Summer Skincare Savers
Conquering the heat, sweats and tears with these gentle, effective products
The dog days of August are just around the corner. Helping with melting makeup, accidentally-too-long naps in the sun, overzealous air conditioning and more are these skincare savers we now can’t imagine our daily routines (and Summer Fridays) without. Light, refreshing, and most importantly, suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, all of the below products do an effective job of keeping things in check—even when outside conditions are beyond our control.
EIR
It’s hard to pinpoint which of EIR’s very practical products is our favorite. The unisex Brooklyn-based line was founded by Jun Lee—a Muay Thai fighter for about 10 years who also surfs and rides Motocross—to develop natural, healing remedies that kept up with her active lifestyle. There are no frou-frou formulas here, just effective protection and recovery: like non-toxic Surf Mud sunblock (made using coconut oil, cocoa butter and zinc), an extra-strength menthol oil roll-on for headaches and muscular pain, tea tree and myhrr-infused antiseptic balm for rashes to scratches, and natural deodorant in push-stick form (no more scooping with a spoon). The eco-friendly cardboard and tin packaging seals the deal.
Mychelle
Mychelle’s innovative sunscreen products apply thick enough to feel like a physical shield, but uses translucent zinc oxide so you don’t look like a ghost. The formula is not only gentle enough for babies, it’s also reef-safe; they don’t use any chemical ingredients that could be toxic to marine life, which isn’t the case with most drugstore brands (to top it off, 1% of all sun care proceeds this year will be donated to environmental organization Surfrider Foundation).
Mychelle’s new water-resistant SPF 50 Sun Shield Clear Stick (also available at Whole Foods) travels easily in pockets; so the only souvenirs you’ll be bringing from the beach are gorgeous sunset photos, rather than flaky, red burns.
Pai
Sensitive skincare experts Pai’s hydrating Bioaffinity Tonic sprays are packed with vitamins, amino acids and minerals to restore problem skin to optimum pH levels. There are two versions: the lotus and orange blossom tonic immediately calms redness and inflammation; the rice plant and rosemary tonic helps rebalance combination/oily skin. Pai recommends storing it in the fridge for an even more impactful, soothing effect, but we can’t resist taking ours everywhere we go, especially onto airplanes.
Biossance
Biotech firm Amyris was founded by scientists from University of California, Berkeley to develop semi-synthetic artemisinin, resulting in cheaper malaria drugs. Since, the company has furthered their tech to produce renewable fuels derived from sugarcane for airplanes and buses, and even sustainable beauty products. The Biossance line is built from squalane—an incredibly moisturizing ingredient traditionally derived from shark liver, but theirs is sourced from plants. The lightweight cleansing oil—which uses the specially created ingredient hemisqualane—gets all the hardcore subway and city grime off the face—as well as remnants of the day’s sunscreen.
Ren
Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O has made micellar water the cult cleansing product that is today—allowing you to remove makeup, dirt and oil without any detergent or alcohol ingredients—but it’s difficult to purchase outside of French pharmacies. Many brands now offer their own version, however, and we like Ren’s because it’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Incorporating micellar technology and
rosa damascena flower water, the light and refreshing Rosa Centifolia cleansing water doesn’t require any rinsing: dab on a cotton pad and wipe.
Goldfaden
Florida-based dermatologist Gary Goldfaden’s fragrance-free SPF 30 Sun Visor has a spray pump for more convenient application, similar to a mist. Titanium dioxide (a physical block), octinoxate and organic red tea extract (which contains vitamins A, C, E) make up the ingredient list for a sunscreen that works hard.
Root Science
Gigja Hlín Wesneski’s Root Science products are inspired by the medicinal plants that have survived and thrived in the harsh climate of her mother country: Iceland. She focuses on powerful, effective plant ingredients and organic oils, and eschewing fillers (including water, an ingredient used to dilute), artificial
preservatives, artificial dyes, artificial fragrance, parabens, silicones and more. The Youth Facial Serum provides that extra oomph of care so your skin can rest and heal overnight. It’s bottled within dark violet glass to prevent degradation via light.
Images courtesy of respective brands
