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There is no better time than the present to put your best Face forward, and though it doesn’t always take an arsenal of products to do so, having a magic few certainly can’t hurt. Whether you’re at the outset of your obsession with gorgeous Skin or are a veteran of the world of sheet masks and polypeptides, there is a regimen out there for everyone, and we are here to help. But first, let’s take a look at a system that will transform your skin from dull to delightful practically overnight.

Mapping Out Your Skincare Routine

Daytime

Cleanser

Your daytime cleanser should be gentle, cooling and invigorating. Though it isn’t always necessary to have two separate cleansers for the day and night, your skin will certainly thank you for the attention. Choose a cleanser that aims to unclog your pores and prep your skin properly for makeup or sunscreen application. Foamy, salicylic-acid-based face washes work well.

Toner

Your toner’s job is to balance your skin’s sensitive pH while helping you retain the moisture you gained from washing your face. Aim for a morning toner rich in hyaluronic acid to quench thirsty skin or a collagen toner for a firming effect.

Serum

Serums can be tough to navigate, and finding the right one for your skin’s needs will take some experimenting. It is important to make sure that you are layering your products correctly, and that includes figuring out which products react well together. Always apply water-based serums first, and then add heavier or oil-based serums.

Daytime serums should hydrate and either protect your skin from sun damage or work to repair any existing damage. Try a niacinamide serum to solve any blemish troubles, and incorporate a vitamin C serum for hyperpigmentation issues.

Sunscreen

Many people opt for a moisturizer with sunscreen. Or they will apply an independent moisturizer first, and then sunscreen. Although either way is acceptable based on your skin’s needs and the amount of sunlight you will be exposed to throughout the day, your best bet is to skip the moisturizer altogether and go straight for the sunscreen.

You will notice that your skin is far smoother, and it will also reduce any harsh white-casting effects. Even if you’re staying home for the day, do not skimp on the SPF! Sunscreen aids in restoring your complexion, and you’ll need it to combat the photosensitivity your nighttime routine’s retinol or your morning vitamin C serum may burden your skin with. Even the best skincare products like serums and treatments have nothing on the power of an effective SPF.

Nighttime

Oil Cleanser/Makeup Remover

If you aren’t double cleansing at the end of your day, you’re basically not washing your face at all. And no, double cleansing is not just simply washing your face twice. An oil cleanser will remove any stubborn traces of SPF, dirt or makeup that may be lingering in your pores.

If you like to go in with a makeup-removing balm or swipe of micellar water before using your soap cleanser, you’re on the right track, but an oil cleanser will ensure that you’re getting the most thorough wash possible.

Soap Cleanser

The right soap cleanser can make you feel reborn. Your nighttime cleanser should be focused on preserving your skin, like wrapping it in a soft blanket at bedtime. A creamy cleanser will give you the lasting hydration you need while helping you retain the softness your oil cleanser introduced.

Toners/Essence

The goal of a toner is to add balance to your skin after the harshness that can come with washing. Your night regimen is all about removing the traces of the day, and a glycolic acid toner will gently exfoliate your skin and allow you to unveil a new and improved you by morning. If your skin tends to dry out with glycolic acid, add a hydrating essence to make up for any lost moisture.

Eye Cream

The skin under your eyes is delicate, and unless you are looking to plump up your under-eyes with a specific serum, apply your eye cream before your serums and treatments, as the skin is thinner and needs a layer of protection from other products.

Serum/Treatment/Retinol

Serums and treatments used in the evening should contain anti-aging and restorative properties. This is when you should apply acne treatments, prescription topicals and retinol. Apply your thinnest serums first and then move toward the thicker, oil-rich ones. Avoid using your retinol products every day, especially if you’re new to the scene. Start using them once every two or three days and see how your skin reacts. If you notice sensitivity, try adding your retinol after your moisturizer, as your skin may benefit from an extra protective barrier.

Moisturizer

The moisturizer you choose depends on the result you’re hoping to see in the morning. If you’re searching for a refreshed and renewed look, choosing moisturizers with retinoids and glycolic acid will have you looking polished and youthful. For a plumping effect, go for a moisturizer that contains peptides to increase collagen and elastin production, or one that contains ceramides if you’re looking for skin that’s intensely hydrated and silky soft.

Face Oil/“Slugging”

Face oils generally sit on top of the skin to ensure you’re not losing any moisture from your previous products. However, petroleum-based products have been a fan favorite in the skincare community when it comes to moisture retention and restoring the skin barrier. Though some people insist on covering their whole face in the ointment and full-on “slugging” it out, you can also avoid your cheeks and apply the product to your T-zone and directly under your eyes to preserve your eye cream.

