buzzfeed Press
Looking For A Skincare Routine That You’ll Actually Stick To? Here Are 27 Items That Truly Work
Images
We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. After you see how ~glowy~ this K-beauty product leaves your skin, I bet you won't skip your double cleansing routine ever again. Promising reviews: "I love this product and have noticed a huge difference when using it consistently. I am on the younger side and don’t have the worst under-eye bags, but on those occasional mornings when my eyes are puffy with somewhat visible dark circles, this product definitely does the trick! Honestly, love all the Good Molecules products." —Hayden Smith "Saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a try since the price was amazing. OMG, buy it. I’ve always had dark circles under my eyes and now fine lines and crow's-feet. While this doesn’t completely eliminate my dark circles, the fine lines are really diminished. It wears extremely well under makeup and doesn’t feel cakey or like there’s a ton of product on." —K. Grant Oh! Anddd reviewers say they use this as a step in their double cleansing routine. What the heck is that, you may ask? Well, double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice — first with an oil-based cleanser, and then again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the gross stuff out of your pores. As a shopping writer, I am exposed to manyyy products on a day-to-day basis, and let me tell you one thing: This is at the *top* of my list of favorite, most-used beauty products (and I'm saying this as an oily-skinned girlie)! This cleansing oil takes the definition of clean skin to a WHOLE other level. You can literally feel it pulling out all the gunk from your pores as you rub it around your face in a way that a normal facial cleanser alone could never do. I've been using it for a bout a year now (so I can def give the test of time stamp of approval), but even a week into using it, my skin was glowing all on its own like it never had before. Follow it up with a good cleanser, and you're golden. 😍 Check out a TikTok of the Anua cleansing oil in action. Promising reviews: "I don't need makeup remover wipes or a separate eye makeup remover because this product does the job for all of it! I've tried different products in the past, but this is the only one that has truly satisfied me. I'm extremely happy that I discovered this product!" —Perla Cuevas "I don’t usually leave reviews, but this product is the best cleansing oil EVER!!!!! Worked flawlessly after the first try, and I can actually see the results immediately!! My gosh, it’s lightweight and smells relaxing. Massage it into your skin for 5–10 minutes, and you can see the magic. Will definitely add this to my skincare routine. JUST GET IT!!!" —Vince Promising review: "Let me tell you, I have awful blackheads, and this helped clean them out and made them a lot smaller. I love this stuff. I pair it with the oil cleanser (from the same brand and line), and they did wonders for my skin! I recommend it if you have clogged pores and blackheads." —Nabi Check out a TikTok of Gold Bond in action. Promising review: "This cream has tightened the skin around my neck beyond my expectations. I’ve been using it daily (morning and evening) for over two months and still have product left. I’ve even tried it on my face, and it gives me a bit of a 'face lift.' I’m officially a Bond girl. A bit sticky to the touch after a few hours of wear, but that doesn’t bother me. Will order again." —AP Wang Promising review: "This moisturizer is one of the nicest feeling moisturizers ever. The appearance of the vitamin C capsules inside the gel goop on TikTok enticed me to purchase them for myself. This moisturizer has a gel-like consistency and comes with a scooper, making it very easy to apply. You get a decent-sized jar of moisturizer for the price, and the moisturizer is pretty thick. Although it is sticky, I would say it absorbs into your skin pretty quickly. It may leave a slightly sticky residue behind, but I think overall it is amazing for all skin types. After using this in the a.m. before sunscreen, I noticed my skin really glowed and felt smooth! I had gifted a jar to my 60-year-old mother, and she had told me how her skin felt like a baby’s bum the next morning!" —tracey + kiwi Get it from Amazon for $19.90 (available in four other styles). Laboratoires Embryolisse is a French skincare brand based in Issy-les-Moulineaux. Promising review: "This face cream is a skincare gem! It doubles as a makeup primer, creating a flawless canvas. The creamy texture feels luxurious, leaving my skin deeply moisturized without any greasiness. It's a multitasking marvel, smoothing fine lines and providing the perfect base for makeup application. The subtle scent is delightful, and the compact tube is travel-friendly. For a radiant complexion and a versatile addition to your beauty routine, this cream is a must-have!" —Pranav Get it from Amazon for $19+ (available in two sizes). Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action. Promising review: "So I was skeptical at first, but honestly, this stick is life-changing!!! