1. A Briotech spray for soothing rashes, sunburns, rosacea, eczema, and other skin irritations, *extremely* similar to the beloved (but pricey) Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray. Its secret is hypochlorous acid, an ingredient found naturally in our white blood cells that helps soothe inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier. This stuff = magic in a bottle.
BTW, people also love this for helping heal piercings. (Note: This product has newer packaging that you might receive instead of the older bottle shown above!)
Promising review: “This spray is amazing. I had a rash on my face, and it disappeared after one use of this spray. I had a stye in my eye, and the skin around the eye was irritated. This spray fixed not only the irritation but the stye went away as well. Any sort of blemish or acne is taken care of with this simple, inexpensive spray. Great for after-sun care or workout redness. Everyone loves Tower 28’s expensive SOS spray. The SOS spray contains hypochlorous acid, which is the exact same ingredient in the Briotech spray for much less money. It’s a miracle worker.” —Squid466
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
2. Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence, a holy grail serum for many people with dry, sensitive skin and a gentler, cheaper alternative to many name-brand products. It’s effective on all skin types, and reviewers report seeing improvement after just a few uses! Acne scars, dark spots, and fine lines are about to meet their match.
Promising review: “My skin dries out severely during the winter all the time, and I have to constantly use Vaseline to keep it moisturized (normal cream doesn’t work on me). Imagine my surprise when my SO tried to put snail goo on me, eww!! I resisted for weeks refusing to use this product as she constantly vouched for its abilities. After a month I finally gave in, and boy it is amazing! My hands feel more moisturized than ever for longer and it doesn’t leave a disgusting greasy feel as Vaseline. Take it from a once non-believer, you have to try this. Even if it doesn’t work for you, you paid a fraction of what you would’ve paid for any other name-brand moisturizers.” —Kyoko Ozaki
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
3. And SeoulCeuticals Snail Repair Cream for applying after any serums — this non-comedogenic moisturizer contains 97.5% snail mucin filtrate as well as vitamin E, organic aloe, and shea butter. Softer, smoother, brighter skin is in your future…and you didn’t even have to splurge on Sunday Riley or Drunk Elephant.
SeoulCeuticals is a small business!
Promising reviews: “Perfect gel texture moisturizer for my combination skin. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin with a nice finish (not sticky or greasy). It layers really well under sunscreen and makeup too! It really reminds me of the Drunk Elephant Protini moisturizer but one-fourth the price! Will buy again!!” —AG
“Smells just like the Sunday Riley moisturizer! Super moisturizing and smells amazing!” —Emma Nava
Get it from Amazon for $15.95.
4. A bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment formulated to deeply repair and hydrate your hair thanks to restorative ingredients like collagen and ceramide 3. You just apply it after shampooing, wait as little as five minutes, then rinse it out for hair that looks *and* feels silky soft. Some reviewers say it’s even BETTER than Olaplex, which is over three times the price!
Reviewers with everything from thin, fine hair to 4c curls have reported positive results from this moisturizing formula, which is particularly recommended for folks whose hair is damaged from using hot tools, bleach, and the like.
Promising review: “Like many others, I tried this as a replacement for Olaplex. Honestly, Olaplex never had a great effect on my hair and certainly wasn’t worth the price. This did an unreal job on my hair!! I was skeptical (tried a little bit first because I was petrified it would burn off my hair and I would end up bald!) but, lo and behold, it was magic! My hair is so strong, silky, and healthy looking after just one use. Plus you can’t beat the price! Have already ordered another box. I should also add I have curly/wavy hair that’s been colored to a light brown. Buy it!!” —BB
Get it from Amazon for $7.40.
5. Long-lasting Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint, worth the try if you like a little color on your lips but can’t be bothered with lipsticks that constantly need touch-ups. This’ll give your pout a smooth, ultra-pigmented stain with a silky finish, *and* it also has a lightweight feel that’s not sticky or clumpy!
Reviewers compare to products like Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution, YSL Velvet Cream, and Tartist Creamy Matte Lip Paint.
Promising review: “This is velvet, full coverage without feeling like glue on your lips. It does transfer. The color is very pigmented so what you see is what you get. Honestly one of the best lip color products I’ve ever used, I put this above Charlotte Tilbury.” —Lexi Lee
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in 31 shades).
