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No need to gatekeep getting your glow on!

I am a writer and editor based in Washington, DC whose work has appeared at Bustle, The Toast, and others; my book Dangerous Games to Play in the Dark was published in 2019.

Promising review: “This facial cleanser was recommended by my dermatologist, and it's made a noticeable difference for my skin. I have very sensitive skin that's dry in some areas and oily in others, and having a beard adds another layer of difficulty. After using this cleanser, my face looks and feels clean without being stripped. The flaky spots — especially under my beard — have improved, and the redness has calmed down significantly. I highly recommend this gentle cleanser; it's been a game changer for me.” —Jeffrey

Promising review: “If you have oily skin, please don’t sleep on this. It really reduces excess oil and makes a noticeable difference. I love it! I use it as a mask twice a week. It smells like clay, but it works so well.” —Anonymous

Promising review: “This is one of the best face masks I have ever used! I feel it really hydrates my skin and leaves it feeling very soft and refreshed. It's definitely become my go-to for anytime I need or want a face mask! Highly recommend!” —Laura

Price: $2.97+ (available individually or in a two-pack)

Promising review: 100% thumbs up! 👍🏼 👍🏼 I love this product. It works on all of my makeup, easily removing everything, including eyelash glue! The best part about it is that it doesn't burn my eyes. For me, it is impossible to remove eye makeup without at least a little getting in my eyes. It works without harsh ingredients, and it doesn't leave behind a greasy residue. On the flip side, it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry and rough either. I have been using this product for several years now, and I still have no complaints.” —Beverly

Price: $3.82+ (originally $4.49+; available in three sizes)

Promising review: “Literally melts my makeup off without stripping my skin barrier. No scent, just wish it came in a bigger size.” —Laura

Promising review: “The only eye makeup remover to use! This is the best, better than drug store brand eye makeup remover. The formula doesn't leave a very greasy residue; it will even take off waterproof makeup, making the eye makeup removal process a lot easier, so you don't dread taking off all your eye makeup! The only thing is, the more makeup, the more swipes, but it doesn't get dry.” —Callie

Promising review: “Love the moisture it provides my tight, dry skin after washing and feels great when patted in. The product absorbs fairly quickly and doesn't have a scent. Has not upset my sensitive skin. I'll definitely be keeping it in my routine, and I appreciate this type of bottle where you don't reach your fingers in and contaminate the product.” —Lauren

Promising review: “NEW HOLY GRAIL!!! I don't normally take the time to write reviews, but THIS is now my holy grail product in my skincare routine. As an oily girl, they have finally made the perfect product to keep oil at bay all day without my skin feeling dry! Chef's kiss. 🤌🏻” —Jo

Promising review: “Love this serum! I usually don’t write reviews, but I had to on this serum because it works so well. I incorporated it into my skincare regimen about two months ago, and it has done wonders for my face. Almost all my dark spots have faded away, no acne breakouts, and my skin is brighter and so pretty! I actually get compliments on how pretty my skin is now. The serum is quick drying and non-greasy, which I like because I have to put my acne medication and a moisturizer on after applying it. This is the happiest I’ve been with the way my face looks in a really long time.” —anonymous

This is my eye cream of choice. It feels really nice going on — particularly on those mornings when I’m, uh…let’s call it "on the struggle bus." Also, it does not make my eyes sting, which is surprisingly difficult to find in an eye cream. Add to that the fact that it’s also super wallet-friendly? A-plus, no notes.

Promising review: “Works really well! I wanted an eye cream that did more than reduce puffiness and diminish fine lines. This is it! I have extremely dry skin, including my eyelids. This seems to be moisturizing and soothing; it doesn't make me itch, either. Finally! I recommend this product.” —rondie

Promising review: “New favorite moisturizer! I have tried so many brands and so many dry/eczema skin moisturizers. Most give me a burning sensation, and the moisture doesn’t last. This one feels so good going on, like it’s quenching my skin’s dryness and doesn’t need reapplying mid-day. It also doesn’t burn or make me break out! I wish I could see when it’s going low for reference, but I will definitely be buying more!” —nfischer13

Promising review: “I have been using this product for well over a decade                  — by far my favorite product on the market. It is my go-to after I wash my face twice a day. My skin used to get oily and dry. Not anymore! I am able to go all day with dewy, moisturized-looking skin. My skin is sensitive, so anything with a strong fragrance irritates me. Thankfully, the Hydro Boost has a subtle natural scent. It really glides on your skin effortlessly. Highly recommend to any skin type.” —Jessica

Promising review: “I had severe chapped lips, and this balm helped tremendously! Feels like a nice blanket making my lips smooth again!” —Jane

Promising review: “Magic. Guys and gals… This is not your average toner. At first, I was skeptical, but because it accepted my FSA for this product, I thought, hey, why not? I'll try it. As a hardcore skin enthusiast and makeup artist, now registered nurse of many years, I mean it when I say that the power of the lotus root water base ingredient is mighty and powerful. Even a Biore strip cannot persuade the oil and dirt to surface the way Hero can. My skin is smoother and brighter after each use. It doesn't create more inflammation or a bump. Somehow, the magnetic pull of this calming thin liquid sinks deep and draws out in the most gentle way I have ever EVER experienced with a product! If you have cystic acne, cholesterol bumps, millia, enlarging surface pores, rough patches of darker-toned skin on your face… Then you need, literally NEED, to try this at least once. Calmly purifying in the most gentle yet effective way. No burn. No sting. No dehydrating leftovers. Just clear, clean, pure skin.” —Audrea

