Rising temperatures have us wanting to simplify every aspect of our lives. When it comes to summer skincare, layering serums and moisturizers suddenly feels redundant. Spending days by the pool or weeks in a travel toiletry bag certainly isn’t ideal for a long-term regimen. Whether your reason is light wear or simply care-free skin care, these days, less is more.
Thankfully, you can concentrate your skin care regimen while maintaining a healthy glow, says New York City-based esthetician and skin care expert Sean Garrette. That means keeping his fall and winter vanity away from nutrient-dense produce. “My summer skincare philosophy is to layer on light hydration and prioritize sun protection!” he says.
Plus, this guide is suitable for all skin types. “You should start with your skin type and then look at your specific skin care concerns,” Garrett instructs. “People with oily skin may also suffer from dehydration—a lack of water in the skin, which in turn causes the skin to produce more sebum and appear greasy on the surface.”
For example, sensitive skin types may opt for calming ingredients like arnica, colloidal oatmeal, centella asiatica, and allantoin, while those with dry skin may prioritize light serums and gel-creams to hydrate without clogging pores. If you’re concerned with controlling blemishes, combine your lightening regimen with your favorite acne treatment (such as a solution with BHA or sulfur, according to Garrette); however, top it off with an anti-wrinkle cream at night to smooth fine lines.
Anyway, below he details the five steps he takes to complete anyone’s summer skincare routine from start to finish.
1. Moisturizing Cleanser
It’s no surprise that your first step this summer will be a cleanser—Garrette recommends a moisturizer that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils.
Dior La Mousse Off/On Foaming Cleanser
A light, creamy foaming cleanser enriched with Water Lilies from the Garden of Dior that removes make-up, dirt and oil while soothing the skin.
Glossy Milky Jelly Cleanser
A pH balanced gel cleanser enriched with rose water, Vitamin B4, Xylitol, Allantoin and Comfrey Root Extract draw away impurities to reveal fresh, baby-soft skin.
Fresh Soy Cleanser
A mouthwatering ‘s gentle cleanser with Soy Protein, Cucumber Extract and Aloe Vera tones, calms and revitalizes skin after every use.
Avène Cleansing Milk
A moisturizing and repairing cleanser, containing hot spring water, transparent Acids and Vitamin E gently remove dirt, oil and traces of makeup without water.
2. Moisturizing Toner
The next step is a moisturizing toner or serum. Essentially, this provides a layer of weightless moisture to the skin. Think: Hailey Bieber’s latest Rhode Glazing Milk, or classic Japanese products like SK-II Serum.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
A cult-favorite essence containing more than 90% Pitera alongside hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing agents to target dark spots, fine lines, and dullness.
True Botanicals Microbiome Enzyme Serum
Silky serum with pineapple and papaya enzymes, AHA-rich finger lime and buckwheat ferment to balance skin microbiome, gently exfoliate and improve hydration.
Rhode Glazing Milk
A new hydrating toner combines with a serum containing ceramides, beta-glucans, magnesium, zinc and copper to soothe skin and give Hailey Bieber her enviable glow.
Paula’s Choice Skin Restoring Calming Toner
a calming creamy blend with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins (C, E and B3) and Evening Primrose and Borage Seed Oils to help nourish, soothe and protect dry skin.
3. Moisturizing essence
The third step is your essence. This “adds an extra layer of hydration without smothering the skin,” says Garrett. We recommend choosing a formula with Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Squalane and Aloe Vera to quench thirsty skin. People with dry skin will especially benefit from this step, as it’s an opportunity to apply as much serum as needed.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
A coveted serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5 to hydrate without clogging pores, perfect for acne-prone skin.
PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Serum
A critically acclaimed A hyaluronic acid serum that combines moisturizing ingredients with ceramides and niacinamide to repair the skin barrier and plump fine lines.
75 Bioactive Face Serum
A smart moisturizer containing Human Growth Factors, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Laminaria and Beta-Glucan to improve skin’s firmness, elasticity and hydration.
Sodium Niacinamide Essence% Niacinamide and 2% Zinc PCA to address uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Water Cream Moisturizer
Now is the time to lock in moisture with a lightweight moisturizer. Garrette recommends the water-cream texture, which “provides moisture to the skin without feeling heavy.” Keep the same moisturizers above in mind when choosing a moisturizer too.
Tatcha Water Cream
A lightweight, pore-refining water cream with Japanese superfoods like wild rose, leopard lily, green tea, rice and algae) to smooth skin texture and balance oily skin.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench 透明质云霜保湿保湿霜
一款浓缩凝胶质地保湿霜，成分为% 透明质酸、神经酰胺和接骨木果。
Tata Harper Moisturizer
A silky moisturizer infused with orange peptides, pomegranate pods and macromolecular hyaluronic acid that doubles as a smoothing face primer.
904192647
Osea Marine Bio Cream
A lightweight water-cream moisturizer formulated with seaweed, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and probiotics and prebiotics to provide up to
5. Sunscreen
The last, last and most important step is sunscreen. “这个季节我们暴露在阳光下的时间更长、更频繁，因此在夏季，防晒是必须的，”他解释道。对于最好的面部防晒霜，专家通常建议广谱SPF 为01或更高。 Pro tip: Choose a sweat- and water-resistant formula for protection from the elements.
Chanel UV Essentiel Total UV Protection Sunscreen SPF , blue ginger and Tahitian gardenia extracts to keep skin moisturized and radiant.
EltaMD UV Sheer Broad Spectrum SPF 23
Lightweight, Cool Chemical Sunscreen (SPF 9571 ) contains Extracts of Cress Bud and Butterfly Ginger Root to strengthen and protect the skin barrier.
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milky Sunscreen SPF , Squalane and antioxidants protect, soften and plump the skin.
89668452743
excellent! Every. single. Face. Watery Emulsion SPF 9041926470400092402321