6. E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, which blurs your pores and creates a smooth, velvety texture for makeup to glide over and also grip onto. Infused with squalane for hydration, Poreless Putty Primer has a mattifying effect that doesn’t look dry — plus, it’s small enough to take on the go in case you need touch-ups. Blink, and you might mistake it for Tatcha’s Silk Canvas primer and other pricier options.
Promising review: “Okay so first nothing will make you ‘poreless’ but this stuff is amazing. Will even out fine lines and help with super porous areas; my T-zone [has really visible] pores and this definitely gave me a boost in confidence. I would highly recommend. Especially to those not to familiar with makeup, this is a game changer. Honestly it works better than my $30 primer from Urban Decay and lasts all day. I am oily so I usually blot some powder on later in the day but if you have dry skin this could be the ultimate game changer!” —Olivia
Get it from Amazon for $10.
7. A pack of two Venus Visage teeth whitening pens, minty fresh without the weird aftertaste and completely painless — no discomfort for sensitive teeth and gums! But most importantly, it leaves your teeth noticeably whiter, and at a fraction of the cost of the dentist (and Crest Whitestrips).
Promising review: “Saw this on BuzzFeed — they were right! It’s easy to use and actually works. I was so surprised at how well this pen bleached out some coffee stains on my teeth after just one application. I’ve tried Crest Whitestrips and this is better because you can get in between the teeth.” —C. S.
Get a pack of two pens from Amazon for $18.95.
8. Peach Slices acne spot dots for a *super* budget-friendly hydrocolloid acne patch option compared to other brands like Mighty Patch. Keep them around if you’re prone to sudden breakouts, and they’ll come in clutch: Just apply one to a zit, and it’ll literally suck out all that nasty gunk, leaving the area noticeably flatter with less redness overnight.
Check out a TikTok of the acne spot dots in action.
Promising reviews: “This brand is so affordable and works just the same as the more expensive brands. I go through them so quickly so this is a plus! I’m generally a picker at my zits, but if I can get to one of these dots in time I save my face a lot of irritation and pain.” —Savannah Wilson
“So I have been usually these for about a year now. I have tried Mighty Patch and a few others, none I feel really worked or worked as well. This product is MY GO-TO and I have turned so many others to it.” —Melodie G
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $4.88.
9. Or LivaClean Superstar pimple patches if you love the look of those cute but pricey Starface patches — reviewers swear up and down that these work waaay better, *and* you’re literally paying 3 cents per patch.
Promising review: “I LOVE the look of pimple patches on myself (as weird as that sounds) and absolutely hate the semi-clear ones, since they just draw my eyes to something that’s SUPPOSED to be invisible. So I easily fell in love with the Starface pimple patches — but the issue with those is they’re SO expensive and don’t work at all. THESE, however, have immediately sucked everything out of my face. I love them and literally wear them all the time. So many people have complimented me, saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I love how you just wear stickers on your face; it’s adorable.’ These also work as [an alternative to] the TikTok Shop ones that are really popular right now and are cheaper! 10/10 from me :)” —evalyn evoke
Get a pack of 240 patches from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four designs/shapes as well as multipacks).
10. A L’Oreal Paris rinse-out lamellar water treatment that’ll transform your hair in just eight seconds (!) to leave your hair shiny, silky, and ultra-hydrated, no matter your hair type! Psst — they might reach for Redken at your local salon, but this has the same ingredients as that brand’s lamellar treatment for way less.
Promising reviews: “Wow! I have waist-length 3c curly color-treated hair that’s usually a nightmare to deal with in the summer and this stuff is a game-changer. My hair is silky, my curls are defined, it dried in like half the usual time…seriously impressed!” —Stavana Jubinsky
“I’m a professional hairstylist and Matrix, Redken, and L’Oreal are all owned by L’Oreal, and each line has a lamellar water in it at different prices. I am here to tell you that they are all the exact same ingredients in different bottles. So buy the cheapest and save yourself some cash. Your hair will love you for it. I love this stuff.” —anonymous87
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
11. LilyAna Naturals eye cream to brighten and firm undereye skin to reduce puffiness, fine lines, and bags, but it doesn’t stop there — this potent cream also nourishes the delicate area with restorative ingredients like rosehip seed oil, organic hibiscus flower extracts, and vitamin E. And unlike some eye creams, it also won’t break the bank — a win-win.
