Nadia Rose | 2 min. read

nood

Hot girl summer is a lifestyle

That’s right — Summer is finally here, and you know what that means; beach days, travel plans, and clothing at a bare minimum. But the arrival of warm weather and increased sun exposure also brings its own set of challenges when it comes to loving for our skin. The combination of intense UV rays, sweltering temperatures, humidity and environmental stressors can wreak havoc on our complexions if we're not properly prepared.
From dryness and dehydration to sunburns and sun damage, the summer elements can lead to dullness, uneven texture, dark spots and premature aging if we neglect our skincare needs. That's why it's so important to upgrade our routines this season with targeted treatments and protective measures to keep our skin looking and feeling its absolute best.

The good news is, by following the right summer skincare regimen, you can enjoy plump, dewy, hydrated skin that maintains a gorgeous radiance all season long – no matter how high the temperatures rise. We've curated the ultimate guide to glowing summer skin with an edit of our latest must-have products to incorporate into your routine. Get ready to achieve a lit-from-within summer glow!

SPF BFF

Let's start with the most important step – sunscreen! We can't stress this enough. Daily sunscreen application is an absolute must, even on cloudy days. Look for a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection of SPF 30 or higher. Zinc oxide is typically safe and affective even on sensitive skin Our current fave is the Unsun Cosmetics Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30. This silky formula glides on smoothly without any white cast and doubles as a tinted moisturizer.

Premature Aging? No Thanks

Next up, vitamin C! This potent antioxidant not only brightens and evens out skin tone, but also protects against free radical damage caused by sun exposure. We're obsessed with the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF serum. The unique combination of 2% phloretin, 10% pure vitamin C, and 0.5% ferulic acid packs a serious punch. Apply it daily after cleansing and before moisturizer for a lit-from-within summer radiance.

Thirsty Much?

To really drive hydration into the deeper layers of the skin, i’m hooked on the Moon Juice Plump Jelly Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This ultra-hydrating serum is packed with five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to plump and smooth skin at every level. We all know that hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet but, little did we know it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water! Layer this serum underneath your moisturizer morning and night for an instant quenching boost. But this formula goes beyond basic hyaluronic acid with the addition of adaptogenic reishi mushroom and PGA peptides. Reishi is a revered superfood mushroom loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to help calm and protect the skin. Meanwhile, the PGA peptides work to boost your skin's natural production of hyaluronic acid for intense and long-lasting hydration.

Bora Bora + Botanicals

There's also skin-quenching botanical extracts like glycerin, sodium PCA, and aloe to draw moisture into the skin and prevent hydration loss. Layer this overachieving serum underneath your moisturizer morning and night for an instant plumping effect. Your skin will drink it up and stay dewy all day (and night!) long.

Speaking of moisturizers, hot summer days call for lighter, gel-based formulas that hydrate without feeling heavy or greasy. Our Editors are loving the cult-favorite Dr. Loretta Micro Gel Hydrating Moisturizer. It absorbs quickly into skin while providing intense 72-hour hydration thanks to probiotics and botanical extracts. Pat a few pumps into your skin after applying your serums. If you have stubborn skin (like a lot of us) and you want to really seal in moisture and create a physical barrier against environmental aggressors, facial oils are key. Our go-to summer facial oil is the ultranourishing Kypris Beauty Elixir III: Prismatic Array. A few drops of this lush, vibrant green potion made with 26 botanical extracts deliver a powerful hit of antioxidants while locking in hydration. We like to press it into our skin as the last step of our daytime and nighttime routines for a dewy, radiant finish.

Summer Glow Up

No summer skincare regimen would be complete without addressing dullness and uneven texture. Make sure to incorporate a gentle exfoliating treatment 2-3 times per week to slough off dead skin cells and promote cellular renewal. The Plant-Based Beauty Keep Glowing AHA Peel Tonic contains a 10% blend of vegan lactic acid and fruit extracts to quite literally dissolve debris and reveal a radiant summer glow.

As an extra step on hot summer days, we recommend keeping the Kora Organics Minty Mist in your bag for a refreshing spritz whenever your skin is feeling parched. This invigorating face mist is infused with peppermint, rosemary, and Tasmanian spring water to hydrate and revive dull, fatigued skin. The cooling formula delivers an instant burst of healthy moisture while balancing oil production. Mist liberally over makeup or bare skin throughout the day for a revitalizing pick-me-up — Your skin will thank you!

Girls Night In

And on those nights when you need some extra pampering, treat yourself to the viral Cocomint Beauty Sungboon Deep Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Face Mask. This ultra-nourishing bio-cellulose sheet mask is generously saturated in a powerhouse anti-aging essence that deeply replenishes and rejuvenates tired skin. The key ingredient is hydrolyzed collagen, which contains small molecules that can penetrate deep into the skin barrier. Collagen is what gives our skin its plump, youthful bounce, but production slows as we age. That’s where this mask enters the chat by replenishing those lost collagen levels to smooth wrinkles and fine lines while restoring elasticity.

It's also loaded with botanical superstars like niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone, panthenol to attract and seal in moisture, and adenosine to amp up collagen production. Antioxidants like green tea and Japanese camellia extracts neutralize free radicals and protect against environmental aggressors.

Leave this ultra-hydrating mask on overnight as it won’t slip and let the concentrated active ingredients work their magic. You'll wake up to a smoother, firmer, more lifted, and radiant complexion. It's the perfect weekly treatment to keep dull, dehydrated summer skin at bay.