14 Best Skin Care Products for All Skin Types in 2026

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, 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 play a big role in how products are priced.