Promising review: “Best eye cream I have ever used!!! Better than Benefiance by Shiseido and Clinique or Lancôme, for less than a third of the price with the amount you get. It is rich enough to do the job but not greasy. It doesn’t interfere with concealer, yet softens lines. Love it so much!!!!” —Lory Lacy
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes).
12. Essence’s Lash Princess mascara beloved for its ability to give you bold, dramatic lashes while also separating them to prevent clumping — and for its $5 price tag. People *rave* about this bestselling tube as a swap for more expensive mascaras like Too Faced Better Than Sex, L’Oreal Telescopic Lift, and many, many more.
Promising review: “I’ve tried all mascaras, cheap and expensive. I even buckled and purchased the ever-popular sought after, Dior Show mascara. This one surpasses them all! The brush is amazing at separating and fluffing lashes, and the formula is a quick-drying, non-smudge deep black. I’ll never go back to designer mascara again!” —CEB
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
13. A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer so you can give yourself a gorgeous blowout without visiting the salon — it knocks out drying *and* styling your hair in one step to save time in the mornings too! Dropping $500+ on a Dyson Airwrap suddenly seems…even less appealing.
The oval brush design smooths the hair and the round edges create volume — leaving you with a salon-worthy blowout at home. It also has two heat and speed settings and a cool option, and it’s designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2b through 4c hair mentioned it working for them.
Promising reviews: “I’ve had my eye on a Dyson Airwrap, but given the cost, I figured I’d try this while I save up. This thing is fantastic. I have waist-length hair that’s naturally straight but gets frizzy when damp. I’ve had salon blowouts that have left my hair looking great, but I simply can’t manage a round brush without it getting tangled in my hair. This device has been a game changer. It works best if you air dry for a while before you use it, then use it to finish your style. My hair miraculously doesn’t get snarled in it, and it leaves my hair looking like I’ve had it professionally styled. I love it, and I’m no longer interested in blowing $500 on a Dyson. Highly recommend!” —Ilsa
Get the 2.0 model from Amazon for $36.85 (available in two models and 10 styles).
14. An internet-beloved set of makeup sponges — reviewers sing their praises as a budget-friendly swap for Beauty Blender and Real Techniques, since you get five of these for less than $10! Plus, when it comes to blending foundation, concealer, powder, and BB creams, there’s no better tool for a ~flawless~ finish.
Promising review: “Don’t hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years and bought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these. I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and ‘bouncy.’ I wash mine between each use and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. Very happy with my purchase and the price. Will definitely continue to buy.” —chris
Get a set of five from Amazon for $5.82+ (available in five sets).
15. And a bottle of makeup brush-cleaning shampoo because chances are, your sponges and brushes are overdue for a good cleaning. Made with gentle, plant-based ingredients, this cleanser will remove all the built-up makeup, oil, and impurities from your tools — and watching all the gunk be washed down the sink is *so* satisfying.
A ton of people compare it to Beauty Blender’s own $15 liquid cleanser (over double the price of this).
I’ve used Ecotools brush cleaning shampoo for years, and it makes cleaning my brushes so much easier. I just add a bit of the shampoo to my brush and gently rub it against a silicone mat under running water, and it makes quick work of removing all the makeup that’s built up on my brush for, frankly, way too long. You’ll see the water start running brown immediately, which is always super gross but also really satisfying, and once you see your brush return to its original color, you know you’re done. And the bristles are always left as soft as before too!
Promising review: “The best, most affordable brush and sponge shampoo on the market! No joke, I have tried everything; even homemade hacks like dish detergent mixed with olive oil. Nothing works like this brush shampoo. Don’t waste your money on the Beauty Blender soap and other big-name brands.” —Lily
Get it from Amazon for $6.96.
16. A pack of bamboo oil-blotting sheets to keep yourself from looking greasy by 10 a.m. — you can keep these in your bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day as needed! (Don’t worry, your makeup will remain unscathed.) This 100-count pack will cost you less than 10 bucks, a fraction of what premium brands like Tatcha charge.
Promising review: “These are great for oily skin. I normally can get through half the day before my face looks like a grease pit and that’s after applying anti-shine under makeup. These wipes are a miracle. They absorb quickly and I love having them in my purse. I normally use two a day — much better than Tatcha.” —Leslie M.I Photographer
Get a 100-pack from Amazon for $6.95 (available in three styles and a bundle with a pocket mirror).
