My Honest Everyday Skincare Routine
Updated July 2026 · 6 min read
I get asked about my skincare routine a lot, and honestly the answer is kind of boring in the best way. I am a mom of two, one is five and one is a baby, so I do not have time for a twelve step ritual. My whole thing is a few gentle products, used consistently, that keep my skin calm and hydrated in the Florida heat.
So here is the real routine. Not the dreamy version, the actual one I do while a toddler bangs on the bathroom door. Everything here is simple, affordable, and stuff I keep repurchasing on my own dime.
My morning routine
Mornings are fast. I want my skin clean, hydrated, and protected before I walk out into the sun, and that is basically it.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
This is my forever cleanser. It is creamy, it does not strip my skin, and it never leaves that tight squeaky feeling I hate. In the morning I honestly just splash and go with this, and it plays nice with everything else.
Shop my picks →The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
A couple drops on slightly damp skin and my face just drinks it up. Living in Florida you would think I would never need hydration, but the AC dries me right out. This is a nice cheap way to plump things up before moisturizer.
Shop my picks →CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
The big tub of this lives on my counter and I use it on my face and my hands. It is rich without feeling greasy, and it just makes my skin feel comfortable all day. A little goes a long way.
Shop my picks →EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
If you take one thing from this post, let it be sunscreen. This one is lightweight, does not sting my eyes, and layers well under makeup. In Florida sun I reapply, and general guidance is to reapply about every two hours when you are outside.
Shop my picks →My evening routine
At night I actually slow down a little, because it is the one time of day nobody needs me. This is when I do the extra hydration steps.
The Ordinary Niacinamide
I use this a few nights a week to help with the general look of my pores and even things out. It is one of those cheap little bottles that lasts forever, and my skin seems happier with it in rotation.
Shop my picks →CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Baby plus toddler equals tired eyes, so I pat a little of this on before bed. It feels cooling and hydrating, and it is a small ritual that makes me feel a tiny bit more put together in the mornings.
Shop my picks →Aquaphor Healing Ointment
My nighttime slugging step. On dry patches or just over my lips and the corners of my nose, a thin layer of this seals everything in. I wake up softer, every time. Bonus, it works on the whole family.
Shop my picks →Shop my everyday skincare
The cleanser, moisturizer, serums, and SPF I actually use are all rounded up in my Amazon storefront.
See my Amazon picks → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.Frequently asked questions
How many skincare steps do I really need?
Honestly, a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and a daily SPF will carry you a long way. Everything else is a nice extra. Start simple and add slowly.
Do I need sunscreen if I stay inside a lot?
General guidance is yes, since daylight through windows and quick errands add up. I keep an easy SPF by my keys so it is the last thing I do before heading out.
Is this routine okay for sensitive skin?
These are the gentle, fragrance-conscious basics I reach for, but everyone is different. Patch test new products and check with a dermatologist if your skin is reactive.
Janet
Orlando mom of two and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. I share the real finds, routines, and deals I actually use. Come say hi on Instagram.
Great skin without the splurge
The affordable skincare I keep repurchasing, all of it under twenty five dollars.
See the under $25 picks →