11 Skin Care Essentials for Summer 2020

You wouldn’t wear your winter clothes during the summer—after all, it’s way too hot to rock fuzzy sweaters and thick boots. The same philosophy can be applied to your skin care essentials. What you smooth on your skin in the winter may not do the trick come summertime. While you might experience extra dry skin in the winter thanks to the low moisture in the air, it’s possible you’ll find you have oily skin during the summer. That means revamping your skin essentials come summertime is a must.

Here, find 11 skin care essentials for summer 2020—from micellar water to clay masks to self-tanner—to help you care for your complexion all season. It’s time to make some summer skin care swaps!

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #1: MICELLAR WATER

Summer is the perfect time to simplify your life, and that includes your skin care routine. Start by stocking up on a no-rinse cleansing option. Micellar water is one of our favorite skin essentials. It’s powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup build up and away from the skin. The L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types purifies and hydrates, making it the perfect product to fight back against shine. Just saturate a cotton pad with the formula and wipe it across your face.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #2: CLAY CLEANSER

For summer days when you don’t mind a slightly longer routine—it’s indulgent and satisfying—consider reaching for a clay facial cleanser, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser. Powered by three different clays and enhanced with charcoal, it transforms from clay to mousse and removes everyday impurities from the surface of your skin without over-drying. As a result, the skin’s surface is purified of dirt, oil, and pollution and sports a brighter appearance.

Once a day, squeeze the cleanser onto your hands and add water to transform it from clay to mousse. Gently massage it onto your face in circular motions, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #3: CLAY MASK

Speaking of clay, clay masks are one of the most popular skin care products at the moment. They’re the perfect way to show skin a little TLC. If you want to add one to your skin care essentials list this summer, look for one that detoxifies, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask. See, day after day, dirt, makeup, and excess oils can build up on the surface of your skin, leaving your complexion looking overly oily. Often times, a cleanser isn’t enough to solve this problem. Enter the mask we mentioned, which is formulated with three types of clay (kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan lava) to help draw out the buildup of impurities and reduce the look of excess shine.

Apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off. Use three times a week for best results.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #4: WATER-BASED MOISTURIZER

While the winter calls for a rich, thick cream, a lightweight moisturizer should be enough to keep your complexion hydrated during the summer. Try adding a water-based moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Oily Skin, which won’t feel heavy on your skin, into your skin care routine.

By the way, no, you can’t skip out on moisturizer just because your skin is oily. Even when you have oily skin, external factors like pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage the skin’s moisture barrier, causing loss of moisture and an increase in oil production. This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration with a matte finish. Smooth it gently over your face and neck after cleansing.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #5: FACIAL MIST

Does your skin feel like it needs a little boost after spending time out in the heat? That’s what facial mists are for. Spritz one over your complexion for a refresh whenever needed, making sure to keep the mist in your tote so you can spray on the go! Need a product rec? Try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Shake & Glow Dew Mist, which is formulated with quenching coconut water and brightening vitamin C and provides a boost of hydration that’s perfect for a midday pick-me-up, making it one of our must-have skin essentials.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #6: BODY SCRUB

When summer arrives, chances are good you’re going to be showing quite a bit more skin than you did when it was chilly outside. Help slough off dead skin cells on the surface of your skin by using a body scrub in the shower. Gently apply the scrub in circular motions before rinsing off—and follow up with a body lotion when you hop out of the shower.

Editor’s note: It won’t hurt to add a face scrub to your routine, too! Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub, or L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub. These scrubs also double as lip scrubs, so don’t leave your pout out of the scrubbing action!

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #7: SELF-TANNER

Get a gorgeous faux glow using self-tanner. We especially love the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse. The lightweight clear mousse formula applies easily and dries quickly to deliver a natural-looking glow that gets deeper over time. For best results, follow the instructions below:

Step #1: Cleanse and exfoliate your skin.

Step #2: Blend the mousse onto your skin.

Step #3: Use sparingly around your knees, elbows, and ankles.

Step #4: Wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Step #5: Let your skin dry before putting on clothes.

Use the tanning mousse until you’ve achieved your desired level of tan, then apply one to two times a week to maintain your results.

Editor’s note: Want a self-tanner you can use anywhere? The L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes for Body won’t steer you wrong. Formulated to provide you with a natural, streak-free tan sans the mess, these towelettes will become your BFF in no time. Simply smooth one of the individually-wrapped self-tanning towelettes over your entire body. Be sure to use the self-tanning towelette sparingly around high-absorption areas like your knees, elbows, wrists, and ankles. Wash your hands thoroughly after use and let your skin dry before putting on clothes.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #8: BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN

Although taking the necessary sun protection measures should be at the top of your mind year-round, it’s especially important not to skip sunscreen in the summertime. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it’s important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher daily, in addition to protecting your skin in other ways. Additional sun protection measures include limiting your time in the sun (especially during the sun’s peak hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), covering up exposed areas by wearing long pants, long sleeves, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat, and reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.

If your skin care routine feels a bit long, you can also try using a moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF, such as the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30, to streamline things. Just remember to bring the bottle with you so that you can reapply throughout the day—and don’t forget to take the other protective measures we mentioned!

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #9: ALOE VERA MOISTURIZER

Sometimes even the most diligent of us can end up getting a sunburn—it happens. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that using a moisturizer formulated with aloe vera can help soothe the feel of a sunburn—so reach for the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Oily Skin again. The AAD also recommends taking frequent cool baths or showers to help relieve the pain.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #10: PRIMER

After making it through your skin care routine, use a primer before moving onto your makeup—this can help you avoid makeup meltdown. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer, which will help create an even base for your makeup and mattify your complexion. Apply the primer after moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen, smoothing it on in a gentle circular motion over your entire face.

To take your long-lasting summer makeup look even further, after priming, use a matte finish foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. You’ll also want to dust on a setting powder or spritz on a setting spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray, to complete any makeup look you rock this summer.

SUMMER SKIN CARE ESSENTIAL #11: BB CREAM

Want to perfect your complexion without the fuss of a long-winded makeup routine? BB cream is here to save the day! This multi-functional offering works wonders to hydrate, prime, and perfect your skin for a flawless base. Not to mention, you can sport a flawless, breathable complexion without having to layer on multiple makeup products. In other words, it’s the perfect finishing touch for your skin care essentials. Pick your potion below.

L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Anti-Fatigue (For All Skin Types): Formulated with encapsulated, color-transforming pigments that counteract signs of fatigue, this BB cream does it all. From reviving a tired complexion, evening skin tone, hydrating, and perfecting, it’s pretty much everything you need. Not to mention, it instantly transforms into your perfect shade for a flawless, bare skin finish.

L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Anti-Redness (For All Skin Tones): Redness, where? This lightweight multi-tasking lotion does an amazing job of counteracting redness to help even out your skin tone. It also works to hydrate and perfect skin for desired results.

L’Oréal Paris Magic By Studio Secrets Skin Beautifier BB Cream: Ready to take your skin care game to the next level? This BB cream is where it’s at! Formulated with vitamin C and vitamin E, you can count on this pick to hydrate, correct, even skin tone, and perfect your complexion in an instant. Over time, you’ll have more beautiful skin.

See, your summer skin care routine doesn’t have to be difficult—knowing what skin care essentials to use can help make caring for your complexion during the next few months a little easier. If you’re looking for more in the way of summer-centric beauty tips, check out this article about the 5 Places You Shouldn’t Forget to Apply Sunscreen.