GOAT List: The Cheapest, Most Effective Beauty Products On Amazon, According To Experts

Reveal your most radiant self with this kojic acid-infused face soap. Erica Marie Gatt, esthetician and founder of EM Skin says “If you have scaring, pigmentation or brown spots on your face this soap is amazing for brightening the skin." Infused with glycerin and tea tree, this bar helps brighten and even out skin tone.

Elevate your skin-care routine with these eye patches infused with pure nano-active gold. "These eye patches are a great affordable option for those looking to reduce appearance of dark circles [...] and boost hydration,” says Gatt. Designed to rejuvenate and increase blood circulation, they’re enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to restore elasticity and firmness while providing long-lasting hydration.

“One of my favorite affordable beauty products is the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser,” says Dr. Hannah Kopelman, dermatologist and host of the Derm Club podcast. "It’s under $15 and works just as well as many high-end cleansers by effectively cleansing the skin without stripping it of moisture."

This daily face cleanser is enriched with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. This non-foaming cleanser glides smoothly over sensitive and dry skin, removing makeup, dirt, and excess oil while providing 24-hour hydration. Fragrance-free and paraben-free, it's ideal for both face and body.

“Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a fantastic multitasker,” says Dr. Kopelman. “It can be used as a lip balm, cuticle moisturizer, and to soothe dry, cracked skin. It's under $10 and a staple in my skincare routine.” Excellent for dry, cracked skin, it doubles as a lip and facial moisturizer, hydrating mask, chafe cream, and even minor wound care. Use it across your body to create a water-free barrier that soothes and protects.

Treat your tresses to the ultimate in-home care and enjoy salon-quality results without breaking the bank with this ceramide and collagen-infused hair mask. Olivia Bae, co-founder of PERSEVE hair, recommends it, saying it’s “a great affordable alternative to a bonding, damage repair mask." In just five minutes, it deeply repairs damaged, over-processed hair, leaving it soft, silky, and full of life. Suitable for all hair types, this best-selling mask is loved for its delightful scent and great value.

The best drugstore dry shampoo? Dove dry shampoo, according to Bae, who adds that it’s “super underrated.”

Revive your locks with this quick and easy solution for refreshed hair without washing. This volumizing dry shampoo spray absorbs excess oil, instantly cleansing and adding volume with just a few sprays and brush strokes. Useful for busy days, it transforms lifeless hair into bouncy, vibrant tresses in moments.

"[Inexpensive] rinse off or predominantly water/liquid based products like Toners, Mists, Essences, and Cleansers can work as good as expensive ones" says Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu, who has a PhD in molecular medicine and immunology, and is founder of AveSeena skin care, who recommends this hydrating facial mist.

It makes for a great base layer before serums or makeup, and infuses your skin with hyaluronic acid for an instant moisture surge. Packed with skin-loving ingredients like black oat extract and B vitamin complex, this cruelty-free mist soothes and strengthens all skin types.

For an affordable toner, Dr. Karpuzoglu suggest this witch hazel toner as "a simpler alternative to high-end toners like Chanel’s Le Tonique Anti-Pollution Invigorating Toner."

Alcohol-free and formulated with organic witch hazel and aloe vera, this Thayer’s facial toner is designed to soothe, tone, and hydrate while balancing your skin's pH levels. Shown to improve texture by 22%, it reduces pores and leaves skin looking clarified and smooth. You can also use it for prepping skin for makeup and calming post-shave irritation.

Dr. Karpuzoglu has another excellent dupe recommendation: "Comparable to more expensive cleansers like La Mer's The Cleansing Foam, this gel cleanser is gentle and effective for sensitive skin."

This gentle yet effective gel cleanser removes impurities while strengthening your skin barrier. Great for all skin types, it’s designed to refine texture without stripping moisture, ensuring luminous, clear skin. Infused with tea-tree oil and BHA, it balances your skin’s natural pH.

Skincare 101 is to never sleep in your makeup. This gentle cleanser effortlessly removes dirt and makeup while keeping your skin's moisture intact. With a nourishing blend of oats and organic oils, it supports a healthy skin barrier. Dr. Karpuzoglu recommends it, pointing out that its 14 simple ingredients including exfoliants and Vitamin E, making it “a fantastic alternative to more expensive cleansing balms.” They say it’s also a great first step of a double cleanse.

