5 Skincare Products Under $20 That Real Simple Editors Use Every Day

Associate Editorial Director

As Real Simple editors, we've tested a lot of products from pretty much every brand you can think of, so we have opinions on what's worth splurging on and what's not. One thing we all agree on: You don't need to spend big money on luxury skincare products to see results. There are plenty of affordable skincare brands out there, whether you're searching for an everyday gentle cleanser or a targeted serum.

I polled the entire Real Simple editorial team on their favorite affordable skincare brands and products—aka, brands that sell a majority of their products for under $40. I got dozens of responses, but a few brands popped up again and again as being staples in our editors' skincare routines.

1. The most recommended affordable skincare brand from Real Simple editors? That would be CeraVe. One product in particular stood out as the most beloved: the Moisturizing Cream, which five editors recommend for its versatility and non-irritating formula. "I use the CeraVe cream every morning and night, and it never burns or leaves my skin feeling tight," says shopping writer Lauren Taylor. "It's thick enough to moisturize dry, flaky skin, but it doesn't make me feel or look greasy."

2. If you're specifically looking for skincare products with an impact that won't break the bank, The Ordinary should be your go-to. The brand is known for its simple yet powerful serums, toners, and acne-busting solutions, and its products tend to contain high concentrations of active ingredients. Editor-in-chief Lauren Iannotti loves the Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane: "I use this nightly ahead of my moisturizer and I am smooth. And if I spill a little, as can happen among all the lotions and potions on my bureau, I don't freak out because it's literally a hundred dollars cheaper than the one I was getting from my derm."

3. Some of the best Korean beauty brands are surprisingly budget-friendly, like Innisfree and SKIN1004. One of shopping editor Euna Park's favorite products is SKIN1004's Centella Ampoule: "It has the consistency of water, so it quickly absorbs into my skin. And Centella asiatica extract is great at calming irritated or inflamed skin. I use it generously—in multiple layers—during the summer, when my skin is exposed under the harsh sun, and all throughout fall and winter to keep my skin hydrated as the air's moisture depletes."

4. For high-quality skincare you can find at the drugstore, Real Simple editors love La Roche-Posay for its impressive product assortment and gentleness on sensitive skin. I'm personally a big fan of the brand, particularly the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer and the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser. Both products are great for year-round use and don't aggravate my sensitive, acne-prone skin—in fact, I think they're just as good as more expensive products, if not better.