I Test Beauty Products for a Living—These Are 17 of the Best Buys Under £20

I have used this cleanser for years, and I don’t intend to replace it anytime soon. Not only is it super affordable, but the gentle formula works for a wide range of skin types, especially normal to dry, sensitive skin.

I usually find that gentle cleansers don’t remove my makeup as well, but this one is particularly good at leaving your skin feeling clean and fresh. Plus, it has a hydrating formula with ingredients such as glycerin and niacinamide to help preserve the skin’s natural moisture barrier. If you’re looking for an everyday cleanser that you know you can rely on to get the job done, you really can’t go wrong with this.

I have combination skin, so although I tend to opt for hydrating cleansers, I like using a moisturiser that helps to control excess oil. Enter, CeraVe’s Oil Control Moisturising Gel-Cream. Possibly one of the best affordable skincare brands on the market, CeraVe’s products always deliver, and this moisturiser is no exception.

I use it every single morning as the lightweight formula sits beautifully under makeup and helps to control shine. Don’t worry, though, your skin is still left feeling silky soft thanks to hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

Lightweight? Check. Moisturising? Check. Packed with nourishing ingredients? Check. Cute packaging? Double check. If you’re looking for an affordable face serum, look no further than Byoma’s hydrating formula, which comes in at a cool £13.

Like most of Byoma’s skincare products, this serum works to nourish the skin barrier and support your daily skin function without irritating your complexion. How, I hear you ask? Well, it’s all down to ingredients such as the brand’s tri-ceramide complex, squalane and glycerin. Again, this is a product I use on a daily basis, and I plan on doing so for years to come.

A facial SPF is a non-negotiable in my skincare routine, and this new launch from Simple has quickly become a favourite of mine. It feels so much more expensive than it actually is, with a weightless formula that adds a gorgeous glow to my complexion.

It features UVA and UVB protection and helps to visibly reduce dark spots and uneven skin tone. Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types and comes in a mattifying and a hydrating formula, depending on your desired finish.

My last affordable skincare pick has to be La Roche-Posay’s iconic Cicaplast Baume B5+. This product went viral on TikTok a few years ago, and for good reason. The super nourishing formula is ideal for dry skin, and can be used on the face, body and lips to help soothe irritation.

I was skeptical at first as I thought that this balm would have a thick, greasy texture, but it sinks in surprisingly well and always makes my skin look so glowy and radiant. If I’ve ever been overdoing it with the retinol, this is the product I reach for.

Think of this product as skincare, but for your body. New from Vaseline, this serum is packed with antioxidants to help promote dewy, glowing skin. It has an incredibly lightweight formula that sinks in in seconds, and a deliciously fresh scent that makes me want to use it again and again.

Alongside antioxidants, you will find hyaluron, niacinamide and vaseline jelly to help leave your limbs feeling healthy and radiant. This definitely gives some of my more expensive body products a run for their money.

This is, hands down, my favourite affordable base product of all time. I feel like this foundation isn’t spoken about enough, but it definitely should be. It creates the most perfect, glowy base while still letting your natural skin texture shine through. It has a lightweight texture and offers sheer yet buildable coverage. If you like a “no makeup” makeup look, I urge you to give this base product a go.

Talking of affordable base products, it will probably come as no surprise that this concealer is my top drugstore concealer of choice. The sponge applicator makes it so easy to apply to the under-eye area, and the goju-berry enriched formula helps to minimise fine lines and dark circles. Not to mention that the coverage is unmatched.

I’ve tried my fair share of contour products over the years, and this affordable wand from Elf is still a mainstay in my collection thanks to the natural formula and cushion-tip applicator. It is so easy to apply and gives the illusion of a sculpted complexion in seconds. Plus, the formula is infused with squalane for a hydrated finish.

We’ve done an entire feature on the L’Oreal Paris Panorama Mascara because it’s that good. Even Who What Wear UK team members who usually swear by more expensive formulas can’t get enough of this affordable buy. It adds both length and volume for seriously impressive results, and the gold packaging always looks chic in my makeup bag.

Ok, this is slightly more on the expensive side, but with most luxurious lip balms costing £20 or more, I actually think this Glossier option is quite good value for money. Not only do I love the hydrating formula, but there are so many fun flavours on offer, from black cherry to the new banana pudding iteration.

If you’ve read our guide to the best Zara perfumes, then you already know that the whole Who What Wear UK team is hooked on this affordable scent. It smells so expensive thanks to notes of orange, praline and musk, and the lasting power is quite impressive for a high-street scent.

A roll-on perfume is great for taking on the go, especially if you have an upcoming holiday. Perle de Coco from & Other Stories is my vacation scent of choice, thanks to notes of coconut, vanilla and caramel, so I was delighted to see that this particular product comes in at just under £20.

Ok, I know deodorant doesn’t technically count as fragrance, but I have to make an exception for this product. This trending deodorant comes in some of the most incredible scents and a long-lasting formula that, at just £4, seems too good to be true. I’ve been loving the Vanilla Macadamia option, but honestly, every single fragrance gets a huge yes from me.

This affordable shampoo won our 2023 Next in Beauty Award, and at just £5, it really is a steal. Designed to nourish and smooth your strands, it contains a blend of vitamin E, coconut oil and shea butter. Don’t be fooled by the hydrating formula, though, as it also makes light work of cleansing dirt and product build-up from the hair.

Garnier is one of my go-to affordable beauty brands. Everything from the face masks, SPF and micellar water is 10/10, but this hair mask is definitely a personal favourite. Not only does it smell incredible (seriously, I get compliments whenever I use it), but it also does a great job of nourishing my very dry ends without weighing my hair down. I use it in place of conditioner, but you can also use it as a hair mask or a leave-in treatment.

I included this product in my roundup of the best hair serums, and for good reason. The formula is infused with hyaluronic acid to add bounce and shine to your ends, and is suitable for all hair textures. It’s not necessarily a product you need in your routine, but it’s great if you suffer from dry hair like me. The spray format also makes it really easy to use.