16 Best Summer Beauty Heroes to Look and Feel Refreshed + Glowy All Season Long
It's that time of year when we stow away those winter coats and bring out our shorts, tank tops and bathing suits — summer is approaching! Warm, sunny days spent outside, whether on the beach, tanning on the deck or having a backyard bbq, are right on the horizon. And your swimsuits aren't the only thing you should be bringing out; make sure you're stocked up on all your summer beauty products like SPF, deodorant, dewy makeup and more that will have you looking and feeling fresh all season long. Don't just take our word for it; We tapped top skincare, hair and beauty experts for their favorite summer beauty products to add to your arsenal.
Related: The Secret to a Natural-Looking Sun-Kissed Glow All Year Long — No Sun Needed
Why refresh your beauty products for summer?
There are a few reasons why you should switch up your beauty routine with the changing of the seasons.
A change in weather leads to a change in hair and skin concerns
In the winter, you probably stock up on as much hydration as you can: thick moisturizers, nourishing lip balms, hand cream for cracked skin and leave-ins for dry hair. When the days start getting warmer, your hair and skin will change along with the weather. You'll need a good SPF to protect your skin from those harmful UV rays (although you should be wearing sunscreen all-year round), hair oils to fight frizz and humidity and perhaps a tinted moisturizer to add some color to your complexion.
Related: “I Tried Skin Cycling and Was Amazed at How Smooth and Glowing My Skin Looks Now”
We sweat more
Higher temperatures usually lead to our sweat glands working overtime. We may need a heavy-duty deodorant or anti-perspirant for summer, or a whole body deodorant to prevent body odor from head-to-toe.
Lightweight products perform best in summer
"Just like your summertime wardrobe, your summertime skincare needs to be lighter!" affirms Pooja Rambhia, MD, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. Thicker products that we may use in the winter can feel cakey, heavy and unpleasant once summer approaches. Instead, stock up on lightweight moisturizers, liquid or cream makeup that leave a dewy sheen and tinted moisturizers rather than thick foundations.
"My preferred summertime moisturizers are lightweight, non-comedogenic and thus less likely to clog pores and cause breakouts and absorb easily into the skin leaving a non-greasy moisturized feeling," explains Dr. Rambhia.
Related: No-Makeup Makeup Trend: Pro Tricks to Get That Natural Look With Little Effort
16 best summer beauty products you will love
Below, the best summer beauty products and essentials to beat the heat while looking and feeling fabulous all season long.
For stunning summer hair
Best supplement for thicker, fuller hair
Want the summer hair of your dreams? Take this supplement! Made with biotin, B vitamins, zinc, copper and the brand's Intermediate Filament Peptides? ("5X the potency of other Keratin sources," according to the brand's website), your locks are sure to look and feel strong and healthy. The 100% drug-free patented follicle-fortifying hair regrowth peptides reverse hair loss and thinning. It’s clinically proven to regrow hair in 3 months.
Trichologist and hair-loss practitioner, Mandy Buechner, adds that "increasing biotin intake can support healthy hair growth because one of the key functions of biotin is keratin production (the protein hair is made of). Biotin can also help with reducing inflammation, which can be present on the scalp when hair loss is present."
Best of all? Buy a bottle, get two scrunchies to help keep your newer, healthier hair off of your face!
Summer fragrance
Best summer perfume
DIME 7 Summers Eau de Toilette
Not only does this fragrance smell phenomenal, with notes of bergamot, vanilla and lavender, it's much gentler compared to other perfumes because it's water-based, rather than alcohol-based — aka it's great for sensitive skin.
Related: “I Tried the Viral Pheromone Perfume to See My Husband’s Reaction — Did It Really Work?”
Best summer roll-on perfume
Charlotte Tilbury Calm Bliss Roll-On Fragrance
This roll-on smells like a mix between the beach and a flower-filled garden, leaving you smelling refreshed and feeling calm. Plus, its travel size makes it easy to carry on-the-go in your beach bag or purse!
Sunscreen
Best face sunscreen
TULA Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel Broad Spectrum SPF 30
We know that protecting our skin from harmful UV rays is a must, especially in the summer. What's so great about this sunscreen is that it not only has UV protection, but it also protects skin from UVB (aka the blue lights from your screens) and pollution. Plus, it leaves skin with a radiant glow without a greasy finish.
"Opting for broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which can cause skin aging and sunburn," says Holdorf.
Best summer body sunscreen
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lightweight Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
You can't forget about your body! This classic Neutrogena sunscreen won't leave a white cast and dries almost immediately after application. Plus, it has a high SPF of 70 for ultra protection and has an easy-to-use spray applicator.
