Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty sale is running now and that means up to 50% off some of our favorite products, including skin care, makeup, and hair care.
Be sure to check out Ulta’s site each day until April 1 to score big on makeup palettes, like these from Lorac, or this cult-favorite anti-aging supplement. You can also save on perfume, accessories, and more, but be sure to move fast, because things are sure to sell out.
But if they do, don’t worry, we found the best skin care from Ulta, for every skin type!
The world of skin care has long been a complex, confusing one that has only gotten more so in the past few years. There are myriad products and routines (do you have time for seven steps in the morning and at night?) to choose from, and with new skin care technologies cropping up every day, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
We know there is a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to accepted skin care “facts,” but there’s one thing we know to be true: If you’re not using products that are formulated for your skin type, you’re probably not seeing many results.
So, we’ve dug in and found some of the best, most popular skin care products by skin type. Of course, some of us have multiple skin care issues and concerns, so you’ll still need to do some inward reflection on what shape your skin is really in (and maybe visit a dermatologist for a professional opinion). But in the meantime, check these options out. As a bonus, everything can be purchased at Ulta — further streamlining your quest for perfect skin.
Best skin care products for dry skin
Best skin care products for combination skin
Then there are the lucky bunch who contend with a little of both! Maybe your T-zone is an oil slick and your cheeks and chin are dry deserts. Whatever it may be, you need to find products that don’t exacerbate either issue and help you out with sun protection, moisture, and maybe refine texture, too.
Peach & Lily Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream
$43.00
Matcha is antioxidant rich and a great ingredient for addressing the daily stressors your skin encounters while out and about. The Matcha Pudding from Peach & Lily is also formulated to be rich without being overwhelming, which is great for combination skin.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Face Sunscreen for Combination Skin
$33.99
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 sunscreen is geared toward combination skin and offers incredible sun protection. It also works well under makeup, so there’s no excuse not to use it every day.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
$25.00
“Snail mucin” may not sound like an appealing substance to slather on your face, but we promise this stuff is amazing! The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence acts like a multivitamin for your face, helping out with hydration, brightness, tone, and much more.
Clinique Acne Solutions Acne Plus Line Correcting Serum
$52
Combination skin can sometimes mean you’re struggling with two disparate skin issues: Dry areas are prone to fine lines and wrinkles, and oily areas are prone to breaking out. The Clinique Acne Solutions Acne + Line Correcting Serum helps tackle both in one product.
Best skin care products for cystic acne
Acne was supposed to be a problem we leave behind in our teenage years, but unfortunately it’s still an issue many of face well into adulthood. Managing cystic acne usually requires a trip to the dermatologist, but there are a few ingredients you can find in OTC products that will help mitigate the situation.
Differin Acne Treatment Gel
$17.99
Differin used to be available by prescription only, but now you can snag it over the counter. It’s a high-strength retinoid that helps to treat and prevent those deep-down pimples we associate with cystic acne.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Full-Coverage Concealer
$19.60
Having cystic acne can be a big blow to our self-esteem, so products that can help conceal it are a big help. IT Cosmetics’ Bye Bye Dark Spots full-coverage concealer pulls double-duty: It helps to hide the pimples while also brightening your skin.
ZitSticka Killa Kit
$29.00
This kit is a one-two punch to pimples. The Killa patches help to infuse zit-fighting ingredients deep down into skin, and the Cleana swab helps to mitigate the outward appearance of any bumps.
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
$18.99
Finding a cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients is a great first step. Benzoyl peroxide is a longtime go-to for clearing up skin, and the CeraVe Acne Foaming cream cleanser helps to deliver its benefits without drying you out.
Best skin care products for sun-damaged skin
While there are several ingredients to look out for when it comes to treating sun-damaged skin, your first step is preventing it in the future. So, stock up on SPF.
Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Emulsion
$48.00
The Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Emulsion makes use of several acids and vitamin C to reduce the appearance of discoloration and brighten the overall complexion. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
Revolution Beauty 15 Niacinamide Serum
$14.00
In addition to vitamin C, niacinamide is an ingredient known to help treat sun spots and discoloration. The formula from Revolution Skincare has a high concentration, so it’ll get to work quickly.
Derma E Vitamin C Instant Radiance Citrus Facial Peel
$23.95
Peels are powerful tools for helping to refine your skin’s tone and texture. The Derma E Vitamin C Instant Radiance Peel is formulated with plenty of ingredients that will get the job done.
Ulta Brightening Vitamin C Body Scrub
$18.50
Your face isn’t the only part of your body that shows the effects of sun damage. This body scrub from Ulta will smooth and brighten your skin everywhere.
Best skin care products for visible pores
Unfortunately, the science is in and there’s not much you can do (with OTC products, anyway) about the size of your pores. What you can do, however, is keep them clean and matte, which will give them the appearance of being smaller.
Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer
$14.00
Primers can help to fill in or otherwise disguise your pores and other skin texture issues. Benefit’s The POREfessional is an oil-free option that aims to hide your visible pores under makeup.
Clinique Blackhead Solutions 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Face Scrub
$26.50
Keeping your pores clean is the best way to keep them looking small. Clinique’s Pep Start 2-in-1 exfoliating cleanser has just enough exfoliating power for a deep clean without being harsh.
Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier
$49.00
The Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier is a hard worker. It not only keeps your skin matte and your pores clear, it also moisturizers and offers sun protection.
Boscia Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask
$34.00
Charcoal peel-off masks are a favorite remedy for congested, oily skin (aka the birthplace of big pores). Boscia’s version is a fan favorite and helps to remove all the stuff plugging you up.
Best skin care products for sensitive skin
Sometimes, we think our skin is sensitive when it’s really just irritated from all of the acids, oils, and cleansers we’ve been throwing at it. Whether your skin is truly sensitive, or just needs a break, there are a few products that can help to keep it balanced, healthy, and calm.
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer
$27.49
With oat and feverfew, the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily moisturizer delivers much-needed hydration and soothing ingredients for dry, sensitive skin. Plus, it has SPF 15.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
$25.00
When you’re cleansing irritated skin, the last thing you want to do is add more bothersome ingredients. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is specially formulated not to strip skin of its natural moisture while still offering a deep clean.
Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum
$66.00
Dermalogica’s hydrating UltraCalming Serum concentrate is free of fragrances or dyes, which are both known irritants for sensitive skin.
Best skin care products for hormonal acne
If you notice a few pesky pimples around your chin and along your jawline, you’re likely dealing with hormonal acne. Some forms of birth control can help curb these monthly breakouts and you can also swap some acne-fighting products into your skin care routine to help remedy the situation.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
$13.00
Glycolic acid helps to exfoliate skin, which removes the buildup of dirt and dead skin cells that hormonal acne can feed on to multiply. The Ordinary’s 7% toner delivers an effective amount at a decent price point.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel
$18.99
When you feel your period coming on, consider using a medicated cleanser to help ward off any hormonal acne that may arise. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel cleanser has 2% salicylic acid and targets extra-oily areas for deep cleaning.
Urban Skin RX Purifying 2-in-1 Pumpkin Pore Detox Mask and Scrub
$19.99
What better time to treat yourself to a mask than when you’re on your period? The Urban Skin Rx Purifying 2-in-1 Pumpkin Pore Detox mask and scrub helps to absorb oil and refine your skin’s texture.
