37 Skincare Basics for Beauty Newbies
Listen, proper skincare can be difficult for even the most experienced of us. Do you need a 15 step routine, or can you get away with just washing your face and throwing on some moisturizer? The real answer is that you should probably be somewhere in between doing the bare minimum and spending 30 minutes putting lotions and potions on your face. If you're a beginner hoping to embark on your skincare journey, these 37 essential products are a good place for you to get started. From luxurious serums to gentle cleansers, this curated list has something for everyone no matter what your budget and expertise level. Just keep in mind that all skin types are different, so it might require a little trial and error to find a routine that is perfectly you. Make sure to give every product a few weeks to see how it will impact your complexion, as it can take your skin a while to adjust to new products.
Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.Wake Up With Glowing Skin Thanks to Olay Super Serum for Night Repair
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How would you like to wake up in the morning to skin that is vibrant, hydrated, and luminous? If you want to wake up with glowing skin, you're going to need this Olay Super Serum for night repair. This serum is seriously a miracle worker and will offer you deep moisture overnight. Made with salicylic acid, niacinamide, lactic acid, glycerin, and peptide, this is like a magical elixir for your skin. Use after a cleanser but before any moisturizers or overnight masks for best results.
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If you have dull skin or dark spots, nothing is going to brighten up your complexion quite like this Vitamin C serum from The Organic Skin Co. This product is going to work hard to fade any dark spots, leaving you with a more even skin tone. As a bonus, it will also infuse collagen into your skin to help fill in any fine lines and wrinkles. You're going to love how this leaves your skin brighter, fuller, and more even.
See it on AmazonSay Goodbye to Puffy Eyes With Patchology "All Eyes On You" Under Eye Patches
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Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much sleep you manage to get; you will be doomed to wake up with dark and puffy eyes. Break the cycle by adding these "All Eyes On You" under eye patches from Patchology to your skincare routine. This pack comes with six packs of eye masks. These two sets of rejuvenating, restoring, and illuminating eye patches will conquer all of your under-eye problems. Just throw these on in the morning while you're doing your makeup or hair; you will be amazed at what a difference these patches will make.
See it on AmazonThese Hair Capsules Transform Your Hair
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Strengthen your hair and reduce frizz with these nourishing hair serum capsules made in Italy. Each plant-based capsule provides a boost of amino acids, leaving your hair silky, smooth, and strong.
See it on AmazonThe Vieve's Leaves Facial Serum Fights Signs of Aging
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We all get older, and we all hate watching ourselves get older. Life is funny like that, isn't it? If you are looking to fight signs of aging, you're going to want to add this Vieve's Leaves facial serum to your beauty arsenal. This restorative facial serum is going to be your new secret weapon for maintaining your youthful glow. Not only does it reduce signs of aging, but it provides your skin with antioxidant protection while plumping and firming it.
See it on AmazonRestore Moisture With Curel Hydrating Water Essence Toner
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Do yourself a favor and invest in a toner made for your skin type. While alcohol — and glycolic-based toners might work wonders for some skin types, they can leave dry skin even more flaky and dehydrated. If you have a drier skin type, restore moisture with this hydrating water essence toner from Curel. This Japanese skincare brand really goes the extra mile to leave your skin looking hydrated and healthy.
See it on AmazonReduce Wrinkles While You Sleep With SiO Beauty Eye and Smile SuperLift
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Imagine looking younger without invasive treatments like Botox or a facelift. Magically reduce the appearance of wrinkles while you sleep thanks to SiO Beauty SuperLift. These patches can be used on your under eyes and smile lines in order to intensify hydration and support the skin’s ability to retain moisture, ultimately minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The best part? You won't have to throw these away in the morning because these patches are reusable for up to ten wears.
