Skincare does not have to be expensive to be effective. More and more brands are formulating products at affordable price points that rival the results and efficacy of their luxury competitors. You may feel that budget friendly skincare is only good for younger skin and that in order to get good results for mature skin, you must spend more. But that is not the case anymore. My skincare needs are much more in depth the older I get so I am constantly seeking out products that WORK. I’ve been testing a bunch of affordable skincare products over the past year in order to figure out which ones are the most effective especially for mature skin. For now, these are the ones that I recommend and personally use. I will continue to update this post as I find more products that impress me so be sure to bookmark this post for future additions.

For more skincare reviews, here are some recent blog posts to check out:

My Favorites From Naturium Skincare

The Best and Most Effective Beauty Devices

A Luxury Lip Mask Worth the Splurge

20+ Affordable Skincare Favorites For Mature Skin

Cleansers

Experiment Plasma Wash

As someone who LOVES a unique texture especially when it comes to cleansers, the Experiment Plasma Face Wash is favorite of mine. It’s technically a gel cream but has a jelly-like feel to it. It is chock full of super nourishing ingredients to really support those with mature dry skin types. This formula uses glycerin depositing compounds that delivers moisture that remains on the skin even after you rinse. It doesn’t leave a film but it makes the skin feel intensely nourished and supple much like a serum or moisturizer would do. It’s quite a unique cleanser and one that is fantastic for those with dry mature skin.

La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

This cleanser could fall both in the dry skin and sensitive skin category because of how gentle and nourishing it is. It’s a cream texture that feels moisturizing and soothing yet still gives the skin a really deep clean. Some of the key ingredients are the La Roche-Posay thermal spring water which is rich in antioxidant properties. Additionally there is ceramide-3 which is a natural component of the skin barrier and glycerin which moisturizes and hydrates the skin. As someone who really focuses on protecting and strengthening my skin barrier, this cleanser is a must have!

Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

This cleansing balm has an almost identical texture to the Farmacy but is a touch more creamy. Not as oily as the Elemis so my skin doesn’t feel as moisturized afterwards, but still does an amazing job at removing every last stitch of makeup. And it’s a great price point!

Toners/Essences

Curel Deep Moisture Mist

This is an intensely nourishing face mist that feels almost creamy once applied. The mist is perfect and super fine which I love.

TirTir Milk Skin Toner

TirTir is one of my favorite Korean beauty brands and this was the first skincare product from them that I tried. I fell in love with the formula and have repurchase it multiple times since. It’s a very ligthweight milky toner that has a watery consistency. Formulated with niacinamide, rice bran extract and ceramides, the TirTir Milk Skin Toner delivers intense hydration while also comforting and soothing the skin. The addition of panthenol helps make it suitable for sensitive skin and especially great for those with very dry and reactive skin. Like with all the milky toners that I have, I prefer to pour a small bit into my hands and pat it into the skin. This does leave a slightly tacky finish on the skin which I like since my skin is more dry and mature, but this is a lighter version for those who don’t prefer that feeling.

Bubble Cosmic Milky Toner

This is the first product I have tried from Bubble skincare and I can confidently say I will be trying out more products ASAP. This milky toner is an amazing price point ($16 for 100ml) and feels AMAZING!!! It’s not as thick as the Rhode Glazing Milk but not as watery or thin as the TirTir or Byoma. As with most milky toners, this is full of ceramides which help to strengthen and support the skin barrier. In addition to ceramides, the Bubble Cosmic Milky Toner contains essential fatty acids to regulate the skin barrier, arnica to soothe the skin, a 4D hyaluronic acid blend to hydrate and maple sap water to protect the skin barrier.

It leaves a gorgeous glazy finish to the skin which I absolutely love. While some of the thicker milky toners may be best for dry skin types and the thinner ones for oily or combination skin types, this texture falls right in the middle which I feel would make it suitable for all skin types.

Cocokind Calming Magnesium Facial Mist

I use facial mists every single day in both my morning and evening skincare routine as well as throughout the day to keep my skin well hydrated. While so many mists help with hydration only, the Calming Magnesium Facial Mist helps to calm stressed skin. The formula was designed for those with sensitive, reactive and acne-prone skin to help support the skin barrier while also refreshing the skin. I don’t have sensitive skin but my skin does get drier than ever before and this mist is absolutely amazing!

Eye Creams

TirTir Collagen Lifting Eye Cream

The TirTir Collagen Lifting Eye Cream is an eye cream formulated to build collagen, erase fine lines and strengthen the skin. It contains plant-based collagen that helps soften deep wrinkles and fine lines. While also building a shield on the skin that allows it to retain moisture. Dehydration especially around the eye shows itself in the form of loss of elasticity and fine lines. The main ingredients of the formula are niacinamide which helps brighten and even out the skin tone, avocado oil to deeply nourish and hydrate, a plant-derived collagen complex + 5 peptides to enhance elasticity, smooth fine lines and firm. In addition, it contains adenosine which boosts collagen production, reduces wrinkles and helps to calm sensitive skin. Even those with sensitive skin or eczema-prone skin can use this eye cream. It’s super gentle yet effective.

