Each season truly has its own skincare and beauty favorites. My face cleanser changes, the moisturizers I use are lighter, and I’m always looking for anything and everything to have SPF in it.
With the new season, comes new products to use. Plus, you always want to try to make sure you’re showing off your best summer skin. There’s so much that changes with a summer beauty and skin care routine to ensure your skin stays clear of breakouts from the excess sweat and oil and so you aren’t weighed down with heavy makeup.
In the summer I do a lot of different beauty and skincare swaps and preferences change. My nail polish color choice, the amount of makeup I use and types, and so on. Plus, if you’re not interested in laying by the pool to build your tan, I’ve got the ultimate product for you today. And if you’re a sun worshiper like me, I’ve got you covered too.
I’ve discovered a few new things lately and wanted to share them with you as they’ve become part of my everyday routine for spring and summer. From a new lipstick to try, the serums I use in warmer months, everyday moisturizers and the best summer red nail polish. This is my ultimate summer makeup and skincare list!
Summer Beauty And Skincare Products I’m Loving
Essie Polish In Geranium
I am all about a good red, but come summer I like to find a good red/orange for my nails. This is hands down the most perfect summer red if you ask me! PS learn how to do an at home mani right here! I have a few colors I like to rotate through for summer besides Geranium like pretty lilacs, white, and a more rusty orange like essie Yes I Canyon.
Isle Of Paradise Tanning Drops
A friend of mine turned me onto these a nd I lvoe them. If you want to avoid sun damage and laying by the pool for hours, grab these tanning drops. They turn any of your favorite lotions into a tanning lotion. Just add 3 drops to some moisturizer for each leg. I use the dark ones (purple bottle) and it’s easy to build. Plus, most notably, it doesn’t smell! You can read my tutorial and review here to learn more.
Coco & Eve Tanning Face Mist
While I love my Isle of Paradise drops, there’s something about the drops that just don’t work that well on the face. It’s too much drop-to-moisturizer ratio. I prefer using this Coco & Eve tanning mist. A few sprays, super even tanning, and you’re good to go. It’s the perfect sun kissed glow! Use code INDIGO20 to get 20% off your order. I also really love the body foam for an all over tan.
Hydrating Face Lotion With SPF
While you should always be wearing SPF no matter what, summer is even more important to protect your skin from sun damage. I’ve been using my Cosmedix Peptide Rich Defense SPF 50 for years and love the formula. If you want something less expensive, this CeraVe ultra light face moisturizer is great too.
And if you don’t have oily skin like me, you can try something more hydrating with hyaluronic acid or a gel cream style moisturizer to lock in moisture. This is especially crucial if you have gotten some color as our skin tends to dry out even more after sun exposure.
An Exfoliating Facewash
Come summer you should always reevaluate your skincare routine. I get much more oily in the summer since the sun and sweat stimulate oil production. If you have acne prone skin, you know! So a more exfoliating cleanser is ideal to remove excess oil and buildup.
Look for salicylic acid in your face wash to help with your oil production and wash away dirt and oils. This is usually the first swap I make in my summer beauty routine to ensure I keep breakouts at bay. If you have dry skin, skip this step!
Vitamin C Serum
Little SPF secret from me to you. Vitamin C is kind of like an SPF and can help prevent sunburn. No, it should NOT be used in place of SPF. But, it can be used under SPF for added protection.
I find a serum penetrates my skin more deeply and I more easily sweat off a moisturizer. This protects your skin just a little bit more from the sun. I notice less burning in the summer months when I do this trick.
Plus, Vitamin C is just a great all around serum for all skin types. It helps reduce the look of wrinkles, dark spots and prevents sun damage.
Post Sun Tan Products
No matter if you tan or burn, having a post sun care routine is important. I rely on a few products to boost hydration to help avoid peeling, and to calm any burns.
I usually start using a hyaluronic acid serum on my face if I got a good bit of color or a slight burn. A sun burn or even a tan can really dry your skin out so you want to make sure your adding back in some hydration.
And if I did overdo it in the sun, this Sun Bum cool down lotion is perfect to relieve your sunburned skin. If you need more hydration you can look for ingredients like shea butter and squalene.
Lightweight Summer Lipstick
In the warmer months, the last thing I want is heavy lipstick. Especially one in a dark shade. Give me lightweight formulas in summery shades. I love the Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond gloss in shade Text Em. It’s lightweight but is almost like a stain in that it stays on for HOURS. I love this formula so much and find myself reaching for it on hotter days.
I also really like a good orange-red lipstick if I do want a classic satin finish. MERIT Beauty’s CABO shade is a favorite. And for a nude, you can’t go wrong with Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk.
ELF Halo Glow Filter
Instead of heavy foundation, try tinted moisturizers or lightweight foundations instead. I’m enjoying the ELF Halo Glow Filter which is a dupe to the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter. Its light coverage gives you a nice glow and goes on so well.
Another lightweight option is the Saie Slip Tint which is clean, lightweight and adds the perfect glow.
My Shaving Secret
Come summer, we want to show off our smooth legs which means we’re shaving every single day it seems. My secret to getting a super close shave, and hydrating your skin, is to use baby oil. I swear it works wonders! I made the switch years ago and will never go back to shaving cream ever again.
