From a tinted moisturizer that will forever change the way you wear sunscreens to grape-infused goodness and the healing power of roses, these 12 new summer skincare products are perfect for anything the season may throw at your complexion!
Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Drops
You already know how completely bonkers I am about Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar but it’s too rich for daytime wear. Enter: Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Drops — a serum that layers beautifully under other skincare, makeup and sunscreen, while bringing all the skin nurturing benefits of the same Bloomeffects Proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex as the OG.
And yes, it contains actual tulips, which are superbly nourishing, moisturising and protective for the skin.
It’s also packed with squalene oil, a herbal blend of roots used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hyaluronic acid, sugar beet extract and vitamins B3 (Niacinamide), C, D and E to take care of dry patches and environmental damage (think: the sun and pollution). You won’t believe how smooth, plump and bright skin looks after a few days of consistent use!
The Tulip Dew Drops have a milky, balmy texture — I like to think of it as tulip sap straight from the fields of Amsterdam to make the journey more sensorial. There’s barely any fragrance because… tulips have no fragrance? Like really, someone tell me… do tulips have a fragrance? I’ve never thought of it before.
Caudalie Vinosource Hydra Grape Water Gel Moisturizer
Caudalie is the OG in using grape extracts for skincare. And the new Vinosource Hydra Grape Water Gel Moisturizer furthers the know-how with organic prebiotic grape water and grape juice, along with aloe vera and squalene, for a lightweight gel-cream that strengthens the skin with natural hydration, making it feel supple sans any greasiness (because who has time for that?).
And it feels seriously cooling and refreshing — exactly what you need in your summer skincare products. Vineyards may not be in my immediate future but every time I massage even a tiny bit of this lightweight, fruity gel into my skin, it feels like I am carrying a bit of the French countryside with me. It just makes me feel invigorated and ready to take on whatever the day may have in store. Yes, it’s a vibe. And yes, you won’t experience what I am talking about unless you try it on your own!
Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer
Fresh’s newly reformulated Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer has become my ultimate solution for soft, supple skin that feels like I’ve just had a facial. A trio of hydrating elements — pure damask rose extract, high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acids, and 72-hour time release technology — leave skin feeling soft, supple and super-moisturized without any sticky residue.
Added bonus: The gel-cream formula is also packed with rose water and rose oils to balance, tone, soothe and balance the skin. Though, if you are not a rose lover, you need to know this definitely has a fragrance. I find it subtle, natural and pleasing, unlike the saccharine, sickly sweet ones that so many skincare formulations add on superficially. But then, I do love roses and think they add a touch of gloriousness to summer skincare products, so this is one thing you will need to figure out for yourself.
Kora Organics Turmeric Glow Moisturizer
We know that turmeric is a super-powerful beauty ingredient but one that’s difficult to incorporate into skincare because of its tendency to turn you a not-so-flattering shade of yellow. And that’s why I love Kora Organics “custom liposomal encapsulation” technology, which has managed to bring out this spice’s skin loving benefits sans the staining.
And they have added in licorice extract, noni fruit, marine micro algae, desert date oil, rosehip oil and maracuja oil to brighten the skin tone and busting dark spots, while providing a hefty dose of hydration. So, say goodbye to dullness, fine lines and wrinkles because the Turmeric Glow Moisturizer will leave you glowing as if it’s mid-summer all year round!
Saie Slip Cover Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
The first time I wore the Saie Slip Cover, my husband commented on how “clean and polished” my skin looked. Now, anyone who’s been married almost 15 years will understand why your husband actually noticing that something’s “different” about your skin is impressive after all this time. Right?
Right. And that’s just ONE of the reasons why I love this tinted moisturizer that’s crafted in typical Saie fashion: A physical SPF with 15% zinc oxide (read why that’s my go-to sunscreen ingredient here) and tinty, dewy, lightweight coverage that feels amazing and looks even better.
It also uses all natural ingredients — like argan oil, pansy flowers and hyaluronic acid for hydration, plus licorice for brightening. Coverage is sheer-to-medium and can be built up so you don’t need a separate foundation. Cue: The perfect complexion without any tugging, streaking or feeling like you’ve got layers of stuff on your skin. Definitely a summer skincare essential!
Jenny Patinkin Uplifting Gua Sha Heart
If someone had told me that I would be going bonkers over pretty pink hearts this time last year, I would have seriously questioned their mental state. Aren’t gooey pink hearts for tweens? Actually not, I have realised, when they are crafted from the finest rose quartz, help sculpt your face and flush out unwanted toxins from your body.
Which is basically me describing Jenny Patinkin’s Uplifting Gua Sha Heart — something I find myself reaching for on a daily basis because of its ability to promote lymphatic drainage (buh-bye toxins), reduce fluid retention, relax the muscles and improve skin elasticity for a smoother, more supple and defined face.
