediately absorbed and very lightweight. Awesome product. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants a lightweight, odorless SPF.
" — Amybcd Get it from Amazon for $43 (also available in a pack of two). 5. Or a tinted moisturizer with SPF 46 that's designed to have just enough pigment to reduce the chance of any white cast.
It also helps provide a filter-like finish, while the hyaluronic acid keeps your skin looking hydrated and dewy. Note: It's available in one shade that's made for all skin types, though some reviewers have found that it's too light for deeper skin tones. Promising review: "I love this tinted sunscreen! I wish I had tried it sooner.
While I usually prefer mineral sunscreens, I occasionally make an exception and this is one of them. I know a lot of other people love this but I was skeptical about the color match. Brown girls don’t always get this lucky.
Turns out, it blends in beautifully into my skin. This does not have any cast on me at all. The coverage is very sheer and barely there, very natural; so it’s not covering up any imperfections.
The texture is like a lightweight moisturizer, not runny, and it spreads very easily. Reapplication is a breeze." — Misha DRMTLGY is a small business that specializes in SPF-focused skincare.
Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in matte and sheer finishes and a pack of two). 6. A brightening facial scrub for anyone who craves physical exfoliation but doesn't want anything too harsh.
The sea kelp will keep things soft and smooth while the French green clay and lemon peel lightly buff away dead skin. You'll be glowing before you even rinse it down the drain! Promising review: " This stuff works great on my skin. It’s gentle yet cleans so good.
It removes sebum so well! The little black seaweed has a little distinctive smell but nothing noticeable. I wish I’ve known it sooner. Definitely magic stuff!!!" — Kristye Get it from Amazon for $11.
99 . 7. A set of compressed facial sponges (available in both circular and adorable heart-shaped designs) that expand when placed under running water.
They are an absolute must-have for removing facial masks (especially thick, clay-based ones), and many reviewers use them with their cleanser to lightly wipe away dirt, oil, and makeup. Plus, their compact design makes them super easy to store and travel with. Promising review: "Out of the package, these feel like really thin pieces of cardboard.
But when wet, they plump up and soften. They make my facial cleanser foam up as I gently scrub my face, which is awesome. They are super good at removing all traces of makeup.
I just wish I had found these a lot sooner. Love and recommend these facial scrubbers!" — KiraLobster Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $7.98 (available in six colors/shapes and packs of 100 and 200).
8. The iconic Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask , which will have you waking up saying "new lips, who dis?" It's packed with murumuru seed and shea butter to make your lips feel silky smooth and vitamin C to protect your pout. It's racked up over 35,000 rave ratings so far, with many reviewers saying it takes care of flaky, dry skin overnight.
Promising review: "I recently started a new medication that made me extremely thirsty and somewhat dehydrated. I’ve been struggling with dry lips ever since. Using regular ChapStick did little to nothing to help my dry lips.
The ChapStick was almost immediately absorbed, leaving my lips feeling dried out and cracking. So I tried this and immediately felt relief. The first night after wearing this, I woke up and still had some product on my lips.
My lips felt hydrated and soft. I wish I found this sooner." — Sarah C.
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in seven flavors). 9. And an exfoliating lip scrub because applying your favorite lip balm on top of dead skin is basically pointless.
The sugar granules will help buff away any crusty flakes, and the kukui oil will leave behind a touch of moisture. Promising review: "I usually suffer from chapped lips in the winter, to begin with, but now having braces makes it 100x worse. I have tried all kinds of different lip balms and moisturizers, and nothing was helping.
I have used this product once (and followed up with their lip treatment ), and the dryness and peeling are gone. I wish I had tried this a lot sooner. It would have saved me from weeks of dryness and soreness! "— Kathleen M.
Hanalei is a small business based in Hawaii. Get it from Amazon for $16.99 .
10. Resurfacing pads made with 20% glycolic acid, which is a superstar ingredient for dissolving and wiping away dead skin cells. Simply swipe the pad over your skin after cleansing and let it dry before applying any other products.
And don't worry about irritation — the pads also include allantoin, green tea, and calendula for their soothing properties. Promising review: "’I'm on my second order of this product. To be perfectly transparent, I set the first order aside for a while.
Not sure why I made that decision. I also rinsed the product off after about 10 minutes at first. Not sure why I did that either other than to say you can feel the acid working.
Maybe I thought it would be too much. Once I trusted in the product and left it on overnight I started to see real results. It may tingle/slightly burn at first, but trust in the product.
After only a couple of days I noticed a real change in skin. It feels smoother and my pores are cleaner. If I squeeze my nose now no gunk comes out.
That’s a win. Wish I’d found it sooner." — Matthew P.
Get it from Amazon for $25.95 (also available in a 10% formula and a two-pack). 11.
