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Nothing beats a summer glow that looks wholesome and dewy. We all want healthy, sun-kissed skin as we sunbathe in our cute bikinis while sipping icy refreshers. We often see such images on social media, but in reality, achieving this look takes work, especially since the skin tends to produce more oil in the heat and humidity.
You don’t have to follow an entire Korean ten-step skin care routine to get a healthy glow. Try our recommendations for hydrated and even skin with the right amount of shine.
Cleansers with salicylic acid
Zero in on cleansers containing salicylic acid as a first step to bring you closer to skin radiance. Oil builds up in hot and humid weather, and this ingredient helps dry up excess sebum, reduce sebum production and loosen dead skin cells to unclog pores. JUMISO’s All Day Vitamin Clean & Mild Facial Cleanser is an effective all-in-one cleanser that controls sebum production while brightening complexion. Abib’s Acne Foam Cleanser Heartleaf Foam is another contender that soothes skin while cleansing it.
Exfoliate, but go easy
Goodbye dead skin, hello fresh skin! Exfoliation removes dead skin cells in order to reveal more even and glowing skin. Opt for chemical peels as they’re less harsh on skin than physical scrubs. NEOGEN’s range of Dermalogy Bio-Peels is great for gently buffing away old skin and impurities while providing nourishment. Make sure not to go overboard with exfoliation and limit it up to three times a week.
Toners
Toners keep skin looking fresh and oil-free, and restore skin’s moisture levels after cleansing. They work to lock in moisture and prep skin for products applied afterwards to achieve a long-lasting glow. Dear, Klairs’s Supple Preparation Facial Toner contains plant extracts like aloe vera leaf extract, and hyaluronic acid to calm and hydrate skin. numbuzin’s No. 3 Dewy Radiance Essence Toner contains fermented ingredients to brighten and hydrate skin. Formulated with the nourishing benefits of an essence, numbizin’s toner supplies an extra layer of hydration for a plump effect.
Vitamin C serums
In the skin care game, antioxidant-rich Vitamin C is well known to brighten complexion for a sun-kissed glow. It improves hyperpigmentation, refines the appearance of blemishes and fine lines, and protects skin from free radicals. A few drops of By Wishtrend’s Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum or SKIN&LAB’s Vitamin C Brightening Complexion in the morning will generate visible skin improvements over time.
Hydrating moisturizers
A word of advice: don’t skimp out on moisturizer even when it’s hot and humid. Hydrating moisturizers are normally packed with water-binding ingredients (like glycerin, sorbitol or hyaluronic acid), which help create and maintain a natural shine. There are plenty of lightweight formulations that are perfect to use in summer to seal in hydration for a healthy dewy glow. Choose from moisturizers like EUNYUL’s Daily Care Dewy Skin Cream and numbuzin’s No. 3 Velvet Beauty Cream.
Sheet masks
To enhance skin radiance, sheet masking can help get the job done. Masks with hyaluronic acid secure hydration, while those with ceramides strengthen the skin barrier and citrus extracts offer brightening effects. As skin inflammation is common in the summer, opt for masks rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and E to protect skin from free radicals and reduce irritations. Both THE FACE SHOP and HOLIKA HOLIKA offer a range of sheet masks with different benefits.
Hydrating mists
The more hydrated skin is, the easier it is to achieve a glow. It’s always beneficial to keep a hydrating mist close by when you need a hydration boost midday or a spritz to cool off. A current favorite is THE PLANT BASE’s Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid that revitalizes skin for a youthful glow.
Sunscreen
The importance of sunscreen cannot be stressed enough. Sunscreen is vital! Damaging UV rays can cause uneven skin texture and discoloration, which makes achieving a glow much harder. It’s essential to use sunscreen. Sun care items like COSRX’s Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and NEOGEN’s Dermalogy Day-Light Protection Sunscreen, both of which offer SPF 50 PA+++ protection, are lightweight and provide hydration without leaving a white cast.
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