8 Underrated Skincare Swaps If You Love La Mer, Drunk Elephant, and Glossier

There are so many skincare products on the market that sometimes the easiest thing to do is just to buy the stuff you've heard of a million times. But are super-hyped products always worth it? As a beauty editor, I've tried so many moisturizers, serums, toners, and masks (rough life, I know) that I've become pretty desensitized to what's buzzy and try my best to pay attention to what really works.

Sometimes the cult-loved stuff really does live up to its reputation, but often there are sleeper hits hiding on less-visible shelves that are either cheaper or have higher-quality ingredients. In an effort to help you get the most out of your purchases, I've put together this honest list of eight products you've likely bought due to how much air time they get, plus eight swaps to consider instead next time you shop.

Keep scrolling to take my beauty editors' take on overrated versus underrated skincare.

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Amanda Montell
Features Editor
Who's your beauty icon?

Tie among Linda Rodin, Hari Nef, and David Bowie.

Who are your 5 favorite people to follow on Instagram?

@petracollins @katiejanehughes @alwaysjudging @bonnyrebecca @hotdudesreading

What's the beauty essential you can’t live without?

If I have some brow gel and Sisley's Phyto-Lip Twist, I'm good to go forever.

What's your desert island album?

Death Cab for Cutie's Transatlanticism

What's your favorite Byrdie.com story?

Game of Thrones's Nathalie Emmanuel looks so achingly beautiful in our feature with her that I think it's gonna have to be that!