Super new to using a regimented skincare routine and still using makeup wipes and passing out? (No judging. We all do it.) Are you a drug store products gal looking to level up? Here are the products I recommend at every level of the spectrum. I’ll start simple, with easy steps to form habits, then progress into a more advanced regimen.

Entry Level – Drugstore, Amazon, retail purchases

• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser ($9 for 12 oz. at Ulta )
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($14, Neutrogena) or beauty360 SPF 15 Moisturizer ($11, beauty360 can be found at CVS only)
• Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream ($25, Target)
  • Ol’ Faithful. This was the first night cream I ever used while in college, and it’s still hailed as one of the best drug store night creams on the market.

Optional:

• CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum ($20, Target) or Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector ($29, Target)
  • When I started using a high-strength, l-ascorbic acid serum, it completely changed the look of my skin, so I highly recommend others work a Vitamin C serum into their routine. The problem is, a lot of the serums on the market are citric acid, which is cheaper, but essentially does nothing for you. You need to keep a look out for l-ascorbic acid, and preferably with at least 10% in the serum. This is why I recommend the above.
  • Some people recommend serums from The Ordinary. It’s honestly not a brand I have tried, and because it’s so affordable I am skeptical, but open-minded. I’d be interested to hear others’ thoughts on The Ordinary and if their serums work for you.
• Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner ($8, Walgreens)
• Listen, I know at 30 I’m not supposed to use disposable makeup wipes on my skin, but I’m still going to do it sometimes. I prefer Yes! to Skincare coconut makeup remover wipes ($6, Target). They’re affordable, non-irritating and easy to find. A cheaper and more environmentally friendly option would be to use Pond’s Cold Cream ($5, Target) and a microfiber cloth.

Occasional:

• Freeman Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask ($3, on sale at Ulta–this is a great deal.)
• Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask ($3, on sale at Ulta–good exfoliator and will last you forever)

Middle of the Road – niche drugstore, spa, still affordable

Optional:

• Rhonda Allison Berry Wine Lotion (toner, $16, 1 fl. oz., eSkin Store)
• Rhonda Allison Drop of Essence (hydrating serum for trouble spots, $20, .5 fl. oz., Art of Skincare)
• Vichy 89 Minéral 89 Face Serum ($20, 1 oz., Ulta)
  • To plump and prep right before applying makeup.
• beauty360 Micellar Water ($9, 14 oz., CVS only) and microfiber towel
  • A step above wipes for makeup removal, this is the most affordable micellar water I’ve seen, and the big bottle will last you the rest of your life. I’m not joking.

Occasional:

• Organic Skincare Doctor Rose Otto clay mask ($15, CVS)

Elevated – Sephora, ULTA, Dermstore.com purchases, pricier

• COOLA Glowing Greens Detoxifying Facial Cleansing Gel ($28, Revolve), Lancome Creme Radiance ($28, Lancome), or alo glow system Enzyme Facial Cleanser ($32, alo yoga)
• Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C™ Vitamin C Power Eye Cream ($65, Sephora) and Potent-C™ Vitamin C Bright & Plump Moisturizer ($68, Sephora), or exuviance Vitamin C 20% capsules ($70, Ulta)
• A cocktail of Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ retinol ($28-74, Sephora) and B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum ($48, Sephora) or combine A-Passioni and COOLA Vital Rush Skin Renewal Serum ($52, Amazon)
  • For nighttime routine only.
  • Mixing a moisturizing and low-ingredient serum with retinol helps to hydrate and prevents your skin from drying out as much.
  • I get the smallest size of A-Passioni and it still lasts me a very long time due to the pea-sized amount one uses.
  • Always wear sunscreen when using retinol.
• COOLA Great Barrier Cream ($34 on sale at Ulta, originally $48)
  • I have raved about this on my Instagram after receiving complimentary from Influenster, and I’m almost out, so I will be repurchasing soon–especially with that sale price!
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen – SPF 60 ($30, Target)
  • This is my favorite store-brand facial SPF, and is highly recommended by dermatologists.

Optional or Occasional:

• Youth to the People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Facial ($54, Sephora)
• Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner ($20-38, Sephora)
• Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox™ Hydra-Gel Eye Patches ($52, Sephora)
• Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Night Reboot Resurfacing Serum ($50-120, Nordstrom)

Top Tier – Niche or clinical solutions that don’t mess around

• Obagi Nu-derm Fx system – OR in particular, their face wash, Professional-C Serum (l-absorbic acid, 10-20%), Exfoderm AHA lotion, Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (prices vary, available at Dermstore)
  • Truthfully if you’re willing to invest, you could use this whole system and be set. You wouldn’t need anything else. MAYBE an additional moisturizer. The noted products above are my favorites.
• GoopGlow Glow Lotion ($58, 1.7 oz. Sephora)
  • I recently received this complimentary from Influenster. This is a lightweight moisturizer that borders on a hydrating prep serum that leaves you glowing and dewy in the best way all day. It’s got a nice, orange scent and tingles just a bit after I apply to let me know it’s working .I like using it right before I apply a full-face of makeup, especially when I’m using very matte foundation. It makes the look a bit more true-to-life and keeps my skin looking fresh and hydrating, even with a bunch of products on it.

• Ren Evercalm™ Global Protection Day Cream ($49, Sephora)
  • Love! My original favorite for day. It’s thicc, but in the best way because it absorbs and creates a barrier from harsh environmentals like wind and pollution. It’s not the cheapest but it’s a perfect catch-all. Sometimes when I’m traveling and need to keep products to a minimum, I’ll also use this as my night cream.
• Origins GinZing™ Refreshing Eye Cream ($27, on sale at Sephora)
  • Keep this refrigerated to really wake up the eyes.
• Prescribed retinol–tretitoin
  • Personally, I can’t deal with prescription retinol, and it’s not because it’s too drying. It’s not a listed side effect but every time I try it, I get SUPER depressed. An aesthetician recommended I find a store brand I like instead, that would be less powerful but still effective. I tried a few cosmetic store-grade retinols and retinoids, my favorite is Drunk Elephant A-Passioni. But, if you can tolerate prescription, DO IT. (and it will be cheaper if your dermatologist cites acne for your prescription, because insurance will cover it.)
• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex ($64, .5 oz, Sephora)
• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex ($18-200, Sephora)
  • Estee Lauder isn’t niche or clinical, but this Advanced Repair system WORKS and is PRICEY, so I’m placing them in this category. After testing it out through Influenster, and then stopping using it, I realized how much it was helping. Good stuff.

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Optional or Occasional:

• exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish ($72, Ulta)
  • Another happy discovery from Influenster. I’m obsessed with the tropical scent and always look forward to when I can use it 2-3x a week.
• Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E™ Antioxidant Recovery Cream ($75, Sephora)
  • Great restorative for night or for those really dry winter days. It’s a solid that warms in your hands to become a cream.

What would you add to these categories? Let me know in the comments!