19 Summer Skin-Care Picks From Hollywood's Top Aesthetician
When most of us think of summer skin woes, it’s that grimy, heat-fueled skin congestion — and the zits that follow — that comes to mind. But leave it to a group of Hollywood skin pros to look even deeper to identify other sticky skin situations, such as sun-fueled hyperpigmentation and water sports. And as for retinol? It becomes even more complicated under clear skies. In short, the very things that make summer the happiest season on Earth are what can also make for some pretty challenging skin issues.
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Which is why we’ve tapped L.A.’s A-list aestheticians (who tend to the pristine skin of Jessica Alba, Chrissy Teigen, and Charlize Theron, among other award-winning names) to help us target the very skin concerns that come with surf, sun, and sweat.
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In the following slideshow, you’ll find out the very products they recommend for Hollywood’s most radiant faces. Because if you can’t get an appointment with some of the top aestheticians in the game, then you might as well go for the next best thing: face time with their ultimate skin-care products.
Say hello to your Hollywood-approved skin-care regimen, ahead.
Vanessa Hernandez
Clients: Amber Valletta, Jessica Capshaw, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Pro Pick: One of the biggest challenges during the summer season for all skin types? “Protecting skin from damaging UVA/UVB rays, while keeping the skin looking glowing, radiant, and hydrated,” Hernandez says. Bypass white and chalky or thick and greasy sunscreens by reaching for the skin pro’s SPF pick. “This is my absolute favorite because it’s great for literally all skin types, is super lightweight, gives skin a beautiful glow while protecting your skin with a strong SPF 46,” she says.
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Best For: All skin types, including acne-prone, sensitive, or hyperpigmented skin.
How To Use It: The key to making sure sunscreen is doing its thing? Reapplying every two hours or so.
Elta MD Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $32, available at DermStore.
Pro Pick: Another chief skin challenge in summer weather is keeping pores clean, says Hernandez. “When it’s hot out and your body temperature rises, your pores tend to open up, and whatever is on your skin at the time — including makeup, sunscreen, and sweat — can get trapped in your pores,” the pro says. “So it’s important to use a cleanser that really removes everything from the day.” Hernandez picks this gentle foaming cleanser — developed by a dermatologist — as her go-to for gently removing sunscreen and makeup.
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Best For: All skin types.
How To Use It: Hernandez advocates taking your sweet time when washing the face — by conducting a slow count to 15 while cleansing — to ensure you get the job done. “The cleaner and more exfoliated your skin, the better your serums and creams will penetrate,” she notes.
Brave Soldier Clean Skin Wash, $18, available at Brave Soldier.
Pro Pick: “Let’s face it, it’s nice to appear a bit sun-kissed, especially in the summer season, and the quickest, safest, and easiest way is to use sunless tanner,” notes Hernandez. True, dat! The celebrity aesthetician loves this drugstore gem because it “provides a natural-looking tan that lasts one to two weeks and is easy to apply.
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Best For: All but hyperpigmented skin types. (The tan will make brown spots look darker, Hernandez points out.)
How To Use It: Apply in small sections, rubbing thoroughly. Wash hands immediately after.
L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum, $11, available at Ulta Beauty.
Shani Darden
Clients: Jessica Alba, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Chrissy Teigen.
Pro Pick: One of the biggest skin challenges during summer months? Darden cites pigmentation, which can be exacerbated by retinol use and sun exposure. “Retinol can make you more sensitive to the sun, which makes you more vulnerable to pigmentation,” she says. To help combat the problem, Darden advocates protecting skin from the sun every single day. “It’s the single most important thing you can do for [your skin],” she says. “iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+ is a powerful antioxidant-packed serum that provides photoprotection.” (Yes, you still need SPF, but this will help.)
Best For: All skin types.
How To Use It: Apply it in the morning, followed by sunscreen to better protect against UVA and UVB rays.
iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+, $145, available at DermStore.
Pro Pick: A clear skin strategy isn’t complete without exfoliation. “Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Peel is a great at-home exfoliant that helps give skin an amazing glow,” Darden says.
Best For: Dull, oily, or congested skin.
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How To Use It: Darden suggests using these peel-soaked pads once a week at night. The chemical exfoliant will brighten skin and prep it for better product penetration by removing the top layers of dead skin cells.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Peel, $84, available at Nordstrom.
Pro Pick: The celebrity aesthetician formulated her own Retinol Reform to be effective (it contains 5% retinol) but less irritating than prescription retinol creams.
Best For: Most skin types can benefit from retinol, which can help reduce wrinkles, erase dark spots, shrink pore size, and smooth acne-scarred skin.