“If you're after an ultra-budget-friendly alternative to SK-II, try COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence,” says Dr. Karpuzoglu. “This essence hydrates, brightens, and protects the skin from visible signs of aging while enhancing the skin's natural renewal process.”

Crafted with 95% high-concentrate yeast, this essence penetrates deeply to reveal a brighter complexion. The fermented ingredients, mirroring your skin's structure, are hydrating and customers rave that a little goes a long way.

"The e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick is a versatile gem in my beauty arsenal. It serves multiple functions as a lip tint, blush for the cheeks, and even a subtle eyeshadow. Available in various shades, its lightweight formula is effortlessly blendable, making it a convenient and effective multitasker,” Dr. Karpuzoglu raves.

Use it on your eyes, lips, and cheeks for a $5 full-face look. This lightweight formula ensures mistake-proof application and touch-ups on the go. Proudly vegan and cruelty-free, this versatile stick delivers stunning color while being kind to the planet.

If you’re on skincare TikTok, be careful which trends you try. “One social media hack I would caution against is using lemon juice on the skin,” advises Dr. Kopelman. “It can cause irritation and make the skin more sensitive to the sun. A safer alternative is using a vitamin C serum, which is formulated to brighten the skin without the risks associated with lemon juice."

One great option is this vitamin C serum that combines 20% pure L-Ascorbic acid with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid for powerful results. Developed by a dermatologist, it’s designed to clears skin imperfections, boosts collagen, and leaves your skin feeling firmer and smoother.

If you want vitamin C in a triple-punch, you can achieve a soft, glowing complexion with this vitamin C skin-care trio. Packed with powerful antioxidants and carefully chosen ingredients, this skincare regime is made in the USA to hydrate and soften your skin. Cruelty-free and dermatologist-tested, this routine is suitable for all skin types.

“Hairspray comes to mind when I think of a beauty product that works great and should not be expensive,” says Lacy Redway, a celebrity hairstylist who works with TRESemme & Nexxus. “There are many brands that market at an expensive price point that give comparable results as some of my favorite drugstore brands. I use Tresemme Extra Hold and Freeze Hold hairspray all New York Fashion Week to create some luxurious looks."

This PETA-approved formula delivers touchably soft hair with less alcohol. One spray offers instant protection against humidity, ensuring all-day frizz control and a salon-style finish. It locks in moisture without leaving your hair stiff or sticky.

Trends and hacks come and go —don’t overcomplicate it, says Redway. “You can easily lock in moisture to your hair in a safer way by covering your hair with a shower cap or saran wrap to help lock in the moisture,” she says. “Your body heat will activate the treatment or you can sit under a heat cap."

Shower in style with these chic Kitsch shower caps. This fashionable hair cap keeps your locks dry and damage-free while you enjoy a relaxing shower. Designed for a snug fit, it features a secure stretch and non-slip silicon grip. Made from high-quality polyester and silicon, it’s reusable, waterproof, comfortable, and suitable for all hair types.

“Avocado and mayonnaise are old faithful when it comes to adding rich moisture back to hair or skin, especially when mixed with essential oils,” says Redway.

Avoid smelling like a salad and embrace the richness of cold-pressed avocado oil, a luxurious nod to timeless beauty traditions. This multipurpose marvel nourishes skin, fortifies hair, and serves as an essential oil carrier, too.

“Shameless plug, but a great dupe for prestige haircare is our brand PERSEVE,” says Bae. “All our products are under $20. Our customers rave about the quality of our products even saying our brand is an even better dupe of Oribe.”

Suitable for all hair types, this clean, cruelty-free, and pH-balanced dual-function hair treatment works as a leave-in conditioner or a deep conditioning masque, infused with nourishing sunflower seed oil and other hair-loving ingredients. The formula is super hydrating, but lightweight to use as a leave-in, or even as a styling creme.

"A great multitasking product contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), a powerful antioxidant derived from the vitamin B family, and ceramides to promote hydration,” says Marina Sominsky, R.N. owner of Capital Aesthetics. “Ceramides are an essential building block in our skin, so increasing the production of these molecules can help prevent visible signs of ageing, such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles."