Summer body
Best summer body oil
Colourpop Soft Gold Sol Shimmering Dry Oil
Dry oils are great for daytime use, as they don't feel wet and greasy to the touch. This one by Colourpop provides a gorgeous shimmer and bronzed effect for a sunkissed, summer glow —no sun needed!
Related: Why Women Over 50 Are Choosing ‘Dry Oils’ to Hydrate and Beautify Their Skin + 3 Top Picks Under $20
Best summer deodorant
Saltair 5% AHA Serum Deodorant
This isn't your regular deodorant — it actually contains a blend of mandelic, lactic and polyhydroxy acid to combat discoloration and ingrown hairs. Plus, with notes of grapefruit, white sand and ylang ylang, it will leave you smelling fresh all day.
Related: Armpit Detox: Why Dermatologists Say You Should Give Your Underarms Some TLC + How to Do It
Best summer whole body deodorant
Native Whole Body Deodorant Spray
Suffer from all-over sweating and odor? Enter whole body deodorants, the latest craze on social media. You can apply this essentially everywhere, including underarms, intimate areas and behind the knees.
Related: 7 Best Whole Body Deodorants That Keep You Odor-Free From Head to Toe
Best summer shaving essential
This shaving stick will give you the smoothest underarms and legs ever. Made with 25% coconut oil and clean ingredients, you'll prevent razor burn, cuts and bumps effortlessly.
Related: At-Home Laser Hair Removal: How to Get Smooth Skin for $100s Less Than Salon Treatments
Summer skincare
Best summer skin serum
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum with Melasyl and 10% Niacinamide
Dark spots and discoloration become even more prevalent in the summer. This serum specifically combats these dark spots, helping to fade pre-existing discoloration and preventing future spots. Holdorf says it is "ideal for summer use due to its ability to target hyperpigmentation, regulate oil production, enhance sunscreen efficacy, hydrate the skin and maintain pore health in a non-comedogenic formula."
Related: Glass Skin Is the Viral Beauty Trend That’ll Leave You Glowing — Here’s How to Get It
Best summer moisturizer
La Roche-Posay Face Moisturizer Sunscreen
Yes, we're going to say it again — you need as much sun protection as possible! We love this moisturizer with SPF 30 for the daytime, made with ceramides to protect the skin barrier, niacinamide to soothe and restore and glycerin to retain moisture.
IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Cream Oil-Free Moisturizer
For your p.m. moisturizer, opt for a cooling gel formula, like this one by IT Cosmetics. Made with peptides, niacinamide, squalane and antioxidants all to hydrate and plump skin, this lightweight formula will make skin feel ultra smooth.
Summer makeup
Best summer tinted moisturizer
Saie Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer
This is another cult-favorite, and for good reason. It comes in 14 shades, is a clean beauty brand, contains SPF 35 for extra sun protection and has a form of vitamin E for nourishment and antioxidant benefits. Holdorf says antioxidants help "fight free radicals that contribute to aging."
"I love using SPF—infused makeup, in addition to my daily sunscreen to get some added protection during the summer where you’re going to have a higher burden of UV exposure," Dr. Rambhia. "However, it’s important to realize that just because your makeup has sunscreen in it, you should not forgo a regular sunscreen as we are typically not applying enough of our makeup product(s) to get its full SPF protection."
Related: The Best Tinted Moisturizers For Mature Skin, According to Celebrity Makeup Artists
Best summer lip balm
EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 36
Our lips need protection from the sun as well! This lip balm has SPF 36 to prevent sunburnt, chapped lips, and is super nourishing and hydrating on.
Holdorf says this is "crucial to use in the summer because it provides broad-spectrum protection for the delicate skin on the lips, shielding them from sun damage, dryness and potential sunburn, helping to prevent chapping and long-term sun-induced damage such as wrinkles and skin cancer."
Best summer brow gel
This brow gel keeps those hairs in place all day long, even under the bright sun that leads to extra sweat. Plus, it's tinted so no need to fill in brows beforehand — just swipe on and you're set.
Best summer multi-stick
e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi-Stick
This one product can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks for an all over, dewy, tinted glow. Plus, for just $5, you can't beat the price. Throw it in your bag for easy, on-the-go wear.
For more of our favorite beauty must-haves, click through these stories:
6 Best Hair Oils That Treat Thinning Hair, Restore Shine, Fight Frizz + More
Should I Use a Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen? Pros Weigh In + Share the Best SPF Formulas
8 Best Body Washes for Mature Skin That Do More Than Just Cleanse Your Body
