The Best Summer Skincare Products to Avoid Sunburns, Acne, and Razor Bumps

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With summer on the horizon, we’re ready to finally spend more time outdoors enjoying seasonal activities like swimming, hiking, or trying a new hobby like pickleball. Even if you prefer laidback summer Fridays at a local pool or lounging in a backyard hammock, your skincare routine could likely use a few quick upgrades for the upcoming hot and humid weather.

Switching to lightweight skincare products, such as a moisturizing lotion instead of a face cream, can be more nourishing for your skin during warm-weather months. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D.: “Adjusting your skin care is necessary for better temperature regulation between your skin and the surrounding environment. Heavy or occlusive products can block oil glands and sweat and increase the risk of heat rashes or acne.”

The New York-based doctor says many common summer skincare issues, such as sunburns and acne, can be avoided by using products that are better suited for hot, humid weather. “Looking for ingredients that block the stronger ultraviolet radiation and those that absorb quickly is helpful in keeping your skin protected,” she adds.

I asked Nazarian and Dr. Brooke Jeffy, M.D., about summer skincare products, including their easy-to-follow sunscreen lessons, sneaky ways to treat acne, and their all-time favorite recommendations. I also included a few of my no-fail, low-maintenance summer skincare products I can always rely on to keep my complexion looking and feeling its best throughout the season.

Why Trust Us

Our Team

Best Products is an OG in the testing and gifting space! Since 2015, our team of savvy editors has spent hours each week testing products, interviewing experts, and analyzing scientific studies and market data to bring you only the gifts worth your hard-earned money. We’re always here to help you with your gifting needs for everything from Mother’s Day gifts and seasonal deals actually worth your time to more niche interests like gifts for Succession and Ted Lasso fans and those who lost their job. We’ve got you covered with the latest and greatest gifts, with our coverage culminating in our annual awards package aptly titled Best of the Best.

Our Beauty Editor

Since November 2021, I’ve been overseeing our coverage of all things skincare, haircare, makeup, fragrance, and nails. I regularly interview experts on complicated scientific beauty topics and break them down into bite-sized, easy-to-follow buying guides. I’ve written a quarterly column highlighting my all-time favorite beauty products of the season and tested thousands of beauty products for our inaugural Best New Beauty Awards. Given my hands-on access to many beauty products, I’m confident in the caliber of these winning summer skincare essentials.

I also contribute breaking beauty and fashion news for our sister site, Biography.com, where I’ve interviewed makeup artists and hairstylists to stars like Rihanna, Margot Robbie, Cillian Murphy, and Sterling K. Brown. As our resident pop culture expert, I’m well-informed in the world of celebrity beauty, like that time I figured out the exact red light therapy device Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Hudgens used for the Oscars — and it was 20% off! Before joining Best Products, I was NBC’s first-ever associate commerce editor where I helmed their beauty, wellness, and sales coverage. I also spent several years contributing expert-backed buying guides, first-person stories, and interviewing hundreds of celebrity glam squad members for CNN, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, and Well + Good.

Our Board-Certified Dermatology Experts

• Dr. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D., practices at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Manhattan and is a fellow at the American Academy of Dermatology. She has contributed to dermatology textbooks and journals and was named as one of America’s Most Honored Doctors in 2022.
  

• Dr. Brooke Jeffy, M.D., has a decade of general medical dermatology experience and coaching and nutrition experience to help guide her patients toward total body health. She is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
  

How We Selected

As our team’s resident South Florida native, I know all about experiencing summer weather most of the year. I considered common summer beauty concerns my peers and I dealt with growing up and in adulthood, along with reader interests. For example, most people wouldn’t typically associate footcare with the summer, but flip-flops and sandals are daily staples in Florida and are especially practical during the summer months across the nation. I asked Jeffy about the best foot cream to ensure your feet look presentable and even took it a step further for runners and music festival goers who might be dealing with smelly feet. Although it's not the "sexiest" topic, the combination of sweat and dirt in sneakers means an unpleasant smell is more common in the summertime, making finding the right products to fix this summer woe all the more important.

