I take my skincare routine seriously all year round but I really have to find the right products for my summer skincare routine to keep my skin balanced and protected. Between the long days of intense sun, extreme heat and brutal humidity, it’s a constant battle to use formulas that help nourish my skin without making it feel suffocated. The summer months can really take a toll on the skin and I try to incorporate the right skincare products to help with this. I like to switch to lightweight formulas and focus on products that really hydrate and replenish my skin. I’m sharing a round-up of products that can help you look glowing and healthy despite the external elements. Here are 19 must have summer skincare products.
19 Skincare Products For Summer
Cleansers
Elemis Cleansing Balm
I’ve been using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for nearly 10 years and loved it from my very first use. It cuts through my makeup effortlessly, removes every last bit (even waterproof) and leaves my skin feeling nourished, moisturized and soft. A really good cleansing balm should give a thorough deep clean without stripping the skin.
For those new to using cleansing balms, specifically the Elemis Pro-Collagen one, they are often cleansers made with various oils and nourishing blends that transform on the skin once water is added. Most cleansing balms will go through three stages of texture: rich balm when first applied, silky oil when rubbed into the skin and then a gentle milk once water is added. While many may be hesitant to use an oil based product on their skin to cleanse, it is actually the oil that will break through the dirt and makeup on the skin effortlessly, remove it easily and help cleanse the skin more deeply ultimately leading to fewer breakouts and blemishes.
Colleen Rothschild Balancing Gel Cleanser
Especially in the summer, I love a good gel cleanser and this one is a tried and true favorite. It’s refreshing in scent and texture and really provides a great second cleanse without drying or stripping the skin. It does foam up after adding water but thankfully it doesn’t dry the skin out as a result and my skin actually felt balanced and well hydrated after. This will be definitely be a repurchase!
Toners, Essences and Face Mists
Pixi Glow Tonic
I have been using this gentle exfoliating toner for nearly a decade. It’s help clear away any dead skin cells which is particularly important during the summer. Use a few times a week in the morning or evening and your skin will be glowing!
Rhode Glazing Milk
This is a lightweight milky essence designed to prep the skin for product absorption, boost barrier function and provide instant hydration. It contains a mix of ceramides, a magnesium + zinc + copper blend and beta-glucan to help soften and moisturize the skin. It also helps to reduce redness over time. This is a product that would be great for all skin types and any age which is why I love it so much. It’s an easy product to fit into any skincare routine. Typically I will use it after I have cleansed and toned but before I apply any serums/moisturizers.
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
Even though it is VERY humid here where I live, my skin can still get very dehydrated in the summer. I will spray face mists during my skincare routines and also throughout the day. This one is just spring water and instantly refreshes my skin. So hydrating and soothing.
Serums
Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum (discount code: MAREESYE)
Summer is often the season where we can get the most sun damage and dark spots so I like to do what I can to keep my skin protected and treat any hyperpigmentation as soon as possible. The Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum addresses many skin concerns so it may be a great replacement for various products in your routine if you are looking to streamline your lineup. However the biggest benefit of this product is how well it fades dark spots. It’s one of the best serums I’ve tried in a long time that really made my skin look even and clear. The key ingredient in the formula is Malassezin, which is 10x more powerful than vitamin c in helping reduce and fade dark spots.
Naturium Barrier Bounce
I like to use a hydrating serum almost daily and this has been the only one I’ve been reaching for. Holy GLOW!! It can be used a ton of different ways (as an essence, as a serum, as a lightweight moisturizer) but I prefer to use it as a serum. It instantly plumps my skin and delivers intense long lasting hydration. And the price point is under $25 which absolutely blows my mind. This is 10x better than serums double and triple the price. Highly recommend!!!
Medik8 C-Tetra
I use a vitamin c serum every single morning in my skincare routine. While this is described as a serum, it actually feels more like a lightweight oil. I love the silky texture but only need a 1-3 drops to cover my entire face. If I use much more than that, I do notice that my skin will get oily throughout the day. However, the silky oil-like formula is wonderful for my normal to dry skin and it makes my skin look so fresh and bright. It contains a stabilized form of vitamin c so it’s great for all skin types but especially those that have a sensitivity to vitamin c. And the addition of vitamin E in this formula really helps to nourish the skin.
Face Masks
Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
The mask utilizes Clarins’ proprietary cryo-starter technology to reduce the skin temperature by 7 degrees which is typically colder than traditional cryotherapy facial tools. This cooling feature helps to visibly lift, reduce the appearance of pore size and boost skin radiance. When I first applied it, I could immediately feel the cooling sensation which feels refreshing. It’s not too cold that my skin felt uncomfortable or in pain, nor did I have any issue with irritation or redness. I applied it and left it on for 10 minutes and the cooling sensation stayed consistent the entire time. It was actually quite amazing and perfect to use during the summer.
