42 Cheap Beauty Products That Actually Work Better Than Expensive Ones

According to its 21,000+ five-star ratings on Amazon, this liquid exfoliant from Paula’s Choice is nothing short of a miracle product. A simple (but powerful) blend of 2% salicylic acid and green tea extract both exfoliates and soothes, so it helps with virtually everything from clearing up unwanted blackheads and acne, smoothing keratosis pilaris, calming rosacea flare-ups, or just giving your complexion a thorough polish. “This stuff should be called a miracle in a bottle. When I use it on my [...] skin, it transforms it from congested, irritated, and bright red to calm, clear, and glowing overnight,” raved one reviewer.

There’s no reason to spring for a tube of designer mascara when there are somany good drugstore ones on the market — and with an epic 104,000+ (!!!) five-star ratings on Amazon, this mascara from essence is one of the best (and cheapest) you can get. Across the board, reviewers confirm that this performs better than expensive mascaras in delivering volume, length, and an intense, long-lasting color payoff, even on the shortest of lashes. It’s everything you want in a mascara, all for just $5.

Since it’s both intensely nourishing and lightweight (and non-comedogenic), marula oil works wonders for hydrating, brightening, and firming all skin types, as well as nourishing dry hair — hence why it’s the sole ingredient in one of Drunk Elephant’s signature products. This bottle of marula oil from Acure also contains 100% cold-pressed marula oil, but at $12, it’s a fraction of DE’s $40 bottle. Plus, it’s thoughtfully stored in an opaque, airtight pump bottle to keep the contents fresh and potent over time.

Sometimes cited as a more affordable alternative to Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, this CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser boasts a similarly creamy-gel texture, and it leaves even the driest skin feeling plump and nourished, not stripped and tight. It’s ideal for sensitive skin types, too, thanks to barrier-building ceramides and quenching hyaluronic acid in the formula, and the lack of common irritants like fragrances and dyes.

Inexpensive dry shampoos generally work just as well as their pricer counterparts, but this Batiste Dry Shampoo specifically is a drugstore staple. It makes your hair and scalp feel as clean as though you just washed it, rather than some dry shampoos that make your hair feel more grimey. It gives your hair tonsof body and texture in the process, too. Massage the product through your scalp to amp up the volume, and to dissolve any white residue this spray might leave behind.

I’ve tried countless smoothing serums over the years, but this classic drugstore serum from John Frieda consistently outperforms them all — including the ridiculously expensive ones. Not only does it give my hair the most gorgeous, glossy finish, but it also helps define my natural waves, without weighing down my fine-ish hair or making it feel greasy. This works beautifully as a heat protectant, too.

When my beloved Christian Dior’s Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm was discontinued a few years ago, I turned back to C.O. Bigelow Rose Lip Balm — a high school favorite — as an alternative, and I wondered why I ever started to spend upwards of $20 on a lip balm. This all-purpose salve offers long-lasting hydration to even the most chapped lips, plus a just-bitten, rosy glow. Smooth it over your cuticles, knuckles, or any other small areas that could use some hydration (and a subtle, fresh rose scent). This also works as a wet-look highlighter or eye gloss.

Eye creams are notoriously expensive, but this $15 eye treatment works just as well (if not better) for moisturizing and brightening your under eyes. Each handmade treatment is infused with a blend of nourishing butters, like shea and cocoa, while rosehip oil and centella asiatica work to calm inflammation and puffiness. The stick packaging keeps everything hygienic, and it feels like bliss to roll on. Store it in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.

Beautyblenders may be the most iconic makeup sponges on the market, but I (and thousands of happy Amazon reviewers) think these Real Technique sponges actually work better, thanks to their thoughtful design: You can use the flat end to cover larger swaths of your face, then the edges and pointed end to get into smaller areas, like under your eyes. They maintain their shape and absorbency for months and clean nicely, so this $11 four-pack may very well last you a year.

Premium vitamin C serums can costwell over $100, so this $20 vitamin C serum is a refreshing entry to the category. And, according to its 45,000+ perfect Amazon ratings, quality isn’t sacrificed for value. One reviewer wrote that this serum “saved their skin” from acne flare-ups and unwanted scarring, and others love its featherlight, non-irritating feel. Most reviewers report that this works quickly, too: “Within the first three days of using the serum, I was asked if I had been tanning because my skin was glowing,” one customer reported.

Wet Brush is the OG detangling brush, and it’s still the best brush out there for painlessly gliding through knots and tangles. The key is in the brand’s signature IntelliFlex bristles, which are firm enough untangle tricky knots, but gentle enough to protect hair against breakage and pulling. No surprise that it’s garnered over 32,000 stellar ratings on Amazon, and generations of loyalists. One reviewer reported: “My hair is super thick and tangles easily, so I already have issues with fallout. With this wet brush, I barely loose any strands while brushing, even on dry third-day hair. It only takes a few strokes to completely detangle my hair after a shower and then my hair is smooth all day!”