Hair removal is also the norm during summer because we’re wearing less clothes, so I thought about your summer skincare prep and post-hair removal care routine. You’ve got plenty of giftable options, like a body scrub that works during both the pre-and post-hair removal maintenance, along with a top-tier razor and shaving cream. Together, these three products will only set you back $33 on Amazon.

Tested and Approved by Our Beauty Editor

Summer is heating up, but I’ve been testing new summer beauty essentials since January in preparation for our 2025 Best New Beauty Awards package. I’ve also been testing hundreds of other summer skincare products from big-name and exciting indie brands alike, so you already know I tested and loved several of these winners.

Dermatologist Approved

My favorite thing to ask any medical doctor I interview is about the products they use IRL and actually recommend to their patients. Jeffy shared three summer skincare essentials in her arsenal. I also just had to ask her about a few of her other summer skincare must-haves she suggests to her patients.

Everything Else

As for everything else featured in this guide, they’re from my most-trusted beauty brands, like Nécessaire, La Roche-Posay, and Skinceuticals. I also ensured all of these winners are undoubtedly aligned with guidance from our medical experts.

Price

Look, I love a good splurge like everyone else. But the reality is not everyone wants to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on building a summer skincare routine. Hence, 15 out of 17 Summer Skincare Award Winners are many of these beauty expert-approved solutions are $38 and under. Don’t worry: They utilize high-quality ingredients to deliver results you crave. As for the two splurges, the powder sunscreen doubles as a dry shampoo so it saves you from buying multiple products and subsequently overstuffing your carry-on bag. While the most expensive item on this list is the gold standard of vitamin C serums, an ingredient that’s perfect for caring for summer skin. Keep scrolling for your most gorgeous and sun-protected skin this summer — and it is totally worth incorporating into your routine once fall hits.

UV Active Sunscreen

EltaMD’s sunscreen is your new secret weapon for sun-protected, healthy-looking skin. Ideal for an active lifestyle, this water-resistant sunscreen relies on a high level of 19% zinc oxide to block both UVA and UVB solar rays that cause signs of aging and sunburns.

Unlike other facial sunscreens on the market, UV Active provides high-energy visible (HEV) light protection from the blue light emitted from our tech gadgets, like a laptop, while working from home. It also relies on knotgrass extract to boost firmness and elasticity while minimizing wrinkles. There are even jojoba esters to calm redness, moisturize skin, and improve the skin barrier function. This facial sunscreen is compatible with all skin types, ranging from oily to dry, so it’s a quick and easy way to level up your summer skincare routine.

If you’re not a fan of the typical sunscreen smell, you’ll be happy to know that UV Active is fragrance-free. It’s also paraben-free and non-comedogenic, so those with sensitive and acne-prone skin won’t have to worry about irritation and breakouts.

Remember to spend a few extra seconds rubbing this sunscreen into the skin. It’s worth the minimal effort to ensure it goes on smoothly without leaving behind an ashy finish.

More: Self Tanners for Glowing Skin — No Sun Damage Included

Daily Facial Moisturizer

In our guide to the best SPF moisturizers, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Courtney Rubin, M.D., previously told me that they are just as effective as traditional facial sunscreens. To quote Rubin, “If the product meets all of your personal, separate requirements for a moisturizer and sunscreen, combining the two will not compromise how it will perform!”

Vanicream’s simplicity proves that you don’t need gimmicky ingredients or to splurge to hydrate and protect your sun-kissed skin. This SPF moisturizer can be applied once in the AM, and you can either apply your makeup and touchup with a powder SPF or you can reapply throughout the day if you have a bare face.

It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, a clear, lightweight moisture magnet and one of Nazarian’s all-time favorite summer skincare ingredients. It also contains squalane, glycerin, and five types of ceramides to retain hydration without leaving your face a greasy mess. So those with dry, sensitive, and sun-kissed skin who need hydration will love Vanicream.