Now that you’ve got step-by-step instructions for the new and improved you, it’s time to go through the best skincare products on the market today and take your skincare game to the next level.

1. Blu Atlas Vitamin C Serum

Blu Atlas Vitamin C Serum

Those with hyperpigmentation know that dark spots are a year-round affliction. For those looking to add a little brightness to their life, Blu Atlas’ Vitamin C Serum is sure to do the trick.

Mulberry root extract calms irritation, soothing redness from rosacea, and works with ascorbic acid to reduce discoloration and cure your complexion woes. Use in the daytime as a preventative measure, or add a couple of drops to your nighttime regimen to restore and protect.

2. Innisfree Pore-Clearing Facial Foam With Volcanic Clusters

Innisfree Pore-Clearing Facial Foam with Volcanic Clusters

Innisfree is a gem, offering luxury skincare at an affordable price. This Korean beauty brand has a whole collection of its Jeju Volcanic Cluster products, and this face cleanser is a game-changer. Tiny volcanic particles penetrate your pores and clear your face of excess dirt and oil, while the foamy formula washes away impurities and leaves your skin satin smooth.

This cleanser is perfect for any time of day, but is especially effective at night. When coupled with an oil cleanser, this face wash provides your skin with the deepest clean you could ask for, a perfect choice after a busy day at the gym or a long night of wearing makeup.

2. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

If Creme de la Mer is your grandmother’s go-to for gorgeous, ageless skin, this Kiehl’s face cream is probably your mother’s favorite. Kiehl’s lightweight, fragrance-free formula is a universal favorite for all skin types, providing unparalleled moisture without the overwhelming warmth other intensely hydrating creams can have, such as Pond’s or La Mer.

This elegant cream has developed a band of devoted followers, and we have to admit that it is worth all the hype. Squalene and glycerin add boundless moisture, and glacial glycoprotein adds balance to the skin while promoting the delicate, weightless feeling Kiehl’s consumers are addicted to.

4. The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum

If large pores are a problem for you, let niacinamide come to the rescue. This serum is great for reducing inflammation, pore size and the appearance of blemishes, and the formula is gentle enough to be used twice a day. Those with dry skin will find themselves keeping this serum constantly in stock – this water-soluble substance adds a hydrating boost to your favorite moisturizer, transforming your skin from drab to fab in as little as two weeks.

As with any serum, be sure to do a small patch test first. Some people may experience a bit of a purging process at first with this serum, but many fans of the serum say that the effects are less noticeable in comparison to other products such as retinol. This is an affordable option for those who want glowing skin on a budget, as most of The Ordinary serums and products come in under $20!

5. Tatcha The Rice Wash

Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser

Tatcha’s products have a way of making you feel like royalty, and their skin-softening rice wash will melt away your daytime stresses. This cream cleanser does wonders for dry skin, leaving a dewy luminosity without a trace of oily sheen. The thick texture provides a soft cushion for your skin, making it a lovely option for your nighttime routine.

A concoction of hyaluronic acid, Japanese algae and Tatcha’s renowned Hadasei-3 complex produces a fresh-faced glow. You’ll have a hard time using any other cleanser after dipping your toe into this fountain of youth.

6. L’Occitane Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum

L’Occitane Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum

The best thing about your nighttime skincare routine is that it is one of your only chances in life to truly start over. You can wash away the remnants of the day and prep your skin for whatever is to come when you wake up.

This L’Occitane serum uses Acmella oleracea extract and marjoram extract to smooth your skin and add noticeable vibrance, while Immortelle Essential Oil resets the clock with its firming, anti-aging properties. If you have a sensitivity to retinol but would still like to reap those preventative benefits, this serum would be a great alternative.

7. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice is a brand praised by aestheticians all over the world, and for good reason. This skincare brand generates products that are great for all skin types, avoiding common irritants and committing themselves to bestowing knowledge and beautiful skin upon their consumers. Each product’s ingredient list also includes the benefits and functions of each one, making it easier for people to find a consistent lineup of Paula’s Choice products that work for them, while narrowing the specific ingredients that treat your skin the best.

This gentle liquid exfoliant unclogs your pores and evens out your complexion, and since it absorbs so quickly, there is no need to wash it off. You can use it once or twice a day if necessary, so don’t be afraid to fall in love with this lotion.

8. Supergoop! PLAY Sunscreen

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion with Sunflower Extract SPF 50

Sunscreen is a lifesaver in more ways than one. It shields you from harmful UV rays that cause harsh sunburns and skin cancer, and helps reduce dark spots and redness over time. Supergoop! PLAY is a fantastic sunscreen if you tend to spend your life on the go.