An affordable prescription-strength Differin retinoid gel that basically gives you brand-new skin. No, really — retinoids are known to help promote skin cell turnover, revealing a brighter complexion and helping to clear out the gunk that causes clogged pores and acne. Promising reviews: "After a month and a half of using this product, I don’t have a single active breakout on my face.
This is the first time in over a year! My only regret is that I wish I would have found this sooner to save my skin from scarring." — Ashley L. "This stuff actually works.
I work in a spa, and I’ve tried dozens of different products that cost five times the price to try to clear up my acne-prone skin and NOTHING has worked as well as Differin gel . One of my esthetician coworkers recommended it to me, and dang if she wasn’t right. It will dry out your skin pretty badly, so make sure you have and use a good moisturizer, but my skin cleared up in less than two weeks, and I’m still amazed.
" — Rin Wisell Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in four sizes and two bottle styles). 12.
The Dewy Skin Cream by Tatcha — the creamy formula's fermentation of Japanese superfoods, green tea, rice, and algae helps to plump the skin and add a glistening appearance. I've used a few jars of this, and WOW, this is truly a filter in a bottle. No seriously, it's so glowy that it's actually perfect for those "no-makeup makeup" days when you just want your skin to look plump, brighter, and healthier.
It's also rich enough to use as a night cream as well, so I tend to keep this one on-hand for travel instead of packing both a day and night moisturizer. Promising review: " This is the best moisturizer I have used by far. I don’t normally buy higher-end expensive products, but this is so worth it.
My skin has always been dry no matter what I’ve tried. This product feels so hydrating and amazingly smooth. But it doesn’t feel like it is greasy, nor is it clogging my skin whatsoever (as many I’ve used in the past have).
I’m shocked and wish I found this sooner. I also don’t feel the need to reapply it after a few hours as I used to. I'm so thankful for this product in my routine.
I’ve been using it for over two weeks and my skin overall feels healthier. Even with this cold change of weather. I purchased the travel size and a little goes such a long way! Will buy again.
" — Janice Get it from Amazon for $23+ (available in two sizes). 13. A pack of 24-karat gold collagen under-eye gels that are so easy to plop on, you'll wonder why they haven't been a part of your routine for years now.
The cool-to-the-touch pads are infused with red algae extract and glycerin for hydration and vitamin C to help brighten your under-eye circles. Throw these on in the morning and prepare to fool everyone into thinking you got a full eight hours of sleep. Promising review: "First off, definitely keep these in the fridge.
Between stress and emotions, my eyes were red, puffy, and tender. Just one set of these patches and my eyes are much less puffy; the redness is gone and a lot less sore. The cooling aspect is so nice, and these are so easy to use.
My only regret is that I haven’t found these sooner." — Jennifer Get 15 pairs from Amazon for $8.80+ (also available in four other sets).
14. A milky serum which is basically a reviving facial in a bottle. It includes vitamin C to brighten your complexion, while the amber algae and licorice root extract help to fade dark spots and discoloration without lightening your skin tone.
Promising review: "This is such an incredible product; every single time I’ve used this product, my skin has shown a dramatic difference in its overall health and brightness . It’s so smoothing and brightening, and I wish I had known about it sooner." — vic1322 Eadem is a BIPOC-owned small biz founded by Marie Koudaio and Alice Lin.
Get it from Sephora for $68 . 15. A luxuriously rich night cream that puts in serious work while you get some shut-eye.
The protein peptides can help stimulate collage production to make your skin feel firmer and increase its elasticity, while the niacinamide helps with dark spots and discoloration. Promising review: "Feels fantastic on your skin. It spreads nicely and soaks right in as if your face has just been cleansed rather than having put a moisturizer on.
Your face feels clean, not suffocated like so many other creams. Similar to a gel, yet even more lightweight. It feels like it belongs there, not like a foreign body clinging to your skin.
The improvement of the texture, the tone, the moisture, the elasticity, the blotches and pores — ALL OF IT — major improvement! I can't believe I did not take pictures! I definitely will be getting more of these products, and I am super excited to try them all! So glad I found this stuff, just wish I had done so sooner!" — L Eight Saints is a woman-owned small business that uses only eight plant-based ingredients in their skincare products. Get it from Amazon for $34 . 16.
CeraVe's face and body moisturizer — it uses hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help transform your skin from flaky to smooth for a whopping 24 hours after you apply it. Reviewers with sensitive skin love the fragrance-free formula and also note that it absorbs very quickly for such a thick cream. Promising review: "I’m blown away by how well this works.
I have extremely dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin on my face and have never been able to find a lotion/moisturizer that works for me and doesn’t cause a bad reaction. I recently figured out I can’t use any products that contain fragrance; it makes my skin burn. I was searching for a moisturizer that doesn’t contain fragrance and that’s what made me try this.
