Glowy Summer Must Haves & Tips

I had one goal when covid began and that was to have clear skin! I was constantly researching new products that would make my skin flawless. It's what we all crave right? We see the new products come out. We watch the tutorial videos on tiktok, and within seconds we have a mile-long list for our next Sephora run. Fast forward to two years post quarantine and I've nailed down a routine that really works for me. Warmer weather is here and it's important to take care of your skin. Here is my summer skincare must haves to hydrate your skin and make it oh so glowy!

Use sunscreen Every day! I'm sure you've heard it before, but it is so important to protect your skin from the sun. Our skin is susceptible to the sun's rays which can lead to skin cancer, discoloration, and wrinkles over time. Sunscreen helps protect us from damaging UV rays, so make sure to apply it even on cloudy days. There are a lot of sunscreens out there, but my favorite is: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40!

It's lightweight, spreads on clearly and it doesn't make my skin feel oily or cause breakouts. I apply a pea size on my face before applying my makeup, or as the last step of my skincare routine if I'm going makeup free! If you're spending all day outside reapply every two hours.

Hydration is key! Cold weather causes dry skin, so it's important to choose products that enhance hydration and help you achieve your natural glow! I use a few different forms of hydrating products. Here are my favorites.

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

This product replenishes my complexion and improves the look of my skin tone and texture. I apply this right after washing my face. After using this my skin feels so soft! Must have!

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Not going to lie this was a tiktok find! I was so intrigued with serums, and I had never used them before. With being stuck in the house all day, I was able to experiment with different hyaluronic acid serums, and this one is by far the best. I can feel it working immediately and helps hydrate my skin and give it that glowy look I've been craving for summer! With serums like this one, a little goes a long way. Apply one droplet on your hands and pat it into your face and neck. Fun fact, I recently found out Sydney Sweeney uses this product and she's flawless. So the girls that get it, get it and the girls that don't, don't!

CerVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen & PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

These moisturizers are my favorite drugstore find! They both work to lock in moisture, while also restoring and maintaining our protective skin barrier. I use one pump of the AM and PM lotion every morning. Apply evenly to the face and neck. The AM moisturizer also has sunscreen combined with the lotion which helps protects you even more from damaging UV rays.

We're outside more often in the summer months so it's important to be aware of dark sunspots that may appear on your face after a day at the beach. Try adding a Vitamin C Serum to your nightly routine. I recommend the Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum or the Bio-Oil Vitamin C Serum.

Know What's In Your Products!

The best advice I ever received from the team at my local Ulta was look at the ingredients in the products you use. The largest ingredient in your product is listed first. If you can't pronounce it, it's typically a chemical that could be damaging your skin. Look for natural, vegan and cruelty products. They are the best for sensitive skin and are designed for a gentler approach on the skin and help to avoid breakouts.

Go Makeup Free Somedays!

If you like to wear makeup to work or when going out with friends that great, but make sure to give your skin a break from your makeup at least once a week! Weekends are the perfect opportunity to let your face breath. Make some time for yourself on Sunday mornings! Relax with your favorite face mask and jade roller. Trust me, your skin will thank you later!

Retinol, the Slow Burn!

We've been wondering for years. What's the secret to anti-aging? Well, that secret has finally been revealed and its retinol. Retinol or Vitamin A is the missing piece of your skincare routine. I first discovered this product in two years ago, after reading that the best time to actually start the anti-aging process is in your twenties! I was blown away by that fact! In your twenties? Isn't your skin still considered young? Did you know, by the time you're twenty-five, your skin starts to lose collagen and you may start to feel your face not as plump and full as it used to be. Retinol helps produce collagen which can benefit your skin by fading aging spots and evening out skin tones. To start the retinol process, start by portioning a pea size of retinol cream of your chin, cheeks, under eye, and forehead. Do not put on eyelids, nose or upper lip. Those areas of your face are more sensitive and could cause irritation.

With retinol, it takes several weeks for your skin to adjust to it. Meaning if you use it too often it can cause irritation or burning. If so, stop immediately and apply Aquaphor to irritated areas. This result could also mean you've used too much so really stick to just a pea size amount. For the perfect retinol schedule (that produces the best results!), I recommend starting with once a week for two weeks. Then twice a week for two weeks. When you feel your skin adjusting positively, switch to every other day and finally every night. Then sit back and watch the results!

Show Some Love to the Rest of Your Skin!

Make sure the amount of love you're showing to your face, you're also showing to your body. Read on for some of my favorite body products that make me glow with delight!

Dry Bush

This has been a game changer for me! Dry brushing is the recipe for unclogging pores, promoting blood circulation, and exfoliating your skin. Doing this once a week makes my skin so smooth! You can find dry brushes at any convenient store. You don't need the fancy one that your favorite actress uses. Honestly, they all produce the same result!

Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!

Applying lotion to your skin right after your shower will lock in that moisture and leave your skin feeling like butter! Some of my favorite lotions are:

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream

You can't go wrong with any of these creams, and they all smell amazing!

Summer Fridays Summer Silk Nourishing Body Lotion

Designed to be non-greasy and provide all day hydration.

Jergens Enriching Shea Butter Body Lotion

Favorite drugstore lotion that you can find anywhere! Smells amazing, cruelty free, and makes you look radiant!

Whether you decide to add all or just one of these products to your skincare routine, remember everyone's skin is different. Use the products that work best for you. You know your skin best! Beauty is not defined on how you look, but how confident you are in your skin! Aging proves you've lived, laughed and experienced all the highs and lows. These products just give you the opportunity to live more confidently and have a glowy summer!

Let me know which products you like best!