It is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can spend your days wading around at the beach or racing to the finish line without worry. Proper sunscreen application is everything, so regardless of activity, make sure you reapply every two hours for maximum protection.

9. Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask

Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask

Avocado is a superfood, and it can provide vital nourishment for our under-eye region. This Glow Recipe eye mask works to wake up your skin as you sleep, brightening, depuffing, firming and smoothing all at the same time.

Encapsulated retinol and coffeeberry work with avocado extract to provide hydration and vibrancy. The formula is extremely gentle, and works well for people who avoid thick eye creams. The consistency of this product is a soft cream, closer to a gel.

10. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Lip Sleeping Mask in BERRY by Laneige

On days when your lips are too chapped for comfort, your trusty balm probably isn’t offering enough protection. Suffering from a cracked kisser in the winter season can send you into an annoying chapstick reapplication spiral. An overnight mask can help with some of that perpetual dryness.

Laneige’s lip sleeping mask comes in a variety of flavors, but Berry certainly takes the cake, giving your lips soothing coverage and sending you off with the sweetest of dreams.

11. Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

Squalane is one of skincare’s most beloved superheroes. A useful emollient brimming with anti-inflammatory properties, squalane is the ingredient to look out for if you’re seeking to remedy dry or sun-damaged skin.

For those who have been looking in the mirror and have noticed their skin doesn’t quite bounce back like it used to, this serum’s combination of copper peptide and paracress extract adds firmness to your face, improving collagen production and flooding your skin with a continuous stream of moisture. Biossance is a vegan and cruelty-free brand, so you can feel just as good buying this serum as you do applying it to your face.

12. Delish Condish Bamboo & Ginseng Essence and Toner

Delish Condish Bamboo & Ginseng Essence and Toner

This energizing toner has its own fan club and is regularly sold out, so if you can get your hands on a bottle, never let it go. Tired, groggy skin is electrified by ginseng, reducing puffiness and lightening dark circles so not a trace of the night’s ravages is left on your face. Restorative bamboo extract heals painful pimples, ingrown hairs and those aggravating shaving nicks so your skin is prepared for any makeup, moisturizer or sunscreen that comes your way.

Spritz away those skin worries and let super-emollient tamarind and calming chamomile get rid of any evidence that you spent the majority of your night – and morning – binge-watching your favorite Netflix series.

13. Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Age Defying Skin Exfoliator

Dr. Brandt Skincare Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant

The best microdermabrasion comes from your aesthetician’s office, but when you’re stuck at home and are in desperate need of a deep-cleaning session, Dr. Brandt gives you the chance to squeeze out a miracle. This exfoliating cream uses tiny crystals to improve your skin’s vibrance, rid your pores of impurities and turn back time.

Lactic acid sinks into your skin and softens, while jojoba, chamomile and aloe vera refresh and revive. The exfoliator can also be used on the body, helping buff away those persistent keratosis pilaris bumps that can be so difficult to tame.

14. Lush Sympathy for the Skin Moisturizer

Sympathy for the Skin | Body Lotion | Lush Cosmetics

Lush’s handmade products and the adorable stickers of the employees who handcraft them make you feel all cozy and taken care of. Though the mixture of vanilla, fresh bananas and cocoa butter sounds like the base of a rather scrumptious smoothie, this mouth-watering mashup is created for the outside of your body. Pacify your troubled skin with this velvety lotion and you’ll be reveling in the irresistible softness.

15. Sunday Riley Salicylic Acid BHA Acne Treatment Face Oil

Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil

Sunday Riley’s lavish face oils tackle skin concerns with ease. Their acne-clearing formula dismantles blemish buildup and diminishes the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scars. Tea tree and black cumin seed oil tone and balance, while cucumber seed oil and milk thistle settle into your skin to fight any dryness the incorporation of salicylic acid may cause.

Since this oil works as a treatment, apply it before your moisturizer for maximum results. Blackheads and bumps will melt away, and your concealer will find itself buried at the bottom of your makeup bag.

16. Black Girl Sunscreen

Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30

With so many sunscreens leaving a ghostly white residue on darker skin tones, finding a good sunscreen for your complexion can often feel like a science experiment gone wrong. This sheer SPF lotion was made with the intention of keeping those with darker complexions safe from sun damage and harsh, cancer-causing UV rays, as research has shown that many Black people avoid wearing sunscreen because of the misconception that their higher melanin content already provides suitable protection and because sunscreens tend to leave a white cast.

