My skincare routine is one of those things that’s always evolving. I swap products seasonally (lighter in summer, heavier and more active in winter), I try new things constantly, and I’m never afraid to pivot if something isn’t working. So this isn’t the start of a “series,” it’s just me sharing what I’m genuinely loving right now, in this season, for my skin.
A little background: I’m in my 40s, and my skin has changed a lot over the years. After dealing with hormonal and adult acne through four pregnancies (and trying what felt like every cream, gel, and dermatologist available), I finally went on Accutane in 2019. Four months in, COVID hit and we discontinued it, but the effects stuck. No more breakouts, but my skin went from very oily to combination-to-dry, which completely changed what I look for in products.
These days, my summer skincare priorities are: lightweight but deeply hydrating (because my cheeks get dry), anti-aging (I want to age as gracefully and with as few wrinkles as possible), and glowy/dewy finishes (because summer is fun and I love a little shimmer). I also started exploring K-beauty about 5–6 months ago after being a long-time Elemis devotee, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how effective (and affordable) some of these products are.
Here’s my full current routine and what I’m loving this summer. As always, I’ll include affiliate links if you want to check anything out for yourself!
My AM Routine
I keep my mornings pretty simple. Since I cleanse at night and my skin is already clean when I wake up, I don’t use a cleanser in the morning. Instead, I focus on prepping, protecting, and hydrating so my skin is ready for makeup (or just ready for the day if I’m going bare-faced).
Step 1: Medicube Zero Pore Pad ($21)
This is how I “wake up” my skin every morning. It’s a gentle exfoliating pad with niacinamide that helps brighten, tighten, and even out my skin tone while minimizing pores. It removes any leftover residue from the night before without stripping my skin. I love that it’s quick (literally just swipe and go) and it makes my skin feel smooth and prepped for everything that comes next.
Step 2: Bubble Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum ($17)
I actually discovered Bubble because I bought a bunch of their products for my two girls for Christmas last year, and I liked the price point enough to try it for myself. This serum is silky without being sticky, gives the right amount of moisture, and I genuinely feel like it’s helped brighten my skin over time. For the price, it’s hard to beat.
Step 3: Medicube Triple Collagen Cream ($20.90)
This is my daytime moisturizer and it’s the perfect weight for summer. It’s hydrating enough for my drier cheeks without feeling heavy or greasy, and it layers beautifully under SPF and makeup. The collagen also gives a nice plumping effect that I appreciate as I’m leaning into anti-aging.
Step 4: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50 ($39.99)
SPF is non-negotiable for me, especially in the Texas summer. I use this one over my moisturizer and under my makeup. It’s mineral (which I prefer), tinted so it doesn’t leave a white cast, and ultra-light so it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing sunscreen. On days I skip makeup, this gives me a nice even-toned base on its own. I also have a tinted moisturizer with SPF and my makeup has SPF built in, but this is my dedicated sun protection layer.
My PM Routine
My evening routine is where the real work happens. This is when I focus on removing everything from the day (makeup, sunscreen, dirt) and then layering on products that can actually do their thing overnight while my skin repairs itself.
Step 1: e.l.f. Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm ($20)
I do a double cleanse every night, and this is my first step. It’s a balm that melts into an oil when you warm it up, and it dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and everything else without stripping my skin. I massage it all over dry skin, then rinse. It leaves my face feeling soft instead of tight, which is exactly what I need with my drier skin.
Step 2: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser ($21.99)
This is my second cleanse, and it’s incredibly gentle. It removes any remaining residue from the balm without over-stripping or leaving my skin feeling dry. It’s hydrating, fragrance-free, and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. I’ve tried a lot of cleansers over the years and this one is a staple for a reason.
Step 3: Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum ($21)
This is my current obsession. It feels deeply hydrating and nourishing, and my skin drinks it up. The texture is lightweight but rich, and I notice a real difference in how plump and smooth my skin looks in the morning after using this. If I could only keep one product from my entire routine, it might be this one.
Step 4: Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream ($22)
This is my nighttime moisturizer and it’s a little richer than the Triple Collagen Cream I use in the morning. It seals everything in and gives my skin that extra layer of hydration it needs overnight. I wake up with soft, bouncy skin instead of dry, tight patches on my cheeks.
Step 5: ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Vitality Eye Cream ($86.25)
I love this eye cream because it’s an all-in-one: it de-puffs, soothes, brightens, and smooths wrinkles over time. It’s the most expensive product in my routine by far (I’m currently using a small travel-size tube), and I’m actively looking for a more budget-friendly alternative that does the same job. If you have a recommendation, I would love to hear it!
The Standout: Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
If there’s one product from this routine that I’d tell everyone to try, it’s this one. The PDRN Pink Peptide Serum is the product that made me a Medicube convert. It’s lightweight but somehow deeply nourishing, and my skin just drinks it up every single night. I’ve noticed my skin looks plumper, smoother, and more hydrated in the morning since I started using it, and at $21, it’s genuinely one of the best value-for-results products I’ve ever used. This is the one that made me realize I don’t need to spend $80+ on a serum to get real results.
The Splurge I’m Trying to Replace: ELEMIS Eye Cream
I’m not going to lie, I love this eye cream. It does everything I want: de-puffs, brightens, smooths fine lines, and feels luxurious. But at $86.25 for a full-size jar, it’s hard to justify repurchasing, especially during a low-buy year where I’m trying to be more intentional with every dollar. Right now, I’m stretching a travel-size tube as far as it’ll go while I hunt for a budget-friendly dupe that can do even half of what this one does.
So here’s my ask: if you have a favorite eye cream that de-puffs, hydrates, and helps with fine lines, and it’s under $30, please drop it in the comments. I’m genuinely looking and I will try it.
Final thoughts
That’s my full summer 2026 skincare routine, and I’m genuinely happy with where it’s at right now. It’s simple, it works, and most of the products are affordable enough that I don’t cringe when it’s time to repurchase. My skin feels hydrated, smooth, and glowy without being weighed down, which is exactly what I want during these hot Texas summers.
Will this routine change? Absolutely. I’m always trying new things, and as the seasons shift I’ll probably swap in heavier products for fall and winter. I’m also eyeing a makeup favorites post soon, so stay tuned for that.
If you’re curious about anything I mentioned, all the product links are below. And if you have an eye cream recommendation that won’t break the bank, seriously, leave it in the comments. I’m all ears.
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