Heavy creams and thick oils? Probably not what you're reaching for when the temperatures rise. Still, it's obviously important to treat your skin well year-round and, while there are some winners 365 days a year [1], there are other goodies that truly shine come summertime [2].
Speaking of shine, let's talk about reducing oil- and sweat-induced shininess [3] that often pops up in the heat, and how to boost that glow you'll have when your skin is sun-protected, too. These top-rated products can also help hydrate without unnecessary heaviness, and feature ingredients that practically scream summer [4] like cucumber water, pineapple, papaya, and aloe vera. No matter your skin type, there's something on this list that can help with any concerns this season [5] . . . even those arising from protective-mask wear [6].
Ahead, find 24 bestselling skin-care products practically flying off Sephora's (virtual) shelves right now.
Herbivore Lapis Blue Tansy Face Oil For Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
The 100 percent natural Herbivore Lapis Blue Tansy Face Oil For Oily and Acne-Prone Skin [7] ($72) hydrates without clogging pores, and balances skin that produces excess oil when temperatures rise. Plus, it forms a natural lipid barrier that locks in vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants to further protect against dryness or heat in the environment.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
If you're looking for sunscreen that stays unseen, this bestselling Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 [8] ($34-$44) primes skin with no stickiness, shininess, or white cast in its oil-free formula either.
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm
This popular Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm [9] ($32) is sweet for your skin just like the sorbet it resembles (in texture). Its papaya enzymes exfoliate and cleanse while ingredients like blueberry extract and apricot kernel oil soothe and soften like a cherry on top.
Peace Out Acne Healing Dots
These popular Peace Out Acne Healing Dots [10] ($19-$32) fight blemishes with salicylic acid treatment packed onto little dots that extract impurities and soothe inflammation at the same time. Plus, if you've been battling maskne [11], these dots can be slipped on right under your mask and worn all day long, even when you leave home.
Sephora Collection Facial Cooling Globes
Cool off this summer when packing these Sephora Collection Facial Cooling Globes [12] ($25) right next to edible chilled treats in your fridge. These globes help reduce puffiness on the face and neck, and let follow-up serums soak right into your refreshed skin afterwards.
Wishful Yo Glow Facial Enzyme Scrub
Mmm, pineapple and papaya — this Wishful Yo Glow Facial Enzyme Scrub [13] ($21-$39) smells like a smoothie on your face. It also exfoliates (thanks to those fruit enzymes inside), plus there are added AHAs and BHAs for extra brightening and smoothening as well.
Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
The popular Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops [14] ($49) can actually turn any moisturiser, serum, or face oil into a custom self tanner even if your summer doesn't include actual time in the sun. Plus, skin gets an extra treat of soothing aloe vera and vitamin E at the same time.
Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner
After cleansing, spritz on this Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner [15] ($34) and let its antioxidant-rich formula work its magic. Packed with aloe vera, sage, chamomile, and cucumber extract, the protection offered lasts no matter what environmental stressors come skin's way.
Caudalie Grape Water
Face mists [16] make a cool treat in hotter months . . . and so would a summer holiday in France. But, there's no need to board a plane with this bestselling Caudalie Grape Water [17] ($10-$18) as grapes straight from Bordeaux bring soothing relief to any redness, rash, or sunburn no matter where your feet currently stand.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
Both the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ [18] ($40) and the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 [19] ($40) pack skin treats like collagen, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, but the oil-free version adds in charcoal and clay to absorb excess oil. This popular summer choice cuts several steps from a beauty routine as it's a primer, serum, moisturiser, foundation, colour-corrector, and concealer all in one — with bonus SPF, too.
Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum
While this top-rated Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum [20] ($62) exfoliates overnight, its superpower definitely comes from the clover that boosts lactic acid's hard work, and minimizes the effects of UV rays on your skin, too.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
The vegan retinol featured in this bestselling Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream [21] ($28-$74) tackles your skin's negative reactions to long, lazy days outdoors. In addition to fighting any visible signs of sun damage, it also diminishes the look of fine lines and uneven tone over time, too.
Boscia Black Charcoal Blotting Linens
Excess oil leaving your face a little shiny these days? The bestselling Boscia Black Charcoal Blotting Linens [22] ($10) slip right in a bag and can tackle oiliness, sweat, and shininess without removing makeup either.
Farmacy Coconut Gel Sheet Mask - Hydrating
Infused with coconut water, this bestselling Farmacy Coconut Gel Sheet Mask - Hydrating [23] ($6) is an extra-moisturising refresher for summer. (There's also cucumber extract inside that can be particular soothing on sun-stressed skin.)
Coola ER+ Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion
This Coola ER+ Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion [24] ($32) treats skin that has gotten a little too cosy with the sun to a cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants. Calming lavender oil and aloe vera add moisture back in and soothe, while the lotion protects against the rays and other environmental aggressors in the future, too.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
Sure, you may have flown exactly nowhere to leave you with jet lag, but isn't 2020 already pretty exhausting on its own? This popular Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask [25] ($25-$48) soothes stressed skin with ceramides, vitamins, antioxidants, and other anti-inflammatory goodies.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask [26] ($22) has more than 11,000 reviews from other Sephora shoppers and is consistently chosen to nourish lips overnight. Not only do the mix of berries inside leave skin soft, it's also the perfect way to treat lips that have been extra dry under a protective mask.
Tatcha The Water Cream
Tatcha The Water Cream [27] ($10-$68) is oil-free so it won't leave skin sticky or greasy (even when you step outside in the heat). This bestselling moisturiser also features water-burst technology for a super-shot of hydration right on your face — plus nutrients including green tea, rice, and algae, too.
Fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash
This bestselling, top-rated Fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash [28] ($15-$69) removes makeup, cleanses skin, and tones at the same time. Plus, ingredients like soothing cucumber extract leave skin softer and more balanced, too.
Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask
Address dark circles and puffiness overnight with this bestselling Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask [29] ($42) featuring a slow-release retinol formula and antioxidant-rich avocado and coffeeberry. Plus, applying this at night means you can go about your day minus a heavy eye cream in hotter months.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
With more than 1,100 5-star reviews and 286,000 loves from Sephora shoppers, it's safe to call this The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 [30] ($7-$13) a crowd-pleaser that still won't be heavy in hot, summer months. It features hyaluronic acid in low, medium, and high molecular weights to provide immediate and longer-lasting results both on the surface and deeper into the skin as well.
Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
This iconic, top-rated Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover [31] ($15-$40) has lipid and water phases to both loosen makeup and then wash it away — perfect for a time when you have have added even more dramatic eye looks into your rotation [32].
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
There may not be enough coffee in the world to perk up about 2020, but the caffeine in The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream [33] ($10) can at least help with any puffy under-eye bags and fine lines.
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 15
This iconic Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 15 [34] ($24) comes in 15 shades (including sheer) but every single one packs moisture-preserving sugar, nourishing oils, and sun protection, too.
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