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These Are The Most Affordable & Highest-Rated Skincare Products on Amazon

by Adeline Duff
Lumina Images/Fotolia
A young blonde lady putting an affordable skincare cream on her face

When it comes to skin care products, you can't just throw anything on your face. Finding a formula that will actually work for your skin type, and not exacerbate any existing conditions or trigger breakouts, is a science. It's also important to ensure you're buying a tried-and-trusted product from a reputable brand, which is what makes online shopping so great: Product ratings and the ability to read firsthand reviews from fellow shoppers have changed the game. But to make your beauty shopping even easier, you'll find 36 of the most affordable and highest-rated skincare products on Amazon outlined just ahead.

The method behind narrowing down Amazon's most popular skin care was based mainly on two things: ratings and reviews. Every product on this list has at least a 4.5-star rating with hundreds, if not thousands, of real reviews. And because having great skin shouldn't require blowing your budget, not a single product costs over $25.

If you have a couple of extra dollars to spend, you'll definitely want to read ahead. From mind-blowingly-affordable serums to cult-favorite face masks — and even a couple of nifty tools — these beauty buys might just be the best steals you've ever seen.

1This Cult-Favorite Clay Mask With Over 11,000 Five-Star Reviews

Many consider the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay to be the best face mask on the market. And with over 14,000 five- and four-star reviews, it's clear most users agree. When mixed with water or apple cider vinegar, it turns into a thick paste that can be applied all over your face and body for serious detoxification. It helps quell current pimples and prevent future breakouts; cleans out pores; and reveals an overall brighter, more radiant looking complexion. Some people use it in their bath, too, or for body wraps and foot soaks.

The best part is, since you only need to use a teeny bit of the powder, one tub can literally last you years. All of that, for just over $10.

2A Plumping & Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid Serum For Thirsty Skin

A hyaluronic acid serum for under $20 with almost 5,000 five-star reviews? If it sounds too good to be true, you're not alone. But this serum is legit. Hyaluronic acid is a cult-favorite ingredient for dry skin because of how intensely hydrating it is — though all skin types, from sensitive to oily, can benefit from it. Cosmedica's HA formula is totally pure and contains no fillers, fragrance, or other unnecessary ingredients — just the good stuff.

3These Face Wipe Standbys That Everyone Should Have In Their Kit

Face wipes shouldn't be the only step you use in your cleansing regimen, but for the first step in the makeup removal process or to fix smudges, they're a must-have in anyone's beauty kit. Many can be made with irritating ingredients, but not these: just like their name says, they're simple — in the best way possible. Formulated mostly with water and no fragrance, Simple's Facial Wipes remove waterproof makeup and leave skin soft. Plus, since they come in a two-pack, you'll have an extra to stash in your gym bag.

4This French Pharmacy Cleanser For Oily Skin

For oily skin, there are few better cleansers than this one from La Roche-Posay's Effaclar line. It's a gel that foams up into a rich lather and leaves your skin shine-free and squeaky-clean. It doesn't contain alcohol, but it does contain fragrance — yet many users with sensitive skin swear by it.

One fan raves, "This stuff WORKS. I have very oily acne-prone skin and have tried all sorts of things with minimal success. I have been washing my face twice a day with this stuff for about two weeks now and the difference is incredible! I haven't gotten any new large pimples and everything I had has cleared up."

5A Daily Moisturizer That All Skin Types Can Enjoy

If you're looking for a basic, affordable daily moisturizer, you can't do much better than this classic drugstore pick from Aveeno. In addition to being oil-free and non-comedogenic, it contains an SPF of 15, checking off all the major moisturizer boxes.

One reviewer says, "So far, the best [drugstore] brand of moisturizer that I have tried. My skin is on the oily side, especially in the summer months. It doesn't leave my skin looking like a sweaty, greasy mess like some other SPF moisturizers, but it does a good job of hydrating it."