Colleen Rothschild Intense Hydrating Mask
A true holy grail for me. This hydrating mask is a constant repurchase and one that I am never without. It’s a lightweight gel cream formulated with coral grass and micro-algae that delivers intense hydration and moisture. You can either apply a thicker layer and leave on for 20 minutes for an intensive treatment or apply a very thin layer and sleep in it. Either way, my skin always looks bouncy, firm and radiant. For the price point, it’s effectiveness and all around feel on the skin, this mask checks all the boxes for me.
Colleen Rothschild Clarifying Detox Mask
Detox masks and mud masks are a definite staple in my routine but I have a love/hate relationship with many of them. Some mud masks do an amazing job at pulling out impurities but they strip my skin of its natural oils and leaves it feeling dry and uncomfortably tight. But this detox mask manages to deep clean while also leaving my skin feeling balanced and nourished. It’s another staple in my skincare routine and a mask that I continue to repurchase over and over. It contains activated charcoal and kaolin clay to detoxify clogged pores while vitamin c and willowherb brighten and soothe the skin. A little tip – apply this all over and then use a facial steamer to steam your face. It will help open up the pores and allow the mask to work even better.
Moisturizers
Colleen Rothschild Sheer Renewal Cream
This cream was one of the first products I ever tried from Colleen Rothschild and what made me fall in love with her products. I have been using this oil-free cream for nearly 10 years. It’s a lightweight gel-cream that helps to hydrate and smooth the skin so I prefer using as a daytime moisturizer and it’s perfect for the heat and humidity. It wears beautifully under foundation and preps the skin so nicely. Even though it is oil-free and feels like nothing on the skin, I still find that it moisturizes deeply and keeps my skin hydrated all day long.
Colleen Rothschild Extreme Recovery Cream
This moisturizer is aptly named because it provides extreme recovery to the skin. It’s a rich cream that delivers intensive care for dry and dehydrated skin. It helps to strengthen the skin barrier and is fantastic to use when you skin needs a bit of TLC. Or when you have been out in the sun all day and need something to help soothe and nourish. I’ve gone through about 5 jars of this over the past few years and constantly order another because it always comes through for my skin.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer
Another product that has been recommended to me by many of you for years now is this gel moisturizer. And now I understand why. This moisturizer is like an immediate boost of water for your skin! It’s a gel texture that feel lightweight to the touch but is incredibly nourishing as soon as it hits the skin. A must have for the hot summer weather.
Face Sunscreen
Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum (discount code: Maree)
The Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum is a 100% mineral broad spectrum SPF 50 with a lightweight serum texture. It provides protection against UVA & UVB rays, pollution, blue light and free radicals. There is a slight tint to it that evens out the complexion slightly and gives the skin a fresh radiant glow. It is designed for all skin types though those with normal, dry or mature skin may like this a bit more. It has a dewy finish which may not be preferred by those with oily skin types so it’s definitely worth mentioning.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46
This is a long time favorite sunscreen and a regular repurchase for me. I prefer the clear version but there is a tinted version as well. I love wearing it under makeup but it is also the sunscreen that I bring with me to the beach/park etc because it gives such great sun protection. And I also like to recommend this sunscreen for anyone that has acne prone skin, rosacea or hyperpigmentation.
Body Care Products
Supergoop Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50
Listen, I’m going to give it to you straight. I don’t love the feeling of sunscreen on my body but I need the sun protection and don’t want sun damage so I have to use one. LOL I’ve tried a bunch and this is one of the only ones I can tolerate and not want to immediately rinse off. LOL It’s lightweight, doesn’t feel too greasy and really helps to keep me from getting burnt. This is what I reach for when I’m going on a walk, going to the pool/beach or going to the park.
One Skin OS-01 Body Topical Treatment (discount code: MAREE15)
I like to treat the skin on my body with the same amount of care that I do on my face. This body topical treatment is great for helping support a healthy skin barrier, boosting hydration and improving skin texture. It also contains an ingredient designed to prevent and fade photoaging and dark spots.
One Skin OS-01 Body SPF (discount code: MAREE15)
I like the Supergoop Body Mist for when I plan on spending more time outdoors or doing something active. For my day to day life, I use this One Skin Body SPF on my chest and arms/hands. It’s incredibly hydrating and gives my skin a subtle sheen that makes it look healthy and radiant.
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