27 Ulta Skincare Products That Really Deliver Results
Promising review: "I just used this mask for the first time after I had been missing out on purchasing all year, but today I got lucky and finally got to try it. Holy grail product, 10/10. Everything it says it does, it does." —Sillygirl123Price: $54
A Milk Shake facial toner mist is one of those formulas that provides a "before" and "after" effect with the ease of just one spritz. This bi-phase formula contains probiotic extracts, goat milk, and mugwort to help balance your skin's microbiome while squalene and hyaluronic acid create an immediate radiant glow. Just shake the bottle and spritz to set your skincare routine, your makeup, or for a quick refresher throughout the day.
Promising review: "Does exactly what I needed it to! As I'm getting older, my usual makeup routine is making my skin look drier and my makeup look more caked on. I wanted something that would add a glowy finish and make my skin look more hydrated. This is perfect! It also helps my makeup look better, longer. I definitely recommend this. I have sensitive skin and this hasn't caused any unpleasant reactions." —GlobnarPrice: $28.50 (originally $38)
A glycolic acid 7% toner by The Ordinary, because chemical exfoliation is a critical step toward glowing, smooth skin! This toner gently whisks away dead skin cells from the surface to help the rest of your skincare penetrate deeper. A lot of people also use this on their body to help brighten scars and reduce the appearance of acne!
Promising review: "Not even a week and my dark spots on my legs are fading. I combined this one with the niacinamide. I have tried other products, but no such luck." —TamaraPrice: $13
An Anthelios Melt-In Milk face and body SPF 60 from La Roche-Posay is perfect if you want to pack your beach bag with as few products as possible. This chemical sunscreen protects both your face and body without leaving behind a white cast.
Promising review: "This was so light and sheer, it didn't feel like I was putting on sunscreen. It went on my skin like a moisturizer. Also, it did not have a heavy smell or leave sticky residue. I will definitely be rebuying this. It is now my go-to sunscreen and is light enough that I can apply it daily for car trips or other occasions where my skin is exposed to the sun." —Jamie756Price: $28.99+ (available in two sizes)
A Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment, because TikTok is all over this high-shine, buttery formula. Like a lip gloss, Pout Preserve offers a mirror-like finish in colors that'll go with all your makeup moods. Its formula sets it apart from other lippies, though, as it's full of peptides and kokum butter to soften the lips and help smooth fine lines.
Promising review: "Love this lip balm / treatment. I bought the 'strawberry sorbet' color/flavor, and it smells and tastes delicious. The product itself is very moisturizing and hydrating. I can pop it on with just lip liner, wear it by itself, or with a full lip look. Very versatile. It's been a great purse lippie. I've been using it so much that I had to force myself to put it away to use my other lip balms/treatments in my collection. Would repurchase!" —GogoramaPrice: $23 (available in nine shades)
A Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch, because pimples heal the best when we don't touch them! These colloidal patches are great for deterring you from picking at your skin, and it helps to heal active breakouts.
Promising review: "These things are just perfect! I typically wear them over a pimple overnight and they never fall off even though I'm an agressive sleeper. They help remove all the gross oils and stuff, heal the area, and dont cause any scars. 100/10!" —GracePrice: $12.99+ (available in two pack sizes)
An Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream that's the bee's knees when it comes to calming redness and irritation. If you're prone to psoriasis, eczema, or just need something to relieve acne- or sun-related redness, this is the one for you.
Promising review: "If you have a broken skin barrier, sunburn, or got irritated after trying out a product, this is what you NEED. This is meant to restore and soothe the skin; it works wonders. A little goes a long way! Been using this for a year and it has helped my skin out so much. As an aesthetician, I approve. :)" —riahPrice: $26+ (available in two sizes)
A — no — THE snail mucin essence that has had a chokehold on the skincare world for years! Snail essence has long been a K-beauty secret to glowing, glass-like skin. Incorporate this into your routine after your toner and before your other serums to deliver a surge of hydration to your skin.
Promising review: "This was my first time purchasing and it definitely did NOT disappoint!! My skin feels more hydrated, bouncy, and it glows and just makes the rest of my skin routine complete!" —EmmaPrice: $25
A body glow gel with SPF 45, because there's no reason you should have to pick between body shimmer and skin protection! While the SPF 45 protects your skin from harmful UV rays, this lightweight gel soaks in immediately while creating a barely-there shimmer (no chunky glitters here).
Promising reviews: "I love this product and have been using it for years. As someone with dry skin, I love the glow and hydration this gives my skin. I prefer this texture compared to standard sunblocks." —LG"This is my second bottle of this stuff. I really like it. It smells nice, it's silky on my skin, and it just seems like a luxurious sunscreen. Something fun to use! I don't notice the shimmer, which is fine because I don't want to look glittery. It's pricy, so I only buy it when it's on sale." —RLTHPrice: $42
A La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ gentle foaming cleansing oil that melts all types of pollution and makeup (even waterproof!) with just a few swift swipes. After massaging this oil cleanser into the skin with dry hands, simply emulsify it (aka, make it foam!) by massaging your skin with wet hands. Watch all the gunk leave your face right away!
