Summertime Smash or Pass? Skincare Edition!
On Which Products Are Worth Your Money And Which Aren't This Summer.
Summer’s here, and it's time to rethink your skincare stash.
With countless options, figuring out which products deserve your attention can be overwhelming.
In this "Summertime Smash or Pass" edition, I’m cutting through the noise to highlight what’s worth your money and what you can skip.
Surprise, surprise - there are a ton of drugstore options that outperform luxury ones!
Face Wash
Pass:
Skip St. Ives and any cleanser with microbeads or harsh plastics. These might be my least favorite category of all skincare products since they can damage your skin.
Instead, look for gentler options that won't cause irritation or harm, such as . . .
Smash:
You should choose hydrating cleansers like the one from my brand, Biom’s H2.O.
For acne-prone skin, use a benzoyl peroxide cleanser or salicylic acid cleanser once or twice daily.
Paula's Choice 2.5% BP Cleanser and Kate Somerville's EradiKate Cleanser are excellent choices for those with acne.
Moisturizer
Pass:
Skip Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm for summer.
While it's pretty much my all-time favorite for dry skin, its thick, heavy texture is better suited for cold weather or nighttime use.
For a lightweight summer moisturizer, check out...
Smash:
Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel is perfect for summer.
It's super lightweight, making it perfect for oily skin, especially in the summertime.
The gel-cream has a translucent, almost cloudy color and a jelly-like texture that absorbs instantly.
It contains sodium hyaluronate, which helps draw in and retain moisture, aloe leaf juice for hydration, and natural antioxidants from green tea to soothe the skin and combat free radicals.
Truly, this moisturizer is excellent for those with oily or acne-prone skin. It hydrates effectively without clogging pores.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t use it if you have dry skin like me.
Overall, it's a great moisturizer for anyone looking to keep their skin bouncy and refreshed without the heaviness.
And keep an eye out for my Versed brand review coming soon!
Mineral Sunscreen
Keep in mind that nearly all mineral sunscreens leave a white cast on darker skin tones because the UV filter, zinc, is a white powder.
That's why I chose two tinted sunscreens that suit a wider range of skin tones, though they might not work for everyone.
I'll compare chemical sunscreens next, which work for all skin tones.
Pass:
True Botanicals Skin Barrier Sun Shield SPF 30.
While I do think this is a good mineral sunscreen, the light tint restricts its usage to people with lighter skin tones, and it feels thick and heavy on application which can be uncomfortable in the summer.
Smash:
MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 30 is great if you want something heavier to replace your foundation, and I love that it comes in a dropper bottle.
For a lighter option, try Hero Cosmetics’ tinted mineral SPF, which still offers a good, blendable tint without the weight.
I also love the non-tinted Hero Cosmetics SPF.
Chemical Sunscreen
Pass:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50.
I used to love this one as a holy grail drugstore find, but recently, it’s been stinging my eyes like crazy, and I can't figure out why.
This SPF is suitable for all skin tones, and it can leave a nice glossy sheen almost like one of my favorites from Supergoop, the Glowscreen. However, it’s a lot thicker and somewhat “greasier”.
Smash:
Naturium UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50 or Dew Glow Moisturizer.
I love both!
Get the first if you have oily skin and the second if you have dry skin, and the second also has extracts to block blue light.
I also have to recommend Supergoop - they’re a viral sunscreen brand that actually deserves the hype. If you love a shiny, pearlescent glow from your SPF, you have to check The Glowscreen.
AHA Exfoliant
Pass:
Banish's Pumpkin Enzyme Masque - Instant Glow
As much as I want to love it and still use it occasionally, it can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation.
It’s quite strong, which might be perfect for someone with resilient skin or someone who doesn’t use a lot of actives, so otherwise, I suggest . . .
Smash:
The Doctor's Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask has a fun jelly texture, almost like Jell-O.
The pineapple enzymes help loosen dead skin and reduce minor hyperpigmentation and blemishes.
I think it’s pretty similar in both texture and effects to Banish's Pumpkin Enzyme Masque, but it’s gentler.
For Acne
Pass:
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This is a great product, but summertime acne tends to be more angry and inflamed.
Salicylic acid, like in Paula's Choice, is better for whiteheads and non-inflammatory acne.
