These 8 Skin Care Products Do The Most — & They’re All Under $30

“A friend introduced me to this brand and I haven't looked back since. It's helped me get comfortable with chemical exfoliation at home, thanks to its step-by-step set that has all of your bases covered. Once I swipe on the exfoliant with a cotton pad, I follow up with the brand's after-acid serum and barrier balm to avoid over-drying. My skin looks healthier and more refreshed instantly.”— Alyssa Vingan, editor-in-chief

“I’m an original Starface lover, of course, but the Micro-Cloud microdart patches really come in handy when my skin starts to freak out. I’m the worst when I feel a pimple forming, I can’t help but touch and prod it — which is exactly what you're not supposed to do. These help treat the early-stage pimples, keep me from picking, and are way cuter than a red splotch on my face.”— Sam Neibart, beauty editor

“I was glad when CeraVe's cleanser went viral on TikTok because, as my bathroom staple for years, I don't think it gets the credit it deserves. It's super affordable and keeps my skin feeling extremely clean. In fact, I often forget how much I love this cleanser until I try another one and break out immediately. CeraVe for life.”— Laura Pitcher, beauty writer

“This ultra-moisturizing cream saves my skin every winter when I experience dry patches and flaky skin. I'll use it on the driest areas of my face and even my body, too. It's great for my elbows and knees.”— Laura Pitcher, beauty writer

“As a Black woman, I easily get hyperpigmentation marks from scars and acne-related issues, especially on my body. While I invest a bit into my skin regimen, my body usually gets ignored with the exception of a few oils and lotions. Topicals has been a favorite brand for me over the last couple of years, and as a fan of their Faded Serum, I knew their body serum would also do me justice. I use this on my body, focusing on my back, butt, and ankles at least once or twice a week post-shower. Within a month I noticed my pigmentation is nearly all gone and it's also been a savior to exfoliate the rough skin on my legs and feet. I definitely need a replacement since mine is almost empty.”— India Roby, contributor

“Taking off my makeup can sometimes feel like a tedious task, so this cleansing balm has been a game-changer for me. A lot of balms I've tried in the past have led to breakouts or needed several passes to work or lots of scrubbing, but Naturium's cleansing balm is the best by far. It truly gets it all off — makeup, dirt, and any buildup — without stripping my skin dry either.”— Kelly Reed, social media strategist

“If there's one lesson I’ve learned writing about beauty, it's that the best sunscreen for you is the one that you use single every day. This one covers all of my parameters. It has a high SPF, is non-comedogenic, doesn't leave an off-color cast, and doesn’t pill under my makeup. And, because it’s under $15, I'm not precious about applying.”— Sam Neibart, beauty editor