See it on AmazonInvest in Smooth Skin With Naturopathica Plant Stem Cell Booster Serum
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Get ready to invest in yourself. If you want smoother and plumper-looking skin, this cell booster serum by Nautopathica is absolutely worth the splurge. Made with plant stem cells, this serum seriously delivers results. Echinacea anguvstifolia cells work to fortify and plump, buddleja davidii helps protect from photo-aging, and helichrysum oil offers soothing and healing benefits. You don't have to pronounce the scientific names of these plants in order to reap the skincare benefits of their stem cells.
See it on AmazonThe ZO SKIN HEALTH Exfoliating Polish Banishes Dead Skin Cells
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There's no two ways about it- If you suffer from dry and flaky skin, you need to exfoliate in order to remove those dead skin cells. If you're looking for an exfoliator that is up for the task, check out this ZO SKIN HEALTH exfoliating polish. This product is designed with Magnesium crystals, which provide exfoliation benefits and instantly polish your skin to restore a smoother texture and a healthy glow. Just don't overdo it with an exfoliator; this isn't meant to be used more than a few times a week.
See it on AmazonGet Kissable Lips With Snow Rejuvenating Lip Treatment
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Let's be real for a second, it doesn't matter how much someone loves you or wants you, absolutely no one wants to kiss someone with dry and cracked lips. Get ready to pucker up thanks to the Snow Rejuvenating lip treatment. This hydrating lip balm is going to leave you with soft, hydrated, and kissable lips.
See it on AmazonThis PERFECT ONE Lifting Gel is a 5-in-1 Miracle
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If you are just starting out on your skincare journey, you might not have the time or money to invest in an extensive skincare routine. Reduce the amount of products you need thanks to the PERFECT ONE lifting gel. This 5-in-1 gel will leave you with visibly firm skin by functioning as a serum, moisturizer, eye cream, primer, and facial mask.
See it on AmazonThis DIME Beauty Gentle Jelly Cleanser Should Be Your First Step
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Beginners take note. The first step of your skincare routine should be cleansing the day away. This gentle jelly cleanser from DIME Beauty is going to be the perfect way to wash away all of your impurities. This cleanser will delicately remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup that has been baking into your pores all day. Follow up with another face wash for a double cleanse.
See it on AmazonGet Hydrated Skin With Kopari Moisture Whipped Ceramide Cream
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A good moisturizer is an absolute essential for both your morning and nighttime skincare routine. If you are in the market for an affordable moisturizer that restores hydration to your skin, you can't go wrong with this Kopari moisture whipped ceramide cream. This luscious moisturizer will restore and strengthen your skin barrier, locking in hydration for up to 72 hours.
See it on AmazonThis Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray Restores Your Skin's pH Balance
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Many factors can result in your skin's pH balance being thrown off, which can lead to redness, irritation, and breakouts. If you want to restore the pH balance of your skin, add this SOS daily rescue facial spray from Tower 28 to your skincare routine. This spray is made with hypochlorous acid to calm angry skin by supporting the skin barrier and keeping flare-ups at bay.
See it on AmazonTreat Your Eyes to Natura Chronos Smoothing Eye Contour Serum
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Eye patches are great for the occasional dark circles or puffy under eyes, but they won't make a lasting impact on long-term issues. That will require a product that is up for the task. If you want to lighten the eye area, reduce the depth of wrinkles, conceal expression lines, and firm up the eyelids, you'll need this Nautra Chronos smoothing eye contour serum.
See it on AmazonThe Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Firming Cream is a True Luxury
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For luxury skincare at its finest, invest in this essential comfort-firming cream by Sulwhasoo. You will swear that this product is sent from the heavens. With a whipped consistency, this firming cream works hard to hydrate, nourish, and improve the firmness and elasticity of your skin. You're going to love how this cream leaves your skin feeling hydrated and looking young.
See it on AmazonNourish Your Whole Body With Nabila K Honeysuckle Body Lotion
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People often forget that a skincare routine shouldn't be limited to just your face. Instead, you should be treating your whole body in your morning and nighttime skincare routines. If you want to nourish your whole body, lather on this honeysuckle body lotion from Nabila K. Not only does this product smell absolutely amazing, but it will restore moisture you've lost and leave your skin hydrated.