All Vanicream products, including this SPF moisturizer, are fantastic for sensitive skin because everything is free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, lanolin, and formaldehyde releases. This sunscreen also won’t clog pores, so you won’t have to worry about it causing blackheads, whiteheads, and cystic acne.

Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 60

Spray sunscreens can generally get a little messy compared to lotions, so I advise using this one on your body instead of the face to avoid accidentally getting SPF into your eyes. That being said, La Roche-Posay created a cosmetically elegant spray sunscreen that’s non-sticky and makes covering your body in the summer a breeze. Unlike traditional lotion sunscreens, spray ones like Anthelios Ultra Light cover all the hidden nooks and crannies we might miss, including our back, neck, and behind our knees.

LRP is one of my most trusted skincare brands, and this spray sunscreen is the best of the best! Its weightless, non-greasy texture protects my skin for up to 80 minutes before reapplication. Anthelios Ultra Light is also water-resistant, so it’s ideal for upcoming dips into the pool and sweaty outdoor activities like jogging and tennis.

Unlike other spray sunscreens on the market, this one boasts La Roche-Posay's signature Cell-Ox Shield technology, which is a combo of 100% mineral UVA and UVB sun protection and antioxidants. It’s also infused with tocopherol, which is a more stable form of vitamin E, which is rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radical damage to our skin. There’s also veggie-derived glycerin to attract water and dimethicone to lock in water to prevent dryness.

Anthelios Cooling Water Sunscreen Lotion

Curious about which sunscreen the experts rely on? “The best face and body sunscreen is La Roche Posay Cooling Water,” Jeffy says. “This feels so light and refreshing on the skin. It is great for areas with hair because it rubs in easily. My go-to for male patients.”

Not only does it replace the need for traveling with multiple sunscreens in your beach bag, but it also provides up to 80 minutes of water-resistant sun protection. Its gentle and lightweight formulation is compatible with all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Given the long water-resistance time, it's perfect for surfers, swimmers, and divers alike. Those who prefer hanging on boats know you’ll inevitably get splashed by the waves while sailing, so using this water-resistant sunscreen will ensure your skin is fully protected from the sun’s rays for a relatively long period of time.

Beyond the previously mentioned Cell-Ox Technology and epic broad-spectrum SPF 60 coverage, Cooling Water also contains water — but not just any water, of course. There’s soothing thermal spring water with antioxidant-rich selenium from the French town of La Roche-Posay. It’s also the main ingredient in my all-time favorite LRP facial spray, which I can attest helps soothe my tired, sun-exposed skin.

Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder

Believe it or not, sunscreen isn’t limited to just our faces and bodies. Those who rock a bald head can repurpose their favorite face sunscreen by slathering it across their head, but for the rest of us, you’ll need a powder dust-on sunscreen like this one to apply along your part. Powder sunscreen is the best move for someone not bald because lotions, sprays, and gels can make hair greasy and weigh it down.

This Colorescience powder sunscreen is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t inadvertently cause scalp acne. The silicone powder in this sunscreen is so effective at soaking up excess oil that it even doubles as a dry shampoo. It’s also a mineral formulation, meaning you get broad-spectrum coverage immediately versus the usual 15- to 20-minute waiting period required for chemical sunscreens to work before sun exposure.

Pro tip: Scalp sunscreen should be applied after your favorite hairspray or serum, as it is the final part of your hair routine.

Unseen Pimple Patch

Hot weather causes extra sweating, which combines with dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin to clog pores and increase the risk of breakouts on the face and body. Pimple patches are an excellent and relatively undetectable way to spot-treat zits and help camouflage them without using makeup.

What’s super satisfying about these hydrocolloid pimple patches is they provide a visible cue to indicate they’re working. Each bakuchiol-infused patch turns white while absorbing fluid, including dirt and oil, within the zits. After eight hours, these patches make pimples smaller and flatter, so you can wear them overnight and wake up to a zit-free face that’s ready to take on another beautiful summer day.

Given their low-key design, you can feel confident sporting these pimple patches to the office or school. And if you still wear face masks, no one will even know you’re wearing flesh-colored pimple patches underneath.

Supervitamin Body Wash+ Brightening

Showers are a non-negotiable way to keep your skin clean, healthy, and happy. And with hot summer weather comes more revealing clothes. Instead of sticking with a basic body wash, level up your shower time with one that helps brighten your skin.

I’m honestly obsessed with this Iota body wash. When the clear gel formula mixes with water, it becomes a lightly foaming body wash that brings major spa vibes to my shower. It leaves my skin looking brighter and feeling softer instead of taut and overly dry, like other body washes on the market.

The brand recently upgraded its package to include a handy pump, which is always appreciated. But what remains the same is an impressive pH-balanced formulation of 20 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

I appreciate that the ingredients are things we can find in everyday life, like brightening vitamins A and C in pineapple, mango, and yuzu. There’s also niacinamide, a superhero ingredient for calming skin and imparting a beautiful radiance.

Age Defying Sugar Body Scrub

A body scrub is essential during the summer season, especially if you shave or wax off body hair. Exfoliants help prep the skin before hair removal and can help prevent annoying razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Hempz is THC-free, so you won’t have to worry about potential anxiety-inducing effects associated with cannabis. Instead, this gentle body scrub nourishes your skin with pure hemp seed oil while sugar gently exfoliates away dead skin cells. It’s also made with soothing aloe vera and hydrating shea butter to prevent any moisture loss.

There are a variety of scents to choose from like the featured Age Defying Vanilla or the summer-ready Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon version, which smells like a tropical fruity vacation in a jar.

Deluxe Smooth Sensitive Women’s Razor

Summertime means showing more skin while enjoying the sunshine and plenty of nights out. If you’re like me and prefer to keep body hair to a minimum, then upgrading to this under-$11 razor set is a must-have this upcoming season.

Why use a new razor? Well, dull razors tug at the hair follicles during shaving, causing plenty of unwanted skin sensitivities. Gillette Venus created a razor with the thinnest and sharpest blades yet to prevent skin irritation like razor burns, bumps, and hard-to-remove ingrown hairs.

Featuring five blades and a SkinElixir Lubrastrip for hydration and glide, this razor has earned a full-time spot in my shower because it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. I also don’t need to shave over each area multiple times because the blades remove unwanted body hair right away, leaving behind my smoothest skin yet. Plus, it’s got an ergonomic handle with an anti-slip soft grip for the most comfortable shave.

Whipped Shave Cream

I hate to break it to you, but using a body wash as a shaving cream alternative just isn’t cutting it. Most body washes simply aren’t thick enough to create a safe protective barrier between your skin and the razor. And using a dry razor puts you at risk for friction, irritation, and even injury. Billie’s shaving cream smells like lavender with a touch of citrus, but most importantly, it creates a lush protective barrier between your skin and razor.

This Billie shaving cream is denser than other shaving foams and gels on the market. It’s most ideal for dry skin (or someone who loves hot showers) because the gentle formula contains hydrating, fan-favorite ingredients, like shea butter and coconut oil.

Billie also includes aloe vera, a skincare ingredient doctors swear by for soothing sensitive skin, in this shaving cream. There’s even sage, which is known for its healing properties. Overall, Billie’s shaving cream ensures your skin feels hydrated after you rinse it away so you won’t look ashy.

Ingrown Hair Serum

You survived the dreaded swimsuit wax or went the pain-free route with a razor and shaving cream. Regardless of your go-to hair removal process, nothing kills the vibe of smooth, hairless skin like ingrown hairs, acne, and unsightly bumps.

