The Best Under-$30 Products to Perk Up Dull, Dehydrated Skin

This cleansingbalmfrom Beauty of Joseon is the kind of thing I would presume costs $50, because it’s beautifully packaged, feels so luxurious on the skin, and easily removes any sweat, dirt, and debris from the day without stripping. It’s packed withfermentedgrains and chrysanthemum extract, which help deeply nourish the skin so you never get that tight feeling after washing. Apply it on your skin dry, massage it for a little bit, then wash it off with lukewarm water.

Unless you have a good humidifier,indoor heatingunits in our apartments tend to dry us out, which is why so many of us have been waking up with extra tight, dull skin lately. If this is the case for you, I’m From’s Rice Toner is a great way to combat any skin dehydration while also getting in that extra boost of radiance. It’s formulated withriceextract, which helps promote elasticity, as well asniacinamide, a workhorse ingredient that helps brighten up the skin.This is truly one of the best, fix-it-all toners out there!

Versed is a budget-friendly brand that I’ve been loving lately. And I have to say, out of all of their products, I’ve been most impressed by thisP50-ishdupe, which has a blend of seriously effectiveAHAslike azelaic acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid and lactic acid — all of which help buff away any dead skin and promote brighter, more even-toned complexion. When I want some exfoliation (usually once a week), I use this in lieu of my I’m From Rice Toner listed above.

When in doubt, reach forsnail! This go-to essence of mine is (if you don’t already know by now) deeply nourishing, healing, and hydrating on the skin. It’s a wonder product that can improve pretty much any skin dilemma — whether it’s a dry patch or a scab. Thisessenceis restorative, rejuvenating, and, without a doubt, my desert island pick. I use this after exfoliating or toning my skin.

Sometimes instead of snail, I swap in a sheet mask.Here’san article I wrote a while ago on all my go-to sheet masks, but lately I’ve really been loving these ones from Papa Recipe, which usepropolisto hydrate, replenish, and heal the skin. When I take this mask off, my skin looks brighter, dewier, and less red orirritated. I’ve been doing these masks every few days, and I’ve noticed that I’ve been waking up with more moisturized, brighter, and generally healthier-looking skin.

I’ve written aboutthis moisturizera few times recently, because it’s truly one of the few things that has helped calm my intenselystressed, red, and inflamed skin. This cream is a beautiful blend of nourishing and renewing galactomyces ferment filtrate (a moisturizing yeast), chamomile for soothing, and antioxidant-rich shiitake mushroom extract — all of which help combat any type of dryness, redness, or inflammation.

Yes, you should still be wearingsunscreen! UV rays can penetrate through glass, and even if you just pop out for a quick stroll, you’re exposed to the sun. This ismy favorite SPF— it manages not only to protect skin from harmful rays but also to improve texture, radiance, and moisture levels (thanks to the inclusion of centella, niacinamide for brightening and shrinking pores, and hyaluronic acid). As I’ve said in the past: It does the job of a SPF, a serum, and a moisturizer all at once.