17. A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks if you’ve been hesitant to pull the trigger on that $24 Laneige lip mask that’s *everywhere* these days — getting three flavors for under $10 feels like a great alternative if you ask me. Just smear some on your dry, cracked lips before bed and dream of the smooth, soft lips you’ll have come morning.
For reference, the Laneige lip mask contains 20 grams of product, while each of these measures 5 grams, or 15 grams for the entire set. So even with product sizes taken into account, these are a much better deal!
Promising review: “[Alternative] for the Laneige lip mask. This is the most moisturizing lip treatment in the market. When my lips started getting dry due to the cold season I was thinking of buying the Laneige lip mask, but it’s soooo expensive. This is a fraction of the cost and feels just the same. Very good product.” —Riya
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in six combos).
18. A rainbow-inspired eyeshadow palette with 40 matte, shimmer, and metallic shades so you can play with pretty much any color to paint the ~canvas~ that is your lovely face. Loved by amateurs and professional makeup artists alike, this is a great all-in-one palette for anyone who’s not afraid to dabble with bright colors.
Also, if you follow beauty influencers, you miiiight notice this is extremely similar to the James Charles x Morphe palette, which cost almost $40. 👀
Promising reviews: “Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not-even 4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m. and it’s almost 1 a.m., the ‘highlight’ stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind.” —Daniel T Adams
“Best palette I’ve owned and you can’t beat this price! The colors are beautiful and vibrant. They are also extremely pigmented, especially the shimmery colors, and they all seem to blend well. I’m happy to have every color I could ever want in an eyeshadow in the palm of my hands and I’ve been experimenting with colors I’ve never worn before!!” —Mary Diamond
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
19. And a tube of Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later eye primer because if you’re applying eyeshadow without a base, you’re not getting its full effect. Not only will it make your eyeshadow look bolder and extra pigmented, but it’ll also combat oil and creasing so your smoky eye looks flawless all night long. Mac Paint Pot, it was nice knowin’ ya.
Promising review: “This eye primer is amazing!!! I have super oily eyelids and was getting to the point that I would rarely bother with eyeshadow because even with expensive primers it would be smudged and creased within an hour. So glad I don’t need to shell out for Urban Decay or Mac Paint Pot anymore; they don’t hold a candle to this and it’s so much cheaper.” —Chloe
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
20. Physicians Formula Diamond Dust translucent powder for brushing some shimmer onto your cheeks, eyes, lips, and elsewhere for a glassy skin effect. Reviewers compare this to Fenty Beauty’s Diamond Bomb highlighter (which retails for over $40), though this is *slightly* less pigmented, which some said they actually prefer.
Get a side-by-side look at this next to the Fenty Diamond Bomb highlighter on TikTok — the creator applies one to each cheek for comparison!
Promising review: “I love love love my Physicians Formula Diamond Dust mineral powder! I wish I’d known about this before I spent $42 on a Fenty compact that does MORE than I want with the sparkle; this product gives just the right amount of coverage without having it end up all over my face and on my clothes as well. It’s also pretty if you want to bring attention to your collarbones or shoulders. A perfect amount of shimmer with little effort! Try it!! You can thank me later!!” —camielle parent
Get it from Amazon for $11.03.
21. Maybelline’s Cheek Heat gel-cream blush because, don’t get me wrong, we love Glossier Cloud Paint around here…but stocking up on your favorite shades is admittedly painful at $20 per tube. This water-based formula will give you that gorgeous natural flush, applied easily using just your fingers, for a fraction of the cost.
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, “I’m a Glossier Cloud Paint stan so I’ll continue to buy it, but I love this affordable alternative, too! It spreads on super easily and can either go on sheer or build for a bolder effect. I got the Rose Flush shade and enjoy it for ~everyday wear~ since it’s so easy to squirt a bit on my fingers, swirl it into my cheeks, and be on my merry way. It lasts all day and looks super natural to boot!”
Promising review: “This is a great, cheap alternative to Glossier Cloud Paint. It’s less pigmented and blends more easily, so it looks very natural.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.90+ (available in six shades).