Get the necessary boost of niacinamide into your skincare routine with this niacinamide serum, enriched with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Designed to refine and hydrate, it targets excess oils and dirt that enlarge pores, leaving your skin looking smooth and radiant. Ideal for all skin types, this revitalizing serum fits seamlessly into your daily regimen.

"Cerave's AM facial moisturizing lotion SPF 30 is an excellent moisturizer that doesn't clog pores and provides SPF coverage,” says Sominsky. It has a 4.5-star overall rating after more than 85,000 reviewers have weighed in on Amazon because it’s lightweight but hydrating. It uses zinc oxide to offer sun protection and also comes in a convenient pump bottle for easy application.

“For people with melanated skin, finding affordable sun care that doesn't leave a white cast can be a challenge,” says Denisse Serrano, MS, PA-C, SDPA fellow, and an Eucerin ambassador. “I'm a fan of Eucerin Sun Sensitive tinted mineral face lotion. It provides daily mineral sun protection for the face with a sheer tint that blends seamlessly into all skin tones." It’s also non-comedogenic to prevent breakouts and uses zinc oxide for SPF 35 protection.

It can be tempting to skip the sunscreen, especially if you fear it’ll impact the texture of your makeup — but no matter what moisturizer you use, “ensure you're using a sunscreen on top of it,” says Sominsky.

EltaMD UV Daily is a sunscreen and a moisturizer in one. It provides mineral SPF 40 protection in a fragrance-free, noncomedogenic formula that’s designed for sensitive skin. While it has hyaluronic acid for moisture, reviewers wrote that it “goes on smooth and light,” so it leaves “no white cast” and “doesn’t pill under makeup.”

Speaking of sunscreen, don’t forget to protect your lips from harmful rays. This hypoallergenic sunscreen lip balm offers SPF 15 protection in addition to hydrating, nourishing ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E. It comes in a pack of four, all of which are vanilla-scented. One reviewer even uses them to add glowy moisture to the cheeks and “to keep makeup from caking.”

You don’t need a 20-step skincare routine, says Dr. Karpuzoglu. “Simplifying your routine not only makes it more manageable but also more effective in the long run.” They suggest you "focus on gentle, barrier-supporting products like those with ceramides and peptide complexes. These ingredients help to protect and strengthen the skin barrier without causing more signs of inflammation and sensitivities.”

One great option for strengthening and soothing your skin, is ILLIYOON’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream. This innovative formula uses plant-derived ceramides to reinforce your skin barrier, providing long-lasting hydration and protection. Great for sensitive skin, it reduces irritation and promotes barrier recovery by 91% within three days.

Unlock radiance with these moisturizing ceramide peptide capsules. Packed with expert-recommended peptides and ceramides, the capsules protects the ingredients, ensuring maximum effectiveness. Vegan and nourishing, this serum is designed to leave skin softer and brighter.

Tired of your sleeves getting soaked anytime you wash your face? Jackie Spagnuolo, an aesthetic nurse practitioner, encourages you to embrace innovation with this quirky yet practical addition to your beauty arsenal, saying it’s a "clever solution to keep water and product from dripping down your arms.”

Say goodbye to wet arms with this wrist spa wash band set, featuring four pairs of microfiber wristbands in vibrant colors. Made from soft, skin-friendly flannel, these bands comfortably prevent liquids from spreading during washing. With great elasticity, they fit most wrists and stay put.

"Social media hacks using lemon juice and salt as an exfoliator can cause skin lesions,” warns Sominsky. “Instead, use a chemical exfoliator like a BHA or AHA." Unlock your skin’s potential with this high-concentration AHA serum, boasting 15% alpha hydroxy acids from natural sources like bilberry and sugar cane. This powerful blend promotes cell renewal for smoother-looking skin while enhancing radiance and evening out your skin tone. Gentle yet effective, it’s designed to exfoliate without irritation.

Good Molecules’s overnight exfoliating treatment is less than $10, but this potent yet gentle formula is still effective at revealing your most luminous complexion. Glycolic and lactic acids renew and resurface, while salicylic acid targets breakouts and blemishes. Great for all skin types, this treatment improves texture and reduces dullness.

