The sheer quantity of skincare products available can feel overwhelming, but this post shares the absolute best of the best. These skincare products perform as well (or better!) then their expensive counterparts, with price points all under $20, and they are all sensitive skin, and eye, friendly.

These are not products that I buy and use just because they are inexpensive, these are products that I have personally purchased multiple times, because they work. Plain and simple!

I do use and love some luxe products, but every product listed here is an affordable staple that I have in my rotation and have repurchased! Also, every item in this routine is priced at $20 or less.

Feel free to pick and choose what works best for you, you might just need a product to fill in a gap or maybe you want to give your skincare routine a total refresh.

I really hope this post is helpful in putting together a skincare routine that is effective and affordable!

A.M Affordable Skincare Routine

1 | Skin Prep

I’ve noticed that a little prep goes a long way in helping my skin look it’s best.

I start with under eye patches ($10 for 60 patches) to hydrate my skin and tighten my under eye area. I try to leave these on for as long as I can (work-fome-home win!), but even wearing them for five minutes while I drink my coffee on rushed morning helps.

Then I use a steel roller ($18) over my face, including over the patches. I roll up and out. Our bodies have a lymphatic drainage system and rolling helps push any excess fluid more quickly.

2 | Face Wash

Next up, face wash. By far, one of the most hydrating and cleaning washes is the Senka Perfect Whip.

I’ve tried the original, which is a cream that you lather into a foam. They also released the Perfect Whip “Speedy.” Which comes as a liquid in a pump bottle and foams automatically as you dispense it.

Both are really nice and remove makeup, but leave my face feeling hydrated, never tight.

3 | Serum

When my skin has been extra sensitive, I like using this COSRX snail mucin serum to heal it. It is so soothing! It also wears well under makeup. I believe this serum is one of the best-selling K-Beauty products of all time.

The Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica serum, from the popular K-Beauty brand SKIN1004, has blown me away.

My skin feels so soft the day after using it. It’s worked well under my makeup. I’m going to repurchase this serum in the larger size and also try more products from SKIN1004 on my next order. It’s been a game changer for my dry skin.

4 | Moisturizer

I have been loyal to this Jack Black moisturizer for years. It lays perfectly under every single foundation I use, it has broad spectrum SPF, and it never stings my skin. It’s truly a gem.

The broad spectrum SPF has made all the difference for me in the past 7 years since I’ve discovered this. I apply it over my face, ears, neck, chest and hands daily.

The 1.5 oz size retails for $18 and the 3.3 oz size retails for $30.

5 | Sunscreen

I am inside most days, but on days I know I will be outside all day long, I do add an extra layer of sunscreen. I know some people also just like to apply face cream and SPF separately.

These are two of the best, they feel like nothing on my face and never cause that next day “sting” irritation that some sunscreens can cause. They are gentle but effective. I also use the Biore on my body while I’m traveling (it’s a TSA friendly size), but it can get a little pricey to use it at home all over.

The Canmake has a slight, flattering shimmer and the Biore has a more soft satin finish.

For my body, I love the larger size of this Japanese sunscreen, it comes with a pump and you get so much product!

It’s very light and absorbs quickly. It’s always done a great job of protecting me from any sunburn! I will put a pump of this all over if I take a walk or run errands mid-day.

6 | Eye Cream

Eye creams are one of my favorite skincare products to test. I have been searching for years for an affordable eye cream that would hydrate and also not irritate my very sensitive eyes.

I tested over 25 eye creams at $20 or under and this is my absolute favorite.

The Purito Wonder Relief Centella Eye Cream is gentle. It’s hydrating. It doesn’t irritate my eyes. It lays well under all my makeup.

It comes in sanitary squeeze tube packaging and it contains 1 oz of product – twice the size of the average eye cream! This eye cream is a true K-beauty gem.

I have not used it long enough yet to notice any major wrinkle benefits, but the moisture is enough for me. I’ll update if I see any big changes as I’ve been using this cream daily now.

Interestingly, I found the scented version (darker green tube) more gentle on my eyes than the unscented version.

7 | Lip Balm + SPF

The one and only lip balm I will use during the day is the Jack Black lip balm with SPF 25. I specifically buy the shea butter and Vitamin E version only, because this is the most hydrating. It’s $10 and the best lip balm I have ever used, my lips really stay hydrated.

Additionally, having the high level SPF (with no taste!) is huge. Game changer!

I hope that this post was helpful! Let me know if you try and of these products and what you think. Thank you for reading and being a part of the blog.