6This Ice Roller For Soothing & Depuffing Your Skin

Keep this bad boy in your freezer and you'll become shocked at how you ever lived without it before. Not only is the ESAROR ice roller great at depuffing skin, but it can also help ease sinus pain and headaches.

One facialist writes, "I use this ice roller in my esthetician treatment room after extractions, peels and/or waxing. My clients love it! It drastically reduces inflammation and swelling...thereby leaving the skin in a much healthier state."

7A Do-It-All Serum That Works Just As Well As Its Pricier Counterparts

Though perhaps a bit lesser-known than some of the cult-classics on this list, the No7 Protect And Perfect Serum from British pharmacy brand Boots is one of the most popular serums in its price category. It's a great serum because it targets such a multitude of skin concerns: loss of elasticity, hyperpigmentation, fine lines. Plus, it's non-greasy and leaves skin super smooth and soft.

"I have definitely noticed an improvement in my complexion and skin tone," shares one user. "The bottle has lasted much longer than I thought it would (3 months) with application twice per day ... After 3 months my skin looks more youthful and fresh. I also like the silky feel and quick absorption."

8This 100 Pure Percent Squalane Oil That Reviewers Swear Cured Their Skin

Squalane oil is an incredibly beneficial ingredient that's recently become popular in the beauty scene. But so many of these pure oils can cost upwards of $50. Leave it to Timeless Skin Care to produce another amazing, undiluted formula at an incredible price. Squalane is both an incredible moisturizer and a wrinkle-fighter, and unlike many other oils, it's quite lightweight and fast-absorbing.

One reviewer raves, "This oil is the sole reason I now feel comfortable walking around with no make up on ... It has completely eradicated all the small under the surface white bumps I had on my forehead, it has improved the texture of my skin, and it has faded my acne scars on my cheek to the point that they are almost gone." Another said it produced "shocking results after only a week."

9A Refreshing Gel Moisturizer For Oily & Combination Skin

This super refreshing gel-cream is like a water bomb for your face. It's oil-free, enriched with skin-brightening vitamin C, and works to strengthen your skin's moisture barrier. Plus, it provides 24 hours worth of hydration. People who hate thick lotions will love this gel moisturizer — and though this green one is specifically formulated for those with combination skin, it also comes in a similar, slightly more soothing version for extra dry skin.

10These Eyebrow Razors That Double As Face Dermaplaners

The Tinkle is an eyebrow razor first, but it also doubles as an amazing skin dermaplaner. Use it all over your face to shed the outermost layer of dead skin — skin will not only be ridiculously soft, but you'll find that your foundation looks much smoother, too. Don't worry about nicks and cuts — it's super gentle and comes with a stainless steel safety cover to prevent accidents.

Not only is it an Amazon number-one best-seller with a near-perfect rating and over 2,000 reviews, but it has users calling it "the best product ever!" One writes, "I never thought of shaving my face and am not a hairy person but learned that makeup goes on much smoother and I no longer have to wax or tweeze using this product. It's amazing what removing peach fuzz can do for your complexion!"

11An Alcohol-Free Toner That Dry & Sensitive Skin Types Can Enjoy, Too

Dry and/or sensitive skin types can have a hard time finding a toner they can use. But this one by Thayers is alcohol-free and infused with skin-soothing rose water and nourishing organic aloe vera. This mix will combat any of the drying effects of witch hazel, the other star ingredient in the formula, which works to tone skin, prevent breakouts, and tighten pores.

Over 4,000 reviewers are fans. "THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR SKIN 100%," raves one reviewer, calling it "The most effective skin care product." Another user said it cleared up her perioral dermatitis , while others swear by it for everything from redness to cystic acne.

12A Classic Moisturizing Lotion For Your Face & Body

A moisturizer you can use on your body and face? Yes, please. CeraVe's classic Daily Moisturizing Lotion is gentle, yet nourishing enough to be used from your head to toes. It contains hyaluronic acid and skin-replenishing ceramides to help soften and hydrate skin. Even better, it's oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, so go ahead and stock up for the whole family. It's worth noting that it also comes in a near-identical cream formula, for those looking for something a bit richer.

