How To Glow: 5 Essential Steps For Radiant Summer Skin, According To An Esthetician

There's something about warm weather that makes us want to brighten up every area of our lives. When it comes to summer skincare, layering on serums and moisturizers suddenly seems redundant. Days at the pool or weeks without a holdall don't have to be long. Whether you're looking for light clothing or carefree skincare, less is always more these days.

Luckily, according to New York-based esthetician and skincare expert Sean Garrett, you can complement your skincare routine while maintaining a healthy glow. That means you should stay away from rich products that will pile up in your fall and winter junk. "My summer skincare philosophy is to prioritize light moisturizers and sunscreen," he said.

Also, this guide applies to all skin types. "First, consider your skin type and then your specific skincare concerns," advises Garrett. “A person with oily skin can suffer from dehydration. It is a lack of water in the skin that causes the skin to produce more oil and look oilier.”

For example, sensitive skin types may prefer soothing ingredients like arnica, colloidal oatmeal, zona cola and allantoin, while those with dry skin may prefer gentle serums and gel creams without clogging pores. If you're concerned about controlling blemishes, apply your favorite acne treatment (like BHA or Sulfur, Garrett's Solution) and an anti-wrinkle cream at night.

Either way, here are five steps to complete anyone's skincare routine from start to finish.

1. Moisturizer

Surprisingly, your first step this summer will be cleaning. Garrett recommends something that doesn't strip the skin of its natural oils.

Dior La Mousse Off/On facial cleansing foam

The lightweight cream-to-foam cleanser is enriched with Dior's Garden Water Lily, which removes make-up, dirt and oil while soothing the skin.

Glacier Milky Jelly Cleanser

A pH-balanced gel-cream cleanser enriched with rose water, vitamin B4, xylitol, allantoin and comfrey root extract that sweeps away impurities for baby-soft, clean skin.

Facial cleanser made from fresh soy

A gentle face wash that uses soy protein, pumpkin extract and aloe vera to refresh, soothe and revitalize skin after each use.

Avene cleansing milk

A moisturizing and regenerating cleanser with thermal water, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E that gently removes dirt, oil and make-up without water.

2. Moisturizing Toner

A hydrating toner or essence is the next step. Basically, it provides the skin with a light layer of moisture. Think Hailey Bieber's latest Rod Glazing Milk, or a Japanese alternative like SK-II Identity.

SK-II materials for oral treatment

Over 90% of Peter's favorite formula targets dark spots, fine lines and dullness with hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing actives.

Enzyme content of the actual plant microbiome

Pineapple and papaya enzymes, AHA-rich finger lime and buckwheat groat silk extract help balance the skin's microbiome, gently exfoliating and locking in moisture.

road glaze milk

A newly launched hydrating toner enriched with Ceramide, Beta Glucan, Magnesium, Zinc and Copper to smooth skin and give it an enviable plumpness.

Paul's Choice Calming Skin Regenerating Toner

A soothing, milky blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins (C, E and B3) with Evening Primrose and Borage Seed Oil helps to nourish, soothe and protect dry skin.

3. Serum Moisture

The third step is your serum. According to Garrett, "It hydrates without irritating the skin." To quench skin's thirst, we recommend choosing formulas with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramide, squalane, and aloe vera. Those with dry skin will particularly benefit from this step as it gives you the opportunity to apply the serum as desired.

SkinCeuticals B5 Moisturizing Gel

A popular serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5 that moisturizes without clogging pores, making it ideal for acne-prone skin.

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Booster Serum

A proven hyaluronic acid serum that combines moisturizing ingredients with ceramide and niacinamide to restore skin barrier and reduce fine lines.

Epi.Logic Master Plan Bioactive Face Serum

A smart moisturizer that combines human growth factors, peptides, hyaluronic acid, algae and beta-glucan to improve skin's firmness, elasticity and hydration.

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% plus Zinc 2%

A popular drugstore formula enriched with 12% Niacinamide and 2% PCA Zinc that targets uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Moisturizer with water

It's time to lock in moisture with a light moisturizer. Garrett prefers a watery cream texture that "moisturizes the skin without weighing it down." When choosing a moisturizer, consider the moisturizers mentioned above.

Tacha Water Cream

A pore-cleansing, lightweight, water-based cream rich in Japanese superfoods (including wild rose, tiger lily, green tea, rice and seaweed) smooths skin texture and balances oily skin.

Peter Thomas Roth Moisturizing Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Moisturizing moisturizer

A dense moisturizing cream with a gel texture enriched with 30% Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide and Elderberry.

Tata Harper water block humidifier

A moisturizing cream with a soft texture thanks to a blend of Orange Peptides, Pomegranate Beads and Macro Hyaluronic Acid that smooths the face.

Osia Symbiotic Water Cream

A weightless water-cream moisturizer with a blend of seaweed, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and prebiotics and probiotics that hydrates for up to 72 hours.

5. Sun protection

Finally, the last and most important step is sun protection. "This is a time of year when we are getting more and more exposure to the sun, so sun protection is important in the summer months ," she explained. For the best sun protection for the face, experts typically recommend a broad spectrum SPF of 30 or higher. Pro tip: choose a sweat- and water-resistant formula to protect against the elements.

Chanel UV Essential Complete UV protection sunscreen SPF 50

Brighten up daily sun protection with SPF 40, blue ginger and Tahitian gardenia extracts to keep skin hydrated and glowing.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46

A light, refreshing chemical sunscreen (SPF 50) that contains extracts of watercress and wild butterfly ginger to strengthen and protect the skin's defenses.

Summer Friday Shadedrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30

A lightweight sunscreen serum with mineral SPF 30 enriched with squalane and antioxidants protects skin soft and smooth.

supergoop! All. lonely face water lotion with sun protection factor 50