It is imperative that everyone use sunscreen to prevent the chance of developing melanoma, and Black Girl Sunscreen aims to close the gap between these sun-protection disparities. The formula is gentle, vegan and cruelty-free.

17. CeraVe Healing Ointment

CeraVe Healing Ointment Cracked Skin Repair Skin Protectant with Ceramides

We are in the era of facial slugging and it is changing our lives for the better. Aestheticians on social media have been raving about this skincare step, which requires you to slather a layer of a petroleum-based product on your face at the end of your regimen to lock in moisture. This method also helps keep all of your products in place, so you can get the most out of your skincare routine and wake up with impossibly soft skin and a glowing complexion.

CeraVe’s Healing Ointment is loaded with ceramides, which are great at blocking bacteria from penetrating your pores. The ointment doesn’t feel thick and gooey, so it is perfect for those who aren’t a fan of heavy textures. A little goes a long way with the product, and since you can use it on different parts of your body, it is a worthy addition to your medicine cabinet.

18. Topicals FADED Brightening and Clearing Serum

FADED Brightening and Clearing Serum

Oh, Topicals, you truly have our heart! This brand is creating some of the best skincare products out there, and their FADED serum, filled with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, licorice, alpha arbutin and anti-inflammatory godsend turmeric, is an effective potion against your skin hyperpigmentation afflictions.

You only need a thin layer to achieve glass-clear skin, so even with daily use, the tube will stick around for the long haul.

19. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

This multi-use toner is a fabulous chemical exfoliant that will restore your face’s pH and can even reduce odor from sweat in your armpits. The Ordinary is home to an array of affordable products for a multitude of skin concerns, and this toning solution is one of their bestsellers.

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that is used to slough off dead skin cells and revamp skin texture. This is a refreshing toning option for your nighttime skin regimen so you can start your morning with total clarity.

20. Origins Ginzing Vitamin C Eye Cream

Ginzing Vitamin C & Niacinamide Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff

Ginseng isn’t just for energy drinks anymore! Give your under-eye region a burst of energy with Origins’ new and improved formula, which combines caffeine, ginseng, vitamin C and niacinamide to eradicate dark circles and bring your skin to life.

This eye cream comes in two colors – original and warm – to suit the needs of every skin tone. If you’ve been searching for a product that will hydrate, depuff and bring a sparkle to your eye, you’ll be pleased to find that this one checks all the boxes.

21. Herbivore Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil

Herbivore Botanicals Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture

Just as you would set your makeup with spray or powder, sometimes your moisturizer needs a little something to help it stay in place. Herbivore combines the tranquilizing and pain-relieving compound CBD to combat skin irritation, and ashwagandha, shiitake mushroom and olive oil-derived squalane to calm stressed skin and ensure adequate hydration. Ending your night on a glowing, brilliant note just got that much easier.

22. Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Patches

Mighty Patch, The Original

Sure, you love your serum and acne treatments, and they all seem to work out for you in the long run, but sometimes you have that one pimple that just won’t go away no matter how much you try. Mighty Patch’s hydrocolloid stickers work overnight to draw your whiteheads to the surface and trap them, shrinking the size of your pimple and allowing for a more rapid healing process.

The satisfaction of sticking these little guys on your face and only having to wait up to 12 hours to get results is life-changing. Stash away a pack or two for those emergency days when a zit threatens to ruin graduation or wedding pictures, or a first date.

23. First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub

First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub 10% AHA

Keratosis pilaris is one of those skin conditions where you feel like you have tried absolutely everything and have barely seen a difference in your skin’s texture and appearance. You may have gone down the homemade olive oil and sugar-scrub route, but KP requires the efforts of both a chemical and physical exfoliant in one. First Aid Beauty has finally provided a worthy adversary for those bothersome bumps.

Glycolic and lactic acid soften your skin’s top layer to allow the pumice beads to fully work their way into your skin, relieving clogged pores and follicles, and leaving in their wake a canvas of noticeably smoother skin.

24. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Multi-Purpose Balm

Your skin is bound to go through a rough patch every so often, but La Roche-Posay wants to reduce those occasions to virtually zero. Their multipurpose balm works equally well on your face, hands and feet, curing chapped skin with ease.

Shea butter restores your skin to its former glory, with vitamin B5 providing smoothness and seemingly endless hydration. During the winter months, this will be your best friend, and the packaging is small enough to fit into your purse so you can provide your skin with fast relief wherever you are.

25. Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

Those who suffer from oily skin know that the real issue isn’t the fact that their skin is too hydrated. In fact, it is the exact opposite. Your skin is crying out for moisture, and this Kiehl’s facial cleanser’s gentle calendula-flower-based formula rids your face of oil and sebum buildup without sweeping away the hydration you desperately need.

