I am skeptical of skin care brands and products that blow up on social media via the under-30 influencer crowd. It’s easy to get great results if you’re a glowing youth in your twenties! But after months of witnessing the hype surrounding Medicube and its lineup of skin care goodies, I decided to give this K-beauty brand a whirl and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality and effectiveness of these affordable products. I started with the exfoliating pore pads and slowly made my way through some of Medicube’s most sought-after items, from the overnight masks to its serums, creams and beyond. And while not all the products have been personal hits, an astounding amount of them are now staples in my everyday, 40-something beauty routine. They’re thoughtfully formulated to target a range of everyday issues, and my mid-life skin is absolutely loving them. Below, I’ve rounded up a selection of the very best Medicube products, especially if you’ve got perimenopausal or aging skin. They are worth every penny and deserve a spot in your rotation. Keep reading and pick some up for yourself; your skin will thank you.AmazonA satin-y collagen cream that gave me aesthetician-approved resultsI previously wrote about my love-love relationship with Medicube's PDRN collagen capsule cream, a unique moisturizer featuring suspended spheres in a jelly-like cream — an encapsulation formula the brand claims is the most effective delivery method of its main plumping ingredient, PDRN. The result is a highly customizable and effective cream that is light as a feather yet somehow also incredibly hydrating. The satiny, dewy finish makes it feel like it’s much more expensive than it actually is. I recently got a facial and my aesthetician confirmed that the state of my skin was much improved. It's a must for dry or finicky middle-aged skin like mine. Tessa Flores/HuffPostA Volufiline multi-balm stick for an instant "filler-like" effect"I was one of the lucky ones who managed to snag a tube of this while it was on sale for Prime Day before it completely sold out, so, while I've only been with the formula for a few days, I really like it so far. I was most eager to try it because of all the wonderful things I've been hearing about Volufiline, a trademarked ingredient that creates a subtle, instant plumping effect by supporting lipid content in the skin, producing what dermatologists have previously explained is a natural and temporary 'filler-like' appearance. Because of this, I've been targeting the application under my eyes up to my upper cheeks and along my nasolabial folds as well as my lips, and I can certainly attest to the instant surface plumping effect and instant hydration. In addition to 5% Volufiline, this multi-stick contains PDRN, retinol and peptides, which is the holy trinity for promoting collagen production and improving skin elasticity, while the inclusion of caffeine brightens dark circles. I really like that this isn't a heavy balm, but instead feels really silky, lightweight and melts into the skin. My only regret is grabbing a second stick to have one in my bag as well as my bathroom cabinet, because I can see this being really handy for applying during travel on dry days or on planes." — Tessa Flores, senior shopping writerLourdes Avila Uribe/HuffPostThe brightening "Zero Pore" pads that are so much more effective than expensive versionsFew items have impressed me as much as these cult-favorite toning facial pads. Since using them, I've ditched my traditional AHA serums for these bad boys, and my skin has never looked better. The Medicube pads are designed to help exfoliate, balance and brighten skin while reducing oil production, minimizing breakouts and refining the look of pores. They are formulated with powerful alpha and beta hydroxy acids like white willow bark, vitamin C and calming botanical extracts like lavender to soothe skin.My skin is softer, smoother and has a really noticeable glow. Most importantly, I’ve detected a decrease in melasma, which has plagued me since my pregnancy. They’re incredibly potent, and it’s very obvious to me why they’re so popular. I’ve tried out other exfoliating pads and can confidently say that these are just as, if not more, effective at a fraction of the price. They've been a game-changer for my skin in the last couple of months, and I just hope they don't sell out now that the secret's out!Tessa Flores/HuffPostMedicube PDRN milky salmon toner "After reporting on the wonderful potential of PDRN a couple of years ago, I ran to get my mitts on anything containing the stuff, and I've been using the Medicube PDRN milky pink toner ever since. It's thicker than your average toner or essence and doubly hydrating, packed with salmon-derived PDRN to boost collagen production and ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier —an absolute must for