This product instantly soaked into my skin and got rid of the patches of eczema I’ve had for a while, especially around my eyes. I could feel it bringing life to my skin again, and I’m so happy. I’m not sure why I didn’t try this sooner.
" — Darcy R. Get the bundle with a pump from Amazon for $21.99 (also available separately and in a smaller size).
17. A retinol body lotion , because the magic of retinol is not just for your face! This retinol in the creamy formula helps promote skin cell turnover, while the ferulic acid firms skin for a tighter appearance. Reviewers also note that this works wonders on rough, bumpy skin on their upper arms and legs after consistent use.
Promising review: "I could kick myself for not trying this sooner! It is my new favorite lotion...
After one night of using this, I woke up to smooth, soft moisturized skin that wasn’t itchy at all. This lotion goes on and absorbs beautifully. It’s not too thin or thick, and the scent is sensational.
.. It’s not greasy or slick and does not have a residue that pills or transfers.
" — TickTokAlice Get it from Amazon for $18.99 . 18.
A bottle of Thayers facial toner that proves products for acne-prone skin don't have to be overly harsh to be effective. This smooth potion uses a blend of witch hazel and aloe vera to help control excess oil, tighten pores, and reduce irritation and redness. Check out our full review of Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Toner .
Promising review: "I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THIS STUFF! I have struggled with acne my whole life; in college, I was on Accutane, and it helped clear my acne for a few years, but then it came back just as harsh as before! I have super sensitive, acne-prone skin, and I always thought a product like this wouldn't be 'strong' enough for my face...
I was so wro ng. I wish I would have tried this sooner!" — Holly J. Get it from Amazon for $10.
95+ (available in seven formulas). 19. A brightening CeraVe serum with vitamin C — it'll help even out your skin tone and provide a brighter, glowing appearance at the same time.
This one also includes hyaluronic acid to help retain your skin's moisture, and reviewers say it absorbs super quickly — making it perfect to use under your go-to daytime moisturizer. Promising review: " I use it every day as recommended by my dermatologist and can confidently say it's amazing stuff. I quickly got great results with a reduction in age spots and it has improved the texture of skin.
Wish I had known about it sooner." — reader Get it from Amazon for $23.53 .
20. A tube of the celebrity-beloved Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré that has so many uses. You can slather it on as a moisturizer, use it as a smoothing makeup primer, or apply a thick layer as a nourishing face mask when your skin needs an extra dose of its protective beeswax and softening shea butter.
Promising review: "This is a sweet addition to my makeup kit. I heard 'grand' stories from a few makeup professionals and makeup hobbyist boast about this product, SO at last I said, 'Sure. Why not!?' and added it to my shopping cart.
Truthfully, I wish I had bought it sooner. This product makes it easy to apply foundation and leaves the skin with a light satin touch. As someone with combination skin, I was very surprised that it didn't leave me feeling too oily or too dry.
What made it better was the fact that it made the process very smooth, and I didn't find myself having to do too many touchups. It was worth the try. I will definitely buy this again.
" — Cinthia Get it from Amazon for $29 . 21. An octopus-shaped Tonymoly blackhead remover , which you may have already seen since it's gone super viral for its jaw-dropping results.
Just scrub it over your nose to let the cellulose beads and dead sea salt remove any dirt and oil that's accumulated at the surface. Promising review: "I wish I had bought this sooner! I’ve been struggling with deep whiteheads and blackheads on my chin and nose for years. I get monthly facials with microdermabrasion, and it barely helps.
After about a week's worth of use out of this, they are finally coming to the surface and can be extracted!" — Allie Get it from Amazon for $11.87 . 22.
A pack of cult-favorite Clean Skin Club Clean Towels so you can stop drying your face with your normal hand towel that may be harboring bacteria that can cause irritation and breakouts. These are loved for feeling super soft and sturdy, and many people use them in combination with a makeup remover to create their own gentle face wipes. They're also perfect for removing stubborn masks and cleaning your makeup tools! Promising reviews: "I can understand why this towel has so many positive reviews.
The towels are a great size for washing your face. The towels are super soft and do not irritate my sensitive skin. My only regret is that I did not find this towel sooner.
" — CeCe "I absolutely love these. I saw these on TikTok and bought them. I will be buying more.
They are great for my face. Really soft and VERY durable and strong, even when wet. You can wash your face [with it] or just dry your face, either way, it’s the best option.
" — Sahara Clean Skin Club is a US-based small business specializing in hygienic, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare products. Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $17.05 (also available in various pack sizes and an XL size).
23. A bottle of Tend Skin Solution to help you finally say goodbye to razor bumps and ingrown hairs. The formula includes topical aspirin, which can help reduce inflammation caused by ingrown hairs and irritation from hair removal.