Plus, there’s the very fact of rose quartz as a healing crystal — both aesthetically and emotionally — and I am not surprised that Jenny can’t keep these hearts in stock for long enough. Seriously, if you see it, get it… it tends to sell out really, really fast. Next up in my skincare and selfcare arsenal: The Jenny Patinkin Rose-on-Rose Body Roller. Watch this space for a review!
Aromatherapy Associates Rose Pink Clay Mask
Having a hard time with your face, body, hair or scalp? The multipurpose Aromatherapy Associates Rose Pink Clay Mask is packed with French pink clay and an apothecary’s worth of other natural ingredients (like essential oils of rose, lavender, geranium and palmarosa) that will de-congest the complexion, get rid of all that excess grease for a manageable head of hair AND keep your scalp and skin hydrated even when it’s scorching outside.
As an added bonus, it will make your entire house smell like roses — and remember what I said about them adding a touch of gloriousness to summer skincare products? (Disclaimer: this product may not reduce stress related to future credit card bills because it’s definitely going to become a repeat purchase.)
Tata Harper Radiance Mask for Reactive Skin
Sometimes, summer skin is a Catch-22 situation. All that sun exposure can make it too sensitive for regular masks and also too needy to be left alone. Enter the Tata Harper Radiance Mask for Reactive Skin, which has quickly become my go-to for getting up, close and personal with my complexion when it has been wrecked with too much sun, pollution and general summer hotness.
This mask is specifically designed for those who are on the reactive side and need a gentle exfoliating treatment. It’s made of some seriously state-of-the-art ingredients like self-neutralizing AHAs and sugar prebiotics that gently exfoliate away blocked pores and skin-dulling dead cells, while replenishing water levels in your parched epidermis to reveal a healthy glow. All without being too harsh and stripping the skin any further. Win-win situation, I would say!
Patchology Serve Chilled Rosé Eye Gels
The bubbles on your Champagne aren’t the only ones that deserve a sip! Pop Patchology’s Serve Chilled Rosé Eye Gel Mask in the fridge for when your overworked peepers need some quick-acting, beauty boosting hydration. They are perfect for end-of-day cooling and soothing after long hours of staring at the computer screen (me!) or being out in the sun and smoke of summer. I don’t know about you but my eyes are usually puffy and in real pain by the time most nights roll around nowadays.
So, why do I rate these as essential summer skincare products over the other 729384783 eye masks on the market? They are formulated with antioxidant-rich resveratrol (from grapes!) and strawberry extract to help protect from environmental stressors, along with hyaluronic acid for a megadose of hydration. Plus, they stay put and don’t keep sliding around, which can be a major buzzkill!
It’s easy to say that you need to protect skin from the sun at all costs but life happens! And sometimes even the best sun protection routine can leave you red faced, dry, tight, irritated and begging for some relief.
I know the struggle… it feels like there’s no going back, but that’s when you need to have Sun Bum’s Restoring Face Mask on hand. This summer skincare essential has antioxidant-rich bananas to moisturize thirsty cells (yes, bananas!), brown algae for soothing redness and irritation, and aloe vera to cool and calm any sensitivity or inflammation. Slather on a handful, pour yourself a cup of chilled white wine, take a deep breath and get ready for some me time — you’ll be happy you didn’t give up on yourself!
Lord Jones Bump & Smooth CBD Body Serum
If you’ve ever had a hankering for face-grade products for your body, this is IT. Lord Jones Bump & Smooth CBD Body Serum contains a blend of four acids (glycolic, lactic, malic and salicylic) to smooth away bumpy or rough body skin via chemical exfoliation.
The acids are buffered with full spectrum hemp-derived CBD extract, antioxidants, ceramides and squalene oil to ensure that the formula works without damaging the skin’s natural barrier. Which is super important because to be beautiful, skin first needs to be healthy!
Just a couple of caveats: Like all acid-based products, you need to start slow and build up the frequency of applications (I started with once in 10 days and built it up to the twice-weekly routine that Lord & Jones recommends for optimal effects.) And, again, like all AHA-based products, this can increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so use suncreen, wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure while using this serum.
Payot Radiance Boost 10-Day Cure
I am not surprised if the ’10-Day Cure’ part of this description makes you want to shut down. After all, there are very few of us who have not been disappointed by the promise of a quick-fix. Me included. So, when I saw Payot’s Radiance Boost 10-Day Cure, my agenda was to prove that this is not one that works.
It so happens that I had failed to take into account Payot’s reputation for authenticity and innovation (you don’t last for 100 years just like that!). And the fact that the French don’t tolerate false advertising where their complexion is concerned. Because this tiny vial did make a visible difference to my skin in 10 days. Yes, 10 days. Which makes it top of the summer skincare products chart for me.
How? It’s down to the pure 12% vitamin C. Vitamin C that’s so fresh that you have to mix it yourself by turning the cap so it mixes into the serum. And then you apply 4-5 drops every evening for skin that’s smoother and has more a radiance than when you started. Don’t believe it? Take a photo before and after. That’s what I did. And that’s why I am writing these words.
Leave a Reply