Promising review: "I have tried many cleansers that claim to remove makeup. This one really works! It is gentle on the skin and very effective." —CamillePrice: $14.99+ (available in three sizes)
A skin-refining serum will take you one step closer to achieving your glass skin goals. Ingredients like peach extract and hyaluronic acid help to plump and hydrate, while niacinamide helps to brighten the complexion, and a peptide complex helps to firm up your skin. Basically, it gives you a lot of the benefits of a 10-step routine without all the...err...steps.
Promising review: "I have never left a review in my life. However, I originally bought this in August 2024. I use it every single day, and I am still shocked when I do my skin care in the morning and night, and it's still not out yet. I have several backups for when I'm finally out because I never want to go out now that I've had it. A little goes a long way here. One pump and your whole face, neck, and chest are good to go. Gives you the most beautiful glow and is even more amazing when you pair it with other Peach & Lily products, like the Glass Skin Face Polisher in particular and the Wild Dew Treatment Essence. It's also amazing to pair with their other serums." —Never ending glass skinPrice: $39+ (available in two sizes)
An Osea hyaluronic sea serum that's one of my favorite serums for giving my dull skin an instant refresh. This soaks in pretty immediately with its gel texture and helps to plump and hydrate all skin types with hyaluronic acid and Japanese miru seaweed.
Promising review: "My face completely changed after using this product. My lines have gotten better, and my skin is more glowy. If I had to pick one product, this would be it. I use the cleanser, plus the atmosphere protection cream to follow, and just love it!" —PhRomoPrice: $88
A Buttah Skin charcoal detox mask that's basically like spring cleaning, but for your pores. This mask, like other detox masks, uses charcoal to soak up excess oil and grime from your pores. What sets it apart from others, though, is its moisturizing texture that leaves skin feeling fresh and soft — never tight or stripped!
Promising review: "I have very sensitive skin and severe allergies to some preservatives in cosmetics. Although I am 50 and post menopausal, I still have slightly oily, clog-prone skin. This simple formula seemed like it would be safe when I checked the ingredients. I couldn't believe how soft, smooth, and radiant my skin looked after the first use. I was hoping it would help address the clogged pores on my chin that even topical prescriptions can't seem to keep clear. Now, I can't imagine being without this. I experienced no irritation or dryness whatsoever from this formula. It's so gentle. I hope they keep making this for a long time. I don't want to be without it!" —KPrice: $26
A Tatcha rice wash cleanser is basically your next glow-up in cute purple packaging. This creamy, foamy wash is packed with Japanese rice powder to help gently exfoliate, Okinawa algae to help flood the skin with moisture, and hyaluronic acid to plump things up before the rest of your routine.
Promising review: "I bought a value kit to see if I liked this brand. I ABSOLUTELY love this!! My skin feels and looks amazing! There is a slight exfoliation, but I use the hydration cream afterwards and have had no issues. I'm in my late 30s and had my teenager use this and immediately saw a difference. Skin looks clearer and brighter." —TiffPrice: $40
A Shiseido Benefiance eye cream, because it's the creamy, dreamy, and superrrrr moisturizing answer to all my dry under-eye woes. This eye cream applies like butter to hydrate my skin while working fantastically under makeup. (No pilling here!)
Promising review: "I am absolutely obsessed with this eye cream. It is so moisturizing and feels amazing. I cannot recommend this enough!" —JuliaPrice: $65
A First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser body scrub so that you can buff away those arm bumps once and for all! This scrub is beloved in the KP community for helping smooth the skin without causing further irritation.
Promising review: "I've been looking for a product to get rid of stubborn bumps, and this finally did the job! It really does help, but I didn't see noticeable results until I began using it daily. Totally works as long as you're consistent, but definitely worth it!" —Rec I'mPrice: $30
A Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide cream, because not all peptides are created equal! This cream has a whopping NINE different signal peptides that all work together to help restore plumpness, radiance, and moisture to your skin. It also comes in a handy airless container to ensure your skinvestment stays fresh 'til the last drop!
Promising review: "This is my can't-live-without daytime moisturizer! It's the perfect texture, and not too rich to wear under makeup. I get that the price can be a lot, but I've tried to find cheaper alternatives and I keep coming back to this. Gotta love the packaging too!" —CarriePrice: $69+ (available in two sizes)
A Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm that I use on my post-adult-acne dark spots, which I thought would never go away. This formula contains panthenol that will hydrate the area while beta-glucan works overtime to diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Promising review: "I've been picking my face for the past five years due to anxiety, and this product has been such a holy grail for me. Any time I pop a pimple, I wash my face and apply this. I've seen a lot of improvement in the marks left behind by the pimples, and it's cleared my skin so much. It also has protected the open wounds from the pimples from makeup and other bacteria. I highly reccomend for anyone who picks a lot or has acne scarring." —Carl EPrice: $12.99
A beachy-scented Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 spray, because you apply sunscreen every day — but how often are you really reapplying it? This makes re-application as easy as a quick spray. The best part? It also helps add antioxidant protection with pongamia seed extract and niacinamide!
