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.

    28 Products If You Want To Start A Skincare Routine And Don’t Know Where To Begin

    And, no, you don't need to start a 10-step routine. Baby steps.

    1. A cult classic Tula hydrating face wash, which I use *daily* and absolutely swear by, as it offers such a deep yet gentle, refreshing clean while leaving my skin soft and smooth as butter. Oh, and did I mention it lasts FOREVER, as a little pump goes a long way each time?

    The face wash

    2. A sensitive skin-friendly Vanicream moisturizer that's unscented, free of common irritants, *and* great to use all over your face and body. Tackle common skin problems from eczema and psoriasis to itchiness. Here's to bringing back your happy skin.

    3. A 2% BHA liquid acid exfoliant that went viral on TikTok for good reason: it's gentle, nonabrasive, ~and~ helps your skin shed extra, dead layers, leaving you brightened, restored, and hydrated as heck.

    Reviewer's skin before and after using the exfoliant

    4. A soothing Nature Republic aloe vera gel from one of my personal favorite skincare brands, as it always delivers results without causing sensitive skin any trouble. Put it on your legs after shaving, or use it on your face and watch redness, sunburn, and bumps begone.

    Reviewer's face before and after using the gel

    5. An amazing anti-chafe balm that's heaven-sent in the warmer months as, let's face it, chafing happens and is the absolute worst. Apply before long walks, hikes, and runs to keep your skin moisturized and feeling fabulous. Plus, it's portable, so bring it with you to reapply.

    Model using the anti-chafe balm

    6. An *amazing* Tatcha pore treatment mask that works by subtly warming to open up and exfoliate your pores, decongesting dull skin ~without~ drying it out. Excellent for all skin types, it's rich in minerals, gentle, and leaves you with a soft, hydrated feel that'll have you wondering what you ever used to do before it.

    The treatment mask

    7. A pack of natural bamboo oil-blotting sheets to pop in your purse and use any time, anywhere as needed, especially on hot, sweltering days that cause sweating or times when the oil on your face is far too thick for comfort. Hey, we've all been there.

    a used green sheet that's soaked in oil
    a reviewer's oil forehead
    the same reviewer's forehead after using the sheets, showing it's much less oily

    Promising review: "At 68-years-old, I am making my first purchase of 'oil blotting' papers. I must say I was skeptical. But I was quite pleasantly surprised that the 'papers' do remove the oil that causes the shine. Admittedly, I handle things awkwardly (probably using more 'papers' than necessary). However, the product does work. And works well." —John R. Spencer

    Get it from Amazon for $6.95+ (available in five styles and various multipacks).

    8. A detoxifying peel-off face mask so you can say sayonara to dry, dull skin and *hello* to a refreshed, dewy, glowing face. It's like spending the day being pampered at the spa, only way more affordable...plus it's REALLY satisfying to peel this off your skin.

    The peel-off mask

    9. A pack of Cortibalm designed to heal mild to severe chapped, flaky lips with a special blend of beeswax, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, and 1 percent hydrocortisone. Even dermatologists recommend it for its lip-healing powers.

    10. A fantastic Nature Republic sheet mask set I am a personal *huge* fan of as they all feel incredible, never burn or irritate my sensitive skin, and are very easy to apply after a warm bath or shower and right before bedtime.

    11. Or a peel-off face mask made with activated charcoal so you can really dig in deep and get those nasty blackheads up and OUT of your face. Use this stuff two to three times a week for optimal results, and get ready to glow no matter your skin type.

    Reviewer with black peel-off mask on nose
    Reviewer holding peeled pore mask

    Promising review: "This product has helped my skin a lot with getting all those pesky little blackheads off my nose. It's kinda gross to see the blackheads all come off my skin and stuck on the mask but awesome at the same time cuz now the blackheads are out of my skin! Just make sure to wash your face afterward to clean out those now open pores and then apply moisturizer to your face." —Maddy

    Get the mask and an application brush from Amazon for $9.94.

    12. A downright delectable Eos shea butter shaving cream that glides on oh-so-smooth and leaves your legs, underarms, and yes, even intimate areas moisturized, protected, and soft as heck. It's like paradise in a bottle (and smells incredible no matter which scent you choose).

    The orange shaving cream

    13. A papaya glow serum that'll act as a natural exfoliator for your gorgeous face, giving you a bright, dewy finish. Think of it as a mood booster for your skin.

