From skincare staples to makeup and hair products, Dr. Kiran Mian shares the affordable beauty finds she actually uses and why good results do not always require a luxury price tag.
Beauty routines have become increasingly elaborate, but Dr. Kiran Mian believes effective products do not need to be expensive, complicated or filled with the latest trending ingredients.
The board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City recently shared some of her favorite affordable skincare, makeup, hair and nail products with New York Magazine’s The Strategist. Many are products she has used for years, and several cost less than $20.
What connects them is simple: they do their job well.
For skincare in particular, Dr. Mian recommends looking beyond branding and focusing on the ingredients and the specific concern you are trying to address.
AmLactin Daily Nourish Lotion: For rough, bumpy skin
Key ingredient: 12% lactic acid
AmLactin Daily Nourish Lotion is one of Dr. Mian’s regular recommendations for rough body texture and keratosis pilaris, the small bumps often found on the backs of the arms and thighs.
Its hero ingredient is lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that helps remove dead skin cells and smooth uneven texture. Lactic acid is also a humectant, meaning it helps support hydration while exfoliating.
That combination makes it useful for keratosis pilaris, preventing razor bumps and areas of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation left behind by bug bites, irritation or minor injuries.
Dr. Mian's take: “I absolutely love it. I recommend it all the time.”
Vaseline original healing jelly: For dryness and skin protection
Key ingredient: Petroleum jelly
Sometimes one ingredient is enough.
Vaseline is made primarily from petrolatum, an occlusive that forms a protective layer over the skin to reduce water loss.
Dr. Mian uses it for dry lips, elbows and irritated areas around the eyes. It can also help protect minor cuts and scrapes while they heal.
Dr. Mian's take: “Vaseline is an all-time favorite. There are a million and one uses for it.”
It is perhaps the clearest example on her list that a useful skincare product does not need a complicated ingredient list.
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc dry-touch SPF 50: For everyday sun protection
Key ingredient: zinc oxide
For beach days, outdoor workouts and other situations involving prolonged sun exposure, Dr. Mian reaches for Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch SPF 50.
The mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum UV protection and is water resistant, making it particularly practical for swimming and sweating.
Just as importantly, Dr. Mian likes the texture.
Dr. Mian's take: “It doesn’t feel greasy.”
Sunscreen remains one of the most important products in any skincare routine, helping prevent sun damage, pigmentation and premature signs of skin aging.
La Roche-Posay cicaplast balm B5: For a stressed skin barrier
Key ingredients: panthenol, dimethicone and madecassoside
When skin starts feeling dry, flaky or irritated from retinol or other active ingredients, Dr. Mian recommends shifting the focus toward barrier support.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 contains panthenol, also known as vitamin B5, to help soothe and hydrate the skin, along with dimethicone, which helps reduce moisture loss.
It can be applied over moisturizer at night when the skin needs an extra protective layer.
Dr. Mian's take: “It’s like laying a blanket on top of everything.”
It is also a useful reminder that adding more active ingredients is not always the answer. Sometimes the skin simply needs more support and fewer treatments.
e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector: For uneven tone around the eyes and mouth
Dr. Mian uses the peach shade of e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector beneath her eyes and around the mouth.
Peach tones help visually neutralize blue, gray and brown discoloration, making them particularly useful before concealer or foundation.
It is a simple makeup step that can create a more even-looking complexion without requiring heavier coverage.
L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara: Her longtime lash favorite
Dr. Mian has been using L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara since eighth grade.
The formula adds thickness, length and lift without leaving her lashes excessively clumpy or flaky.
Dr. Mian's take: “I think it’s comparable to Diorshow. I used to work at Sephora, so I’ve tried all the brands.”
For a dermatologist who has had access to plenty of luxury beauty products, it is a good example of an affordable formula continuing to earn its place.
Winks by Ardell Press-On Underlash Extensions: For easy event glam
When she wants a more dramatic lash for an event, Dr. Mian uses Winks by Ardell Press-On Underlash Extensions.
The lash clusters already contain adhesive, removing the need to work with separate lash glue. She often applies them just to the outer corners of the eyes.
NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray: For makeup that lasts
Dr. Mian uses NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray to help keep makeup in place while reducing excess shine through the T-zone.
The finish remains matte without preventing her from adding glow or highlighter where she wants it.
Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil: For healthy-looking bare nails
After stepping away from regular gel manicures, Dr. Mian began using Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil to keep her nails and surrounding skin hydrated.
Cuticle oils help soften dry skin around the nails and can reduce the appearance of rough, cracked cuticles.
Dr. Mian's take: “It gives you that really nice lift at the roots, but keeps your hair soft and malleable all day.”
Kenra Volumizing Powder: For extra texture
When she wants more grip and volume on dry hair, Dr. Mian follows with Kenra Volumizing Powder.
Texture powders create a slightly grittier finish than traditional dry shampoo, which can make them particularly useful when styling curls or building volume at the roots.
Good beauty does not have to be complicated
Dr. Mian’s affordable favorites make a strong case for buying beauty products based on performance rather than prestige.
Some of her most useful skincare products rely on ingredients dermatologists have recommended for decades. Lactic acid exfoliates. Petrolatum reduces moisture loss. Panthenol supports a stressed skin barrier. Zinc oxide protects against UV exposure.
The same principle applies beyond skincare. A mascara, setting spray or styling product does not need to be expensive if it reliably gives you the result you want.
That does not mean every luxury formula is unnecessary. More advanced formulations and specialized active ingredients can absolutely have a place in a thoughtful routine.
But beauty does not have to become an endless collection of products.
The goal is to know what you want a product to accomplish, choose formulas that make sense for your skin and lifestyle, and stay consistent with the products that work.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Skincare products and treatments should be selected in consultation with a qualified dermatologist, especially for individuals with underlying skin conditions or sensitivities.
About Dr. Kiran Mian
Dr. Kiran Mian is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City.
She specializes in cosmetic and medical dermatology, with a focus on acne, pigmentation, skin health, and evidence-based skincare treatments.
She has taken up the role of Director of Clinical Innovation for Reale Actives, the celebrity skincare line created in collaboration with Alix Earle focusing on acne prevention through focused active ingredients.
Dr. Mian regularly contributes expert commentary to leading beauty and wellness publications, helping patients better understand the science behind modern skincare and dermatologic care.