The Best Under-the-Radar Summer Skincare Approved by Hollywood-Loved Beauty Experts

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Ahhh, summer. The season of succulent peaches, coconut-scented suntan lotion and sultry afternoons by the pool. This sizzling time of year can also leave skin with much to be desired due to breakouts, brown spots and high doses of redness. But a healthy-looking face and body can be achieved. Here, Hollywood’s trusted authorities share their favorite products (including some of the best ones you can buy on Amazon) and treatment tips for the skin of your dreams.

Related: Hollywood Costume Designers Swear by These Luxe Sunscreens and Tinted Moisturizers

The Best Hollywood Beauty Expert-Approved Sunscreens

“The most important thing in the summer is to protect your skin from sun damage,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anne Chapas. “Use antioxidants in the morning and regular sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher while avoiding direct sun exposure, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.” She recommends double-duty sunscreen designed to both protect the skin from the sun and help improve the quality of sun-damaged skin, such as ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Mineral SPF 50+.  And, top dermatologists frequently recommend sunscreens by Elta MD. The brand was also recently touted by Andy Cohen in the buff.

Many sunscreens also offer tinted options for a fresh-faced, radiant complexion, minus the need for extra makeup; these formulations also help even out skin tone. Chapas is a fan of Supergoop! Glow Screen. Other non-greasy, glow-inducing options are Dr. Kay Durairaj’s KD Skincare Mineral Glow Skin Defense SPF 44 and Revision Skincare’s Intellishade TruPhysical Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45.

Even if you’re in the sun for just a few minutes without sunscreen protection, damage can still settle in. “We get more UV exposure in the summer because the UV index is higher,” adds Dr. John Shieh, MD and founder of RejuvaYou Medical Spa. “The same 15 minutes in summer can be worse than an hour or two in February.” In other words, now is the time to bask in the glory of SPF.

Adeela Crown, “The Skin Engineer” and Hollywood film facialist who works with Cate Blanchett, Demi Moore and Keira Knightley, believes wearing SPF daily prevents almost 80 percent of skin and aging problems she comes across. “I find that most people only prefer to wear sunscreen daily if they first like the texture and feel on the skin,” she adds. “And brands have understood this assignment, leading to a flurry of ‘cosmetically elegant’ formulas; the goal is to make the consumers wear it as non-negotiable as a daily face cream. I am so glad that SPF packaging communicates phrases like ‘lightweight,’ ‘sheer,’ ’invisible,’ and ‘water-like’ helps dispel the idea of sunscreens as gloopy, mayonnaise-like pastes.”

One of Crown’s favorites is La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Correct SPF 70 with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide “for multitasking protection which also reduces the appearance of dark spots and improves skin elasticity.”

Chapas, who is also the founder and medical director of UnionDerm cosmetic dermatology group, with a newly opened practice in the Hamptons, also suggests wearing sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label, including a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, pants, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection as often as possible.

Less is More

With the increase in heat and activities, consider paring down on products as well. Exfoliate, hydrate and protect is the mantra. “I like enzyme exfoliants such as Restorsea PRO Intensive Treatment 10X which gently breaks down dry skin and doesn’t make skin more sun sensitive,” adds Chapas. “Hyaluronic gels are a great summertime moisturizer.” Hydra-Hyal Serum by Filorga, a doctor-developed French skincare brand, is designed with five hyaluronic acids of various weights for instant plumping and hydration that lasts 24 hours. Neon Hippie’s Cosmic Concentrate is a new hyaluronic acid serum supercharged with the brand’s proprietary 7 Shroom Complex (a powerful blend of healing mushrooms) that helps brighten skin. And CellLift Serum by Cellcosmet, the celebrity-loved Swiss skincare brand, delivers a visibly lifted, dewy complexion.

Avoid Retinol and Retinoids

Spending more time in the sun means rethinking certain ingredients. “I advise my patients to avoid or use their retinol products less as this can make your skin more prone to sunburns,” says Chapas. If you choose to continue using retinols, apply and reapply sunscreen, wear a full-coverage hat, and stay out of the sun.