someone with dry, sensitive skin. This formula also contains peptides for more plumping action and niacinamide, which I trust to give me a more radiant complexion and fade dark spots." — Flores iHerbA viral overnight mask from MedicubeMy colleagues and I have enjoyed the results of using kojic acid in the past, so I was eager to incorporate this Medicube overnight wrapping mask with kojic acid and turmeric. It can be used over nighttime skin care while you sleep or as a mask for a couple hours on its own. I prefer to use it as a regular mask, since I can't sleep with something foreign on my face. But it really does leave my skin looking brighter almost immediately, in addition to softer and smoother. I use it weekly and plan on keeping it in my repertoire long-term. It's a must for anyone with hyperpigmentation, melasma or acne scarring and has been a nice addition to my mid-life skin care routine.Lourdes Avila Uribe/HuffPostA brightening deodorant that smells like a dreamI was so deeply skeptical of this deodorant that I didn't even bother to take before and after pictures — a choice I deeply regret now that I've discovered it works so well. Formulated with kojic acid, turmeric, vitamin C, and niacinimide, it can help to lighten dark spots on your underarms while also hydrating your skin and keeping odors at bay. I am truly shocked at how quickly and effectively it helped to lighten the underarm darkness that has always plagued me. It leaves my pits feeling silky smooth and has a really soft, pleasant vanilla scent.I use it every night after I shower and wake up smelling and feeling fresh. (I remain devoted to this deodorant for my waking hours). It's so yummy that I influenced my wife, and she bought several tubes for herself during Prime Day last month. It's aluminum-, baking soda-, paraben-, phthalate- and ethanol-free, making it perfect for sensitive skin. It's on the pricier side for a deodorant, but since I only use it in the evenings, it's lasted several months, which is worth it in my opinion. Lourdes Avila Uribe/HuffPostA nourishing eye cream that plumps up my entire areaI have long considered eye cream to be an afterthought, but after trying this delightful pink cream from Medicube, I know how painfully wrong I have been. Given the high-quality ingredients, I can't believe you can get it for less than $20. It's made with retinol, PDRN and peptides, drenching the skin with its effective formula. I've been using it for over a month and can say that it effectively plumps up my undereye hollow, smooths my skin and has helped with the look of dark circles and wrinkles. It's incredibly nourishing and has a silky soft texture that is quickly absorbed into the skin and acts as a nice primer for makeup. Safe to say, I won't be skipping eye cream again!Lourdes Avila Uribe/HuffPostA skin-firming serum I was pleasantly surprised by this firming serum, which is one of Medicube's newest releases. It uses innovative ingredients like NAD+ and EGF (growth factor) peptides, along with a collagen firming complex, to target common signs of aging like smile lines, wrinkles, and overall firmness. I've been using it religiously on my neck wrinkles and have found that they're softening with time, becoming less pronounced and deep. The serum itself is incredibly lightweight and smooth, giving my skin a nice glow without feeling greasy or heavy. My neck is very sensitive to powerful active ingredients and so far I've had zero negative reactions. I'm excited to see how results shake out long term, and am again delighted by the cost. Any other luxury brand would have charged over $100 for these exact same ingredients.Lourdes Avila Uribe/HuffPostAn all-in-one glow wand that makes your other facial devices irrelevantI've tried a lot of facial devices in my day, and can safely say that the Medicube Booster Pro blows them all out of the water. It's the most versatile, multi-functional device I've tried yet, and even though it's a hefty initial investment, it's worth the cash. It's a glow wand designed to give you that coveted "glass skin" look, while also working to help tackle common signs of aging, like skin laxity, dark spots, wrinkles and more. I've found that it's very effective as a microcurrent wand, and I find myself turning to it over my NuFace and Ziip. My favorite part about it is that you don't need conductive gel; it works with your existing skin care routine and products, making it a convenient and easy addition to your regimen. There's definitely a learning curve to the app. I am not someone who likes to read instruction manuals, but in this case it's a must. The app features custom guidance, a tracking, calendar tracker and personalized wand settings so you can get the most out of your device. As with all facial devices, consistency is key, but if you're committed to it, you'll see the effects fairly quickly.