Shaving is annoying enough as it is — nobody needs a painful reminder afterward. To use, simply put a few drops on a cotton ball and apply to the affected area. It can be used to minimize already-existed razor bumps, and can also be used after hair removal to prevent bumps and ingrown hairs.
Promising review: "This works so amazingly well, I wish I knew about this product sooner and this is going to be something I will always have around. I only use it around my bikini area, but it takes care of any razor bumps I’ve had and works quickly. It does sting a little if you have a little cut, but for me the stinging doesn’t last long and isn’t unbearable by any means.
Highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a solution to razor bumps." — Sarah Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).
24. A NanoSteamer 3-in-1 Facial Steamer so soothing and relaxing, you'll feel like you teleported to a spa, but your bank account will be so happy you're really just in your bedroom. The flow of steam can help soften your skin and prepare it for all your favorite serums and moisturizers.
Once you're done revitalizing your skin you can also use it as a room humidifier and towel warmer! We love a triple threat. Note that this does come with a five-piece stainless steel tool kit as well, but please be careful if performing extractions on yourself as these can injure your skin if not used properly. Promising review: "Kicking myself for not getting one of these sooner.
I feel like my face is cleaner when I use it before cleansing and my serums and moisturizer absorbs more. I use it a few times a week." — Shar Shar Get it from Amazon for $39.
95 (available in three colors). 25. A powerful Paula's Choice 2% BHA salicylic acid exfoliant that reviewers swear by for reducing the appearance of blackheads and acne.
Salicylic acid is known for its chemical exfoliating properties, meaning it'll help break down the dead skin and oil that contributes to congested skin. Swipe this magic formula on after cleansing, then let it absorb before applying other products. Promising review: "I wish I would have taken a before and after picture.
My skin is combo, plus I get those small fungal bumps all over my chin that would not go away. This product in less than a week made them almost completely disappear. I’m AMAZED.
And disappointed that I didn’t give this product a try sooner. I used it 2–3 times a day for the first week and now twice daily. If you don’t moisturize you will have dry skin with some peeling/flaking.
My skin is very sensitive and usually products just make my acne worse, but this did not. My pores have shrunk and they stay clear!" — Leanna R. Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in three sizes).
26. A tub of eye cream to help firm, soften, and moisturize at the same time. The aloe juice will add a dose of hydration, the rosemary extract can provide a calming effect, and the rosehip seed oil is known to help stop moisture from escaping your skin.
Promising reviews: "I've been using this for a couple of months now and I really like it! Previously I've used Clinique or Origins...
this works just as well or better. I wish I had found this sooner as it is a lot less expensive than other alternatives." — Cat SV "This is the second review I’ve done on Amazon.
I rarely go out of my way to write a review unless I’m truly amazed by the product. I have terrible sunken-in eyes (due to genetics) that can’t really be fixed without fillers (which I’d never do). No matter how much sleep I get, I have bad dark circles, so I decided that I had to invest in an eye cream.
I’m so glad I did! I used a cheap drugstore eye cream that really only made it look like I had water under my eyes, and it did nothing else. This eye cream is so hydrating and smooth! It really evens out my skin tone and wakes up my face in the morning! I feel so refreshed and dare I say..
.prettier. It’s boosted my confidence a ton .
I’m so happy with this product!" — casie ackerman Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes and a pack of two). 27.
A hydrating Cosrx repairing essence with 96% snail secretion filtrate, which can help with dryness and damaged skin. Reviewers also mention seeing a reduction in dark spots and acne, and even people with oily skin find that it absorbs quickly and doesn't clog their pores. Who knew snails had the secret to glassy, glowy skin this whole time?! Promising review: "I saw this a couple of times on TikTok and decided, for the price, it was definitely worth a try.
Oh my gosh, do I wish I tried it sooner! I’m in my late thirties, so I have a few lines and some texture. This has helped moisturize and even out my skin so much, and my face feels heavenly! My skin is pretty sensitive and I absolutely cannot stand when something smells bad, I haven’t had any problems with this product at all." — Mandy B.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 28.
And finally, a pack of the Mighty Patch Pimple Spot Treatment — the dots are made of a wound-healing gel called hydrocolloid that can drain fluids from any open pimples and cover any that are already on the surface. These patches have racked up over 109,000 rave ratings, with many reviewers saying they're practically undetectable and adhere much better to the skin than other brands. Plus, your derm will be very relieved that you aren't popping it! Promising review: "Pretty much the greatest enemy your pimples will ever have.
These patches are fantastic and I wish I'd discovered them sooner. They suck the gross life juice out of pimples and help them heal quicker and cleaner; they've probably cut the life of most of my pimples in half, at least. They are also a great way to keep myself from picking, a bad habit that only makes pimples worse.
They are very easy to use and, in my opinion, a great low-cost option." — Jenny K. Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $10.
77 . You, wondering where these products have been hiding all of your life: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity..
