Simple and Affordable Skin Care

Skin care doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be effective. We cover the basics anyone might need in their skin-care regimen, and our favorite drugstore brands that we’ve tested.

Guests: Dr. Nikhil Dhingra, board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology, and Rory Evans, Wirecutter’s senior beauty writer.

Products we recommend:

Facial Moisturizers:

Vanicream Daily Facial MoisturizerLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face MoisturizerCeraVe Moisturizing CreamAugustinus Bader The Rich Cream

Retinols:

SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0Trader Joe’s Retinol Night Serum

Vitamin C Serums:

SkinCeuticals C E FerulicTimeless Skin Care 20% C + E Ferulic Acid SerumNaturium Vitamin C Complex SerumLa Roche-Posay’s 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Dr. Dhingra likes these facial cleansers:

Cetaphil Gentle Skin CleanserCeraVe Foaming Facial CleanserLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser

Rory likes:

East Fork Everyday Bowl

Additional Reading:

The 7 Best Moisturizers of 2025The 6 Best Vitamin C Serums of 2025The 5 Best Retinol Products of 2025So You’re Ready to Start Using Retinol. Here’s What You Should Know First.The 12 Best Sunscreens for Your Face of 2025

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

 

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

 

The Wirecutter Show is a podcast offering expert advice on everyday products that will make your life better. Each week, co-hosts Christine Cyr Clisset and Caira Blackwell, alongside producer Rosie Guerin, speak with Wirecutter’s best-in-class journalists and other expert guests for actionable advice, surprising life hacks, and delightful product discoveries. From which stand-mixer will last you a lifetime, to the best way to travel with pets, to figuring out if your smart lock is spying on you, The Wirecutter Show gives you straightforward solutions based on years of rigorous and independent product testing by more than 140 Wirecutter journalists.

• No. of episodes: 48
• Latest episode: 2025-05-07
• Education Society & Culture How To

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