A Skin-Care Guide for Twentysomethings on a Budget
Teen Vogue's Twentysomethings Guide is your go-to resource for the more confusing parts of going out on your own.
The most important part of a good beauty routine is skin care. Whether it's sunscreen, cleanser, or moisturizer, you can’t get the healthy skin you want without a solid routine. We spoke to expert dermatologists about the best affordable products on the market to help you be consistent without breaking the bank.
Young people, generally, don't need much of a skin-care routine and should rely less on harsh ingredients that can upset sensitive skin. But as we reach adolescence and our 20s, it's a good time to start to expand your routine, looking at products with exfoliating properties. Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalane, ceramides, and retinols may sound like complicated words, but we’re here to demystify skin care and help fill your routine with the basics that will actually get the job done.
No matter your skin type, there are formulas that will work for you. We’ve gathered some budget-friendly products, including drugstore options and popular Sephora and Ulta brands, to add to your skin-care routine; see below.
Cosmic Dew Gel To Foam Water Cleanser
$18.00, Ulta
This cleanser is a new favorite that is great for maintaining a budget-friendly skin-care routine. The gel-to-foam formula gently removes dirt and impurities, leaving behind a balanced, healthy glow. This specific product is made in South Korea and pairs well with the brand's milky toner lotion and hyaluronic acid cream. It’s also vegan and hypoallergenic, which is perfect for shoppers with sensitive skin.
Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer
$16.00, Ulta
Bubble is a Gen Z-focused beauty brand that has our attention. This moisturizer is an everyday cream that uses natural ingredients like aloe leaf juice and hoya lacosuna flower extract to deeply hydrate and restore essential nutrients. It’s also super popular on TikTok, a true testament to being a fan favorite.
Surfing Under The Eyes Hydrating Treatment Gel Pads
$23.00, Ulta
Florence by Mills, the beauty brand founded by actor Millie Bobby Brown, offers these high-tide wave gel patches that are focused on providing serious hydration. The eye patches are meant to infuse skin with hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and visibly plump.
Mighty Patch Original Acne Pimple Patches
$13.00, Ulta
Hero’s Mighty Patch Original Acne Pimple Patches are perfect for anyone looking for a fast fix. The brand's hydrocolloid patches are meant to protect blemishes for faster healing overnight. They're suitable for all skin types and are cruelty- and drug-free.
Rosebud Salve
$7.00, Sephora
It's easy to forget the importance of a good lip salve. This one from Smith's is a fan favorite, and serves as a wonderful lip moisturizer and natural-looking gloss. It hydrates dry lips, calms and heals irritation, and soothes the sting of minor burns. It can also be used on other parts of your body, such as dry elbows and hands.
Hydro Boost Ultra Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
$19.00, Neutrogena
Neutrogena is one of our favorite brands because its skin-care products are top-notch and extremely affordable. The Hydroboost Ultra Hydrating Serum is a perfect option for when you start building your multistep routine.
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
$18.00, The Inkey List
The Inkey List's Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is a top contender for a beauty product that will always be good to have in your cabinet. Whether you're dealing with blemishes or dry skin, this body stick will keep your skin feeling as fresh as possible.
Glazing Milk
$30.00, Rhode
In a market full of celebrity-founded beauty companies, Hailey Bieber has made a skin-care brand that's actually worth using. This glazing milk is a great addition to your skin-care collection, and a perfect second step, after face cleansing, that leaves skin feeling hydrated and refreshed. The price is on the higher side for affordable beauty products, but we think it's worth it.
Blemish Scar & Discoloration Duo
$26.00, Good Molecules
Good Molecules is a great brand if you're looking for a toner that address blemishes and discoloration. This particular option is budget-friendly and useful across skin types.
Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Wash
$18.00, La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay is another brand that is frequently discussed on TikTok. This foaming facial wash is a fan favorite, and it's made with a lot of clean ingredients for those with sensitive skin. At $18 for more than 13 fluid ounces, you're also getting a lot of bang for your buck.
The Deep Cleanse
$40.00, Tatcha
Tatcha's The Deep Cleanse is another popular cleanser that would go great in your collection of affordable beauty products. It’s ideal for all skin textures and leaves complexions feeling soft and replenished.
Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
$18.00, Versed
Versed’s cleansing balm is great for after busy, jam-packed days when you’re feeling lazy but still need to take off all your makeup. Sometimes we don’t have the energy for a full five-step skin-care routine, so having a product that can easily remove the day’s makeup look is a necessary option.
Daily Sunscreen Gel Broad Spectrum SPF 30
$38.00, Tula
Tula’s sunscreen, a gel broad spectrum SPF 30, caught our eye because of it’s price point, but it also gets the job done.
Invisible Shield SPF50
$32.00, Glossier
Glossier’s latest sunscreen is a fan favorite for the Teen Vogue team. This moisturizing formula applies to skin like a primer, but doesn't leave behind a cast.
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum
$6.00, Sephora
The Ordinary remains a staple skin-care brand for twentysomethings, and this niacinamide serum is ideal because it isn’t too harsh on skin. Use this product if you're looking to boost your skin's brightness and improve smoothness. This serum also acts as a layer of protection that reinforces the skin barrier over time.
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
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