This NYX Micro Brow Pencil is a worthy alternative to Anastasia Brow Wiz. Like the premium product, this pencil’s micro tip mimics the look of actual brow hairs and offers tons of precision, and the waxy consistency has great staying power. It comes in an impressive shade range too, which includes a tough-to-find Auburn shade for redheads. Available shades: 7

You can’t go wrong with any of La Roche-Posay’s products, especially if you have sensitive skin, but this Double Repair Face Moisturizer is a particular favorite. A potent blend of ceramides and Prebiotic Thermal Spring water help repair your skin’s natural barrier to lock in moisture, while niacinamide works to brighten and even your complexion. It’s oil-free, so it’s a safe bet for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types.

A coat of this L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Primer supercharges the volume you get with any mascara you layer over the top, and helps the pigment last much longer, without streaking or smudging. For really intense lashes, pair it with the brand’s Voluminous Mascara, a high performer in its own right.

There are so many fancy body butters on the market, but honestly, I have yet to find one that does anything that good old Palmer’s Cocoa Butter can’t do: It makes you skin feel soft as a pillow, glow like a goddess, and smell like vacation. What more could you reasonably ask for? This big, pump-top bottle is ideal for slathering this cushiony cream all over your body.

If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, this blush compact is definitely worth a look. Not only does it include five different shades, but reviewers adored how the “colors are beautiful.” Plus, each one comes with a brush for application.

Instantly erase the evidence of a sleepless night with these Bliss eye masks, soaked in a serum containing smoothing hyaluronic acid and zingy xylitol. Bonus points for the selfie-worthy, star-stamped foil material. “Love this eye mask! Adheres very well, without much slipping.. and it really does work. I use them usually after I didn’t get much sleep, and my eyes are much brighter and less puffy afterward. Highly recommend!” one Amazon reviewer wrote.

These COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches started the pimple patch craze, and they’re still among the best you can get. At $6 for this pack of 24 patches, they’re incredibly affordable, too. Each pack contains three patch sizes, so you can address both individual pimples and larger breakouts all at once.

24 sheet masks for $14 is a truly unbeatable value, especially considering how good these masks are. All 24 of them are infused with hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol for plumpness and hydration, but from there, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure of sheet masking: There’s calming aloe, brightening pearl, cooling cucumber, and so much more. This would make an amazing gift for the K-beauty lover in your life.

Glycolic acid pads have taken the skin care industry by storm, since they’re an effective, fuss-free way to deliver that potent AHA all over your face, neck, and decolletage. Among all the pricey options on the market, these pads from Nip + Fab stand out for their approachable price point (just $13 for 60 pads!), as well as their efficacy: In addition to 5% glycolic acid, these pads are soaked in lactic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid — the holy trinity of brightening and polishing.

This BRIOTECH Topical Skin Spray is a supercharged version of a basic saline spray, thanks to the addition of the naturally occurring disinfectant HOCL. Spritz it over rashes, breakouts, eczema patches, fresh piercings, or virtually any other spot that could use some gentle cleaning and calming. One Amazon customer reported that this cleared up a pesky keloid, and another wrote that this “miracle” product cured their seborrheic dermatitis.

This L’Oréal 8 Second Wonder Water does exactly what the name promises: Leaves your hair shiny, silky, smooth, and strong after just eight seconds. Apply a coat to the ends of your hair after you shampoo, count to eight, rinse it out, condition, and bask in the glory of your megawatt hair when it dries. This treatment is about as weightless as it gets, so it’s suitable for all hair types, including finer hair.

Even liquid liner newbies can draw on crisp, sharp wings with this NYX Epic Ink Liner. The short nib and micro tip give you lots of control, and the glossy pigment flows easily from the marker pen. No skips, no need to draw back over your line. Many Amazon customers pick up this cruelty-free liner as a less expensive alternative to the cult-favorite KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner.

“Clean” beauty products tend to be pricey, but this $17 mascara/primer hybrid from Honest Beauty is a rare exception. It’s free of common irritants like synthetic fragrance, parabens, and silicones, and includes some nourishing botanicals like vitamin E and jojoba esters. Beyond the ingredients list, customers are “very impressed” with this two-in-one mascara and primer for its “amazing separation and volume,” and that it “does not budge until I wash it off at the end of the day,” according to one happy reviewer.

Even sensitive-skinned folks need no longer shy away from exfoliators with this body scrub. It’s formulated with salicylic acid that gently unclogs pores and exfoliates skin, while glycerin hydrates and improves the skin barrier, leaving your whole body baby-soft and radiant. The best part? It’s also completely vegan.

Put a little twinkle in your eyes with this shimmery liquid shadow, packed with ultrafine glitter that refracts beautifully in the light. It applies like a creamy liquid, but when it dries down, it doesn’t crack, fade, or budge. These gorgeous shadows happen to be a great alternative to Glossier Lidstar. Available shades: 18

If you hate the feel of heavy, sticky lotions, pick up this NIVEA Breathable Nourishing Body Lotion. Just as the same says, this delivers all the intense, long-lasting moisture of a richer lotion, but it feels featherlight on your skin and dries down instantly. It feels so refreshing during the hotter months, or when you step out of a steaming-hot bath or shower.