"This lotion was recommended to me by my Dermatologist for hypersensitive skin. I also get rosacea and this works well after I get out of the shower. It is unscented and doesn’t have any irritants in. I strongly recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin or people who cannot deal with harsh products that contain a lot of chemicals and perfumes," shares one reviewer.

13This Japanese Cleansing Oil That Removes Waterproof Makeup Like Magic

Cleansing oils are used as the first step in the double cleansing process (followed by a water-based cleanser, like a gel or foam) because they remove makeup so adeptly — and this is one of the best ones out there. Unlike many other oil cleansers that leave skin greasy, though, this one can also be used on its own, without a follow-up cleanse. It leaves skin soft and clean, and takes off even the most stubborn waterproof makeup with ease.

14A Cult-Favorite Skin Cream With About 100 Uses

This ultra-rich balm-cream has a literal worldwide following for its many, many uses. Some people use Weleda Skin Food as a face moisturizer, while others use it as a makeup remover, lip balm, or cuticle cream. Makeup artists use it to highlight their cheekbones and eyelids, and it's also amazing for healing cracked heels and dry elbows. You can basically put this stuff anywhere, and it's made by a natural, NATRUE-certified European brand.

Prop tip: warm it up in your hands before applying, especially if it's going on your face.

15This 16-Pack Of Sheet Masks For Just $10

Over 3,000 Amazon users are fans of this 16-pack of skin-plumping sheet masks. They're all enriched with collagen and skin-softening essence to leave your skin looking radiant and smooth, but each "flavor" also has its own unique benefits. Charcoal and bee venom, for example, help brighten and clarify skin, while royal jelly is deeply nourishing, and aloe soothes and hydrates.

16The Best Micellar Water On The Planet

The no-rinse cleanser that changed makeup removal as we know it: Bioderma's Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. It's inspired countless copycat formulas — even down to the packaging — but none work as well as the original. It removes makeup with just one swipe, leaves zero residue behind, and doesn't sting your eyes. Plus, rinsing afterwards is optional.

17These Tea Tree Cleansing Pads That Help Fight Breakouts & Curb Excess Oil Production

Tea tree has naturally antiseptic properties, which is what makes it such an effective blemish-buster. These tea tree pads are soaked in a formula containing the hero ingredient, as well as skin-soothing essential oils like chamomile and calendula, to stave off future breakouts, quell current breakouts, and reduce excess oil and shine. Plus, they're made by a trusted naturals brand and are free of any harsh ingredients, like fragrance and SLS.

18An All-Natural Eye Balm For Intense Nourishment

If you're looking for serious nourishment around your eyes, try a balm instead of a cream. Queen Bee Naturals' Peeper Keeper Eye Balm contains a heady mix of vitamin E and 10 moisturizing oils, including jojoba, avocado, and carrot seed, and no other unnecessary additives. Because it's such a natural, skin-safe formula, reviewers are also able to put it on their eyelids without the risk of irritation.

With almost 80 percent five-star reviews, it's clear customers are obsessed. "I have been searching for a product that was safe to apply daily to my eyelids and sensitive skin near my eyes. I live in a dry and dusty area so my eyelids were irritated all the time," shares one reviewer. "I purchased this a month ago ... It's been miraculous. My eye lids don't burn and the redness is gone. It has brought tremendous relief to me."

19This Face & Body Moisturizer For Sensitive & Eczema-Prone Skin

If you have really sensitive skin, or a condition like eczema, it can be incredibly hard to find effective skin care products that won't cause flare-ups or irritation. But Vanicream's Moisturizing Skin Cream was created to solve that issue. It has almost 3,000 reviews, with almost 80 percent being five-star. You can use it on your face and body to help relieve dryness, flaking, itching, and irritation. Plus, you get a ton of product: a whopping 1 pound, at that.