For more instant results, consider this resurfacing mask, which uses a combination of AHA, BHA, and enzymes to exfoliate in two minutes by dissolving dull skin, revealing a smooth texture and a brighter complexion. It also boosts cell turnover to help skin heal faster from unwanted scars and dark spots. The formula is dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and gentle on sensitive skin.

“Adding products to my kit that can service multiple hair types is a way I save money and design more function with the number of things I have with me,” says Redway. “Tresemme keratin smooth shine spray I like to use to finish hairstyles and is a lightweight formula that I’m able to use across many hair types."

Achieve all your sleek and shiny hair goals with this spray from Tresemmé. The weightless formula locks in major shine without weighing down your strands, and protects your hair from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pilar DeMann, makeup artist and co-founder of Pilar BLLaC, recommends e.l.f.’s putty blush because it “comes in great, buildable, blendable colors that work on all skin tones” and is “very budget friendly” at just a few dollars a pot. Unlike a powder blush, this creamy formula is infused with argan oil and vitamin E to hydrate and nourish the skin, plus it creates a dewy glow with its highly pigmented colors.

In addition to the brand’s blush, DeMann also loves e.l.f.’s Wow Brow gel because it comes in “great colors,” is “super easy to use” since it’s “not overloaded with product,” and it costs just $5 a tube. The texture is a wax-gel hybrid that volumizes brows, locks hairs in place, and tints them with buildable fibers, all at the same time. The formula is also vegan and cruelty-free.

DeMann also recommends No 7’s fragrance-free skin creams, both with SPF for daytime wear and without for nighttime rejuvenation. This night cream is packed with vitamins for nourishment, collagen peptides for firming, and shea butter for moisture. “Incredible in every single way,” one reviewer wrote, while another said, “Goes on easily and feels good all night long.” Others commented that it doesn’t irritate their sensitive skin.

When it comes to lipliners, DeMann likes “finding colors that are just deeper than skin tone and just over line a tiny bit to make lips look fuller,” and the L.A. Girl Ultimate Intense Stay lipliner is “so good.” The highly pigmented color is long-lasting and smudge-proof for all-day wear — and since it comes in a retractable design, you won’t need a sharpener.

Brendnetta Ashley, hairstylist and Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador, says: “When you are wanting to control flyaways or lay down your hairline, I like using OSiS+ FlexWax. Just take a small amount and rub between your fingertips and place into the hair. It gives a great hold with a natural shine. Best part is it still has some flexibility in it, so your hair is not stiff but controlled."

Unlike most gels, the alcohol-free formula creates grip and texture without dulling hair or minimizing volume. The hold is long-lasting thanks to the beeswax and carnauba wax, but it also washes out easily to prevent build-up or damage.

On foundation-free days, a tinted moisturizer offers lightweight, hydrating coverage — but what if you already have a moisturizer you absolutely love? Simple: Add Dr. Hauschka's translucent bronzing tint to your go-to face cream before application.

Barbara Sansone, a film and TV makeup artist, recommends the product because it “gives skin a healthy glow” and is “amazing for the price.” Using natural ingredients, “it brings color to the skin for a sheer, sun-kissed appearance. It's in an economical pump and mixes with your existing moisturizer for easy application. What I especially like is that it is also nurturing,” says Sansone.

Patricia Elness, colorist, hairstylist, and Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador, says “The BlondMe Cool Blondes neutralizing shampoo is PERFECT for those who are wanting to reduce and remove brassiness; as well as neutralize yellow undertones in blonde hair!” The formula delivers pigments from flower proteins to neutralize warm and brassy tones, but it also strengthens the inner hair structure and boosts shine while gently cleansing.

Laura Pucker, CEO and founder of Pucker Up Beauty, recommends this $10 e.l.f. Poreless Putty primer. Pucker says it’s “magic in a pot” because it makes skin “smooth and hides the pores like a dream. It's an excellent fake of the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer but easier to pay for." Infused with tea tree and vitamins A and E, it blurs unwanted imperfections to create a smooth, long-lasting base for the rest of your makeup.

You don’t have to splurge on a $30 mascara in order to achieve full, feathery soft lashes. “This mascara, L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise, gives the lashes an incredible length and fullness,” says Pucker. “Despite being far less expensive, it is commonly compared to Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara.” The formula is also designed to resist flaking, smudging, and clumping, and it comes in five shade options.

