When I want to shop for high-quality, medical-grade skin care that’s typically only sold in doctors’ offices, I turn to Dermstore. True to its name, the beauty retailer makes it easy to access professional-level treatments at home (and it even has a handy section for that). HSA/FSA Eligible Products!), so this is a great place to start if you’re in the midst of revamping your skin-care routine — like, ahem, right now, when summer weather has finally made its grand entrance.
Of course, you don’t have to do this need Get rid of every beauty product you own to prepare for sweat season. However, it’s common to make a few tweaks to ensure your lashes don’t become clumpy – a summer beauty starter pack, if you will. For help navigating the crowded market of serums, cleansers, and creams, I consulted two of the professionals responsible for curating Dermstore’s top-tier collection: Chelsea Strausser, Vice President of PurchasingAnd Christy Bomba, Senior Director of Purchasing. Both experts keep their eye on the pulse of the industry, vetting brands and analyzing consumer patterns, and here, they’re recommending 15 heroes for summer skin care lineups. Scroll ahead for best-selling formulas you shouldn’t miss and underrated items that are expected to fly off the shelves in just a few weeks.
The Best Summer Beauty Products to Buy at Dermstore
sunscreen
Of course, no summer skin care lineup is complete without a win Sunscreen. “Summer is really about investing in products that do more for you—lightweight, multi-tasking, protective, and easy to use consistently. SPF is obviously at the top of that list,” says Bomba. It’s almost impossible to crown the “best” sunscreen, since everyone has different preferences when it comes to SPF (mineral vs. chemical, tinted vs. untinted, etc.), but pros say you can’t go wrong with the best-sellers Isdin or Supergoop! Formula.
isdin
Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
“My everyday sunscreen is ISDIN WaterFusion Magic,” says Strausser. The chemical formula not only protects your skin with SPF 40, but it also infuses it with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and Mediterranean algae. It’s so hydrating that theoretically, you could use it as your only moisturizer, especially during the summer when you want to streamline your skin-care layers. And According to Associate Beauty Editor Alyssa BrasciaSkin smoothening solution also works flawlessly as a universal makeup primer.
Supergoop!
Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
“For body, I always recommend Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 because it’s one of those products that people actually use daily when they buy the larger formats,” Bomba shares. “It layers beautifully, doesn’t feel sticky, and works for everything from beach days to everyday walks around town.”
Supergoop!
Gloscreen SPF 40
For the face, Bomba praises the brand’s Tinted Glow Screen, specifically in the Golden Hour shade. “It gives a healthy summer glow without the need for heavy colored makeup,” she says. “We’re seeing consumers gravitate toward hybrid products that combine skin care, SPF and cosmetic benefits in a single step.”
cleanliness
As you apply more SPF, you’ll need to pay attention to cleansing to prevent any potential clumping. “I tend to “Due to more double cleansing in the summer — reapplying more sunscreen and sweating more in general, it’s important for me to do a deep cleanse every night to avoid breakouts,” explains Bomba.
Eminence Organic Skin Care
stone cleaning oil
Here’s step number one of Bombay’s nightly combo, a light, silky cleansing oil that effectively removes all traces of makeup and sunscreen without leaving a sticky film.
apionce
Lytic Gel Cleanser
After the oil scrubbing step, comes a water-based solution to clean off all the dirt. This Epiones gel number provides a deep, refreshing cleanse (the menthol is super invigorating!), and it also contains willow bark extract (a natural alternative to salicylic acid) to unclog pores at the source.
skin ally
Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser
“The Elise of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser is one of my favorite cleansers for summer because it effectively removes makeup, SPF, and buildup without stripping the skin,” shares Strausser.
lightweight hydrator
Add whipped-thick cream! ‘Tis the season of milky serums and airy Moisturizer. But don’t think that these formulas sacrifice moisture for a lightweight, breathable texture. Rex from Trust, Bomba and Strausser provides hydration beneath the deeper layers of the skin and a dewy (never sweaty!) glow.
Augustinus Bader
light cream
Love the famous rich cream? You’ll love Augustinus Bader’s lightweight version (Strawser’s summer favorite), which calls on the same patented TFC8 technology to help cellular renewal, Triple Hydration Complex to maintain firmness, and Australian lemon myrtle extract to reduce inflammation and balance oil production.
SkinMedica
HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer
Bomba immediately called out this lightweight watery cream, known for its bouncy, fast-absorbing texture. Yet unlike some water creams (which evaporate from the skin’s surface within minutes), this formula locks in moisture all day long thanks to vegan collagen and five forms of hyaluronic acid.
agent nature
Holi (Water) Cream
If dullness and dark spots are your main concerns, you’ll want to keep this polishing cream in your arsenal for the next few months. Powered by vitamin C, manuka honey, rose water and cucumber distillate, it draws moisture into the upper layers of the skin and balances texture, soothes redness and reduces inflammation.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
hyaluronic serum
yes, it’s expensive, but Oh, Does it work like magic? My own skin eagerly drinks up the pillowy formula, and Strausser considers it one of its staple serums for summer. “[It’s]a great lightweight hydration layer that supports the skin barrier, especially when skin feels dehydrated from heat, travel or sun exposure,” she notes.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
face cream light
According to Bomba, matching face cream is a must. It’s especially soothing with a silky, satin-finish that neutralizes redness upon application, and contains effective botanicals (like purslane) to reduce inflammation and fine lines.
unfastened skin
N-Gloss Ceramide Lip Tint – Angel Food
Let’s not forget about the lips! Even delicate skin deserves some TLC on the hydration front, and according to Bomba, these ultra-moisturizing lip tints are 100% worth buying. She shares, “Anfisa Skin’s lip products stand out in a crowded category for me. It’s my number one most restocked item and is still the newest brand on the market. Their most recent shade (Angel Food) is so fun for summer.”
Tools and Treatments
“The trend we are seeing can be classified as ‘high maintenance for low maintenance’ type products,” Bomba declares. “Work smarter, not harder” is basically my muse when it comes to summer beauty (when even thinking about applying mascara makes me break out in a sweat), so it totally makes sense. The popularity of skin-improving devices and treatments will skyrocket. Yes, these are typically an investment (of time and money), but if you make them a priority now, you’ll have a noticeable glow by June 30th.
therabody
Theraface Mask Glow
Dermstore offers a ton of red light tools, but this Therabody device is one of my all-time favorites. It boasts red, red + infrared, and blue lights for firmer, smoother skin and fewer breakouts (all in a 12-minute treatment, mind you), and it has vibration technology for a relaxing scalp massage while you marinate under the light. Talk about a spa-grade experience.
gape beauty
Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator
According to Strausser, this Goop Beauty exfoliator “gives instant glow and helps smooth texture without feeling overly harsh.” It essentially provides the effects of microdermabrasion at home, calling on both physical and chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin and brighten skin tone. No lie, you’ll walk away from the sink with a softer, smoother complexion and an instant glow.
swede
eyelash growth serum
Strausser and Bomba both hailed Swede’s eyelash serum as a summer beauty staple — that’s when you know it’s a winner. In fact, “[I]really think this is poised to become one of the next breakout lash serums at Dermstore,” Strausser declares. “What makes it particularly interesting is that it is peptide-based, which really resonates with consumers who are looking for a more vegan-forward option within the lash growth category while still wanting visible results.” Lash serums can be intimidating, but once you find one that actually works with zero side effects — like this prostaglandin-free formula — you’ll never look back.
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