22. An eyebrow soap kit reviewers love as an alternative to name brands to help you sculpt your brows so they have the exact shape, volume, and texture you’re going for — and keep them looking defined and fluffy throughout the day. When it comes to precision and hold, this stuff is *chef’s kiss*.
Promising reviews: “I have the kind of eyebrows that look very full with brushing, but can quickly look like one has ‘collapsed’ once my hair or something else touches it. I’ve used nearly every product from Anastasia Beverly Hills, but never had luck keeping my brows in place. Well, let me tell you, this stuff is no joke. I had to scrub my eyebrows clean tonight to get them to move. If you need some help holding your fluff, this will be your new favorite product. Also, I was able to ditch the eyebrow pencil since this stuff holds every hair in the place you brush it.” —Bailey M, Deacon
“This is so, so much better than the clear mascara that I was using. Ditto for the expensive eyebrow gel that I used before that. This stuff is: not crunchy, not crusty, and doesn’t wear off, all day long. What it IS is nothing short of amazing: a little brow pencil and some of the eyebrow soap, and you have perfect brows all day, with no worries.” —H. K. Rodman
Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in a one- or two-piece set, and with a brow gel).
23. Or! E.l.f. Wow Brow for making your brows presentable in a matter of seconds when you don’t have time to be messing around with a full kit. This buildable wax-gel sculpts your hairs into place while also depositing hair-like fibers that make them look fuller. Reviewers say it’s a great swap for pricier brands like Glossier and Anastasia Beverly Hills.
Check it out in a quick makeup look from TikTok beauty influencer Mikayla Nogueira, who succinctly describes Wow Brow as “the tinted brow gel that does the job.”
Promising review: “I use brow tint religiously every day. If you’re like me, you know how fast you can go through one tube and how costly it is to buy the best of the best brow tints like Anastasia or Benefit. This E.l.f. brow tint is great quality for its price. The color is vibrant and doesn’t fade. My eyebrows appear thicker and natural. I have sensitive skin and I didn’t experience any irritation. Highly recommended.” —kay
Get it from Amazon for $5 (available in four shades).
24. A bottle of Nyx matte setting spray so your carefully crafted makeup look can survive up to 16 hours of wear, through humidity, sweat, rain, and snow, without any smudging or melting. Reviewers have put it to the test and say it’s a cheaper swap for Mac and Urban Decay’s setting sprays.
Promising review: “Expensive isn’t always better. I tried this spray before spending the day outdoors in 90-degree heat at Disneyland, and the only place my makeup moved was on the tip of my nose because I have allergies and use a lot of Kleenex. But otherwise it looked as fresh as it did when I put it on. I’ve used Mac and Urban Decay setting spray and they never worked as well as this stuff. I am completely amazed. Definitely give it a try.” —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (also available in dewy, plump, and radiant finishes, and a jumbo size).
25. A 12-pack of soft microfiber makeup removing towels, a true hack for budget-savvy makeup wearers, since they can gently remove makeup using only water and be reused over and over! Perfect for travel and everyday use, they’ll cost you just over $1 per cloth, which amounts to nearly 20 times cheaper than the infamous Makeup Eraser.
HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian swears by these: “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 review: “These things are so soft! Great for taking off makeup. I was using the Makeup Eraser before, but these are 100 times better. You just wet them, wipe off your makeup, rinse and hang out. I guess you could use a new one each day, but I they are very big so you can get a few days out of one. Great value for the money!” —Shopforbargains
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $13.95 (available in 13 color combos and in packs of 30).
26. Or Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water in case it’s time for you to replace your beloved bottle of Bioderma. This has the same gentle but powerful makeup-removing abilities, lifting away even waterproof makeup along with dirt and excess oil (without totally stripping your skin of moisture).
Promising reviews: “I was skeptical about this product at first but I am so glad I decided to buy it. It really removes my makeup, even waterproof mascara with ease. It has no smell and doesn’t leave my face oily. It reminds me of my Bioderma that I got in the UK. And for this price, amazing!” —Kat
“I’ve been using makeup wipes my whole life because I didn’t even know this existed. I saw it in stores but nobody ever told me what this was. This is literally amazing, buy reusable pads and this and you’re set for life. I’m really upset nobody ever told me what this stuff was. I don’t understand why makeup wipes even exist…this cleanses your face, takes off your makeup. Nobody should not know what this stuff is.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in two sizes and in packs).
