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The best derm-approved affordable skin care

by Aaron|April 27, 2023
The best derm-approved affordable skin care

From luxurious gift sets to high-tech devices, skin care can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking to build out the skin care toolkit of your dreams without breaking the bank, there are plenty of affordable skin care options that are also effective and enjoyable to use. With the help of board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin founder Dr. Joel Schlessinger, we’ve picked the best affordable skin care products in three different categories:

The best affordable skin care: Serums and peels

LovelySkin LUXE VITA-CE with Ferulic Acid

LovelySkin LUXE VITA-CE with Ferulic Acid

Why we love it: A potent, effective vitamin C serum for less than $100? Yes, please! This anti-aging facial serum from Dr. Schlessinger’s own LovelySkin LUXE line is an absolute skin care staple. It’s one of the best affordable skin care products because it combines 15% ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with 1% tocopherol (vitamin E) and ferulic acid to extend this serum’s potency and stability. It also contains an octapeptide blend with a trans-epidermal carrier that brings the active ingredients deep into your skin. With regular use, this serum helps fade the look of fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation and dark spots while also supporting collagen production. “We saw excellent clinical results with this formula, including a sixty-three percent reduction in the depth of wrinkles in as little as twenty-eight days,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum

Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum

Why we love it: This serum’s serious hydrating abilities and subtle, fruity scent from real strawberry and rhubarb juices make it one of the best affordable skin care products. Made by Eminence, a Hungarian skin care brand dedicated to using organic plant-based ingredients, this formula combines hyaluronic acid with marshmallow root for deep hydration that will help keep your skin looking and feeling soft and smooth throughout the day.

Vichy LiftActiv Pure Retinol Serum

Vichy LiftActiv Pure Retinol Serum

Why we love it: Retinol is a holy grail ingredient for your anti-aging arsenal, but face treatments with retinol can get pricey. Impressive clinical results and a forgiving price tag has earned this retinol serum a spot on this list of the best affordable skin care products. During a clinical grading study of thirty-nine women ages forty-five to sixty-four, 100% of the participants had a visible reduction in wrinkles. The formula combines a 0.2% concentration of retinol with peptides and hyaluronic acid to help boost cellular turnover and visibly smooth and firm your skin.

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Peel 10%

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Peel 10%

Why we love it: Chemical peels from a professional aesthetician are a great way to improve skin issues such as hyperpigmentation and uneven texture. However, if you’re on a budget, regular spa visits might not be in the cards right now. These single-use face peel pads are one of the best affordable skin care products because they help reduce age spots, acne and rough skin texture and also help reduce excess oil on your skin. “Glycolic acid is an AHA that is very effective when it comes to skin resurfacing,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “This peel contains 10% crystalline-grade glycolic acid, which is a very pure form that goes beyond the industry standard.”

The best affordable skin care: Cleansing & toning

LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser

LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser

Why we love it: If you have acne-prone skin, chances are you’ve sunk plenty of money into various treatments over the years trying to clear up your skin. From Dr. Schlessinger’s own LovelySkin LUXE line, this facial cleanser is one of the best affordable skin care products to help keep breakouts at bay. A powerhouse trio of ingredients—glycolic acid, salicylic acid and afaLUXE™, a derm-developed antioxidant blend—helps boost cellular turnover and prevent clogged pores, all with a gentle touch that won’t dry out or irritate your skin. “This particular cleanser is my go-to favorite in my medical practice,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Just about everyone is a great candidate for it and it does a great job for conditions ranging from acne to fine lines and sun damage.”

Glo Skin Beauty Hydration Mist

Glo Skin Beauty Hydration Mist

Why we love it: If you’re looking for one product to give your skin a cooling, refreshing pick-me-up, this is it. The multitasking abilities of this toning mist—use before or after makeup or throughout the day as a refresher—make it one of the best affordable skin care products out there. Thanks to three soothing anti-inflammatory ingredients (chamomile, allantoin and burdock root extract), this toner also helps calm redness and irritation.

The best affordable skin care: Moisturizer & sunscreen

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Why we love it: Not too heavy and not too light, this is the sweet spot of face moisturizers—and it’s also one of Dr. Schlessinger’s go-to recommendations for rosacea patients and those with reactive, sensitive skin. Ceramides help your skin maintain moisture throughout the day while niacinamide helps soothe and restore any traces of irritation. Not to be overlooked, its approachable price point earns this product our stamp of approval when it comes to the best affordable skin care.

FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm

FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm

Why we love it: From healing cracked cuticles and flaky elbows to taking the sting out of insect bites and poison ivy, this medicated body balm is an impressive multitasker and definitely one of the best affordable skin care products to have on hand. Cocoa and shea butters and meadowfoam seed oil combine with 1% hydrocortisone to create a melt-proof formula that works quickly to repair dry, damaged skin anywhere on your body. It also comes in a smaller version for lips.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen

EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen

Why we love it: When it comes to affordable skin care, a good sunscreen is worth its weight in gold, and having a reliable product that’s pleasant enough to use every single day is key. “This is one of my all-time favorite sunscreen recommendations, especially for those with acne-prone skin,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “It goes on smoothly, provides excellent broad-spectrum protection and has some bonus skin care benefits as well.” That includes niacinamide to help prevent breakouts, lactic acid for gentle exfoliation and hyaluronic acid for moisture retention.

Another affordable way to craft a skin care regimen is to take a minimalist approach, and you can see our recommendations for a minimalist skin care routine on the LovelySkin Blog.

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About the Author

Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.

Other Posts by Aaron

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