A Beauty Editor's 2026 List: The Products I Actually Use and Buy
From drugstore staples to luxury splurges, these are the skincare, hair, and makeup products I used most in 2025 and why they’re staying in my routine.
As a Beauty Editor, the question I’m asked most isn’t “What’s new?” but rather: “What do you actually use?” What are the products that live in my bathroom? Which ones reach empty? Which ones do I spend my own money on? While I test hundreds of products a year, these are my constants.
Note: If you notice a gap (like eye cream), it’s because I either don’t use one or haven’t found a “forever” favorite yet. I like to be 100% transparent. If you have any questions please let me know in the comments:
🧴 SKINCARE: The Foundation
My philosophy: Balm cleansers at night, water-only in the morning, and serious protection for that Florida sun.
The Best Balm Cleansers
I rotate between these three balm cleansers depending on what’s on my shelf, but the result is the same for soft, clean, pampered skin.
The Vitamin C Glow
I never skip Vitamin C for glow and also extra protection. CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum is a daily staple. If my skin needs a “kick up the a*rse,” I reach for Murad Vita-C Glycolic Serum - the glycolic acid wakes the skin up and improves texture.
The Night Shift (Retinols & Peptides)
For Texture: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10. This is the gold standard for smoothing and boosting collagen. It’s the brand I recommend to everyone.
For Repair: No7 Future Renew Night Serum. The peptides are incredible for skin recovery and repairing damage.
Moisture & Sun Protection
The Household Staple: CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion. It’s in every bathroom in my house. I use it face-to-body.
The Luxury Face Sunscreens: Living in Florida, SPF is non-negotiable. I love Clarins Dry Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ or RoC Retinol Correxion SPF 30 for that day-cream feel.
The Florida Must-Haves: We go through bottles of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 70. (UK friends: Stock up when you visit the US!) I also hide my Vacation SPF50 Spray from the kids because it smells too good to share. I also love Target Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF50 for on-the-go.
The Face SPF I’ve Got My Friends to Buy Too: e.l.f Skin Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF30 is a brilliant face SPF and acts as a great makeup primer too.
The Night Recovery: If I’m dehydrated, I use Kyushi Night Recovery Face Oil. The lavender and jasmine blend smells beautiful.
The Bedside Essential: Dr. Paw Paw Overnight Lip Mask.
🚿 BODY: High-Low Luxury
I don’t have a bath, so my shower and post-shower steps are my “me time.”
The Body Wash: I love the skincare-focused formulas from Dove and Olay. For a luxe scent that doesn’t break the bank, Soap & Glory (available at Walgreens/Boots) is unbeatable.
The Hydration: Joonbyrd Sunday Sofa Body Butter is my new obsession - the smell is divine. For something reliable, I go back to Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter.
💇♀️ HAIR: The Repair Specialists
I wash my hair three times a week and firmly believe in spending more on high-quality formulations.
The Luxe Shampoos: I’m currently loving Champö Volumising Pitta, but I always keep Living Proof and Olaplex in the rotation.
The Game Changer: K18 Leave-In Molecular Intensive Hair Mask. I have paid for every single $75 bottle myself. It has transformed the strength of my hair from the inside out.
The Tools: The Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer and Corrale Straightener are pricey, but they are worth the investment for long-term hair health.
💄 MAKEUP: The “Skin-First” Edit
As I age, my makeup gets lighter. I want my skin to show through.
The Base: I prefer lightweight tints with skincare benefits like Naked Sundays BeautyScreen™ SPF 50 or Beauty Pie Superluminous Tinted Skin Serum.
The Blush: I alternate between Jones Road Lip & Cheek Stick (Bright Pink) and Merit Flush Balm (Stockholm). These shades are perfect for any skin tone.
The Eyes: For everyday definition, e.l.f. Wow Brow Gel is a must for my brows. For eyelashes, I always curl my lashes with Tweezerman Eyelash Curlers and for mascara, Sweed Cloud Mascara is my current fav - it’s a tubing formula, so it won’t smudge on my contact lenses.
The Signature Nail: I never stray from OPI “Let’s Be Friends.”
🖋️ FRAGRANCE: The Final Step
I wear perfume even when I’m home alone. You can truly smell the quality in high-end fragrance.
My current rotation:
Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only ever recommend products I genuinely use, love, and finish.
I hope this was helpful! I’d love to know if you have tried any of these products or if you have any questions…
The Elemis cleansing balms are soooo lovely!!
You just influenced my next beauty purchase. A few of these products sound really promising!