Summer is soon approaching, and temperatures are rising higher and higher, it seems. With the heat comes the typical slew of beauty dilemmas that pop up during this time of year — sweat, chafing, frizzy hair — you name it. But rest assured that we have you covered with the best summer beauty essentials to tackle the heat.
Sharing some of her favorite summer skin finds is none other than board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. From a drugstore vitamin C serum to powerful body SPF, these picks will have you covered all summer long, allowing you to have fun in the sun without any worries.
Keep reading to see all these problem-solving beauty picks, plus more products you'll love long after the season is over.
Best summer skin products seen on TODAY
La Roche-Posay Pure 12% Vitamin C Serum
This anti-aging serum tackles multiple concerns in one, from improving skin texture to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. "Skin tends to get oilier in the warmer months due to increased sebum production, which also means your skin can look oily or shiny," explains Engelman. "This serum rebalances the skin while keeping shine at bay for a fresh, radiant finish."
Toty Solaria Body SPF 50
Although you might be consistent with facial SPF, you should also be wearing body SPF daily, especially this summer. This pick from Toty offers broad-spectrum, water- and sweat-resistant coverage that feels weightless on the skin.
"The brand says it's powered by a proprietary antioxidant blend, along with green tea and vitamin E, to help protect against visible signs of sun aging and environmental damage," Engelman adds.
Makeup Eraser Cooling Clouds Reusable Face Patches
Looking to stay cool this summer? Makeup Eraser's Face Cooling Clouds just need to be added to water for them to instantly cool, soothe and de-puff. Engelman recommends applying them to your cheeks, forehead or under eyes.
"The brand says they can stay up to 30 degrees cooler than your body temperature, making them a great addition to your summer routine, especially layered over your favorite serums to boost hydration and absorption," the dermatologist explains.
Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser
"When you're wearing a a lot of sunscreen in the summer months, you need something effective to take it off at the end of the day," says Engelman. This jelly-textured cleanser from Thayers is "perfect for oily and combination skin," according to Engelman, because it's effective at removing excess oil, makeup and sunscreen without disrupting the skin barrier.
It also is formulated with 5% aloe vera, so it should feel cooling and hydrating after a long summer day.
Touchland Body & Hair Mist
This TikTok-viral hair and body mist is infused with refreshing and hydrating skin and hair care ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and panthenol, for whenever you need a quick pick-me-up. It comes in seven summer-y, mood-boosting scents, and has a travel-friendly, cap-less design for on-the-go use.
More summer beauty products to shop
Completely Bare Don’t Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor
According to the brand, this body moisturizer can help to diminish body hair density, length and regrowth for less frequent hair removal along legs, arms and more, all thanks to the natural plant extracts inside. Shea butter softens and hydrates the skin for a smooth finish after use.
Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
Effortless curls don’t always require a hot styling tool. Opt for this heatless option from Kitsch that includes a satin curling rod for a hassle-free solution. Just twist your strands around the rope as you sleep (or any time during the day!) and you should wake up with your hair already styled. All without the heat damage, too!
Plus, Allure Editor-in-Chief Jessica Cruel, who was previously on the show noted that you can use this over dry or damp hair.
Dae Mirage Mist Leave-In Conditioner
Splashing in the ocean water is most likely on your summer to-do list. But with that comes dry ends. To keep your locks in top shape, this leave-in conditioner from Dae detangles, conditions, primes and protects your hair from the heat, claims the brand. Spritz before or after the pool for silky hair all summer long.
Fenty Hair The Gel Type Strong Hold Gel
Frizz is never ideal, but it can be manageable with the right product. Whether you’re creating tight braids or a slicked-back bun, the Fenty Hair strong hold gel should keep frizz and hair snatched all day. "Not only does it offer frizz control, but it adds shine [and] hold, and helps repair split ends," notes Cruel.
And another bonus: The product "provides all day hold without any crunchy feeling and no white residue," she adds. Be sure to apply on damp hair for best results.
For baby hairs and flyaways: Briogeo Style + Treat Hair Styling Sleek Stick
For stubborn strands that can’t seem to be tamed, this Briogeo sleek stick swiftly glides on to keep hair put. Yet, it is still manageable for when you style baby hairs, ponytails and other pull-back styles. The size is also perfect to pop in your bag for on-the-go styling.
While the stick is meant for for straight, wavy, curly and coily hair textures, Cruel claims that it "can be used on fine, medium, and thick hair types," too.
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Edge Cleansing Oil
Dissolve build-up without interrupting your styling between wash days with Mielle’s scalp and edge cleansing oil. This product is described as a no-rinse and non-greasy oil that cleanses impurities from the scalp and hairline so your hair is prepped for an edge relay or other styling. And the best part? No water is required!
Monday Volume Dry Shampoo
This isn’t an ordinary dry shampoo. Monday's Volume Dry Shampoo "adds texture and shape while absorbing excess oil to freshen on-the-go to give that ‘just washed’ feeling," notes Cruel, whenever your hair needs touch-up. Another perk Cruel loves is that the dry shampoo "doesn’t leave a white cast that other dry shampoos may leave." What more can you ask for?
You might also enjoy that the product has a subtle gardenia scent that will make your strands smell as fresh as it will look.
Sun Bum Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30
It’s easy to forget that your scalp needs to be protected in the summer until it’s too late. This scalp and hair mist keeps your hair healthy and shiny from root to tip. It’s for all hair types and won’t leave your hair feeling oily, so it’s perfect for a long summer day outside.
Vacation Orange Gelée “French Riviera Revisited” SPF 30 Sunscreen Gel
This product is a revamped version of an original Vacation sunscreen, now with more SPF! Developed by both beauty experts and fans of the original product, this sunscreen won’t leave a white cast, but instead will leave your skin glowing and moisturized.
EADEM Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm
Have chapped lips? Try this softening balm. It exfoliates and moisturizes your pout, while still leaving behind a shiny finish. It also comes in five colors to boost your natural lip shade.
Fenty Beauty The Comeback Kid Instant Damage Repair Treatment
If your hair needs a comeback for the summer, this product from Fenty Hair is perfect. It moisturizes, reduces breakage, repairs split ends and makes your hair feel softer and shinier. It works for all hair types, and you can rinse it out or leave it in.
Deon Libra Smoove Exfoliating Cleanser
One of the worst aspects of summer is that sticky, gross feeling along your skin at the end of the day. This cleanser is here to solve that. You can use it on your face or body, and it will gently exfoliate while leaving your skin glowing. It’s also a great prep cleanser for sunscreen!
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick
Sometimes it’s too hot to layer on powder highlighter and blush, which is why this color stick comes in handy. It feels light, but it’s still pigmented enough to last through the day. One reviewer also said they used it as a bronzer, so it's the perfect versatile product you need for the summer.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.
- Jessica Cruel is the Editor-in-Chief at Allure.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
