Skin care routines are as difficult to nail down as a flattering pair of jeans, and some people may even spend decades trying to find the best skin care products for their face. With countless skin care brands already out there and new ones popping up every day, it can be nearly impossible to even figure out which products to try first. After all, no skin care products are the same for every different skin concern or skin type.
We have narrowed it down so that you can effortlessly incorporate some new and amazing best skin care products into your routine. After reading this article, you will know ten of the best skin care products on the market today so that you can treat your face - no matter your concerns.
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B002LC9OES,B00S2G7AUC,B00NR1YQK4,B002MSN3QQ,B0014P8L9W,B0166W9GMI,B008DG4MK2,B0015ZC1CY,B07NVXGVWL,B0744JV661″ template=”table”]
Skin Care Products FAQ
1. What Is Skin Care?
Skin care consists of products that you can use to address skin concerns or just keep your skin in good shape. Whether you are washing your face or doing something more extreme like a chemical peel, these processes are all considered skin care. Typically, people purchase the best skin care products for their face, though of course with certain products, you can use them on the skin on the rest of your body too.
It may seem simple to just wash your face, but skin care is a lot more complex than you might imagine. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, so it only makes sense to want to take care of your skin the way you take care of the rest of your body.
2. What Type of Skin Care Products Can You Use?
When skin care is concerned, there are steps and different products to incorporate into your routine. There is no single product that can do everything in a skin care routine, which makes picking the best skin care products a complex task. Some people may use a simple three steps, while others have intense ten step Korean beauty routines.
Cleansers
For starters, a cleanser is an essential step in your routine, whether it's oil based, a bar of soap, or a liquid or foam cleanser.
Toners
Then some people use toners, which prep the skin.
Adding Moisture
Some people also like to use oils on their skin, but you may prefer other types of moisturizers. Moisturizers are more hydrating than lotions, and can be gel or cream based.
Sun and Skin Protection
There is also sunscreen to consider to protect your skin, and masks to use from time to time to target very specific concerns.
Some steps of your skin care routine can be combined, and you may find products that tackle multiple steps and skin care concerns at once. It often takes experimenting to get your skin care routine just right and figure out the best skin care products for you and your skin. In fact, few skin care routines are exactly the same, but we will review some of the all-around best skin care products to get you a starting point.
3. What Skin Types Are There?
When considering the best skin care products, you should first know your own skin type. Typically, you will see skin types divided up into categories like dry, sensitive, combination, normal, oily, acne prone, and mature.
You may also have multiple labels for your skin type. For instance, a teenager may have oily and acne prone skin, meaning they will want their best skin care products to tackle both of those concerns. Similarly, an older person may have both dry and mature skin to treat. We will discuss which skin concerns each product below is ideal for so that you know if you need that product in your routine.
4. What Ingredients Should You Consider for Your Skin Care?
The ingredients for each step of your skin care routine will depend on your specific concerns.
For Everyone
Some ingredients are ideal for everyone regardless of skin type or concern, such as hyaluronic acid, which is hydrating. You'll also want ingredients like Vitamin C, which helps to protect young skin and heal older skin.
For Those With Acne
If you have acne, you may want to consider skin care products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinol, tea tree oil, charcoal, or clay.
For Older Skin
For those with mature skin, you will want retinol, peptides, vitamin C, and hydrating ingredients in your products.
For Oily Skin
For those with oily skin types, you may find that you need to mattify your skin and open your pores with ingredients like charcoal and clay. Exfoliation, whether chemical or physical, can also help with keeping your pores clean and clear.
For "Normal" Skin
For normal skin types, anything that helps with maintaining cleanliness and hydration is great. Vitamin C is good for brightening and lightening any hyperpigmentation, as well as fighting pollutants in the environment because it's an antioxidant.
You always want to consider your skin concerns and your skin type when reading through ingredient lists. Dry skin types will need thicker and more hydrating moisturizers and serums than those with oily skin. They also cannot exfoliate as much or as harshly and may find some products more irritating to their skin type.
Those with oily skin will want products that keep their skin hydrated too, but without being too heavy and clogging their pores. If you are unsure what type of skin you have, you can always double check with a dermatologist so you can treat your skin concerns.
5. Where Can You Purchase the Best Skin Care Products?
You can purchase the best skin care products from drugstores like CVS. You can also buy some of them from supermarkets like Walmart. For luxury skin care products, you can purchase them from a high end retailer such as Sephora. If you would prefer to buy your skin care products online, you can order them from a site like Amazon. You can also purchase them directly from the website of the brand you prefer, if you like.