Related: The Best Women’s Sun Hats for Every Style

Crown also suggests avoiding retinoids in the summer. “They make skin more susceptible to sun damage and exacerbate pigmentation,” she says. “Though if you use choose to use retinol this time of year, you do not have to live like a vampire, indoors, in the shade, wearing a cape! Instead, you must become an SPF ninja and use broad-spectrum coverage — at least one-third teaspoon [or 0.4 ounces] on the face and the same on the neck, with diligent reapplication using a cream or spray sunscreen, every two hours, even when you’re indoors, next to a window.”

Kát Rudu — founder of Kát Rudu Pure Biotic Skincare, whose clients include Dakota Johnson and Simon Cowell — stresses the importance of staying away from anything containing hydroquinone, a prescription cream used to lighten dark spots. “It makes the face red, flaky and like a red lobster.”

In-Office Treatments and Facials for Toned, Radiant Skin

While summer is not the ideal time for skin resurfacing procedures (save those for the end of the season when the cooler weather rolls in), Sofwave is the year-round treatment of choice for top aesthetic doctors. Designed to deliver ultrasonic energy below the skin, this non-invasive treatment (from $1,500 for half face, $2,500 for full face) helps generate collagen, reduce wrinkles and tighten skin without irritation or redness. “Sofwave is safe any time of year, works deeper in the dermis, and results in very little to no irritation to the skin,” says Dr. Shieh. Expect to numb in advance with, depending on your pain threshold, some discomfort or “spiciness” during the 45-minute treatment.

“In our testing and evaluation of Sofwave, we found that it exceeded the skin lifting and collagen remodeling results of all the other non-invasive treatments we have worked with over the past two decades,” says Shieh. “At two weeks post-treatment the skin is already making new collagen, so patients start to feel and see an immediate difference.  But it’s only just starting at that time, as the collagen that’s being remodeled and formed will continue.  Patients see continued improvements even a few months post treatment,” he adds.

Body toning treatments are another safe summertime favorite truSculpt iD and TruSculpt Flex body are two sculpting modalities often used together that utilize advanced technologies to help target stubborn problem areas of the body for those who are maintaining healthy and active lifestyles. “TruSculpt iD uses radio frequency (RF) to permanently decrease those stubborn fat pockets that most people have a hard time getting rid of in the abdominal and flank regions, however, this treatment can be used on other regions as well,” says Biana Krayevsky, a nurse practitioner at Robertson Wellness Aesthetics. “Results are visible within 12 weeks and just one 15-minute treatment (from $1,500) can lead to approximately 25 percent fat reduction,” she adds.

TruSculptFlex stimulates muscles to contract thanks to Multi-Directional Stimulation (MDS). This technology is designed to replicate 54,000 contractions in 45 minutes for a leaner physique along with improved appearance and strength. Instead of the bulky, oversized paddles employed by other toning treatments, truSculptFlex uses small electrodes that allow for more versatility and may be easily placed on various body parts, including the stomach, thighs, arms, love handles and derriere for a leaner look. During each session (from $350; a series of six are recommended a few days apart), you will feel your muscles contracting, which is an unusual sensation but tolerable. There is some discomfort as the treatment progresses and becomes more intense. Akin to a hardcore workout, expect to feel a bit tired and sore afterwards. No pain, no gain!

According to Krayevsky, truSculpt iD and truSculptFlex are ideal for clients who have less than 10 pounds of fat to lose, eat healthy and work out. “They are not meant for weight loss, but rather for body contouring that cannot be achieved with diet and exercise,” she reiterates. “I love these treatments because they give you bonus results for all the hard work you do in the gym and with your diet.”