BTW, this is our budget pick for the best makeup remover!
27. BestLand’s high-performance matte lipsticks, which might be cheap (less than $2 each!) but bear results that feel ~expensive~ — especially since so many reviewers swear they’re even *better* than those pricey name brand liquid lipsticks! This set is honestly a must-have if you love red and pink lip shades, since it contains six long-lasting staples that’ll have you look fierce all day long.
Promising reviews: “What can I say, I saw a TikTok about this lipstick and for $10 had to try it! The reviews are right, for some reason this lipstick is better than even $20 name brand ones bought from Ulta. Not only does it smell great, but dries in under a minute and survived eating a cupcake, a Starbucks drink, and an entire evening out, no smudging and had to be removed with a makeup wipe. Fantastic product!!” —Claire
“Beautiful and soooo worth the money! Usually I always purchase either Stila Cosmetics or Kylie Jenner but both of those are very pricey and expensive, so I looked up matte lip glosses on Amazon and saw this and thought I would give it a try. I absolutely love it. Very easy to put on does not smudge, beautiful colors, very very happy about the size of it! I went and purchased set B now because I love this product!” —Vickyy
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $8.99 (available in five sets).
28. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, a cult-favorite you can wield as part of your multistep daily routine *or* for quick touch-ups (without cakiness!) on days when you’re not feeling a full face of makeup. Dark, puffy under-eye circles and redness are no match for it — and neither are the name-brand concealers, at this price.
Promising reviews: “I have extremely dark under-eye circles. Honestly that is the only reason I wear makeup, is to cover them. I’ve used numerous kinds of concealers. Tarte Shape Tape, Mary Kay, Estée Lauder (assorted kinds), IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye, Clinique, Laura Mercier, Mac, and Bobby Brown. I usually spend anywhere from $25-30 on one tube of concealer and still feel unsatisfied with the coverage. Or it looks too heavy and thick by the time i set with a damp makeup sponge and powder (accentuating my under-eye fine lines). This little gem is great. I use this concealer every day instead of all my high-end brand concealers. It’s full coverage, buildable, lasts all day, not drying and not too liquidy. I’m so happy I gave this a try, will definitely be keeping this baby in my everyday makeup bag.” —Brittney
“Oh my gosh. I have spent so much money on expensive concealers and this is my all-time favorite. I’m 61 and starting to get crepey skin under my eyes. Other concealers make it worse, but I also have dark circles so I feel like I need something. And this is it! Moisturizing, silky and covers the circles. I love it!” —Lynnette Smith
Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 18 shades).
And check out our Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Concealer review for more deets.
29. L’Oreal’s illuminating Lumi Glotion if you’re going for a dewy, no-makeup makeup look — this works beautifully as a lightweight foundation alternative or for adding a little glow on top of your makeup! And at under $15, it’s a reviewer-fave swap for pricier options like Glossier Futuredew and Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops.
Promising reviews: “Similar to the Drunk Elephant bronzing drops but half the cost!!! Definitely has more shimmer/glow to it.” —Taylor Luckhardt
“This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I apply after moisturizer and makeup, highlighting under my eyes and brow bones. Not too sparkly, just makes me look like I’ve had enough coffee. Seems to last through hot and sweaty Florida days, so that’s a plus. I’ve tried other luminizers, and for me they are usually too sparkly or weirdly colored. I tried an $$ Glossier one that remained strangely sticky the whole time it was on my skin.” —DLW
Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in five shades).
30. Eve Hansen Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum reviewers compare to the coveted TNS Recovery Complex serum that’s — prepare yourself — over $200 for a 1-ounce bottle. This budget-friendly alternative offers similar benefits: It deeply hydrates, reduces under-eye puffiness and dark circles, smooths fine lines, boosts overall hydration, and creates a radiant glow that’s giving, “I just got a facial.”
Promising review: “So far I have used about four bottles of this product. I use it like a serum and put a few drops on my face and décolleté before I apply moisturizer in the morning or night cream. I see the same outstanding results I did see with the TNS Serum — just for a fraction of the price!!!” —nana bendick
Get it from Amazon for $17.98+ (available in two sizes).