    The glow serum

    14. An Origins eye cream if you're suffering from dark circles and general puffiness (ugh, the worst). Just a dab a day will instantly help de-puff, reduce the appearance of under-eye bags, and, best of all, you can wear this goodness underneath your makeup.

    The eye cream in both colors available

    15. A gua shua tool that feels like you're getting a luxurious face massage each time you use it. Use it to increase circulation, de-stress, de-puff, and aid *all* your serums and oils into sinking deeper into your skin, leaving your face nourished. Just remember to never use it on dry skin.

    16. A Tarte whipped moisturizer that's like a big, delicious pat of cream for your face. This lightweight, luxurious, and great-smelling stuff feels *amazing* as it awakens and refreshes, so use it morning and night for a flawless complexion.

    The moisturizer

    17. A tube of broad spectrum SPF 30 Black Girl Sunscreen because your face deserves only the finest protection. Not only does this naturally-formulated sunscreen protect you from harmful UV rays, dry completely clear (no white residue!), and moisturize your skin as you wear it — it is also paraben, fragrance, oxybenzone, silicone, and aluminum-free.

    a model holding a black tube of the sunscreen

    18. A makeup-removing cleansing balm you'll LOVE if you're like me and tend to apply your makeup so well, it takes quite a bit of effort to get it off before bed. Melt away stubborn shadow, gloss, and assorted gunk with this award-winning, hydrating formula, and forget about waking up with stains and smudges on your pillowcase.

    The cleansing balm

    19. Or a pack of washable, reusable cleaning cloths for an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable makeup wipes. Scrub off all that gunk and goo to leave your face fresh and flawless again. Psst, they're also sensitive-skin friendly.

    20. OR a set of flexible silicone face scrubbers sure to become your new skincare besties as they're a snap to clean, quick-drying, and leave no residue behind after they aid in exfoliating your skin with their soft, thick bristles. We love having so many skin-cleaning options, don't we?

    Four of the silicone face cleansers

    21. multiuse skincare oil you can use for a variety of skin issues, from uneven texture and stretch marks to acne scars. This sensational stuff contains retinol, which helps to clear acne, and unclog and exfoliate pores, though it does require a little extra sunscreen as it also heightens sun sensitivity.

    Before photo of reviewer's red, slightly raised scar and an after photo of the same scar that is barely visible after using the oil
    reviewer with dark post-partum stretch marks that have lightened dramatically after using bio oil

    Promising review: "Bio-Oil is the BEST skin product on the market. I use it twice a day — in the morning and before I go to bed. Small lines have disappeared. My skin is very smooth and seems to glow. A doctor recommended this to one of my friends who told me about it. I have bought several bottles as gifts. Be patient. It will take a few months for you to see notice the changes. I am 71-years-old. No one paid me to write this." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in three sizes).

    22. A moisture- and collagen-boosting lip mask made for sleeping because, if you haven't yet noticed, the very best skincare products tend to work while you slumber and get your beauty rest. Dry, chapped, and cracking lips, be warned: once this is in use, your days are numbered.

    23. A retinol moisturizer reviewers rave effectively fades acne scarring, diminishes skin texture, *and* stops breakouts before they take over your beautiful face. Best of all, it won't leave your skin irritated in any way, just soft and smooth after.

    Reviewer's face in November before using the product and in January after using it

    24. A pack of miracle-working Hero Cosmetics pimple patches that successfully absorb all the awful gunk under the surface of your pesky pimples. In just six to eight hours (yes, you can snooze in them), it'll extract all the pus from the whiteheads and really zap those zits.

    Reviewer before and after using the pimple patches

    25. An acne foaming wash that's SUPER fun to use because it foams up and, best of all, contains the maximum amount of benzoyl peroxide you can buy without a prescription. Time to banish pesky pimples for good.

    26. An exfoliating bump eraser, which works like a charm in getting rid of those tiny red bumps caused by keratosis pilaris (aka KP). KP is harmless but incredibly annoying and frankly, something I'd rather do without. I own and love this stuff and yes, it works.

    Reviewer's skin before and after using the bump eraser

    27. A rosehip oil made with a rich blend of fatty acids and antioxidants your skin will happily eat up, especially if you suffer from acne scars and want an alternative to caking on the foundation and BB cream.

    Reviewer's skin before and after using the rosehip oil

    28. And a pack of 24-karat gold under-eye patches made with snail secretion filtrate to moisturize and treat dark circles, puffy, skin, and basically anything that makes you look less than fully rested. That's so golden.

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.