How To Use It: At night, apply two or three pumps to clean skin and follow with a moisturizer. “If you love to lay out in the sun, retinol is definitely not for you,” Darden warns. “Instead, opt for iS Clinical Active Serum in your routine.”
Resurface by Shani Darden Retinol Reform, $95, available at Shani Darden.
Robin McDonald
Celebrity Clients: Charlize Theron, Alfre Woodard, Renée Zellweger.
Pro Pick: “The biggest issue I have with my clients in the summer is hyperpigmentation due to sun damage,” McDonald says. “Though sun spots are benign, they often appear alongside other types of sun damage, like rough skin and wrinkles. More importantly, sun spots can obscure the presence of skin cancer.” This powder cleanser is one of McDonald’s favorite weapons for fighting hyperpigmentation at home. “It is a gentle, water-activated enzyme powder exfoliant and cleanser that, over time, can help break down pigmentation and smooth out rough skin.”
Best For: Sensitive skin, hyperpigmented skin.
How To Use It: Turn the dusty formula to a light emulsion by adding water before cleansing.
Tatcha Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder for Sensitive Skin, $65, available at Tatcha.
Pro Pick: This gel moisturizer uses aloe and eucalyptus to cool skin. “Your skin will love this after a day of sun and sport,” says the longtime Angeleno.
Best For: Normal to oily skin.
How To Use It: To heighten the cooling effect of this light hydrator, McDonald suggests applying it straight from the fridge.
KINDri Quench, $35, available at KINDri.
Pro Pick: Acai and rice powder aren’t just for breakfast anymore. This fine-grain polish employs these ingredients plus pumice to exfoliate the body. McDonald also cites omega essential fatty acids as power ingredients to help hydrate freshly smoothed skin.
Best For: All skin types.
How To Use It: Use this in-shower scrub twice a week.
OSEA Undaria Body Polish, $45, available at Osea Malibu.
Kelly Viavattine
Clients: Ruby Rose, Vanessa Hudgens, and Abigail Spencer.
Pro Pick: Oily and acne-prone skin types can have the most challenges in warm weather, Viavattine notes. “Hot and humid environmental conditions stimulate oil production. Heat causes perspiration, leaving more bacteria on the surface of the skin, which can cause acne,” she explains. To help keep pores clean, the skin guru suggests a mild cleansing foam followed by this gentle exfoliant. “Exfoliation is key for keeping pores clean and skin glowing,” she says. “Look for a gentle exfoliator, like ExfoliKate, which exfoliates enzymatically to give you a glow.”
Best For: Normal skin.
How To Use It: After cleansing, apply to wet skin and massage in circular motions for 30 sections. After letting sit for two minutes, rinse off. To further activate the scrub’s papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes, try using in a steamy shower.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, $85, available at Kate Somerville.
Pro Pick: “Vitamin C is great for helping to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation and age spots,” Viavattine says. “This one contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and radiant.”
Best For: “Vitamin C and kojic acid serums are ideal for skin with hyperpigmentation or melasma, as they help minimize the appearance of dark spots,” she pro notes.
How To Use It: To get the benefits of a multi-pronged skin-care regimen without overloading the face, Viavattine suggests applying a serum to the entire face and following with a moisturizer applied everywhere except the T-zone. “You produce more oil in your T-zone, and when it’s hot and humid, a moisturizer all over can be too heavy,” she says.
REN Radiance Perfecting Serum, $55, available at Sephora.
Pro Pick: Extreme temperatures (warm or cold) can exacerbate rosacea, Viavattine notes. “Mists are great for keeping all skin types (especially rosacea-prone) fresh and hydrated, without being too heavy,” she says. “This one contains beet-root extract for long-lasting hydration and a blend of lavender and orange essential oils to soothe skin.”
Best For: All skin types, including rosacea.
How To Use It: Spritz on skin after cleansing, or anytime to soothe and refresh.
Kate Somerville Nourish Hydrating Firming Mist, $48, available at Kate Somerville.
Pro Pick: To help protect your skin from skin cancer and UV damage without gunking up pores, look for an oil-free, lightweight sunscreen marked Broad Spectrum SPF 30 or above, Viavattine suggests. “Dermalogica makes a great one for warmer weather that contains mattifying properties to help regulate oil production.”
Best For: Oily and combination skin.
How To Use It: “When applying SPF, make sure to cover your neck, chest, and ears — not just face,” Viavattine says. “Always use an SPF of at least 30, apply 30 minutes prior to going into the sun, and reapply every two hours.”
Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30, $50, available at Dermalogica.
For the rest of our derm-approved products, visit Refinery29.
By: Erika Stalder.