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after-feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" —Kristy Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in seven formulas). Etude House, a South Korean cosmetics brand based in Seoul, celebrates beauty and aims to provide both makeup and skincare products that are beginner-friendly. Make sure to shake before using and apply to areas that will be exposed to UV rays. That's me in the pic shown above! Although I was in the chilly Swiss Alps, that sun was *strong*. And when I tell y'all, I am picky with sunscreen... I am PICKY. No matter what, it has to be lightweight, non-greasy (my oily skin doesn't need any help looking shiny lol), virtually invisible on my skin, and it has to work well as a base layer for other products like tinted serums and foundation. I found my perfect match in this sunscreen. It protects my skin while still letting it breathe and allowing its natural glow to peek through. It also dries down to a *true* silk-matte finish and mixes super well with your daily moisturizer! Promising review: "I’ve been using this sunscreen for a long time, and I always end up coming back to it. The texture is very lightweight and fluid, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling heavy or greasy. It blends easily, leaves no white cast at all (which is extremely important to me), and works perfectly under makeup. I have sensitive, dry skin, and this sunscreen has never irritated me or caused breakouts. What I really appreciate is how comfortable it feels throughout the day. It doesn’t pill, doesn’t sting my eyes, and it gives a natural finish that looks good whether I’m wearing makeup or not. It’s one of those products you can apply in the morning and forget about because it just does its job quietly and well. I’ve tried many sunscreens over the years, especially Korean ones, and this is one of the most consistent formulas I’ve used. For the price and quality, it’s absolutely worth it, and I would repurchase it without hesitation. There’s really no excuse not to wear sunscreen when products like this exist." —Marcela Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in two styles and two sizes). While this serum is designed to be less irritating, as with any powerful skincare product, it's important to start slow and patch test to see how your skin reacts. If your skin tolerates it, you can apply both morning and night after cleansing. Promising review: "Honestly, buy it. I was skeptical about this serum, especially since it’s such a large bottle for so cheap, plus this was a leap of faith for me since I do have sensitive skin. I’ve been using this religiously for over a week now, and even after the first day, I could see and feel the improvement in my skin. I went from having small red breakouts to clear, even skin almost overnight. I’m not even wearing makeup now because I love the look and glow to my skin. I don’t even do reviews, but this product deserves it 100%. I will be purchasing again. BUY IT!" —Boogs This Italian skincare brand is based in Alba, a town in Piedmont, Italy, and is centered around their most prized ingredient, white truffle (also known as the "underground diamond"). Promising review: "Love this spray that hydrates my skin and gives my makeup look the best it’s ever looked. I wear a lot of makeup on stage, and I’m constantly sweating from all the dancing, so this spray comes in clutch every time and keeps me going for hours. I like to spray it in between my makeup process, and especially after powders. I’ve tried a lot of sprays, and this is the one I reach for every time!" —Deniece Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four sizes). Patch test this product before applying it to your face, and start slow and low. Mild 50 and 100 are better for beginners and sensitive skin, while 300 and 700 may need to be worked up to over time. Promising review: "Witchcraft in a bottle. I don't normally write reviews, but I am legitimately amazed by this product. I have been struggling with breakouts pretty badly lately and have spent tons of money on different products to help clear my skin. This is the ONLY one that made a REAL difference. I received the product right after I developed the worst cystic nodule I have ever had (and subsequently tried and failed to drain). It was so bad that I didn't even leave the house except for work. I used this product before bed the night it arrived, and the nodule was SIGNIFICANTLY improved the very next morning. I have never seen anything like it. After a few short days, the nodule has almost completely disappeared (and is easily concealed under a bit of makeup) and the rest of my face has almost completely cleared." —Randi Get it from Amazon for $21+ (available in four styles). Promising review: "I bought this after seeing an ad on TikTok. I'm skeptical, but I’m a sucker for this kinda stuff, but it is genuinely amazing. I tested it on all the different areas of my body. It didn’t do a thing to my well-exfoliated palm, but my face, legs, LIPS… baby soft with big balls of dead skin coming off. Like one of those Korean exfoliating gloves, but you don’t have to scrub like you do with those. You just gently rub it in, and your dead skin peels away. I even had a weird callous on my arm that kept regrowing, [and] it smoothed it down so cleanly. This stuff is truly magic. Just WOW." —Nellie Get it from Amazon for $23+ (available in five styles). Check out a TikTok of this mask in action. Promising review: "Oh…my god…🤯 No scent. It starts milky white and turns clear. I left it on overnight, woke up, and I was shook!! Pores? Where? Dry patch? Where? Fine wrinkles? Whheeerrrrrre??? Put it on over my lips as well, and it almost looked like I had fillers. It was so plump! 