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My favorite cruelty-free skincare items under $30
30
items I love a good deal! If you want to try something new on a budget, you can't go wrong here! I have super sensitive skin with rosacea and these have all been great! ℹ️ This list includes affiliate links, including Amazon associate links where I earn commission.
Sections
6
Cleansers
Serums
Moisturizers & Oils
SPF
Retinols
Lips
Cleansers
Gentle and effective
You already know I'm obsessed with Experiment! Plasma wash is incredible, I love how much it foams up and leaves my skin feeling clean but not tight.
Experiment Beauty Plasma Wash
A great acne wash with a great price. I always have a back up so I don't run out. I don't have persistent breakouts, but when I do see one starting up this really does some magic to keep my skin clear!
INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
This is a great cleanser. It's not one I use much these days, but I used it for years and it was all that was holding my skin together at the time.
First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
Serums
I love serums, if you couldn't tell
SUCH a good serum! It’s so hydrating and sinks right into the skin. I have rosacea and this keeps my skin feeling hydrated, soft, and redness-free.
Experiment Beauty Hydrating Barrier Serum
I have rosacea and started using a lot of products with licorice root extract and found that my skin loves it. Then I found this serum and I cannot live without it! It’s a great texture and layers easily with my other products and does not cause pill...
I'm From Licorice Soothing Ampoule
I've just gotten into peptide serums and this was one of the first I used. It's very gentle and non-irrating.
Geek and Gorgeous Power Peptides
I love pairing this with the G&G Power Peptides at night time. I wake up with clear, smooth, hydrated skin.
Geek and Gorgeous Stress Less
This is a MUST if you have rosacea! This was one of those products that was so transformative for me that I have 3 bottles in my drawer so I never run out. It's so CALMING and soothing and gentle.
PROcure Rosacare Face Serum
It's gentle and it works. I don't have a *lot* of discoloration, and I don't get many pimples, but when I do get a pimple, once it clears up, I have a little red spot that will sit there for 6-12 months. It's maddening. I used this serum daily for a ...
Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum
I use the 10% vit C as an alternative to my more expensive C E Ferulic serum. It comes in a 20% concentration, too.
Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C Serum
For me, 2025 is the year of peptide serums. I love them all!
Timeless Skin Care Matrixyl Synthe'6 Serum
If you're just looking for Matrixyl 3000 this is a good choice! But take note, a lot of the other Timeless serums already have this ingredient!
Timeless Skin Care Matrixyl 3000 Serum
If you like serums that combine ingredients, this is a good one!
Timeless Skin Care Hyaluronic Acid Vitamin C Serum
I pair this one with the Timeless vit C serum!
Timeless Skin Care Coenzyme Q10 Serum
I'm a sucker for a hydration booster.
Timeless Skin Care Vitamin B5 Serum
Moisturizers & Oils
Dry skin musts
LOVE this as a nighttime or under-makeup moisturizer! (It's VERY dewy so I personally don't like it for bare face days). It keeps my skin hydrated and plump. It has ingredients to help your barrier and it's very gentle! So far it's not pilled under a...
Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh Barrier Repair Moisturizer
I love slugging with Vaseline, but don't always love how it feels, but Buffer Jelly solves that. It's occlusive but just feels better on the skin. You can even mix it with moisturizer for an extra boost! I love putting it under my eyes before bed.
Experiment Beauty Buffer Jelly
Why did I wait so long to try jojoba oil?! I just happened to pick this up at drugstore one day and I was so impressed! Adding this to my night oils has been WONDERFUL. 2 drops of this jojoba, 2 drops of Phoenix oil, and 2 drops of JM argan oil and I wake up with the most incredibly soft and smooth skin!
Sky Organics Jojoba Oil
SPF
No UV allowed
I have become SUCH a fan of Good Molecules, so I was excited to try this sunscreen and it did not disappoint! It’s quite thick but dries down beautifully after a few minutes.
Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
This might be the most affordable one on my list. Leaves a slight white cast, but fine for me with as pale as I am and it easily covers up under makeup.
Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Sunscreen SPF 30
I think this is my new go-to daily SPF. The best alternative I've found to EltaMD rosacea SPF (which is NOT cruelty-free). It has the same UV filters and the other ingredients looked similar at a glance, so I am very happy with the DRMTLGY one so far!
DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45
(Small size is under $30) Not to be dramatic, but I won't go anywhere without this in my purse.
Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40
Retinols
I use tret, but these are my OTC recs
I’ve been using this for a while and I’m happy with it! It’s VERY gentle. I’ve never had any irritation from using it!
Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick
If you need a gentle retinol cream that's affordable, this one fits the bill.
Good Molecultes Gentle Retinol Cream
A great body moisturizer with retinol.
Advanced Clinicals Retinol Body Cream
Lips
No dry lips here
The only lip product I need in the summer! (and the winter, a lot of the time) The tint is PERFECT. I love that it's a stick rather than a gloss so my lips are never sticky. I ALWAYS have this in my bag. They make an untinted version as well!
Coola Tinted Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen
I won't sleep without it! I grab this every night to keep my list moisturized while I sleep.
Experiment Beauty Software
I have these all over my house lol
eos Sunrise Smoothie Stick 4-Pack
Hydrating and not sticky, just like the description says!
DRMTLGY SPF 25 Lip Balm
The same great Coola lip SPF without the tint
Coola Original Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen