This New $16 Serum Replaced My $245 One, and My Skin Looked Better in One Week

First things first—I absolutely never start my morning or evening skincare routine without wearing this plush headband from Versed. It's adorable, obviously, but it also keeps all of my little bleached baby hairs out of the line of fire. 

Micellar waters are a dime a dozen these days, but while they might seem benign, I've found that a lot of formulas have not-so-great-for-acne ingredients lurking in their depths. (For instance, castor oil is a common additive that sadly clogs my pores.) I've been using this zinc- and aloe-infused cleansing water from Sephora Collection for years now, and it's done wonders for my complexion. I use it every morning and evening before I go in with my normal cleansers, almost like a double-cleansing method. It absorbs and lifts away all the ills so my favorite face washes can really go to town and more effectively clean my skin. It's great for all skin types, but especially for peeps looking to target blemishes, pores, and oiliness. 

Before I discovered this gentler alternative from Versed, I had a rather volatile relationship with physical exfoliants. Read: They completely effed up my skin. So many formulas are overly harsh and abrasive and can actually compromise or even damage the skin's delicate barrier. This one features superfine microcrystalline, a 100% plant-based, biodegradable alternative to microbeads, and leaves my skin feeling baby smooth sans irritation. I can honestly say the results are comparable to an in-office (and very spendy) microdermabrasion treatment. Each tube lasts forever since a little goes a long way, and for just $17 a pop, it's become a once-per-week ritual my bump-prone skin absolutely craves.

Dark circles and dryness are two of my biggest concerns when it comes to my eye area, and this $24 brightening serum from Mario Badescu tackles both with just a dab and a blend. It's a cheaper (yet just as satisfying) alternative to three or four other practically identical formulas I've used in the past. It immediately gives your under-eyes a hit of luminosity, which diffuses the look of shadows just as well as an IG filter.

I know $36 isn't exactly "cheap," but hear me out. I've tried hundreds of face creams, from $15 to $900 (yep, they exist!), and this is my absolute favorite of all time. Since my skin is prone to breakouts and congestion, I prefer lightweight gel formulas to ultra-heavy occlusive creams, but so many lighter moisturizers on the market just don't give me enough long-lasting hydration. This one from the French brand Avène has been a true miracle for my skin. It keeps my complexion balanced and dewy (but not too dewy), and it has the added benefit of making my makeup and foundation look absolutely stellar. I can't recommend it enough.

That said, there are times when I need a heavier face cream (i.e., when I visit my family in Arizona and my skin instantly takes on the texture and feel of a reptile), and in said cases, I always, always, always use Embryolisse's cult-loved Lait-Crème Concentré, a holy-grail formula beloved by everyone from beauty editors to makeup artists to celebrities and has been a best-selling product from the brand since the 1950s. Nothing gives a better, smoother, or suppler-looking finish to my skin. If you've never tried it, and veer combination or dry, you're in for a treat.

Even though my skin has drastically improved in recent weeks, I almost always have at least one little friend or two who come to play. I've tried so many acne spot treatments, and while there are some great formulas out there, I almost exclusively stick to these handy-dandy hydrocolloid patches from Hero Cosmetics. Not only do they stave off my pick-hungry fingers, but they're non-drying and suck out all the gunk (sorry for that visual!) in just six to eight hours. I pop them on right before I hit the sheets and wake up to flatter, less angry spots. They're truly life-changing.

Name a more iconic face-makeup remover wipe. As hard as I try to break up with my reliance on makeup wipes, I just don't think it will ever happen. I've tried every kind known to womankind, and this OG favorite (which I've used since high school, thank you very much) just can't be beaten. They're plant-based and compostable, which makes me feel a little less guilty, and they remove my makeup and lightly cleanse my skin with just a few swipes across my face. I always follow suit with micellar water and face wash and am never not impressed by how little makeup residue is left behind after I've gone in with one of these (unlike a lot of makeup wipes that don't make a huge dent when it comes to a thorough pore detox).

I have ultra-sensitive eyes, and regardless of how much sleep I have or haven't logged the night before, I always wake up with red, dry, watery eyes. Most days I just deal, but if I have lots of meetings or know I'll be on camera or taking pictures, I never skip Lumify's eye drops. I've tried every kind of drop out there, and these ones work instantly, don't irritate my eyes, and the ultra-white results last all dang day. They were first recommended to me by a makeup artist, and it's really no surprise that these drops have become a pre-red carpet standby amongst the A-list. 

Okay, again, I realize this isn't the most affordable SPF formula on the market, but a little goes such a long way, and I am absolutely addicted to the bouncy, ultra-hydrated finish it gives my skin. I pretty much only use mineral sunscreen formulas these days, and it just doesn't get better than this nourishing, antioxidant-rich blend of pure argan oil, jojoba oil, and green tea. It's dreamy, and you will love it!

I never recommend trying a new supplement before consulting a doctor (I was given the green light on this by my dermatologist), but after about two weeks of daily use, these neem capsules have made a huge difference in the health and clarity of my skin. An ancient Ayurvedic antidote, neem is traditionally used to help calm and reduce skin irritation and support liver function, natural detoxification processes, and overall immune health. I started taking two capsules a day after doing lots of research and reading that neem's natural antibacterial properties can help combat acne-causing bacteria, and it can also help control the skin's oil production, further aiding its skin-clearing benefits. Neem might not work for everyone, but I've found it highly beneficial for my skin.

Sure, this lip-volumizing mask from Lawless will set you back more than a tub of Aquaphor, but it's more than worth the $21 price tag, and in addition to its plumping wow factor, it is one of the only lip products that can keep my dry-as-a-bone lips hydrated, pillowy, and velveteen-soft throughout an entire night's sleep. I always roll my eyes a little when a product claims filler-caliber results. And no, nothing will ever take the place of actual filler, but this one comes pretty dang close. Usually, lip masks are too heavy and sticky for my taste, but this one is significantly lighter and more comfortable without compromising on that aforementioned hit of hydration. Maxi-Lip is the key ingredient and is scientifically and clinically shown to visibly increase lip volume by 40% while also helping to support natural collagen production over time. Other key hitters include shea butter and hyaluronic acid.

I have no problem admitting I'm absolutely perfectionistic when it comes to maintaining a porcelain-white finish to my teeth. So, it likely won't come as any surprise that I've tried practically every type of whitening product and contraption that's on the market. But, let me just say, these ingenious dissolving whitening strips from SmileDirectClub are the absolute best. The brand recommends applying the strips once a day for seven days straight to get the most out of your treatment, but you'll notice big-time results after just one use. They're mess-proof, they easily stick to my teeth, and they are hyper-convenient. I pop them on after I brush my teeth at night right before I go to bed—a piece of cake and my teeth look professionally whitened come morning. (People have even started asking me if I have veneers since I started regularly incorporating these strips into my routine!)