Promising review: “Amazing for calming my skin! This cream was revolutionary for me. I had never heard of a moisturizer specifically for people with very red undertones, so I was extremely intrigued when I saw it on the shelf. The first time I applied it to my skin, it felt amazing. I immediately experienced a cooling sensation, and I could visibly see my extreme facial redness diminish. It's lightweight, incredibly cooling, and overall, an outstanding product that I have already recommended and repurchased.” —Manuela

Promising review: “It works! I wasn't sure about this product because I had never heard of it and because it was so cheap. The last niacinamide serum irritated my skin. This didn't. I felt a difference after the first use. My face looked and felt more hydrated and moisturized. There was also a subtle glow, especially visible on my forehead, chin, and nose, that wasn't there before. I've only been using it for one week, but I am now a fan. I plan to continue using it in my skincare routine. I also plan to purchase more products from this company.” —Dramaqw33n

Promising review: “Magic in a bottle! I love Olay. It is as good as the expensive treatments for a much, much better price. My skin looks and feels healthier with it. My dark spots are fading.” —Penguinlady

Promising review: “You get what you pay for! I've used this a handful of times since buying it, and I love it. It has a faint sunscreen scent, but it's not overwhelming at all. I quite like it. It makes my skin feel so soft, similar to how a good blurring primer feels. I'm a fairly pale person, so I'm not the best judge, but I've never noticed a white cast on myself at least. Unfortunately, it is a bit expensive, especially given how often sunscreen needs to be applied, and similar brands offer more product for a similar price. But the quality is fitting.” —K

Promising review: “Perfect under makeup! That's the best sunscreen I've ever used. I was looking for a sunscreen that would lie well under my makeup, that wouldn't be heavy and greasy. And this sunscreen fits all my needs: it protects, it's lightweight, and it flows well with my makeup. The packaging was great.” —Violetta

Promising review: “Instant cooling relief for my allergy eyes! Getting into the allergy season when summer meets fall, I develop puffy eyes, and I've tried everything. I ran into this product on the Walmart app website, and I read that it was good for combination skin, and that's me. It really helped with getting my skin back to its normal look, removing the discoloration from all the irritating itchiness. It has a brightening effect, and I did notice tightening, which I was surprised by because so many promise that with no results, but this, I truly felt, has an instant cooling feeling that gives you instant relief. It's like a big lip balm stick for your eyes. I say that because it contains caffeine, vitamin E, green tea oil, and hyaluronic acid. It doesn't leave them greasy or with any white cast. So convenient to take in my purse!” —Angela

Promising review: “Patch perfect! Worked well! Hides spots perfectly, while working at clearing all the gunk out.” —Christina

Promising review: “Love these! I love the blue ones, feel like they work so well, and it's nice to cover up some spots instead of makeup. Sticks on really great. I highly recommend these, and as I said before, the color is showable but not too bright, but enough to see it, so people know they're there.” —anonymous

Price: $11.47 for a pack of 32 patches (originally $12.88)

Promising review: “Amazing! It works like a charm. I had the biggest bump on my face, and it has increasingly lowered over time. Definitely worth buying — nothing like those other products. Genuinely works.” —janae

Promising review: “The holy grail for happy shaving! Absolutely amazing product. As someone who suffers from ingrown hairs and razor bumps with every single shave, I've tried nearly every tip and trick there is and a variety of different razors, shaving creams, and oils... Nothing has ever worked until I stumbled across this stuff! I love that one of the ingredients used in the product is witch hazel, and the roll-on application makes it so easy to apply everywhere without missing any spots. It doesn't burn or sting when putting it on (even if you're a ‘picker’ of bumps and have been agitating the skin), and it doesn't leave any kind of sticky or greasy residue. 10/10 and will definitely order again.” —Taylor

Promising review: “Really gives your skin a deep cleanse. Easy to use and comfortable in the hand. No batteries required, plug in and charge.” —LOUISE

Psst — we recommend talking to your doctor before use. Read more about gua sha and facial massage at Cleveland Clinic.

Promising review: “Relaxing! It's so relaxing and really chisels my face when used every day. My favorite thing is to put it in the freezer and then roll out my face with a sheet mask on!” —Shelby

And you should talk to your doctor before use! Read more about gua sha and facial massage at Cleveland Clinic. 

Promising review: “Great product! Perfect in design to do all the face massage movements. I was looking for something to massage near my face and ears. This works perfectly!” —Ginny

Promising review: “I have VERY oily skin, and these soak up all the grease and shine throughout the day. Powders, mattifiers, etc., all wear off within a few hours, so then it's these little sheets to the rescue. I dab them on the nose pads of my glasses to get the oil off that makes them slide down my nose, too. These have been a repeat purchase for me for years, strongly recommend.” —Janine

Promising review: “Leaves skin SO soft! I really haven't used a RoC product I don't like yet. I have mature skin (45) and like to layer this with serums at night before bed. It leaves the skin soft and moisturized the next morning. It isn't thick, but it does seem to take a bit to soak in, so you may want to apply a bit before bed.” —Brandy

Promising reviews: “It works, plain and simple. The only thing I would say is that it takes longer than most other brands to fully settle into the skin, but otherwise a perfect product for dealing with my psoriasis.” —Jonathan

"Ever since I used Vaseline and it wasn't meeting my needs, I changed to Aquaphor because a friend recommended it. Honestly, it was the best decision that I have made in a really long time. It keeps my lips from feeling dry, and on top of that, the thick ointment makes me feel like I have something 24/7. It's not like other products that make you feel like you have to reapply every two minutes. On top of that, when I have really chapped lips, and I put this on, it doesn't burn. Which is a really big plus because I burn in the sun quite easily, which sometimes makes my lips feel chapped." —Walmart Customer

PS — Aquaphor has a variety of styles and sizes to shop!

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Plus, gentle cleansers, moisturizers for sensitive skin, and finds from Amazon and Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.