From cleansers and moisturizers, to serums and exfoliants, there’s no shortage of skin care products on the market. But with the sheer number of products out there — not to mention the various ingredients — it can be overwhelming to know what the best option is for your skin type.

Whether you have acne-prone skin, combination skin, or mature-looking skin, it’s important to stick with products that are most suitable for your needs. When you use a product that’s geared toward your unique skin concerns, it’s more likely to be effective.

Read on to find out what the best skin care products for your skin type are.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $25
  • $$ = $25–$50
  • $$$ = over $50

Oily or acne-prone skin

Dry skin

Combination skin

Sensitive skin

Aging skin

We chose these skin care products by consulting with dermatologists, who helped us select of range of products to treat different skin types and concerns, all with effective and safe ingredients.

We consider customer reviews and professional recommendations to narrow our picks to the most reliable and widely loved products currently available.

Each product is vetted by our team for medical and business standards. Learn more here.

The three most important products in a skin care routine are a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. You may also want to consider a toner, though whether this is an essential product is debated by dermatologists.

To start a skin care routine, get a hold of the basics: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Every night, begin by cleansing your skin before bed, followed by a moisturizer. You can repeat this every morning, with the addition of sunscreen.

Once you have nailed this routine down, consider adding other products such as a toner, eye cream, a serum, an exfoliant mask, and other spot treatments.

Adjust your routine based on the kind of skin you have, and how it reacts to what you’re using. For example, dry or sensitive skin may benefit from using fewer products.

The best serum is one that targets your specific skin type or concern, or both.

For example, if you have dry skin, a serum with ingredients that will boost moisture and address fine lines, like one with hyaluronic acid, would be a great choice. If you have sun damage, a serum packed with vitamin C or azelaic acid would be a good choice. If you have texture you want to address, you may want to consider a serum with lactic or glycolic acid to help gently exfoliate your skin.

It depends. Just because a product is expensive, or has proprietary ingredients, doesn’t mean it’s better or more effective.

Proprietary ingredients can be pricier because they are rarer, but that doesn’t mean they are more effective. Rather, pay attention to the concentration of ingredients in skin care products, as it’s possible a pricier product has a higher concentration of the “good” ingredients, rather than the drugstore version.

Additionally, keep in mind that marketing and packaging plays a big role in how products are priced.

No matter which skin type you have, there are several highly-rated and effective products available for you to choose from.

The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for skin care products is that everyone’s skin is unique, and it might take some experimenting to figure out the combination of products that’s best for your skin.

Sam Lauron is a freelance lifestyle writer based in Austin, TX. When she’s not writing about wellness, creativity, or personal development, she spends her time reading, listening to true crime podcasts, and soaking up the sunny Austin weather with her partner and their dog. Connect with her on Instagram or Twitter, or by visiting her website.