For the next year, let's agree to let our fresh, healthy, protected skin shine. As a beauty community, let's move away from covering up our faces as we move toward protecting them. Our keywords can be 'enhancing' instead of 'inhibiting' our facial gorgeousness. As an esthetician, I put a great deal of stock into a product’s skin benefits and its efficacy. Here’s a list of products that will elevate your summer skincare routine with a dose of freshness.

By Makeup Artist Lydia Ames

HYDRATE: Start your day off with a hydrating cleanser. There’s no need to deeply cleanse your skin in the mornings. A light, cleanser will help your morning serums and moisturizers penetrate deeper into the skin – and that maximizes their functionality. 

HYDRATE-TAKE: For dry, sensitive, and normal skin, a cleanser that that will leave you feeling fresh and hydrated is the Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream from AlastinⓇ.

HYDRATE-TAKE 2: Another great morning cleanser option but for oily or acne-prone skin is the Lytic Gel Cleanser from EpionceⓇ.

SERUM-OUSLY: After cleansing, your skin is prepped and ready for you to apply a serum. For summer days spent outside, an antioxidant serum protects skin against free radicals like pollution and UV rays. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and a great option for a daytime summer serum. This one from RoCⓇ Skincare has a 10% active Vitamin C blend.

SERUM PART DEUX: Another option, but with a 15% Vitamin C blend as well as Vitamin E, is another anti-oxidative vitamin; the Vichy Laboratories Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum will help to brighten and protect your skin this summer.

LIVE, LEARN … MOISTURIZE: The next step for healthy, fresh skin this summer is applying a moisturizer that best fits your skin type. Most people like to use a lightweight formula during the warmer summer months. That approach is fine – if you do not skip this step! If you do skip it, your skin could become more dehydrated and/or begin to overproduce oil. Some of my favorite lightweight moisturizers for summer are the CeraVeⓇDaily Moisturizing Lotion and the AlastinⓇUltra Light Moisturizer.

SPF (aka BEST ACRONYM EVER): After a lightweight moisturizer comes what many estheticians call the most important component of your daily summer skincare routine: SPF. For a fresh, glowy, and even-toned look, a tinted sunscreen is the best way to go. The ColorescienceⓇ SunforgettableⓇ Total Protection Face Shield Flex has such a variation of skin tones and shades that the formula matches almost all skin. This formula is even safe for post-procedure skin.

SPF, WITH A TINT: Another top-shelf option for a tinted sunscreen is the EltaMDⓇ UV Clear Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 46. This one comes in a single shade, but is adaptable to all skin tones and won’t leave a white cast. It’s safe for those with rosacea and acne prone skin, and leaves the skin feeling moisturized.

MIST ME: It’s also a great idea to have a mist SPF that you can carry to either re-apply throughout the day or to set your makeup. This next product is especially beneficial if you wear makeup: Milani Make it Last Sunscreen Setting Spray with SPF30. Its antioxidants help protect against pollution and environmental aggressors (as well as those nuisant UVA/UVB rays).

NECK DOWN: Just like your face, don’t forget to protect your body as well as keep it hydrated and glowy with a non-greasy SPF this summer. This easily applied option that doesn’t clog pores can be sprayed easily over both your face and body: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Lotion Spray Sunscreen SPF 60.

LET’S GET GLOWIN’: Once you begin your summer skincare routine, the key is to be as consistent as possible to maintain that fresh summer skin. Remember to cleanse, treat, hydrate and protect your skin all year round, and especially in these upcoming sunny months. You will thank yourself for it, and your skin will too!