10/10 recommend. Holy grail of face masks. <3" —Kichi Get a four-pack from Amazon for $15.20 (also available in a 16-count and in three other styles). To use, mix the powder and activator and apply it to your face. FYI — you'll look like a character from The Walking Dead as the mask works its magic. (It's called the "Zombie Pack" for a reason!) But once you rinse it off after 10–15 minutes of letting it dry, you'll have some happy and radiant skin. Promising review: "I was gifted the Hanacure masks and loved them, but they're just way too pricey. I heard SO many wonderful things about the Skin 1004 zombie mask, and at this price, why not?! Let me tell you, this mask is just straight-up magic. I didn't notice any changes to my skin immediately, but a few hours later, when I looked in the mirror, I was shocked at how wonderful my skin looked. I've never noticed a difference like this. Hanacure who?!?? Don't get me wrong, the Hanacure mask is amazing and magical too, but it's expensive and impossible to maintain the twice-weekly mask schedule recommended. This Zombie mask is every bit as magical with better results, in my opinion. And it's super funny. A lot of the reviews mention a bad smell, which I was worried about, but I didn't notice a smell, and I'm so sensitive to smell that I can't use scented lotions, lip balms, etc. Bottom line, this is better than Hanacure, both price and results-wise." —Dana Dane Get a box with eight masks from Amazon for $13.98 (also available as a two-pack). Promising review: "Hands down the best shower mitt on the market! It has really helped with my dry skin, reduced ingrown hairs after shaving, and leaves skin baby soft." —Habanera026 Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in a two-pack and in two other styles). Psst — one dermatologist on TikTok even recommends using it on your armpits to help fight the bacteria that cause body odor! Promising review: "My sisters were constantly raving about this toner, so I decided to try it. Since using it, I’ve realized why they love it so much! My skin went from bumpy and textured to smooth and glowy. My clogged pores have completely disappeared. I’ve already recommended this product to a bunch of my friends, and they love it too! I’ve been using this product for about two months, and it’s still doing wonders. Definitely worth buying!" —Noa May Get it from Amazon for $6.93 (also available in a bigger size and in multipacks). Promising reviews: "I don’t know what sorcery this is or what kind of magic is included, but I can tell you this has changed my skin. I am in my late 50s with horrible oily skin. I have never taken care of my skin, but I bought this after reading a review, and HOLY COW. This is the REAL DEAL." —cynthia williamson Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in three sizes). Promising review: "Guys. Guys. MAGIC IN A BOTTLE. I was slightly hesitant to buy this because of the price point, but I know it was highly praised on TikTok. I kid you not; I have not had a SINGLE whitehead since I started using this. I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin, and this toner has been amazing. My skin has quite literally never been clearer. I have tried so many freakin' products to try and get my skin clear, and this one is absolutely my new holy grail. I cannot recommend this enough if you have oily, acne-prone, super-sensitive skin. I cannot express how happy I am at how affordable it is!" —morgan Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly says about it: "I've used this stuff before and can confirm that 1) the scent is indeed intoxicating and 2) everything from this brand has scents that really STICK to you. I'm currently using the Beija Flor body wash, and I can smell it on my skin hours later — which is pretty rare for a body wash." Caffeine has a number of skincare benefits, including brightening and temporarily reducing the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite, if that's something you're looking to do! You can read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "Where has this been all my life? I have been using this for maybe three days now, and putting it on in the morning and evening are the best parts of my day. The description of the scent as 'pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla' does not even begin to describe the incredibly decadent smell of this cream on my skin. My skin feels like velvet, and I saw improvements in the texture after the first application. I will use it for the rest of my life. Do not ever discontinue this! I did not expect to be so amazed by this cream, but it is life-changing. Buy it! You won't regret it." —Michelle Brown Get a 2.5-ounce jar from Amazon for $24 (available in six sizes). And if (when) you do fall in love with the scent, they make tons of other products, including a fragrance! Promising review: "The older I get, the drier my skin seems to get. I read about this brand from a blog I follow. So I checked the reviews and decided to try it. To say that I am blown away would be an understatement! I simply cannot express how pleased I am after literally just three uses. Normally, my skin is so dry that nothing seems to help, but this. THIS! It makes my skin feel great, and it even looks great! It’s not greasy, but it moisturizes. The texture feels like whipped velvet!! It is so luxurious and feels amazing on my skin. My skin feels hydrated and normal. I feel like shouting from the rooftops how amazing this stuff is! The eye cream is just as good, and a little goes a very long way. I am sold! This product is superior!!" —Shanon L. Edwards Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four sizes). 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 $19.99 (also available in seven other styles and in packs of two). Read more about adapalene, acne, and non-prescription acne treatments at Mayo Clinic. Promising reviews: "Look, I don’t know what kind of magical potion is in this little bottle, but I’ve used it approximately four times in the past week, and my skin is GLOWING. My pores are suddenly nonexistent, and my blackheads have shrunk. This stuff is amazing. Also, it’s really moisturizing and not as irritating as other retinoids I have used in the past. The bottle is smaller than I was expecting, but it is worth every penny. Great stuff. 