31. The Ordinary’s AHA 30% Peeling Solution, an at-home peel designed to ~resurface~ skin, exfoliate dead cells, unclog pores, and boost surface turnover so you’re left with noticeably smoother, more ✨ radiant ✨ skin. Some reviewers say it’s hard to justify the cost of Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial when the ingredients here are so similar and, in many people’s experiences, provide the same effects.
Here are some other skincare products designed to help you get a more even skin tone, BTW.
This solution uses a mixture of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid. The first two are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate the skin’s outer layer while the last one, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), reduces pore congestion.
Promising review: “This is my new favorite peel product! In 10 minutes, my skin looked glowy and smooth, and felt soft and even. There was zero irritation, just healthy, happy skin. Babyfacial works, but always left my skin red, extra oily, and hot to the touch. Not this product though! Not to mention it literally costs less than 10% of what Babyfacial costs.” —ClaireEB
Get it from Sephora for $9.50.
32. Eva Naturals’ vitamin C serum, which deserves a spot in your bag because it’s basically a skincare superhero with powerful ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinimide, and salicylic acid all rolled into one. This stuff might just spell the end for any acne, rough skin, fine lines, clogged pores, and dark spots you have.
Reviewers say it’s *especially* effective for sensitive, acne-prone skin and oily/combination skin types (though reviewers with dry skin report great results too). And multiple people compare it to SkinCeuticals’ vitamin C serum — which, if you’re unaware, retails for a whopping $182, folks.
Promising reviews: “I absolutely LOVE this serum. I was spending an absurd amount of money on SkinCeuticals products. This serum is way better. My skin is clearer and more bright. The only negative about this serum is the smell. It’s awful! I will tolerate it and continue to use it because of its effectiveness and price!” —Tish
“I am a licensed esthetician who deals with hormonal cystic acne that leaves scarring on my sensitive skin. My skin has improved so much since I started using this product!!! For the first couple of weeks, my skin purged out any underlying blemishes but afterward was clearer + smoother than I’ve seen it in YEARS! I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!! I love that it not only targets my acne scarring with the vitamin C but also soothes the redness with the niacinimide, has retinol, AND helps minimize my blackheads and pore size with the salicylic acid. 😭 It is the perfect product for my sensitive oily acne prone skin!” —Jackie
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
33. CeraVe’s Retinol Serum in case you’ve been wanting to add a retinoid to your routine but have been scared off by potential flaking and redness — or the price tag of other brands, like Murad’s $92 retinol serum. This uses encapsulated retinol designed to help prevent irritation while still resurfacing the skin to help reduce the appearance of acne scars, pores, and more.
And remember, like with any retinol, don’t start off applying this every day. Start slow and work yourself up if needed, paying attention to your skin. You’ll also definitely want to use a sunscreen (with at least SPF 30) while using this product.
Promising reviews: “I absolutely love this stuff! I saw a dermatologist on TikTok who raved about this product and tried it out, and it’s been the most amazing stuff! It’s helped my face to clear up very quickly removing all of the blemish spots and dark spots around my face. It’s been one of the best products I’ve added to my face routine. This would be great for all ages/stages and for any weather types.” —Successful Solo
“I bought this for my teenager to use for his acne scars, but he ended up not using it. I ran out of my Murad retinol serum, so I gave this a try. I actually like it better than the Murad! It absorbs quickly, with zero smell or irritation. As with any retinol product, be sure to wear sunscreen when you’re going to be outside.” —C. Munsterman
Get it from Amazon for $18.68.
34. A cruelty-free brightening facial scrub that leaves your skin positively glowy thanks to Madonna lily in the ingredients, but this popular vegan formula also packs in lemon peel, French green clay, and sea kelp to cleanse and de-gunk your pores. It works so well, reviewers ditched pricier options from brands like Clinique, The Body Shop, and Rodan + Fields.
Promising reviews: “You need this face scrub. Got rid of my obvious blackheads after two to three uses. Just make sure you tone or moisturize after each use. This is much, much better than the $60 scrub I purchased last year at an expensive chain makeup store. Do it!” —WhatTheFrenchRoast
“I have no clue how this stuff works as amazing as it does, but it’s AWESOME! After getting this and using for over a week I officially switched from the Rodan + Fields reversal line to the Acure brightening scrub. It work evens better than products that were costing almost 15x the amount. I’ve even gotten two of my friends to order it and they love it as well. You can’t go wrong.” —Michelle A Malaska
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