One of my favorite parts of this eye cream is the metal ball applicator that allows for a precise placement while providing a comforting massage to help reduce puffiness and improve absorption. It’s a lightweight gel-like texture that absorbs almost instantly while still providing intense hydration.

L’Oreal Revitalift Under Eye Serum

I wanted to add a bit more hydration to my under eye area so I have been layering this hyaluronic acid serum underneath my daily eye cream. It’s super lightweight and doesn’t disrupt anything I layer on top of it. But it does give a really great boost of moisture to that area which has made a huge difference in how my eyes look and feel.

Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream

This is a very straightforward no muss, no fuss hydrating eye cream that works well at a great price point. The cooling metal applicator feels amazing on the skin and instantly helps to soothe and depuff. It’s suitable to use for day or night and works well under makeup. While it does state that it helps reduce dark circles, I find that very few eye creams do and it’s a hard thing to really tackle. For me, this eye cream really soothes and moisturizes my eye area while also helping to depuff and smooth any fine lines.

Face Serums

Versed Gentle Pore Clearing Serum

Exfoliation is so important but not if it strips or damages your skin barrier. Choose a chemical exfoliant over a physical one as they tend to be more effective with less overall irritation. I have been testing this Versed Pore Clearing Serum for a few months since the brand sent me a lab sample before it was available to the public. I am so impressed with how smooth my skin feels using this regularly (1-2x/week). My skin feels soft and smooth without any redness, flakiness or irritation. It’s a great serum to add in if you struggle with breakouts or congestion but also will help to smooth uneven or rough texture.

Timeless Skincare 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

I personally love using a vitamin c serum every morning in my skincare routine. Vitamin C can help brighten and provide antioxidant protection throughout the day. It’s also best to use during the day because it can neutralize free radicals caused by UV exposure and pollution. I’ve tried a lot of different vitamin c serums at all price points and have regularly repurchased this one. It’s lightweight, incredibly hydrating and has a 20% concentration of vitamin c in the formulation. It’s effective at helping even out the complexion and brightening the skin tone.

Naturium Barrier Bounce

I like to use a hydrating serum almost daily and this has been the only one I’ve been reaching for. Holy GLOW!! It can be used a ton of different ways (as an essence, as a serum, as a lightweight moisturizer) but I prefer to use it as a serum. It instantly plumps my skin and delivers intense long lasting hydration. And the price point is under $25 which absolutely blows my mind. This is 10x better than serums double and triple the price. Highly recommend!!!

Experiment Beauty Super Saturated Serum

If your skin is feeling dehydrated or lacking moisture, this hydrating serum will solve all your problems. It is a barrier support serum so it will help strengthen and protect the skin barrier while also delivering intense hydration. The serum is formulated with 30% glycerin as well as a ton of other humectants. So it will also aid in helping your skin hold onto that moisture all day long. This is a thicker serum so layer it accordingly in your skincare routine (thinnest to thickest) but it will truly help increase your skin’s hydration immediately as well as for the long term.

Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum

There are different strengths available in this serum so if you find that retinol products irritate your skin, this would be a great alternative. Designed to target various signs of aging such as fine lines, uneven skin tone and dullness, this Retinaldehyde Cream Serum is easy to add in to any existing skincare routine.

Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Nourishing Daily Serum

It doesn’t matter what skin type you have, protecting and supporting the skin barrier is must have for healthy, balanced skin. The Ceramide Barrier Nourishing Daily Serum is lightweight but super creamy and nourishing. It’s easy to add in to any skincare routine and works for all skin types. Formulated with a blend of five types of ceramides and lipids, this daily serum helps reduce irritation, hold onto moisture in the skin and soften the skin with the addition of lactic acid.

Moisturizers

Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh

Another barrier strengthening moisturizer because a healthy and strong skin barrier is more important than using all the exfoliants and retinols. A healthy skin barrier looks plump, balanced, fresh and always feels comfortable (not tight and irritated). As with most of Experiment Beauty’s products, the texture of this is incredibly unique. It’s a semi-rich formula that feels nourishing but does have a bit of a tacky/bouncy feel to it. I personally love that because it leaves my skin so firm and supple. The tacky texture doesn’t last however and this moisturizer absorbs beautifully into the skin after only a few minutes. My skin feels plump, calm and instantly nourished.

Versed Rich Barrier Cream

Out of all my recommendations in this post, the Versed Rich Barrier Cream is the lightest in texture. Still thicker than many moisturizers but if you have dry skin and don’t like the feeling of something too heavy on your skin, this is perfect! The formula is designed to help support the skin barrier, restore moisture and calm the skin. So it’s great to use as a final step either in the morning or evening. I have layered it under makeup and it wears beautifully. So I definitely plan to use this as the weather cools down. It is safe for sensitive and eczema prone skin which is another added benefit. The price point is super affordable as well coming in at $20 for 1.5 oz.

Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream

Gel creams and water creams are not typically my favorite textures to use because they never feel hydrating or moisturizing enough for my dry skin. But the Electrolyte Water Cream is one of the few exceptions – it is like a drink of water for the skin! The formula feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin but the deep hydration it gives is next level. It contains an electrolyte blend that supports the skin barrier, helps balance hydration while also controlling shine. If you have oily or combination skin, this is perfect for both morning before your daily SPF or evening as your final step. However, it you have dry or mature skin and are hesitant to branch out from the rich creams, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by this water cream.

Sunscreen

Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50

There is a reason this is a top seller for Naturium!  While the name is Dew-Glow, I would say this is not overly dewy so it would work well for a variety of skin types. It’s creamy, moisturizing and leaves my skin with a natural finish. The price point is also what makes this a cult classic – $44 for 100mL which is nearly double the amount of every sunscreen in this list.

Versed Good Defense Daily Sunscreen SPF 50

The other two sunscreens in this list have a moisturizer-like texture to them, whereas the Versed Good Defense SPF feels like a lightweight gel-cream. It’s intensely hydrating as soon as you apply it leaving my skin feeling plump and well-balanced. It’s a clear formula that leaves no white cast on the skin. For anyone with dehydrated skin, this SPF is a must try!

1. The Butcher – Good but not great. Also, there is a warning in the beginning of the book for VERY bigoted language by the main character. Thankfully it wasn’t too egregious but it’s worth noting. Edward Shank is the retired chief of police with his most notable achievement being his identifying and ultimate killing of the area’s infamous serial killer “The Butcher”. Decades later, it seems like there is a copycat killer emerging and young women begin to go missing again. Could it be that they go the wrong guy? Edward’s grandson stumbles upon the answer unknowingly and must decide if he should keep this information to himself or risk destroying the only family he has left. The reader discovers who the killer is very early on in the book so most of the story is the race for everyone to finally put the clues together. The story is entertaining but definitely not a favorite from this month. Rating: 8

2. By Any Other Name – I LOVE Jodi Picoult books but this one was a big flop unfortunately. It was soooooo slow and took me forever to get through. The story oscillates between the past and present nicely but I had a hard time keeping focused on how drawn out each chapter became. Melina is a playwright living in NYC trying to work odd jobs in order to support her dream of one day selling a play. Her most recent work is inspired by one of her ancestors, Emilia who many was the true author of various Shakespeare plays. The author does a great job of intertwining the two timelines but ultimately it was not a story that really got me invested. Rating: 7

3. Not Quite Dead Yet – An easy to get through mystery but the premise of the book is sorta ridiculous. If you can get back that, the story is entertaining. Since I listen to all my books on audio, I rarely am bothered by a narrator but the narrator of this book was by far the worst I’ve ever heard. If you plan to get this book, read it instead of listening! Jet is the daughter of a wealthy Vermont family with ties to the entire community in which they live. Jet is somewhat of a black sheep and is back home to try and rebuild her life after some recent stumbles and failures. After the annual Halloween fair in town, Jet returns back to her parents’ home where she is attacked and left for dead. When Jet wakes up in the hospital, she learns how serious her injuries are and must make some devastating decisions. Going against her family’s wishes, Jet decides to spend her remaining days trying to solve her own murder. There are lots of twists and turns but the overall idea of the book is somewhat unrealistic in a way that brings down the value of the story. Rating: 7

4. Wild Dark Shore – I am beginning to think that any of the books from Reese Witherspoon’s book club are not for me. I have read a few recently and disliked every single one – this book included. It dragged on so slowly as a story but the dynamics of the characters seemed to move too quickly. Dominic and his children live on a remote island near Antarctica which is home to the world’s largest seed bank. No one ever visits because it’s so far from civilization so the family is shocked when a woman washes up on the island’s shore. The family helps nurse the woman back to health while trying to understand what she was doing so close to the island. Both the woman and Dominic’s family have secrets that they are keeping from everyone so time will tell if these secrets can be safely revealed. If I’m being honest, the secrets are pretty anticlimactic so it didn’t add much to the story. Rating: 6

5. The Carpool Detectives – The most enthralling part of this book is that it’s a TRUE STORY! Four moms decide to investigate a 15 year old cold case and solve it! It’s a really interesting read because it shows their processes and how in depth their research went. Even though I knew that they did in fact solve the case, I truly kept doubting my understanding of the book because they hit so many dead ends throughout their research. The intuitive power of women is on full display in this book and it’s incredibly awe-inspiring to see. Rating: 8.5

6. Next of Kin – This book has some INSANE twists that had my jaw on the floor all the way until the very end of the book. Leila and her sister, Yasmin, had a difficult childhood that left them orphaned before they were 18. This greatly impacted the trajectory of their lives but both managed to find a way out and live successful lives. Yasmin has a 3 year old son named Max who Leila helps with from time to time. On one summer morning, Leila receives a call from Yasmin’s husband, Andrew, asking if she can take Max to school on her way to work. Leila happily agrees but what transpires next will forever change their lives. A trial ensues and family bonds are tested to the limit. Just when you think you have this story figured out, you realize you don’t and a twist comes. Rating: 8.5