These reusable makeup removing cloths are an environmentally friendly alternative to cotton rounds or disposable makeup wipes, and they feel so soft and plush on your face. Despite their gentle feel, these are heavy-duty enough to remove a full face of makeup when wet, even without the help of a cleanser.

You’ll find this Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel moisturizer on many a top shelf. The gel-like consistency feels wonderfully soothing, and hyaluronic acid in the formula instantly quenches and plumps your complexion, leaving it velvety-soft and glowy. This oil-free moisturizer is an excellent pick for people with oily and combination skin in particular, and many Amazon reviewers with acne love it, too: “My acne wasn't as red, or aggitated looking. And had seemed actually slightly minimized,” reported one customer.

This Andalou Naturals mask is packed with some of the natural world’s best brightening ingredients, like Manuka honey, vitamin C, glycolic acid, and exfoliating fruit enzymes courtesy of pumpkin puree and pineapple and apple extracts. This is a great, gentle option if you have sensitive skin or are new to the exfoliating game; and since Manuka honey is antibacterial, it can even help quell breakouts.

It’s admittedly not the sexiest product in the world, but this Jason Tea Tree Nail Saver is a true game-changer. This potent blend of tea tree, sesame seed oil, safflower oil, and vitamin E works to strengthen, smooth, and restore brittle, bumpy, or bruised nails, and tea tree’s antiseptic qualities can alleviate fungal infections, as well. Be sure to massage this serum into your cuticles, too.

Whether you love them or fear them, there’s no denying that foot peels work — and they’re oddly satisfying, once you get over the initial terror of watching your feet molt like snakes. This three-pack of sock-style peels are just as effective as their pricier counterparts for making your feet look and feel brand-new (literally, like baby feet), and the lavender scent is a spa-worthy touch.

Celebrities and pros alike swear by RoC’s retinol products, including this eye cream that’s gentle enough for retinol beginners to use. This contains the highest concentration of retinol you can get in an over-the-counter product, but a soothing mineral complex counteracts potential drying or irritating effects. As both retinoids and eye creams tend to be expensive, it’s pretty incredible that this powerhouse costs just $16 on Amazon.

This Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Polish is the only drugstore polish I’ve tried that stays chip-free for a week (or even more). It truly has similar longevity to a gel polish. Plus, the brush is almost exactly the size of your nail for foolproof application, and one stroke applies perfectly opaque.

This NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream is a perfect product, in my opinion. It feels plush and creamy upon first application, but dries down to a matte, powdery finish that makes your lips look naturally fuller — and once it’s on, it doesn’t budge for hours, and it doesn’t totally dry out your lips. (Which is why it’s my go-to lipstick for long, possibly sweaty events, like weddings.) With 32 rich shades to choose from at just $6 a tube, you’ll want to collect a few. Available shades: 32

This all-natural lip scrub is made entirely of ingredients you could find at your local health food store, like sugar, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Use this a couple of times per week for your softest, plushest lips ever. Scrubs are also key when prepping your lips for smooth lipstick application, especially if you’re opting for a matte formula.

This Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder is a case study in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”: It’s been on the market 1935, and with over 46,000 five-star Amazon ratings, it’s clearly a favorite to this day. This velvet-finish powder has pretty good coverage, so you can use as a setting powder, for baking, or as a foundation. Despite that ample coverage, it feels featherlight and breathable on your skin. Available shades: 6

Another drugstore classic, Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless is the rare mattifying foundation that doesn’t feel tight and claustrophobic on your skin. Rather, reviewers say it feels light and non-irritating, even on sensitive skin, while micropowders and clay work to keep excess oils at bay for hours. With an impressive 37-shade range, you’re bound to find a shade that suits you perfectly. Available shades: 37

“I’ll never use another concealer. Hides imperfections and brightens at the same time,” one Amazon reviewer gushes of this e.l.f. concealer. This ultra-creamy concealer provides good, opaque coverage, lasts all day (even in heat and humidity), and doesn’t crease — aka, everything you want in a concealer, especially one that only costs $6. Available shades: 18

Very few skin care products have transformed my skin overnight, but this MISSHA essence is one of them. One nightly sweep leaves my skin clearer, energized, and stronger and more elastic to the touch, thanks to a fermented yeast extract (a hero ingredient in Korean skin care) that clarifies and refines skin. This big bottle lasts for ages, but at just $25, I’ll gladly stock up on this holy-grail product.

This wildly popular primer from Elizabeth Mott works to minimize the appearance of pores, eliminate excess shine, and create a smooth, velvety canvas for your makeup to cling to all day long. If you’re more of a “dewy finish” than a “powder finish” person, pick up the Illuminating version, which offers more hydration and a hint of radiance. Either way, you can pair your primer of choice with the brand’s best-selling setting spray for even more security.