See it on AmazonGive Your Hands Some Extra Love With Margaret Dabbs Intensive Hydrating Hand Lotion
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When you're treating your whole body in your skincare routine, make sure to give your hands some extra love with this Margaret Dabbs intensive hydrating hand lotion. This product will boost the moisture levels in your hands by instantly hydrating and plumping the skin. You'll adore how it improves skin firmness, elasticity, and collagen levels.
See it on AmazonStay Youthful With Womaness Let's Neck Firming Serum
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Unfortunately, the neck is one of the first places to show signs of aging. If you want to maintain your youthful look, start using this Womaness Let's Neck firming serum sooner rather than later. Whether you recently started to notice that your skin is looking crepey or you want to get ahead and avoid your neck sagging, this product is for you.
See it on AmazonThis Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil Is Perfect for Double-Cleansing
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Get ready for this Anua Heartleaf cleansing oil to change your life. If you're new to skincare, you might not yet know the importance of double-cleansing your skin every morning and night. Use this cleansing oil to get deep into your pores, giving you a deep clean and leaving you with squeaky-clean skin.
See it on AmazonEmbrace Korean Skincare With COSRX Snail Mucin 92% Repair Cream
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Korean products might be unrivaled when it comes to the world of skincare. For the adventurous at heart who are looking to try out a new product that might be a little out of their comfort zone, check out the CORSX snail mucin 92% repair cream. The thought of putting snail mucin on your face might be a little scary, but you're going to be seriously impressed with the hydration results.
See it on AmazonPlump and Preserve With Dermalogica Pro Collagen Banking Serum
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your collagen levels start to decline by the time you hit your mid-20s. If you want to maintain plump and youthful skin, you might want to invest in the pro collagen banking serum from Dermalogica. This serum helps plump your skin and preserve collagen levels, leaving you looking more youthful.
See it on AmazonErase Pimples With the Starface Hydro-Stars
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The number one rule of skincare? DON'T PICK AT YOUR SKIN! It can be super tempting to try to pop that pesky pimple, but you're going to run the risk of acne scars. And besides, the only thing that looks worse than a pimple with a juicy whitehead is a bright red spot on your face where you obviously just popped a pimple. Instead, put one of these Starface Hydro-Stars over your blemish and speed up the disappearing act.
See it on AmazonThis JSHealth Hydrating Face Oil Is Age-Defying
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This JSHealth hydrating face oil is supposed to be a natural antioxidant retinol alternative. Made with natural ingredients like pomegranate, bakuchiol, and sunflower seed oil, this facial oil is designed to visibly transform your complexion for firmer, smoother, and brighter skin. Use this oil and watch your face glow.
See it on AmazonRestore Your Youthful Glow With Elizabeth Arden Anti-Aging Ceramide Capsules Serum
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When adding new products to your skincare collection, why not opt for something that is undeniably iconic? Restore your youthful glow with anti-aging ceramide capsules serum from Elizabeth Arden. These little capsules are filled with an enhanced complex of ceramides, and this anti-aging serum reinforces the integrity of the skin's moisture barrier.
See it on AmazonThis Bubble Skincare Slam Dunk Face Moisturizer is Trendy for a Good Reason
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Let's not beat around the bush here. Just because a product is trendy with teenage TikTok influencers does not automatically mean it is actually a quality product. However, this Bubble Skincare Slam Dunk face moisturizer is an exception. Made with Vitamin E and aloe vera, this super hydrating moisturizer is trendy for a good reason.
See it on AmazonGet an Even Complexion With Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
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Some dark spots, thankfully, fade on their own over time. However, some dark spots occupy a permanent space on your face like they pay rent to live there. If you want to get rid of dark spots fast, add this Caudalie Vinoperfect brightening dark spot serum to your skincare routine. Apply morning and night and watch your dark spots begin to fade away. Goodbye, dark spots. You won't be missed.