Enter European Wax Center’s Ingrown Hair Serum, a lightweight and gentle skincare essential that ensures you have a flawless swimsuit line. The lightweight, alcohol-free serum is like liquid gold in your summer skincare routine. You can use it anywhere on your body and face to help treat and prevent ingrown hair, bumps, and breakouts after hair removal.

Its secret is glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates dead skin to help clear out pores. The dermatologist-approved ingredient also prevents dark spots. Tea tree oil, a known antibacterial ingredient, soothing vitamin E, and lavender oil also ensure your delicate skin remains perfectly hydrated.

The Body Lotion

Summer means we can finally swap out our heavy winter body creams for lightweight lotions. My favorite among my extensive collection is The Body Lotion from Best New Beauty Award winner Nécessaire.

Unlike cheap drugstore picks, Nécessaire is chockful of good-for-you ingredients that won’t irritate my sensitive skin. The non-comedogenic lotion helps firm up skin with a blend of five peptides and combines vitamins C and E for a brightening effect and hydration.

There’s even an impressive 2.5% concentration of niacinamide for a soothing effect to treat hyperpigmentation and protect against sun damage. And I can’t forget the blend of omegas 6 and 9 for moisture retention and maintaining skin elasticity.

C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

Nazarian suggests incorporating antioxidants into your summer skincare routine to help neutralize free-radical damage caused by prolonged outdoor time. “Generally speaking, look for ingredients that are great for environmental protection, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and folic acid,” she says.

Skinceuticals created the gold standard of vitamin C serums, earning major snaps from Jeffy. “I love Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum to fight free radical radicals that can damage the skin,” she says. “You only need a few drops, so it lasts a long time and is the most well-respected vitamin C product on the market.”

Vitamin C is an unstable ingredient, but Skinceuticals helps preserve your new splurge by shipping it in an airtight dark brown bottle.

The ingredient is also helpful when combined with facial SPF. “Most sunscreens only provide up to 99% protection from UV rays, and vitamin C serums can actually act as a booster to that, helping to fill in the missing protection,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Supriya Tomar, M.D., previously explained in our guide to the best vitamin C serums. “So not only does it help correct existing damage, but it will help prevent additional damage as well.”

Match Your Mood Deodorant

Nez’s pocket-sized deodorant wonders are game-changers, especially in the summertime. They outperform any other deodorant I’ve tested and have replaced my former holy grail deodorant of choice.

Before trying Nez, I thought this summer I would need to switch to a harsh antiperspirant or men’s deodorant, but Nez deodorants do the best job with odor control. I’ve been wearing this duo on and off for several months, and it outperforms others I’ve tested, including during long walks in hot and humid Florida or trips to the beach.

They combine zinc ricinoleate with arrowroot and bamboo powders to absorb sweat, while a nourishing blend of coconut oil and shea butter prevents irritation. Plus, they don’t leave behind white marks under my arms or on my clothes, which is always appreciated.

This handy pair offers you two of Nez’s most popular scents. Workout sesh bright blend is a mix of leafy greens and cucumber, and my all-time favorite is date-ready smoky blend for the evening: a subtle mix of bergamot, black peppercorn, fig, and tobacco flower (but don’t worry, my fellow non-smokers, you won’t smell like cigs!). Its aroma is elevated yet comforting to the point that I’d gladly wear a perfume or light a candle of this scent.

Whole Body Deodorant

As a TikTok-obsessed beauty editor, I’ve noticed a microtrend of brands creating full-body deodorants for external use only — and Jeffy says they’re legit. “Full body deodorants are safe to use to help absorb sweat and reduce odor,” she says. You can apply a body deodorant anywhere you need some odor control, like your armpits, inner thighs, body folds, creases, and along the swimsuit line.

Lume is the most popular of the bunch — and with good reason. It’s aluminum- and baking soda-free, plus clinically proven to control odor for up to 72 hours. Of course, you’ll want to shower at least once daily for optimal cleanliness, but it’s nice knowing this creamy deodorant will keep you smelling fresh during camping trips. It’s also a great product to throw into your emergency preparedness kit.

