The Under-$20 Skin Care Products Glamour.com Editors Love
It can feel like the only way to get dewy, gorgeous skin is to drop your entire paycheck on the newest and fanciest creams, cleansers, and lotions. This couldn't be further from the truth. While there definitely are some moisturizers and eye creams we'd be willing to throw down some serious cash for (see everything here), the good news is that it's entirely possible to get amazing skin without going into debt, and we have proof. We polled our staffers to have them share their top won't-break-the-bank products that truly work. From the gentlest cleanser out there to a best-selling face mask, not one of these finds is over $20, and each one occupies a space in our editors' (admittedly cramped) bathrooms. Here's to your skin—and your budget.
Burt's Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil, $19.99, ulta.com
"For the longest time I didn't get face oils. I thought they'd either break out my combo complexion or weren't as hydrating as a moisturizer. Then I edited this story debunking common myths about oils, and learned how they actually work. I've tried a bunch since and landed on this favorite: it's light, 99% natural, and in tandem with the rest of my skin care routine has left my face looking brighter and bouncier." —Lindsay Schallon, senior digital beauty editor
Bioré Baking Soda Acne Scrub, $8, ulta.com
"I've had 'redness relief' products flare up my skin, so suffice to say, it is very sensitive and can't withstand anything too abrasive or harsh. That's what makes this scrub perfect. I use it a few times a week, whenever my skin is looking particularly dull or I feel hormonal acne coming on, and it gently brings my face back to life. I rarely deal with bad breakouts now." —Lindsay Schallon, senior digital beauty editor
Dove Triple Moisturizing Deeply Nourishing Body Wash, $9, amazon.com
"As a beauty editor, I have access to literally every fancy bath product you can imagine. And yet, for more than 10 years, this is the body wash I consistently keep coming back to. The bottle really says it all: it's so moisturizing, I rarely need body lotion, even in the winter." —Lindsay Schallon, senior digital beauty editor
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Gel, $13, target.com
"Most people think the thicker, the better when it comes to a moisturizer, but that's not always the case. This one comes in a gel formula with hyaluronic acidthat penetrates deep into your cells to plump their moisture levels from the inside out." —Amber Rambharose, beauty editor
Skinfood Egg White Pore Hot Steam Pack, $13, ulta.com
"I ignored steam packs for a long time because the name confused me. My blackhead-prone dry skin and I have to live with that mistake, but you don't! A steam pack is basically just a face mask that coaxes out the most stubborn dirt and oil without leaving pain or scars behind. This one works like a charm and smells amazing." —Amber Rambharose, beauty editor
Simple Sensitive Skin Experts Hydrating Cleansing Oil, $10, target.com
"I'm a double-cleanse believer, so I always start with this cleansing oil. It breaks up makeup—even waterproof mascara—quickly and rinses off without leaving any sticky residue behind." —Amber Rambharose, beauty editor
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $11, target.com
"No joke: I recommend this to literally everyone who asks me for skin care advice. I have the dryest, flakiest skin, but I slather myself in this moisturizer and wake up with skin like a baby's butt. Even when I use retinol—it's that good." —Rachel Nussbaum, beauty writer
Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid, $14, walmart.com
"This unassuming, clear liquid changed my skin. I used to have a never-ending sprinkle of whiteheads across my chin and jawline until this mild, exfoliating acid came into the picture. Whiteheads, by and large, are now gone from my life." —Rachel Nussbaum, beauty writer
Aztec Secret Bentonite Indian Healing Clay, $8, vitamineshoppe.com
"This mask looks pretty sketchy, thanks to its, let's say, eclectic label. But add some water, make yourself a paste, slap it on, and you'll feel your face literally pulsing as the bentonite clay sucks out dirt out of your pores and ups your circulation. You'll be a little red afterward but clear skin and tiny pores are to come." —Rachel Nussbaum, beauty writer
Weleda Skin Food, $19, dermstore.com
