5 Must-Have Skin Care Products Under $20

As a teenager, I suffered from cystic acne, and it drove me to try every product under the sun to get rid of it. I've been through the self-care trenches- even once giving myself a chemical burn from a questionable face mask. I've played the game and weeded through the slop. I know the products that work and won't destroy your wallet.

Now, I'm not a dermatologist or a makeup guru. I follow the "keep it simple stupid" philosophy. My skincare routine consists of a trusty face wash, a toner (if I'm feeling fancy), and a deeply hydrating moisturizer. I also use a Vitamin C Serum to help when my skin looks dull and Mederma for occasional scarring.

The Starting Five

Face Soap and Clarity 3-IN-1 Daily Vitamin C Facial Wash

Shea Moisture African Black Soap Balancing Moisturizer

Witch Hazel Toner

Artnaturals Vitamin C Serum

Mederma Quick Dry Oil

1. 3-IN-1 Daily Vitamin C Face Wash ($12)

I trade out my face washes on a semi-regular basis because my skin gets used to the product and stops responding the same way. However, I really like this face wash and will continue to use it long term. It's smooth and lathers up without leaving my skin starchy and dry.

It smells lovely too, similar to fresh laundry. And the little pink beads and light blue color make the whole experience more enjoyable and fun. I am a packaging person and having a product that looks cute in my shower or next to my sink matters to me. But so does how it performs, and this face wash does both well.

2. African Black Soap Balancing Moisturizer ($13)

"SheaMoisture African Black Soap is designed for those dealing with acne-prone skin that breaks out into blemishes and those with combination skin. Black soap is the ultimate African moisturizer for keeping the skin nicely hydrated while balancing oily to combination skin."

-SheaMoisture

“I had to learn the hard way that treating the skin like an A-bomb drop zone is completely counterproductive. And through my healing journey, I've discovered something miraculous: that moisturizers can heal in unimaginable ways.”

― Yancy Lael, Soulful Skincare: The ultimate guide to radically transforming your complexion

This moisturizer has been my tried and true go-to for years. I love the way it applies and how well moisturized my skin feels afterward. The mattifying effect helps a lot with my oil-prone skin, but you may want to avoid this one if you have dryer skin types.

3. Witch Hazel Toner ($8-12)

"Witch hazel is a tree-like plant indigenous to North America and parts of Asia," says Dr. Schlessinger. "Products that offer benefits from witch hazel generally contain witch hazel extract derived from either the bark or leaves of the plant." Once it's harvested, the bark and leaves are distilled to bring out the active chemical compounds of the plant."

-Krissy Brady

Witch Hazel, like other herbal treatments, hasn't been thoroughly tested. However, moms (mine included) swear by it. I found that it helped me get the remaining dirt from my skin and soothed some inflammation. If you're prone to oily skin or acne, it's worth trying and may have a host of benefits.

You can pick this toner up almost anywhere, Walmart, or your local pharmacy.

4. Vitamin C Serum ($13)

"Amazingly, vitamin C's skin-saving benefits aren't limited to its antioxidant status. It has plenty of other skin-healing properties that make it worthy of a permanent place in your medicine cabinet. For one, because it's highly acidic when vitamin C is used topically, "the skin is triggered to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin," explains New York City-based dermatologist Howard Sobel."

- Rebecca Dancer

I use a vitamin c serum when I feel like my skin needs an extra boost. The serum I have is from the company Artnaturals. I mix a little in with my moisturizer and apply like normal. It helps me get that glow during times when my skin feels like its crying out for hydration.

Vitamin C Serums can easily run you hundreds of dollars, but this gives you the high-end result without the high-end price.

5. Mederma Quick Dry Oil ($12)

Mederma is made using red onions and helps relieve scarring of all kinds. Trans men sometimes use it to treat the scars left from top surgery. It is also used to treat stretch marks and uneven skin tones, and general dryness.

The week before my first day of sixth grade, I scraped my face along the bottom of a pool, leaving a giant purple scar in the center of my forehead. Not very Harry Potter-like, and not cool at all. Mederma carried me through, and after going through a few bottles, the scar is no longer visible. I thought the blemish would plague me for life, but now it's just a funny story.

I still use Mederma whenever I have an ance scar, and it works like a charm. Who knew the power of onions?

Parting Words and Helpful Hints

The products alone won't miraculously cure your skin. Changing your habits like your water intake and what you eat will take you farther. But these products will enhance your skin and provide the nutrients and cleansing agents needed to keep it healthy.

If you utilize good habits and pair them with useful tools, you'll notice the effect immediately. Experiment and have fun with the process, but remember, "keep it simple stupid."