20These Red Wine Peeling Wipes For A Clearer, Brighter Complexion

These red wine peel pads work like magic on your skin. They combine physical and chemical exfoliation with their dual-sided textures and acid-infused formula, which contains glycolic and lactic acid, as well as resveratol, an antioxidant sourced from red wine that's amazing for your skin. They come with little pockets for your fingers that make application a breeze, they smell delicious, and they deliver brighter, clearer, smoother skin with every use.

21This USDA-Organic Coconut Oil That Has So Many Uses

Coconut oil has so many amazing uses. It's an excellent makeup remover, can be used for oil-pulling (an ancient oral hygiene technique), and, when used as a leave-on mask, is one of the best hair treatments out there. It's also an amazing body moisturizer: apply it after the shower and see how soft your skin feels. Though it's typically on the pricey side, this 14-ounce jar costs less than $10 — but it's USDA certified-organic, non-GMO, and made by one of the most trusted naturals brands out there.

22A Wash Off Exfoliating Mask That Leaves Skin Soft

Most exfoliators leave your skin feeling tight and dry — but not this one. Because it uses black sugar granules to exfoliate, which are much gentler (and more nourishing) than traditional gritty ingredients, Skinfood's black sugar mask and exfoliator leaves skin moisturized and soft, as well as clear and flake-free.

"The sugar is a great exfoliant, and when I leave it on after scrubbing, it gets all melty and the other magical ingredients make my skin softer than a unicorn pony. AND it smells delightful," writes one fan.

23This Heavy-Duty Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser For Face & Body Acne

If you have face or body acne — or both — you might want to try a benzoyl peroxide cleanser like this one. With almost 3,000 reviews, over 70 percent of users said it helped cure their acne, including those pesky cystic bumps. "This is a life saver for those with adult acne that has refused to yield to any other treatment," one reviewer writes, while another calls it "The best acne treatment I've ever tried." Because it's so strong, dry and/or sensitive skin types should steer clear.

24A Best-Selling Gel-Cream That Both Dry & Oily Skin Types Will Love

Both dry and oily skin types can benefit from a water gel-cream like this one. One of the most popular drugstore moisturizers on the market, Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Gel-Cream is oil-free and non-greasy, but packed with hyaluronic acid, so it quenches dehydrated skin without being heavy or greasy. It's also non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores, and when kept in the fridge, it acts like a cooling treatment for your skin.

25This Microneedle Derma Roller For A Permanent Glow

If you're on the quest for glowing, more radiant looking skin, but none of the products you use have been cutting it, it might be time to try a derma roller. Sdara's is one of the better ones you can get at its price point, and its results are immediate. Using teeny tiny .25mm microneedles, it delivers a professional-level facial treatment at home. It can help with everything from acne scars and hyperpigmentation to dullness and puffiness.

One reviewer claims here severe scarring from cystic acne were 70 percent gone in one night, calling it a miracle. Another said of the results, "Indentations are filling in, raised patches are flattening out, and dark spots are lightening up."

26A Japanese Primer For Skin That Looks & Feels Like Velvet

Staying true to its name, this primer from cult-favorite Japanese beauty brand DHC makes skin look and feel like velvet. Use it to blur and soften the appearance of pores, and as a base for long-lasting, smoother looking makeup.

"I've been using this for years and it is still hands down, the best thing I like to put on my skin," shares one longtime user. "It even's [sic] out the skin and truly makes it look flawless." Another calls it "the best primer on planet earth."

27This Pampering Body Oil That Leaves Dry Skin Silky & Soft

If your skin is rough and dry, it might be time to swap out your body lotion for a nourishing oil. This one is lightweight, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing. It leaves your skin looking silky and feeling soft, and you can also add it to your bath. Pro tip: apply it onto damp skin — it'll absorb better.

