We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A glass skin refining serum, because you need hydrating serums during the summer, too! This serum contains pretty much everything you need in your summer skincare routine: peptides help to boost collagen production; niacinamide brightens the skin and protects it from free radical damage; peach extract and Asian mountain yam extract firms the skin; and hyaluronic acid adds a glowing bounce to your complexion. How's all that for less than what you'd pay for dinner?
2. A gentle gel cleanser that you'll want to get a hold of if you're looking to give you skin a good cleansing while also soothing it at the same time! Chamomile and calendula both work to calm skin that's easily irritated.
3. A micellar water, because the first step in your nighttime skincare routine should always be to remove your makeup. This micellar water is great because it removes ALL makeup, including waterproof mascara! And the best part? Micellar water really only removes impurities, meaning that it's non-stripping and generally great for those with dry skin.
4. A ceramide-rich overnight lip treatment to say goodbye to chapped lips, once and for all. Ceramides exist in the skin's barrier naturally, and they're your body's way of keeping the skin soft and plump. This will moisturize your lips while you snooze away while tasting like yummy passionfruit and chamomile!
5. A lip plumper and vertical line treatment so that you'll never have to worry about your lipstick bleeding again. This cool treatment not only plumps the lips, but also plumps the fine lines that form around the lips over time.
6. A La Roche-Posay clear skin sunscreen, because rain or shine, sleet or snow — you MUST wear sunscreen every day! If you're reluctant to use sunscreen on your acne-prone skin, have no fear: this oil-free sunscreen will protect your skin from harmful UV rays without causing breakouts.
7. A BHA 2% liquid exfoliant so that you can say bye-bye to blackheads once and for all. BHAs (also known as beta hydroxy acids) are what you need to clear out the gunk from your pores and banish acne-causing dead skin cells.
8. A set of vitamin C under eye masks that'll brighten uneven tones under the eyes, while helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you need immediate glow before an outing with your boo, you should totally get your hands on these.
9. A jar of Aquaphor, because hear me out — Aquaphor isn't just for fading scars or stowing into a diaper bag. It's the skincare community's secret to glowing skin! Many people use Aquaphor for "slugging," a skincare practice that uses an ointment after a nighttime routine to seal all the hydrating serums and moisturizing creams in. I've been slugging for the past few months with Aquaphor, and, GEEZ! I've never woken up with softer skin in my life.
10. A serum stick to keep your skin clear and glowing all year round. This formula contains green microalgae and lactic acid to minimize breakouts, while calendula flower replenishes the skin with hydrating and soothing properties. Basically, it's a serum that CAN do both.
11. An acne treatment gel which is essentially an all-in-one for combating breakouts, fine lines, wrinkles, and even hyperpigmentation in skin, across age groups. With just a few weeks of use, everyone will be asking who your dermatologist is — even though actually, you just picked it up from Target and spent less than $15 on this simple addition to your routine.
12. A double-sided lip scrubber, aka a nifty tool that plumps, sloughs off dead skin cells *and* promotes circulation (which'll help give your lips more natural color!). And the best part? It's as easy to use as your toothbrush.
13. A whipped argan oil face butter so that you can kiss your dry complexion goodbye, once and for all. This cream contains argan oil to support the lipid barrier and protect your skin's hydration levels. Plus, since it's whipped, it has a light, velvety texture that is perfect for the summer heat!
14. A rosewater spray that you can easily spritz on throughout the day to amp up your skin's glow factor. This spray contains rosewater, an antioxidant that keeps breakout- and redness-prone skin in check.
15. A water-gel moisturizer packed to the brim with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that your skin needs for a plump, dewy appearance. It gives the kind of glow that only seems to come after drinking a gallon of water, making it the only moisturizer your dry skin will ever need.
16. An active charcoal mask that'll soak up all the excess oil and gunk from your pores in a flash. This cult-favorite mask contains bamboo charcoal and white clay, key ingredients in keeping skin shine-free.
17. A Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum which pretty much belongs in your routine if you're no longer battling acne, but now have a new issue to tackle: acne scars. Niacinamide works to brighten any hyperpigmentation in the skin, while zinc works hard to calm down inflammation.
18. A cooling eye treatment that not only includes an eye cream to plump the undereye area and diminish the appearance of fine lines — it ALSO includes a super cool ice globe! Yes, this is the same type of ice globe your aesthetician would use during a facial. Ice globes are great for diminishing dark circles and decreasing puffiness, so this set is basically like a facial for your eyes (eye-cial? Don't mind me, I'm still workshopping that one) for under $25.
19. A cute little box of hydrocolloid patches in STAR shapes, because even though having a pimple might not be fun, wearing a pimple patch can be, especially if you use it to give your look a whimsical touch. 💫
20. A body wash that will make every shower feel like an uplifting trip to the spa. While the citrusy grapefruit sparks your energy in the morning, ingredients like vitamins B5 and E penetrate your skin with moisture for a supple feel that'll last throughout the day.
21. A vitamin C eye cream just in case it's one of those mornings where you need about three cups of coffee. This undereye cream brightens and depuffs tired eyes, while also protecting the delicate skin from free radical damage, courtesy of vitamin C.
22. An all-in-one hydrating milk toner that rehydrates your skin after cleansing. Use this in conjunction with a hydrating serum and a moisturizing cream, and watch your skin ~glow.~
23. A hydrating facial cleanser, because cleaning your skin should NOT mean stripping it of its vital oils! Seriously, your skin *needs* the healthy bacteria and oils that traditional foaming cleansers strip away. Protect your lipid barrier with a moisturizing cleanser (like this one) that rids the skin of the day's grime while simultaneously hydrating it to its plump glory.
24. A rose remedy mask to soothe red and irritated skin while providing deep hydration. Plus, this jar is HUGE! It'll last forever, so this is basically an investment product that won't break the bank.
25. A glycolic acid resurfacing gel, because chemical exfoliation will always reign supreme! Chemical exfoliators dissolve acne-causing dead skin cells, and also up the ante on collagen and elastin production — meaning that it'll make your skin firmer, too. How's that for adding a boost to your skincare routine?
26. An antioxidant oil-serum for a blinding glow even NASA's satellites might detect. OK, maybe your glow *won't* be visible from outer space — but it'll be noticeable to those around you! The serum-oil hybrid contains humectants, which act as a tall drink of water to your skin cells, plus oil, which creates a barrier to keep all that moisture in. To top off all this skincare goodness, this serum also contains antioxidants, which are your first line of defense when warding off free radicals and pollutants.
27. And an acne treatment face oil that I love for keeping my skin clear and breakout-free. This oil moisturizes the skin deeply, while salicylic acid clears the pores and gently exfoliates blemishes.
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
