Just like a long picnic in the park or a lazy afternoon spent lounging in a hammock with a beach read, your summer beauty routine should feel easy-breezy.
Sure, your skin, hair, and nails might need a little extra love, since you’ve got to think about sun protection, exposed limbs and toes, and frizzifying humidity. So the key is choosing multitasking products that solve for summer woes in simple ways.
After years and years of testing all kinds of natural beauty products, these are the ones that I’d choose for the season over and over again. Every one, of course, is made with safe, primarily plant-based ingredients and is free of chemicals that could potentially mess with your health.
So you can spend your summer relaxing under an umbrella looking all nourished and glowy, not anxiously reading ingredient labels at the drugstore.
The Best Summer Beauty Products
1. For Safe Sun Protection
The realm of mineral-based sunscreen (AKA sunscreens that have zinc and titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, not oxybenzone) has expanded considerably over the past few years. It’s great that there are now so many options, but the cheap ones are often low-quality (read: they don’t rub in at all and you spend your whole beach day looking like Casper) and the good ones are often super pricey. Juice Beauty’s SPF 30 is the perfect happy medium. It’s effective and emollient while still affordable. And for your face, I use the brand’s Stem Cellular CC Cream year-round. It takes care of sun protection while also moisturizing and evening out your complexion.
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2. For Sweat Defense
I’ve put all kinds of natural deodorants to the test in seriously sweaty scenarios like hot yoga and HIIT class. If you really need to NOT sweat (i.e. you’re going to an outdoor wedding on a 100-degree day), I’d recommend opting for a traditional antiperspirant and deodorant. But for day-to-day use, Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant is my number one pick.
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3. For Sun-Kissed Skin Repair
Why should you trust this post-sun skin care solution? It was formulated by a surfer (who knows a little something about skin that’s been burned and chafed and salted for hours). EiR NYC’s Grounding Savasana All Purpose Body Oil is made with Jojoba Oil to soothe sunburned skin, arnica for sore muscles, and Ylang ylang to rehydrate.
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4. For Added Moisture
You’ll still need more moisture, though, and Necessaire, The Body Lotion, can save your skin. Whether you’re spending long days under the sun or need post-beach rehydration, this lotion is specially formulated to nourish your skin during the hot summer months. Its powerful blend of niacinamide and vitamins helps strengthen the skin’s barrier, leaving it feeling smooth, soft, and protected.
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5. For Beach Waves
If you’re at the beach, getting beach waves is pretty simple: Jump in ocean. Let hair dry. Good job! But for work or play days when you want the waves (or just can’t deal with pointing a hot hair dryer towards your head), Captain Blankenship Mermaid Sea Salt Hair Spray is a super popular pick. It’s made with sea salt and kelp (literally bringing the ocean to you) and scented with essential oils like rose geranium, so your hair toss will smell great, too.
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6. For Simple Minimalist Makeup
You can’t be fussing with an overflowing makeup bag during summer, and you also don’t want your face to look mattified. Keep your natural glow and throw an ILIA Organic Multi-Stick in your bag for when you need a quick face touch-up. This versatile blush stick adds a natural luminous flush to your cheeks, giving you a fresh and radiant look.
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7. For Avoiding Itchy Limbs
Mosquitos can ruin a barbecue or pool party, but bug sprays are also super toxic. Avoid the chemicals and opt for Babyganics Natural Insect Repellent, made with essential oils like citronella, peppermint, and lemongrass. I recently put it to the test while camping in the wilderness and was able to hike and sit around a fire for hours without a single bite.
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