28A Classic Drugstore Face Scrub For Clearer, More Radiant Skin

When used properly — aka, a few times a week and not every day — a face scrub can actually do wonders for your skin. This classic pick from St. Ives leaves skin clear and bright, and it also happens to smell delicious. Sensitive skin types might want to steer clear, or only use it once a week. But devoted fans (it has over 4,000 reviews) swear by it for fighting off acne, washing off makeup, and leaving their skin "baby soft."

Other reviewers love to use it on their legs and faces before shaving to reduce razor burn and bumps.

29This Hard-Working Face Cream That Contains Only Gentle, Skin-Safe Ingredients

Been looking for the perfect, affordable face cream to promote a smoother, more radiant glow? Here ya' go. Eucerin is such an amazing brand because they don't use any irritating ingredients, and most of their formulas are fragrance-free and gentle, which is why they're so popular with sensitive skin types. The Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream ticks all those boxes — it's alcohol-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, etc. — but it seriously delivers when it comes to keeping your skin looking renewed and fresh.

One fan, who called it their "miracle cream," says it's "next level good." They add, "Not only did my dryness clear right up, but all my acne is gone now. My skin seriously looks better than ever and I am so happy." Another says, "There are products on the market that are selling for 5 times what this cost [sic] and this is every bit as good."

30A Less Messy Way To Mix & Apply Your Face Masks

Applying your face masks — especially those made of clay — can get messy. These silicone brushes, however, are a simple hack. Not only will applying your mask be a much less messy process, but they also ensure your products go on smoother and more evenly. They're also great for mixing masks, if you do choose to pick up a tub of Aztec Clay.

"Makes mixing & applying masks 100x easier," says one reviewer. "Mixing everything with a plastic spoon is wasteful, it never mixes everything together great and can be very sloppy ... Remember, if you use bentonite clay, it can’t come in contact with metal, so the silicone is perfect for mixing it."

31A Lightweight, Oil-Free Night Cream That Comes In A Two-Pack

For those with oily, acne-prone skin, or anyone who hates thick creams, try this lightweight night lotion from CeraVe. It sufficiently hydrates and moisturizes using niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — without the pore-clogging side effects. The best part is, it comes in a two-pack, so you'll be stocked for a while.

32This Soothing Facial Mist That Hydrates & Calms Skin

Sure, *technically* it's just water — but there's something about this gentle, hydrating face mist that makes it worthy every penny. Use it for a mid-day or morning refresh, or before applying your creams and serums, since damp skin better absorbs moisture. Buy this one for your fridge and pick up the smaller, travel-sized bottle to keep in your bag — you have no idea how addicted to these skin-soothing spritzes you'll become.

33These Reusable Makeup Remover Pads That You Can Wash In The Machine

Trying to be more environmentally-conscious? An easy way is to swap out your cotton pads with these reusable bamboo makeup remover pads. They work just as well as their less eco-friendly counterparts and can be used over and over again. Just throw them in the mesh bag, and then throw that in the washing machine (so they don't get lost) to get them clean. Plus, they're gentler on skin and, unlike drugstore-brand cotton pads, not filled with chemical bleach.

34This Cult-Classic Australian Skin Ointment For Chapped Lips, Dry Skin, Wounds, & More

Lucas Papaw is a classic Australian beauty product that's beloved around the world. The little red tube contains an ointment that does everything from hydrate lips and help wounds to soften cuticles and soothe rashes. Pick one up and keep it in your bag — you won't be sorry.

35A Fan-Favorite Face & Body Sunscreen With An SPF of 100

This is one of the most popular sunscreens on the market for a reason. It blends into skin well without feeling greasy, you can use it on both your face and body, and it contains a high SPF of 100. Especially essential for those who spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun, this formula has reviewers calling it "the best sunscreen ever, period."

The Zoe Report may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from The Zoe Report's editorial and sales departments.