The Perfect Products for Smooth, Summer Skin
Makeup will always be my first love but skincare has definitely been growing on me over the past year. A healthy, even complexion is the key to flawless makeup so I’m always on the lookout for good skincare products that help my skin look its best. After lots of trial and error, I’ve crafted the perfect skincare regimen for my dry, sensitive skin and discovered some amazing products that work like a charm. It would be selfish of me to not share my favorite summer skincare goodies with my favorite peeps in the world so I’ve wrangled them all up so I could give you the scoop on all of them and also help you put together your perfect summer skincare routine.
Murad Essential-C Cleanser ($9.00 – $36.00)
The first step to healthy summer skin is cleanser. I’ve tried a ton of different cleansers over the years but the Murad Essential-C Cleanser is the only one that stuck. In fact, it’s one of my skincare secret weapons. The Essential-C Cleanser is a gentle formula that’s great for all skin types and addresses so many skin concerns. It’s formulated with Vitamin C to help brighten, reverse sun damage and provide anti-aging benefits like softening fine lines. The Essential-C Cleanser also comes loaded with Vitamins A and E to provide antioxidant protection from free radicals and other environmental damage to keep your skin clean, fresh and free of impurities. I’ve been using the Murad Essential-C Cleanser every morning for over a year now and it’s the best cleanser that’s ever touched my skin. Since I’ve been using it, my skin is much softer, smoother and more even. My dark spots have cleared up significantly and my fine lines don’t seem nearly as deep and noticeable as they used to. I recommend the Murad Essential-C Cleanser to anyone who likes a gentle yet thorough cleanse with a little brightening and anti-aging benefits tossed in.
Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner ($15.00)
Next up is toner. For some people, this is an optional step but if you want a deep thorough cleanse or have specific skin concerns then I highly recommend introducing one to your regimen. My skin is very dry and has a tendency to look dull, flaky and uneven with some mild hyper pigmentation in some areas. I decided to give the Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner and it’s been a staple in my routine ever since. The Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner is a gentle formula that breaks down dead skin cells with 5% glycolic acid and soothes with aloe vera and ginseng. I love that it’s powerful enough to even out my skin tone and drastically improve the texture of my skin but still gentle enough for me to use morning and night without irritating my sensitive skin or stripping my natural moisture barrier. The Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner is one of those “aha” products that instantly makes a difference the first time you use it. It’s the perfect toner to add to your routine if you’re looking for smoother, brighter and more even skin without breaking the bank.
Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer ($44.00)
After toning, it’s important to follow up with a good serum. Especially if you’re over 25! Over the past year, my skin has become noticeably drier and dull in some areas like my cheeks and mouth. Moisturizers definitely help but I’ve discovered that a good serum works even better. One of my new favorite serums is the Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renwer (also known as the Turnaround Revitalizing Serum). It’s a lightweight gel-cream serum that instantly brightens my complexion while adding a light dose of moisture. Like the Pixi Glow Tonic, I noticed a difference in my skin immediately after the first time I tried the Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer. My skin felt and looked smoother with a killer natural radiance. I could actually skip the highlighter some days and still glow like no tomorrow using this stuff. If you have dry, dull skin that needs an extra boost then you should give the Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer.
Murad Essential-C Eye Cream ($69.00)
Now it’s time for eye cream! I used to think eye cream was for the older gals but I quickly learned that everyone needs eye cream. In fact, the sooner you start using one, the better off you’ll be as you get older. One of the best eye creams a gal can have in her stash is the Murad Essential-C Eye Cream. Like the Essential-C Cleanser, Vitamin C is the star of the show offering those same brightening, anti-aging and antioxidant benefits that help diminish dark circles, protect skin from environmental damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The Essential-C Eye Cream also includes avocado oil, caffeine and retinol to reduce puffiness and stimulate new cell growth for smoother, more youthful eyes. I love using this hydrating eye cream in the summer because it helps protect my eyes from the sun while giving them much needed moisture while softening the appearance of my fine lines. The Murad Essential-C Eye Cream is a must have for all skin types and people of all ages who want brighter eyes without the hassle of dark circles, puffiness or fine lines.
Philosophy Take a Deep Breath Oxygenating Eye Gel Cream ($42.00)
The Philosophy Take a Deep Breath Oxygenating Eye Gel Cream is another great eye cream designed to protect our gentle eyes from the environment. The Take a Deep Breath Oxygenating Eye Gel Cream is a lightweight, soothing formula that feels like a drink of water on the skin. It’s a bit lighter than the Murad Essential-C Eye Cream so it’s not quite as hydrating. Which isn’t a bad thing. The lighter formula actually makes it a better option for younger gals who are just starting out with eye creams and don’t need much improvement. Or for my oily skin gals who need lightweight moisture that doesn’t feel heavy, greasy or slide right off the face. I’ve been using the Take a Deep Breath Oxygenating Eye Gel Cream for weeks now and I love how soothing and refreshing it feels on the skin. I think it’s a great option for more oily skin or anyone who’s not looking for any major anti-aging benefits.
Philosophy Take a Deep Breath Oil Free Oxygenating Gel Cream ($40.00)
Now that you’ve got your eye cream on it’s time to moisturize! My new favorite summer moisturizer is the Philosophy Take a Deep Breath Oil Free Oxygenating Gel Cream. Like the Eye Gel Cream, the moisturizer is incredibly lightweight yet quite moisturizing so it quenches my dry skin without feeling heavy and absorbing rather quickly. The Take a Deep Breath Oxygenating Gel Cream is a great summer moisturizer because it plays nicely with makeup adding the perfect amount of moisture without being too rich and causing me to sweat everything off an hour later. It also smooths out my skin and gives me a soft luminous glow while offering some antioxidant protection to help block environmental damage and pollution. The Take a Deep Breath Oil Free Oxygenating Gel Cream is ideal for anyone who wants a lightweight moisturizer that isn’t too rich or greasy. It’s definitely a great option for oily skin!
Clinique Turnaround Daytime Revitalizing Moisturizer ($10.00 – $38.00)
Another great moisturizer to add to your summer arsenal is the Clinique Turnaround Daytime Revitalizing Moisturizer. It’s a lightweight oil free tinted moisturizer that comes in two shimmering shades: Rosy Glow and Golden Glow. Each shade is translucent so it adds no color and the shimmer is so fine that it doesn’t show it up at all. Instead, the Turnaround Daytime Revitalizing Moisturizer just gives skin a hydrating boost and a serious luminous glow that still looks incredibly natural yet so beautiful. Since I have a warmer, deeper complexion, my Golden Glow is my go to and it works like a charm. My skin instantly looks brighter, healthier and more plump. Like I actually had a full night of rest. The Clinique Turnaround Daytime Revitalizing Moisturizer is worth a try if you have dry, dull skin that could use a moisture and radiance boost. Or if you just love to glow from sun up to sun down.
What are your favorite summer skincare products?