Deeply hydrating, cleansing facials are also a treat this time of year. Cure, the swanky members-only health and wellness club in Malibu, recently introduced the Hallstein Facial to their skincare menu. Hallstein, the entirely unaltered, ultra-premium water, derived from an ecologically protected artesian aquifer in the Austrian Alps and reportedly scientifically proven to boost your antioxidant levels, is the only water served at industry dining mecca The Grill on The Alley. “Hallstein’s purity and dedication to sustainable practices is in complete alignment with our mission to ensure we care for our members from the inside out,” says Cure co-founder Michael McCauley. Imagine the benefits of not only ingesting, but dousing your face and body with a water this clean and coveted? Expect a higher dose of radiance. Cure’s ocean views and rooftop deck are an added bonus.

Below, our Hollywood skincare insiders reveal more of their best summer skincare products for keeping skin glowing, soft and protected. From the best skin rejuvenating, wrinkle-reducing serums and face creams to hydrating balms and more, keep reading for some of the top summer beauty products approved by experts.

The Best Summer Lip Masks, Hand Creams, Moisturizers and more, According to Experts

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Laneige, the viral TikTok sensation that put lip masks on the map, and beloved by Brooke Shields and Kelly Ripa, has just released a new limited-edition swirled pink lemonade version of its nourishing formula containing a berry fruit complex, murumuru seed and shea butter. This is the epitome of summer in a jar.

QMS Medicosmetics Hand Cream

It’s easy to overlook a hand cream but not one this velvety. Deeply moisturizing without an ounce of greasiness, this subtly clean-scented formula delivers seriously smooth skin. Use it all over your body for an unbelievably silky feel.

Cle de Peau UV Protective Lip Treatment SPF 25

Don’t forget your kisser. “The lips are a frequently overlooked area of the face for the application of sunscreen,” says Crown. “I have to treat the after-effects of long-term neglect that results in photo-aging, collagen breakdown, all of which contribute to the loss of volume on the lips and peri-oral region.” This lip treatment by Clé de Peau is revered for its hydrating capabilities. “It makes the wearer feel it’s no different than applying a moisturizing lip balm, but with the added protection of SPF 30 sunscreen.”

Luzern L’Essentials Emulsion 6 Balm

This multi-use, natural soothing balm from Luzern, the illustrious clean, Swiss skincare brand adored by Sofia Vergara, is one-stop shopping for luminous skin. Offering up a triple whammy of uses — a cleanser, moisturizer and mask, it delivers instant smoothing and hydration. Upon application, fine lines seem to melt away. Apply it anywhere on the face and body, including lips.

Arcona Starchild Barrier Restoration Cream

Arcona owner and product formulator Chanel Janae is sought after for her transformative facials and legendary skincare collection adored by celebrities including Regina King and Mandy Moore. Her newest creation is this botanically based, soothing Starchild Barrier Restoration cream designed to fuse the skin with moisture thanks to highly effective ingredients such as sea kelp bioferment, rose hip seed oil, melatonin astaxanthin and plum seed oil. Prepare for baby soft skin.

La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion

“We tend to avoid heavy makeup during the summer, as the heat, humidity and sweat isn’t very skin-friendly,” says Crown. “La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion focuses on reducing my sun induced pigmentation footprint but does double-duty as almost a light-reflecting glow base thanks to Lumidose, La Prairie’s proprietary illuminating molecule, enriched with their Swiss Golden Caviar ingredient. Summer may be fleeting, but my glow will carry me through the fall!” she exclaims.

Elevai Enfinity Exosome Regenerative Serum

Exosomes are enjoying their moment in the skincare spotlight and for good reason… these nanomolecules, touted by top doctors around the world, are secreted by stem cells and deliver a host of goodness, including proteins and lipids straight to other cells. In other words, they help heal and repair skin. The technology behind Elevai’s Enfinity Exosome Regenerative Serum (the first ingredient is a doozy: Human Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Media), came about after 15 years of research by Dr. Jordan Plews and is revolutionary, thanks to the ability of these teeny tiny exosomes to penetrate deep into the skin resulting in visible rejuvenation when used twice daily for four months. The before and after images speak for themselves — a dramatic reduction in redness, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and fine lines.