11/10." —Demi "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 acn- 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 Check out BuzzFeed editor Natalie Brown's Differin review to learn more! Get a 30-day supply from Amazon for $10.79 (also available in larger quantities). Eight Saints is a woman-owned small biz using only eight plant-based ingredients in their skincare products. Promising review: "Having intermittent bouts of eczema, and occasionally resorting to a topical steroid around the sensitive area near my eyes just felt dangerous, but that's the only thing that helped when the dryness became extreme. Enter Eight Saints. Within a few weeks, the gentle and effective potion started working their magic. And the scent? Dreamy. It's a little heavier, but not greasy and definitely soaks in nicely. I read that people commented about skin feeling plump, and I supposed that's accurate. I would also say my skin feels nourished from the time I apply til right when I wake up. It's nice finding a product and routine that relieves my dryness and I'm feeling confident that this new moisturizer is just what I needed. So far, it's a great combination for my skin. Thanks Eight Saints. I appreciate your commitment to creating a clean useful skin care line, and especially your Discovery Kit! I'd recommend Up the Anti, Cloud Whip, Seeking C and Night Shift, as these are the ones I like best. Definitely worth checking out the kit to see what works for anyone interested." —Amazon Customer Promising review: "Every *GLOWING* review about this product is 1,000% legit. I live in the Mojave Desert and use this mask every night and again, lightly, every morning. The aridity of Joshua Tree absolutely sucks every bit of moisture from my skin year-round. Glow Recipe Watermelon Mask is the ONLY sure-fire comfort toward moisturizing and nourishing my face and neck. I keep it in the fridge in the summer for immediate cooling and bursts of relief throughout the day. THANK YOU!" —amanda bhymer Get it from Amazon for $21+ (available in two sizes). Check out BuzzFeed Shopping editor Amanda Davis's Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patches review to learn more. Promising review: "I am a fortysomething woman who still gets pimples. I tried a wide swath of pimple patches. These are the best. Like the goldilocks of patches — some were very adherent but took off skin to remove, some fell off very quickly — these are just right. And they work. They reduce the inflammation and keep gunk from getting in. They also keep you from picking at the zit. My teenage daughter also uses them, and they work for her. I have very fair skin, and she is much darker, and they seem to blend nicely with both skin tones." —K. Dahl Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $12.99 (also available as a 72-pack and a 75-pack). BTW, some people use it as a daily lip balm or lip protectant over their lipstick, too! Laneige is an Asian-owned brand that has been in the beauty game for years. (Seriously, since the '90s!) The luxury brand prides itself on being affordable, too, and has many fan-favorite products because of it. Promising reviews: "This lip mask is hands down my favorite lip mask! It’s become a nighttime staple for me — every morning, my lips feel so much softer, deeply hydrated, and smoother than with any other product I’ve tried. I love how rich and nourishing it feels without being sticky, and the blend of vitamin C, murumuru butter, shea butter, and antioxidants leaves my lips feeling healthy and protected. Even in dry or cold weather, this mask keeps my lips from getting chapped or flaky. If you want a lip treatment that truly delivers intense hydration and a soft, supple feel by morning, this is absolutely the one I reach for every time! 💕" —Jaclyn P. Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in 11 scents). Promising review: "This product is so nourishing and works wonders when your lips are super dry or chapped. My lips get extremely dry and cracked even when I use ChapStick several times a day. It is thicker than a ChapStick but not heavy to the point of discomfort. It sits on your lips longer and has more time to soak in. It feels amazing on your lips. It’s also a cute thing to wear on its own if you don’t feel like wearing lipstick. It’s also nice to have different shade options, even though the clear one is my favorite. I also love that the scent is very minimal. It has a VERY slight vanilla smell that you barely notice once applied. I have repurchased this product several times and will continue to do so!!" —Julia Get it from Amazon for $16.79 (available in five colors and in multipacks). * Skincare Products With Results That’ll Have You Saying, “Feel How Soft My Skin Is” * Game-Changing Korean Skincare Tips You're Totally Missing Out On * Popular Skincare Products That Won’t Cost An Arm And A Leg * Skincare Products For Those Issues You Didn’t Even Know Had Legit Solutions * Products That Skincare Lovers Buy Again And Again, So Maybe You Should Too * Skincare Products That'll Give Your Dry Skin The Hydration It Craves * Here Are 33 Skincare Products If Your Budget Is $20 Per Item And That’s It * These 14 Sunscreens Were Made For Sensitive Skin Plus, K-beauty toners, oily skin must-haves, and finds from Amazon, Dermstore, and Ulta. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Gabriela Manjarrez is a staff writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team who covers a variety of topics from beauty to home to travel, while having a special enthusiasm for K-beauty, quirky (but useful!) trinkets, and all things luxe and aesthetic.