Calendula flower has been used in natural remedies for centuries due to its calming effects. Glycerin, a humectant of choice in many skincare products, helps keep your moisture barrier intact. Your skin will be more than grateful for this face wash, and you’ll receive a glowing, oil-free thank you in return.

26. Shiseido Ultimune Power-Infusing Anti-Aging Serum

Ultimune Power-Infusing Serum | Shiseido

Shiseido is a luxury Japanese skincare brand that combines Japan’s generational infatuation and deep connection with flawless skin and the love of makeup that reflects that appreciation. This Ultimune serum showcases all the best aspects of J-Beauty: a dedication to hydrated, well-protected and youthful skin.

Fermented roselle extract expands your skin’s ability to retain moisture, while reishi mushroom heals and shields your skin to prevent advanced signs of aging. The serum is easy to work into your skin and feels so similar to a gel moisturizer that you’ll almost imagine you skipped a step in your daily routine.

27. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

The coolest thing about this exfoliant is that it doesn’t come packaged as a creamy scrub or liquid, chemical exfoliant. Rather, it is a powder that gets activated by water, turning into a thin layer of super-fine granules powered by papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes.

If your skin is feeling a little grimier than usual after spending a day working outside or sweating through practice, this exfoliant is perfect for clearing away dirt and debris. It uses white tea to calm your complexion and colloidal oatmeal to provide just the right amount of soothing care.

28. Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser

Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser

Murad does wonders for those who suffer from breakouts or skin irritation, so it’s no surprise that their acne cleanser is such a hit. This product uses free-form and encapsulated salicylic acid to get an immediate deep clean as well as a treatment that works effectively on your breakouts as you go about your day.

This cleanser is also great at controlling excess oil production, so you can kiss the worries of an overly slick appearance goodbye.

29. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water and Waterproof Makeup Remover

Garnier was the first brand to introduce us to the wonders of micellar water and create a high demand for it. Micellar water uses micelles – itty-bitty molecules of cleansing oil – to erase any sign of makeup or dirt on your face. When you’re in a pinch and can’t run to the sink for a full-blown wash, micellar water allows you to feel clean and hydrated without the drying effects other makeup removers tend to have.

Garnier has a variety of micellar water choices, ranging from those rich in vitamin C to mattifying miracle options. Whatever quick, cleansing care your skin needs, Garnier has you covered.

30. Paula’s Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil

Paula’s Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil with Jojoba, Sunflow, and Coconut Oil

We’re about to get real here: If you wear makeup and sunscreen and are not oil cleansing, you’re probably not taking off all of that product. These products settle into your skin, and even after a round of traditional face washing, they can still be present in your pores, clogging them up and causing bumps and breakouts.

Paula’s Choice lends a hand with their cleansing oil, which uses jojoba, sunflower and coconut oil to prepare your skin for the most effective clean you can ask for, while creating a barrier against any harsh ingredients your soap cleanser may have.

31. Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltwaway Cleansing Balm

Using makeup remover can be frustrating on occasion, especially if you have to spend your time dumping your product onto a cotton pad and repeatedly sweeping it over your face to remove layers of foundation, concealer, contour and powder.

Usually, this process just presses makeup residue deeper into your skin, but with Farmacy’s Green Clean balm, you’re breaking down these remnants, and are even providing some gentle exfoliation with papaya extract. This formula smells delicious, feels great and tackles even the most waterproof makeup so you can end your night with a clear face and calm mind.

32. Gallinée Face Vinegar

Gallinée Face Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has made its way into our kitchen and our hearts, killing harmful bacteria, helping with our weight-loss journeys and acting as a delicious marinade component for chicken and fish. ACV also offers a ton of skin-health benefits, and Gallinée’s Face Vinegar works to tone and replenish the skin by preventing bacteria from entering your pores, as well as exfoliating to produce a refined glow.

Sometimes ACV can be intensely sour and off-putting, but this toning solution is mild and now comes in a spray option, so application has never been easier.

33. The INKEY List Anti Aging Retinol Serum

The INKEY List Anti Aging Retinol Serum

Retinol can be expensive, especially when you’re looking for a highly effective product. All anti-aging skincare should be accessible, though, because even young adults use retinol as preventative care for their skin, and they shouldn’t be putting off this crucial step because of the steep price.

The INKEY List’s safe, effective, slow-release retinol formula works to battle fine lines and wrinkles at just under $10, which can make the process of slowing down the clock a lot less costly. This treatment is infused with squalane to help reduce any dr