5 Skin Care Products To Start Using This Summer

 

What better way to kick off the season of sunshine and outdoor activities than with a lineup of hydrating, refreshing, and UV-protecting skin care products? In honor of summer’s impending debut, we put together a handful of our favorite summer-appropriate skin care products, and we’re sharing them with you ahead. Chances are a few of these products are already staples of your daily routine (high-five on that one), but if not, it’s not too late to incorporate them. 

LIP CARE

Newsflash: Proper lip care is not solely reserved for the dry winter months; it should be a year-round habit! The delicate skin on your lips lack oil glands and melanin, making them even more susceptible to dryness and UV damage. As such, we recommend extending the Broad Spectrum SPF applications to your lips as well just as you would the rest of your face and body. If your current lip conditioner isn’t formulated with SPF, swap it out for one that is—like The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care Stick SPF 15—and is safe for all skin types. Apply liberal coats, and be sure to follow up as needed or at least every two hours. 

Want to learn more about how to protect your lips during the season of sun? We’re giving you the full low-down here.

SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of a skin care routine year-round, so you should already have one in your arsenal. If not, well, what are you waiting for?  We love La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios AOX in particular for its dual-action benefits. This serum-based sunscreen offers Broad Spectrum SPF 50 protection while supplying the skin with antioxidants, and can help neutralize the appearance of pre-existing damage. Plus, the oil-free serum formula is lightweight and fast-absorbing. Check out a few more sunscreens that fit seamlessly into any skin care and makeup routine, here.

Editor’s note: As with all sunscreens, you must reapply at least every two hours or immediately after sweating, swimming, or toweling dry. For the best line of protection, pair your sunscreen use with other sun protection measures, such as seeking shade, avoiding peak sun hours, and wearing protective clothing.

FACIAL MIST

There are few things more refreshing than a spritz of facial mist on a hot summer day. We love to keep these mists on our desk and in our purse for a burst of skin hydration anywhere and everywhere. This is especially handy while outdoors at the beach or in a sweaty, over-packed subway car. Try Shu Uemura’s Depsea Facial Mist.

Top tip: For a cooling skin treat, store your face mist in the fridge prior to use.

MOISTURIZER

Many skin care lovers like to switch out their heavy-duty winter face creams for lighter, often gel-based moisturizers (or even hydrating serums) during summer. Even though these formulations are lightweight, they can still pack a serious hydration punch. Case in point? SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel. Wear it on its own or incorporate it into your moisturizer of choice for an added boost of hydration. The brand recommends pairing this moisturizing serum with a vitamin C antioxidant serum—discover a few of our favorites here—followed by a Broad Spectrum sunscreen.

FACE MASKS

Whether it’s a clay mask, a sheet mask, a gel mask, or a sleeping mask, there’s no shortage of face masks out there to help address a wide variety of skin concerns. If your skin is on the drier side, reach for face masks that offer an extra boost of hydration like Vichy’s Quenching Mineral Face Mask. The formula contains the brand’s beloved Mineralizing Thermal Water and vitamin B3, and offers a cooling sensation that makes it perfect for use on a hot day. To use, simply apply the mask to facial contours and allow it to sit for five minutes. Massage any excess into the skin or wipe away with a cotton pad.