How We Reviewed
We do not make money off of recommending these products to you. We searched through the internet and read countless editors' picks and best of lists so that we could trust the opinions of experts in the field of skin care. We also read through the reviews of actual users of these products so that you would know the opinions of those using these items.
Finally, we tried these out ourselves, so that you would be able to trust that these are quality products without feeling like someone is just trying to sell you something. In the end, you will have an idea of which products are best for you and your skin care concerns.
Overall Price Range
Luckily, you do not have to fork over tons of cash in order to keep your skin in check. The least expensive of these skin care products cost around $7 - $10 each. The average cost of these items is around $10 - $20, and the most expensive of the skin care products on this list cost anywhere from around $20 - $35.
What We Reviewed
Mario Badescu Facial Spray
[amazon box=”B002LC9OES”]
Benefits
This facial spray is suitable for all skin types, no matter how dry or oily your skin can be. If you ever find yourself feeling like your skin looks dull and dry, or like you just want a more youthful and dewy skin look, this spray will come in handy. It can be used under or over makeup, and many people like to use it as a setting spray after they put their whole face full of makeup on.
You can also use it whenever you need an instant refresh on your face. It helps to keep you hydrated with aloe and thyme, and also helps to fight redness. The rose scent is calming, and the mist gives a hydrating boost.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B002LC9OES” value=”button”]
Ingredients
Aloe, gardenia, rose, bladderwrack, and thyme
Retinol Serum for Face and Skin
[amazon box=”B00S2G7AUC”]
Benefits
This serum is ideal for anyone who wants to take an all concerns approach to their skin early on, or anyone who is trying to remedy years of damage to their skin too. With a powerhouse blend of ingredients, this serum helps with aging concerns due to the retinol which increases your cell turnover rate. It has been proven in multiple studies to be the most effective ingredient at fighting wrinkles and creases, and it helps to fight acne as well.
In addition to retinol, this serum is made with 72% organic ingredients. Those ingredients include witch hazel and green tea, which are powerful acne fighters, as well as jojoba oil and vitamin E, which are crucial for hydration and anti aging. Though you may have to slowly add this product into your skin care routine, once you have used it for a few months, there is no denying you will see a difference in your skin's texture.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B00S2G7AUC” value=”button”]
Ingredients
Retinol, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, green tea, jojoba oil, and witch hazel
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Moisturizer
[amazon box=”B00NR1YQK4″]
Benefits
This moisturizer is often recommended by dermatologists to patients of all skin types and skin concerns. This moisturizer is a gel cream formula, so it goes on easily and layers nicely under even a thick layer of makeup. Makeup will even layer on your skin better when using this moisturizer, since the skin will be properly prepped.
The hyaluronic acid in this moisturizer is able to attract up to 1000 times its weight in water, so it's best to apply this to your face immediately after washing or getting out of the shower. Despite the gel-like consistency, this moisturizer is extremely hydrating, and the glycerin helps to lock the moisture in so your skin stays supple all day long.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B00NR1YQK4″ value=”button”]
Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and beeswax
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen
[amazon box=”B002MSN3QQ”]
Benefits
This sunscreen is an amazing product for even those with sensitive skin types. Lactic acid helps to gently, yet effectively, exfoliate the skin so that pores remain clear. This makes it good for making skin texture and tone more even and helps to prevent acne. The niacinamide also helps to keep blemishes away from your face and helps to promote a healthy moisture barrier.
Hyaluronic acid helps keep your skin hydrated so that it looks youthful and plump. Zinc oxide is the crucial ingredient for sun protection and in this formula it provides SPF 46. The zinc oxide is a mineral sunscreen ingredient that protects your skin from the sun without any chemical ingredients that may irritate those with sensitive skin.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B002MSN3QQ” value=”button”]
Ingredients
Zinc oxide, niacinamide, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid
Aztec Secret - Indian Healing Clay
[amazon box=”B0014P8L9W”]
Benefits
This clay mask product is perfect for those who hate long lists of ingredients and things they cannot pronounce in their skin care products. In this, the only ingredient is calcium bentonite clay, which has been used for purifying for centuries now. The fact that there is only one ingredient is also great for those who are sensitive to different ingredients and who can't deal with fragrances or dyes in their products.