Promising review: "I LOVE IT!!! This sunscreen is perfect; it gives my skin a hydrating look and feel. I was also not expecting it to smell exactly like their 87 perfume. 1,000% recommend to everyone." —EmmaPrice: $20+ (available in two sizes)
A squalane facial oil if you like your skincare routine to feel à la carte. This facial oil is made with just one ingredient: 100% olive-derived squalane. It's a great noncomedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores!) ingredient for helping fortify your moisture barrier while upping your overall ~glow.~
Promising review: "I have been looking for a product that would make my skin not dry out in the cold winter here in the Northeast. This does the trick. My skin is not tight after washing and feels good throughout the day. I use it right after washing my face before applying sunscreen." —SiePrice: $38
A hydrating rose sleeping mask, because the key to hydrated skin is locking moisture in while you sleep! Think of this mask as slugging in a jar — it creates a moisture seal to help hold all your replenishing skincare ingredients close to your skin!
Promising review: "I have used this cream for slugging with skincare products a couple of times a month. I love this product; it is very lightweight and absorbs well. Does not cause breakouts in sensitive skin. Great product and smells like natural roses" —GoardenorgohomePrice: $30+ (available in two sizes)
A Dermalogica vitamin C serum so that dull skin can be a distant memory, once and for all. This serum contains ultra-stable vitamin C to help brighten and protect from environmental aggressors, plus lactic acid and peptides to help firm the skin.
Promising review: "I started to notice results after one month. I was surprised to notice how bright my skin looked with this product. I switched to a different product and could definitely tell the difference. I love this serum!" —cPrice: $99+ (available in two sizes)
A bottle of Magic Molecule's The Solution that you can spritz on whenever you sense that a breakout or redness is coming on. This spray has hypochlorous acid, which, while it can sound scary, is actually one of the top ingredients for relieving redness and soothing sensitive skin types!
Promising review: "I have more dry/sensitive skin and use a low-dose retinol. I needed something to help with sporadic breakouts without dying my face. I use this most days on my face and upper back, and my skin has never been clearer. It's made a huge difference. I'm getting more compliments on my skin, too. It doesn't strip it dry when I use it." —StephPrice: $20
A Kiehl's microdose retinol serum, because retinol, while it's great for stimulating collagen and elastin production, can sensitize a lot of skin types! Retinol is typically synonymous with dry skin and irritation — but this retinol serum aims to neutralize those effects with moisture-rich ceramides and skin-firming peptides so that you can enjoy plump, clear skin without the downtime.
Promising review: "I am able to use this product. It works well to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall skin texture. It is not drying, and I've experienced no irritation. I do use it at night and use sunscreen during the day. I will purchase again and highly recommend." —KayPrice: $65+ (available in two sizes)
A Bushbalm ingrown hair oil that will help to soothe your skin all over, whether you shave, wax, or go au naturale! This formula contains a rejuvenating blend of grapeseed, tea tree, and jojoba oils to help moisturize and soothe the skin, and help minimize ingrown hairs!
Promising review: "This serum has truly helped me to feel more confident in my bikini line! I have struggled with ingrown hairs after waxing, but now I don't have to worry about this! This is the only stuff that works for me. HIGHLY recommend if you are looking for something to help!!" —Hwood20Price: $26 (available in three scents)
A PMD cleansing device so that you can FEEL a deep clean during your at-home spa day. This silicone cleansing brush is more delicate on the skin than traditional brushes, while its SonicGlow Technology delivers 7,000 vibrations per minute (!!) to help break down gunk from within the skin!
Promising review: "This brush is truly amazing, my skin has never felt so soft and been so deep cleaned and clear! Any other brush I've ever had my whole life is not even worth comparing. This is truly an elite product! As a single mom, I don't have extra money like this to spend often but this was a must and so worth it! Couldn't be happier!" —KellynPrice: $99 (available in four colors)
And an advanced night repair serum, because your skin does most of its recovery while you're asleep — this serum just helps it out! It contains a proprietary Night Peptide to restore firmness, plus hyaluronic acid to add a juicy glow. Even though this serum has the word "night" in its title, you *can* totally use it during the day for extra antioxidant protection!
Promising review: "I recently added this serum to my daily skincare routine and it has made my skin so incredibly soft, moisturized, balanced, and blemish-free. I will continue to buy this product!" —CamPrice: $55+ (available in four sizes)
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