According to Pucker, Milani’s “baked blush in Luminoso is a very beautiful peachy blush. It is a great replacement for the famous NARS Orgasm Blush. [...] the blush provides a lovely, shiny light and it's always in my makeup bag.” That said, if Luminoso isn’t your ideal shade, the brand also makes over 20 other colors to suit all complexions and styles.

"Bio-Oil is known for its ability to reduce the look of scars and stretch marks, but it also works well as a face moisturizer, cuticle oil, and hair serum,” says Pucker. In fact, it’s a best-seller that has over 37,000 perfect five-star ratings because it’s versatile, packed with nourishing ingredients, and heals and hydrates without feeling greasy or clogging pores.

“This lip balm is an exceptional multitasker that hydrates without being heavy and offers a glossy finish without stickiness,” says Dr. Karpuzoglu. “Besides its primary use as a lip balm, it can be dabbed on the cheeks for a natural, flushed look. It’s especially handy on busy days when you need a quick and easy beauty boost." The brand makes several color options, but they’re all made with hydrating hyaluronic acid and protective ceramides.

According to Karpuzoglu, “Rose water can be an excellent tonic and spritzer for sensitive skin, especially on hot days. It's naturally soothing, helps maintain the skin's pH balance, and provides a refreshing, hydrating mist that can calm redness and irritation."

This USDA organic rosewater comes in a spray bottle for easy application on your face, hair, and body. The formula is also free from alcohol, parabens, fragrances, and sulfates, so it’s suitable for sensitive skin.

“Instead of buying separate items like lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow, go for a 3-in-1 product that does it all,” says Dr. Karpuzoglu. “Many items, even if not labeled as multi-use, can serve multiple purposes” — like how “lipsticks and stains can double as blush.” Take, for example, this water tint, which is designed for long-lasting, non-sticky color on lips, but plenty of reviewers use it to achieve a “natural rosey look” on their cheeks.

“Castor Oil is an affordable option for total body hydration,” says Gatt. In addition to encouraging hair growth, it “can also help hydration and condition your brows, but steer clear of the eye area when it comes to any products which could lead to eye irritation." This 2-ounce bottle of castor oil is USDA-certified organic, cold-pressed, and hexane-free. In addition to its dropper applicator, it also comes with a spoolie so you can apply it to your brows and a thin brush for eyelash application. No wonder it has an average 4.5-star rating from over 100,000 Amazon reviewers.

"These are affordable, travel friendly, and provide the perfect amount of cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating in one,” Gatt says about these Ursa Major essential face wipes. Each biodegradable wipe is individually wrapped for portability and infused with a four-in-one tonic comprised of aloe, birch sap, willow bark, and sugarcane. As a result, it removes makeup, exfoliates dry skin, moisturizes your complexion, and soothes irritation.

Face Reality’s Clearderma is a “fantastic moisturizer to boost hydration and help clear acne,” plus it “prevents the occasional breakout,” says Gatt. Using antioxidant support and soothing ingredients, it aims to hydrate and soothe normal to oily skin without causing blemishes.

"Using multipurpose products, like tinted moisturizers that provide hydration and coverage, can streamline your kit and reduce costs,” says Kopelman. This wet n wild tinted hydrator costs less than $10, but it uses hyaluronic acid for moisture, buildable coverage to minimize pores and blemishes, and a semi-matte finish for a glowing complexion. It also comes in eight shades to match most skin tones from Porcelain to Deep.

Alternatively, you can use L'Oréal Lumi Glotion as an all-in-one base for a glowing complexion. It’s earned an average 4.6-star rating from over 37,000 reviewers because it moisturizes with shea butter while simultaneously creating a glow using luminous pearls. “If you’ve been using regular foundation for years and years and it’s not looking quite right on you — try this,” wrote one reviewer who called it a “game changer!”

This bi-phase spray works as a serum, toner, and moisturizer during your skin-care routine, but you can also set your makeup with it to lock in your look while also leaving a slight glow. It has gotten more than 3,000 five-star reviews, with shoppers writing things like: “Does wonders before and after makeup to close pores and give a beautiful glow. Extremely moisturizing and so happy to add this to my beauty regiment. Amazing light smell!”