That’s not to say you can’t use it year-round, but if you’re dealing with angry, red, inflamed acne from sweating more, you should consider . . .
Smash:
Sofie Pavitt Face Reset BP Mask
This is a new find for me, and I love it. With 5% BP, you leave it on for 3-5 minutes and let it work its magic.
It's not drying and very effective. In fact, it's the only BP mask I've found that isn't a leave-on gel.
Otherwise, for a leave-on BP gel, I like Replenix.
Cleansing Balm/Oil
Pass:
Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil
This 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser uses camellia oil to gently remove waterproof makeup, melt away excess oil, and leave your skin feeling softer than silk.
However, it has a bit of an odd smell, and I don’t feel like it completely washes off your skin, even after scrubbing with my hands for a full minute.
That’s why I like Versed's Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm better.
Smash:
Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm is an excellent choice for those of us who need to double cleanse, and recently, I’ve been enjoying the cleansing balm from Elemis too.
I tried Versed’s in a bunch of scenarios - no makeup or sunscreen, to remove sunscreen, and to remove heavy makeup including red lipstick, and it did a phenomenal job of thoroughly cleansing my skin each time.
You really only need a tiny amount to completely remove sunscreen.
The formula contains vitamin E, eucalyptus oil, clove leaf oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil which makes it quite nourishing, but for those of you who are sensitive, your skin may not love the eucalyptus oil.
(personally, I find the eucalyptus a bit overpowering in scent)
Also, the packaging is also perfect for travel, making it a great cleanser to take on the go.
And finally, despite having acne-prone skin, I’m not worried about it causing breakouts.
Funny enough, yes, I prefer this cleansing balm to the more expensive Cleansing Oil from Tatcha. It does come in a smaller package though.
Peptide Serum
Pass:
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum is all-in-one serum leverages multiple peptide technologies, skin-friendly amino acids, and hyaluronic acids to target various signs of aging.
With direct copper peptides, it enhances elasticity, smoothness, and firmness, promoting healthier, radiant skin by combating oxidative stress.
While it's an impressive and affordable peptide serum, those with a bigger budget might want to try Mirror Skin's Copper Elixir for an elevated experience.
Smash:
Copper Elixir sets itself apart with a powerful blend of GHK-Cu and EGF, targeting all aspects of skin aging.
This formula enhances cell turnover, boosts collagen, and rejuvenates the skin for long-term health.
Unlike most brands, Mirror Skin includes a full 1% copper peptide concentration, making it an exceptional choice for comprehensive anti-aging care.
Lip Balm
Pass:
Remedy Skin's Remedy for Dry Lips is super thick and leaves a noticeable white cast on your lips.
While it’s not bad, I’m not a fan of how it looks and feels a bit too heavy.
However, I find it perfect for nighttime use, especially after a day in the sun since it provides intense hydration and helps repair dry, chapped lips overnight.
Smash:
Supergoop Lip Screen Sheer has a minty scent and applies like a normal lipstick, but it's sheer.
It gives your lips a slight gloss, more like a chapstick than a true lip gloss, and it goes on smoother than a chapstick.
I like the texture, but like most chapsticks or regular tube lipsticks, it doesn't have staying power and comes off easily.
Lipshade 100% Mineral Lip Color provides mineral SPF protection in versatile shades.
It softens and conditions lips with peptides and natural butters like mango, murumuru, and shea.
The formula is light and sheer like a chapstick but buildable for a bolder appearance.
It does transfer, so a matte lipstick is better for staying power.
I've tried two shades: Hey Y'all, a bright coral that's too light for my lips, and Love You More, perfect for everyday wear and running errands.
The formula is soothing and non-greasy.
Aside from the smash or pass list, I’ve also been trying out some new products and loving them so far:
Remedy Skin's Remedy for Dark Spots is an excellent multi-functional product for treating hyperpigmentation and acne scarring.
For sun protection, Elemis's Marine Collagen SPF 30 offers a cushiony texture similar to Naturium's Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm but is lighter in weight.
I’ve also been enjoying Eluxe's shampoo and conditioner, Not Your Mother's Curl Cream, and BarberSets Pomade for summertime updos to kill frizz.
Cheers,
Under chemical sunscreen, are the Naturium products switched around? The first one is showing it has blue blocking capabilities not the second one, thinking about buying some new sunscreen for my oily skin and wanted to make sure