As a bonus, you can kiss hyperpigmentation goodbye because Lume contains mandelic acid, which helps brighten dull skin, like dark underarms.

Foot Repair Cream

Ready for sandal-ready feet? You’ll want to deeply moisturize and exfoliate dry, cracked heels with Jeffy’s favorite foot cream. She loves AmLactin’s offering because it contains an impressive 15% lactic acid concentration to help keep heels smooth. The alpha hydroxy acid also targets scaly skin, including calluses and cracks.

Don’t worry: Amlactin’s foot cream contains glycerin, mineral oil, and petrolatum to retain hydration. You can slather this product on up to twice daily and can look forward to long-lasting moisture after each application.

Complete Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap

Wait, what is hand soap doing here? Hear me out: Runners, tourists, and festival goers are likely wearing closed-toe shoes instead of sandals for optimal comfort. And as an editor with wide feet, I understand the sneaker hype. But when a buildup of sweat and bacteria causes foot odors, you’ll want to keep it simple by following Jeffy’s tips.

“An antiperspirant applied to the feet at bedtime can reduce sweating,” she says. “Try washing with an antibacterial cleanser and if that fails, use an athlete’s foot cream.”

I’ve been using Dial antibacterial hand soap for as long as I can remember. It’s effective, cheap, has many appealing scents, and doesn’t leave my skin overly dehydrated like other anti-bacterial hand soaps.

Sunscreen 101

Why Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a daily must-have regardless of the season, but summer is an especially excellent time to be extra diligent about wearing and reapplying sunscreen.

The Library of Congress explains that the sun hits Earth at a steep angle during the summer, which results in longer days, hotter temperatures, and, of course, more sun exposure for our skin. Sunscreen creates a barrier between our skin and harsh solar rays.

Americans Have a Sunscreen Problem — but the Solution Is Easy
It sounds simple enough to use sunscreen, but a recent survey found that only 13.5% of Americans are actually wearing sunscreen daily. Given this reported low usage rate, I had to ask our medical experts why it’s important not to skimp on sunscreen.

Nazarian notes sun damage is cumulative, so it's best to use sunscreen now. “Even small amounts of exposure over the course of years can cause significant damage to your skin,” she says. “We know that long-term effects of chronic radiation can cause thinning, produce wrinkles, sagging, enlarged pores, and lead to pigment unevenness and splotchy tone. What’s worse, we know that chronic radiation can increase the risk of many skin cancers. Ultimately, just like you don’t brush your teeth seasonally, you should protect your skin from damage by wearing sunscreen every day year-round.”

Use a Broad-Spectrum, High SPF
A broad-spectrum sunscreen helps prevent skin damage from the sun’s ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause signs of aging, burns, and, worst of all, skin cancer.

The FDA says the sun protection factor (SPF) on sunscreen packaging indicates how much UV radiation it will take to cause sunburns on protected skin. The higher the SPF number, the more sunburn protection increases.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the most effective sunscreens have a broad-spectrum SPF rating of at least 30.

Water-resistant Sunscreen Is a Safe Move
The AAD also recommends water- and sweat-resistant formulas to ensure sun protection doesn’t wash or sweat away after applying it.

Gifting Our Summer Skincare Award Winners

Every expert-approved skincare essentials are an ideal, and relatively affordable way to treat yourself to a self-care gift. And with many major holidays on the horizon (hello, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend), your loved ones will need to protect their skin from harsh solar rays, too.

Our guide features plenty of sunscreens to ensure everyone, like your younger sibling coming home from college, a niece who is working as a summer camp counselor, and your parents. You can also throw in a few other pedicure products, like soothing Dr. Teal’s epsom salt, Olive & June nail polish, and Amazon’s no. 1 best-selling pedicure set filled with 18 grooming tools for sandal-ready toes. If you’re feeling extra generous, you can add everything to a basket and wrap it with a bow for a professional-looking gift wrap effect.

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