See it on AmazonPanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash is Great for Acne
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If you suffer from acne-prone skin, there is probably no better product you can use to curb breakouts than the 10% benzoyl peroxide acne foaming wash from PanOxyl. This product will help you clear up any existing acne, while also helping prevent any future breakouts from popping up. Life Hack: Use this product in the shower under your armpits to get rid of body odor.
See it on AmazonGet Glowy Skin With Glow Recipe niacinamide dew drops
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For glowy and dewy skin, you need these Glow Recipe niacinamide dew drops. These drops are made with an award-winning blend of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that work to reveal supple, bouncy, and dewy skin. You're going to love how this makes your face look, and how the lightweight serum used under foundation helps your makeup apply flawlessly.
See it on AmazonFill in Fine Lines and Wrinkles With Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
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If you are old enough to remember when pink Nokia Razors were the hottest thing around, sorry, but it is time for you to start using a retinol. Fill in fine lines and wrinkles with this Murad Resurgence retinol youth renewal night cream. This night cream formulated with retinol will give you firmer and more revitalized skin in as little as four weeks.
See it on AmazonThe TULA Purifying Cleanser is Gentle on Skin
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Not everyone's skin is the same, and people with a sensitive skin type need to be careful to only use products that are safe for sensitive skin. Lucky for you, this purifying cleanser by TULA is gentle yet effective. With a powerful combination of probiotic extracts and skin superfoods, this cleanser will give you healthy, balanced, and glowing skin.
See it on AmazonRepair Your Skin Barrier With BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream
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If you use too many harsh products on your skin, you can run the risk of damaging your skin barrier. A damaged skin barrier will often look red and irritated and can burn when you try to apply products on your face. To repair your skin barrier, include this moisturizing gel cream from BYOMA in your routine.
See it on AmazonExfoliate and Refine the Skin With Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0
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Clogged pores require some seriously tough skincare. If you need to exfoliate and refine your skin, try out these Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0. This product is perfect for those concerned about enlarged pores, seeking smoother skin, battling greasy skin, or troubled by blackheads and whiteheads.
See it on AmazonThis Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Pore Refreshing Mask Clears Pores
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Get ready to change your skincare routine by introducing this red bean pore refreshing mask by Beauty of Joseon to your life. This wash-off mask made with red bean effortlessly removes dead skin cells and banishes blackheads, leaving your skin feeling silky-smooth as soon as you rinse it off.
See it on AmazonL'Oreal Paris Skincare Hydra-Renewal Face Moisturizer Is Great for Sensitive, Dry Skin
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If your skin is sensitive to new products but you desperately need to add a little hydration to your routine, check out the L'Oreal Paris Skincare Hydra-Renewal face moisturizer. Use this product morning and night to help your dry skin. This moisturizer provides hydration to dry skin and leaves skin softer, healthy-looking, and radiant.
See it on AmazonSoothe Sensitive Skin With Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream
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For skin that burns whenever new products are applied, this Pyunkang Yul calming moisture barrier cream is made for you. Made with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this moisture barrier cream will help instantly soothe irritated skin, leaving it refreshed and calm with a highly moisturizing texture.
See it on AmazonUse the BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask Overnight
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Wake up with beautiful skin thanks to the Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask by BIODANCE. Use this collagen mask before bed and watch it turn transparent by morning. This overnight mask is firming and pore-minimizing, offering you a deep hydration and radiant skin that will last you all day long once you wake up.
See it on AmazonThe CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Is a Must-Have
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Look, there is no denying that skincare can be a bit overwhelming. If your current skincare routine consists of wetting your face while you are in the shower and you are just looking for an easy place to start, begin your journey by buying this CeraVe hydrating facial cleanser. This will help cleanse your skin, restore moisture, and reduce breakouts. For those looking to invest in just one product to begin, make this the one you add to your cart.
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