Clay is an ingredient that is often used on those with oily or acne prone skin, since it absorbs oils while it draws out impurities. Some find that it dries out their acne more quickly and helps to accelerate the healing process on your skin. That said, it should not be used too often or else you may dehydrate your skin too much.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B0014P8L9W” value=”button”]
Ingredients
Calcium bentonite clay
BEST Vitamin C Moisturizer Cream
[amazon box=”B0166W9GMI”]
Benefits
This vegan moisturizer is ideal for those looking to lighten and brighten their complexion. Vitamin C works to help fade any sun spots, dark spots, hyperpigmentation of any kind, and scarring. Since vitamin C and green tea are both powerful antioxidants, this moisturizer also works to keep your skin protected from pollution and free radicals in the environment. This moisturizer helps to mimic your skin's natural oils with the jojoba oil and vitamin B5 helps to support and heal your skin's delicate moisture barrier.
If you want skin that is more even and all the same color, this cream will help to get your skin looking right without breaking the bank. The formula is cruelty free and made with natural ingredients that help to keep you looking young.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B0166W9GMI” value=”button”]
Ingredients
Vitamin C, jojoba oil, green tea, and vitamin B5
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask
[amazon box=”B008DG4MK2″]
Benefits
Many dermatologists determined to create skin care for people of all skin types and skin concerns developed this face mask. Using thermal spring water and hyaluronic acid combined, this face mask absorbs moisture from both the air nearby and in the mask itself and locks it into your skin.
This mask only needs to be put on your skin for ten minutes before wiping the mask off with cotton. After removing, you will notice how plump your skin suddenly becomes. In fact, some users of retinol used this mask to help relieve the symptoms of their skin as it got used to retinization.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B008DG4MK2″ value=”button”]
Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid and thermal spring water
Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleansing Soap
[amazon box=”B0015ZC1CY”]
Benefits
This soap is ideal for both cleansing and exfoliating without doing either of these tasks too harshly. While those who wear a ton of makeup may need to do two different cleanses while using this soap, this soap also contains actual seaweed grains that remove your dead cells and clear your pores in a gentle manner, revealing your smooth new skin cells from underneath.
Seaweed helps to draw out impurities and help with healing acne and soothing inflammation. When using this cleansing soap, you will discover that you can remove light amounts of makeup and buff your skin without stripping it of your natural oils and leaving it feeling dry.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B0015ZC1CY” value=”button”]
Ingredients
Seaweed grains and bladderwrack
Natural Vitamin C Serum
[amazon box=”B07NVXGVWL”]
Benefits
This serum is made with all vegan ingredients and a cruelty free process to help skin with many of its different concerns. Whether you are stressed out about your fine lines or self conscious about the hyperpigmentation on your face, this serum has all of your bases covered. The vitamin C helps to make all of your darker spots light and even with the rest of your skin.
Niacinamide helps restore your moisture barrier while fighting acne at the same time. Vitamin E is hydrating and keeps your skin moisturized and young, which means your skin will be smoother and your wrinkles will be reduced in appearance.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B07NVXGVWL” value=”button”]
Ingredients
Vitamin C, niacinamide, ferulic acid, clary sage, jojoba, vitamin E, acai, and aloe
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Crème
[amazon box=”B0744JV661″]
Benefits
This anti-aging creme is perfect for nipping your signs of aging as early as you can. Even if you already have wrinkles and fine lines, this creme can work wonders at turning back the clock on these lines. Retinol is also useful for minimizing the appearance of pores and keeping your acne to a minimum since it increases the rate of cell turnover on your face.
To minimize how harsh retinol can be at times, this creme also contains hyaluronic acid to attract moisture and keep skin looking youthful. With regular usage of this creme, you should notice changes in your skin in about a week's time, though you will notice a drastically increased change in your skin after at least six months.
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B0744JV661″ value=”button”]
Ingredients
Retinol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
The Verdict - Best Skin Care Products
We know that it can be overwhelming to step into a store like Sephora and be surrounded by countless different skin care brands and products. How do you know which brands and products to gravitate towards? Skin care usually takes some trial and experimentation to get your routine down perfectly, though some ingredients can benefit all skin types and concerns.
Though you may have specific concerns you want to address, we will pick the best overall skin care product that everyone could benefit from adding to their routine. This can help you to get a head start on revamping your routine and getting your skin to be as clear, hydrated, and even as possible. All of these skin care products are high quality and will deliver promising results if you are consistent and keep them within your routine for long enough.
The Winner
But, we believe the Retinol Serum for Face and Skin is the best overall product on this list. With its powerful blend of ingredients, including retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, witch hazel, green tea, and jojoba oil, this serum helps to soothe any inflammation, fight wrinkles and fine lines, and keep acne and blemishes at bay.
It is nowhere near the most expensive product on this list, so anyone can use it without forking over all of their money. Though we like this product, no matter which product you end up buying for your unique concerns, we are confident that your skin will benefit.
Featured Image Source: Unsplash.com