"Weleda Skin Food has been around for almost a century, and honestly, I get it. I like to refer to it as the '$20 La Mer'—it's a thick miracle cream that deeply hydrates, restores, and protects skin with plant oils and extracts, and sinks right in. I use it when my skin feels extra rough or dry, but I also keep a mini tube in my makeup bag and dab it over makeup for a dewy glow that rivals any highlighter I've tried." —Perrie Samotin, digital deputy editor
Desert Essence Revitalizing Oils Moisturizer, $11, jet.com
"I have a newsletter (which is really just a Google doc of products I swear by and send to my curious friends) and Desert Essence Revitalizing Oils moisturizer is at the top, always. It doesn't have sexy packaging but it feels like the most high-end creme ever—it's natural, substantial without feeling heavy, it hydrates, smoothes, and has absolutely nothing artificial, including fragrance." —Perrie Samotin, digital deputy editor
Bioderma Hydrabio H2O, $11, dermstore.com
"Micellar water has been a game-changer for me, and I love almost every version I've tried. The one that's really made a difference for my skin, though, is the French fave Bioderma Sensibio. It's not just hype: the fatty esters leave my skin so hydrated that I skip the moisturizer some nights. I use the one in the blue bottle for dehydrated skin, but there are several different formulations." —Perrie Samotin, digital deputy editor
Nip + Fab Exfoliate Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme, $15, ulta.com
"Travel can leave my skin dull and cranky. These have both exfoliating and hydrating acids which make them a perfect one-swipe solution to walk off a flight or long car ride fresh-faced." —Meg Adams, engineering manager
E.L.F. Hydrogel Under Eye Masks, $8, target.com
"These under-eye masks are my pre-party trick. I keep them in the fridge and pop a set on during a 20-minute disco nap before doing my makeup." —Meg Adams, engineering manager
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $13, walgreens.com
"This cult and dermatologist favorite is a fantastically gentle daily cleanser that doesn't irritate sensitive skin—even if you're a morning and night washer. I also use it twice weekly with half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in as a brightening scrub." —Meg Adams, engineering manager
Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion Daily Shade, SPF 15, $9, walmart.com
"I am an sunscreen obsessive, so I use this light, effective body lotion on my arms and legs year-round. It leaves a lot of moisture without a greasy feel and SPF 15 is just right for slathering on all over." —Nina Bahadur, branded content editor
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%, $12.50, beautyexpert.com
"This little Vitamin C serum looks so chic (especially for under $13), helps tackle hyperpigmentation, and is very gentle. I actually have a small patch of sensitive skin on my face that "burns" (and goes red) when I've tried certain acids. This one doesn't sting or irritate and absorbs very quickly."—Nina Bahadur, branded content editor
Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel, $5, jet.com
"This aloe vera gel is 100% pure with no extra additives. It's the perfect non-oily moisturizer for slathering on my face before bed, plus it’s odorless, which I love." —Nina Bahadur, branded content editor
Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray, $10, target.com
"When I need a heavy duty hydrating session (a.k.a. literally any time I get out of the shower in the winter), I use this ointment spray. It’s the same salve-y, soothing formula of the more standard Aquaphor products, but the spray factor makes it so much easier to apply and spread."—Jen Mulrow, assistant beauty editor
E.L.F. Lip Exfoliator, $3, walgreens.com
"The bullet-style packaging of this exfoliating scrub makes it so much easier to use, versus scooping out product from a rounded pot. Prepping my (ever-chapped) lips with this scrub makes my lipstick go on noticeably smoother, and it’s worth mentioning how dangerously sweet and delicious it tastes." —Jen Mulrow, assistant beauty editor
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, $7, walgreens.com
"I do not travel without these Neutrogena wipes—I can't count the number of times I’ve picked some up last minute before a flight. They’re just so convenient! And efficient. Nothing beats the weird satisfaction of physically seeing all the makeup I’m taking off at the end of the day." —Jen Mulrow, assistant beauty editor
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