Summer skin care means more than just the sunscreen. We’ve curated a collection of products made with good-for-you ingredients that address problem areas like fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, dullness and dryness to reveal a radiant, health summer glow.
Award-winning Elina Organics skincare, created by celebrity aesthetician, cosmetic chemist and leading holistic skincare expert Elina Fedotova, has introduced its Oceanic Acne Defense Line, a trio of products targeting acne on dry, sensitive skin, often called “adult acne,” that can be caused by anything, from cosmetic allergies to hormone imbalance to clogged pores to environmental toxins.
Think beachy vibes with the Oceanic Resurfacing Mask ($58), which is enriched with extracts and spicules from marine sponges in the Atlantic Ocean to exfoliate deeply, revealing fresh and smooth skin. The spicules, which act like teeny-tiny painless micro-needles, work to penetrate and deliver vital micronutrients for skin renewal. Copper peptides stimulate collage production to improve skin elasticity, tightening the skin and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The Oceanic Cooling Serum ($42) calms the skin with extracts of marine pearls and sponges from Atlantic to soothe, heal and reduce inflammation. The hydrating Oceanic Acne Defense Lotion ($68), with extracts and spicules from Caribbean sponges, natural minerals and retinol (vitamin A), exfoliate and penetrate the skin to deliver micronutrients to encourage natural skin renewal. All told, you’ll notice improved skin texture and reduced hyperpigmentation with the first application.
If you don’t like the feel of heavy, greasy, sticky sunscreen on your face, say hello to Blithe, a high-end skincare brand from Korea, that offers two types of protection against harmful UV rays.
Honest Sunscreen ($26) is an SPF 50, no-white-cast cream for guaranteed protection against UVA and UVB rays for those on the go. Featuring natural moisturizers with its skin-barrier strengthening, pH-balancing and eco-friendly formula, Honest provides enhanced elasticity and nourishment without drying the skin.
Blithe’s Airy Sunscreen ($26) is silky and ultra-lightweight, and glides smoothly on skin without greasy residue, offering the perfect SPF 50 protection under makeup. Formulated with fast-acting zinc oxide and Poredom Complex, it protects skin from sunburn and other UV damage such as age spots and wrinkles.
Both formulas are mineral oil-, paraben-, sulfate, phthalates- gluten-, formaldehyde- and synthetic-fragrance free.
Formulated with healthier, mostly organic ingredients, Coola’s Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray ($28) comes in refreshing, natural scents such as Guava Mango (shown), Peach Blossom, Piña Colada and Tropical Coconut.
Each spray-on, ultra-sheer sunscreen is water-resistant and provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection for long, active days in the sun, but is light enough for everyday use. Coola’s “Farm to Face” formula features the brand’s antioxidant-rich plant-protection complex to fight free radicals and nourish skin.
Nothing says summer like the crisp, refreshing scent of lemons and Food Story’s Lemon Vitamin Fresh Moisturizer ($15) is all about it!
Lemons, which have been used since ancient times for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, are chockful of vitamin C, essential minerals and antioxidants. The natural acids and oils found in lemons are also known to cleanse pores and help reduce discoloration for clear and vibrant skin.
Packed with the vitamin C of lemons from lemon extract, the moisturizer is ideal for oily skin. The non-greasy, non-sticky formula absorbs quickly and hydrates with plant-based ingredients for supple, smooth skin.
Protect your melanin-rich skin with Buttah’s Tinted Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 50 ($26). Founded by model, actor and recording artist Dorion Renaud, Buttah’s entire line of products targets dryness, discoloration, oiliness and blemishes with products made from simple, effective and beneficial ingredients.
Free from chemicals and parabens, the lightweight sunscreen defends the face, neck and chest from the sun’s harmful rays. Unlike regular sunscreens, the mineral formula works as a barrier against the sun, deflecting light instead of absorbing it. The best part? The formula goes on clear and vanishes to a matte finish.
Clinique’s tried-and-tested SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face ($34) is ultra-lightweight and oil-free and made for all skin types, even sensitive skin. Dermatologist- and pediatrician-tested, it’s gentle enough to use around the eye area and safe for use on the little ones.
With its Invisible Shield Technology that acts like a protective veil, the lotion absorbs quickly and is virtually impossible on all skin tones.
The organic skincare line is known for its elastin- and collagen-boosting products like the Age-Defying Dream Cream ($64) and Age-Defying Eye Cream ($64) duo.
Fans cannot get enough of the Dream Cream, which restores skin’s vitality by targeting fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin and more. The formula contains a blend of 25 of nature’s best botanicals (the brand’s exclusive “Plant-Based Botox”) such as maple leaf extract to stop the breakdown of elastin and eliminate age spots, vitamin C, mango seed butter for radiance, and camu camu fruit extract to reverse sun damage. The Eye Cream, formulated with similar ingredients, addresses puffy or swollen under-eye bags, as well as crow’s feet, dark circles and sagging or droopy skin.
The Korean-based skincare brand offers products that are 100% vegan, and sulfate- and paraben-free.
And you can’t go wrong with the fun Summer Vibes Face Mask Bundle ($24), which is a great way to grow your sheet-mask stash! Each set has 12 masks, all infused with fruit extracts like grape, watermelon, berry, kiwi and pineapple to target many skin annoyances like dark spots, redness and dryness.
There’s also a 10-piece Spa Life Hand, Foot, Nail & Face Spa Set ($20, available on Amazon) that pampers from head to toe for the ultimate at-home indulgence. Each set comes with two Cucumber & Aloe Face Wraps, two Avocado & Vitamin E Face Wraps, two pairs of Cocoa Butter & Vitamin E Hand Gloves, two sets of Japanese Camelia Oil & Vitamin E Nail/Cuticle Wraps, and two pairs of Spearmint & Tea Tree Oil Foot Sockies.
