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The 2024 Summer Sale Must-Buy List

The official, unofficial start of summer is this weekend, and while we rarely need an excuse to update our beauty routines, a new season brings new skin, hair and makeup needs. Summer's hotter temperatures, humidity and beach days often mean oilier skin, melting makeup and frizzy hair, so adding summer-specific is a must. Luckily, we're kicking the season off with a sale, and of course, we've put together some of our must-haves to get your summer going.

1. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum (1 fl. oz.)

579 reviews

$295.00

Just about everyone we know that's used this skin-rejuvenating serum calls it their miracle product, and while we can't promise a miracle, we will say that it visibly improves the look of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. Powered by TNS®-MR and Renessensce (RSC) Advanced, it encourages skin cell renewal and supports collagen and elastin levels to help reveal a smoother, more radiant and youthful-looking complexion.

2. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (1.7 fl. oz.)

Lightweight, non-greasy and loved by dermatologists, this broad-spectrum SPF fights acne while it protects your skin from damaging UV rays, thanks to anti-inflammatory, redness-reducing niacinamide.

3. ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Broad-Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 50+ (3.4 fl. Oz)

A 2023 Shape Skin Award-winner, ISDIN’s Eryfotona Actinica is a fast-absorbing, ultralight all-mineral sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection. Plus, it helps repair existing sun damage, thanks to naturally occurring enzymes called DNA Repairsomes®.

4. Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum 2.2 fl oz

Suitable for straight, curly, wavy and coily hair types, this vegan formula made from apple stem cells promotes and extends hair’s growth phase and helps lessen hair loss, thinning, and fall-out while soothing and hydrating the scalp.

5. NuFACE Trinity+ and Wrinkle Reducer Attachment

Looking to level-up your skin care? Adding a device to your routine can make a huge difference when it comes to tightening and lifting. NuFACE’s electrical microcurrent technology gently stimulates the surface of the skin, toning facial muscles and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a youthful glow. Plus, the Wrinkle Reducer Attachment uses red LED to help reduce full-face wrinkles and promote circulation around the eyes, mouth, and forehead.

6. Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream 50ml

Backed by 30 years of visionary science, formulated with high potency botanicals rich in omega 6 fatty acids and antioxidants and powered by their proprietary TFC8®, this cream helps to revive the complexion and soothe dryness for skin that looks and feels smoother, softer and more supple.

7. Colorescience Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield SPF 50 (PA++++) (1.8 fl. oz.)

Universally flattering, this mineral sunscreen both protects and imparts a sheer, skin-flattering tint, while helping to prevent free radical damage. It also nourishes skin with help from ingredients like niacinamide and lipochroman and is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

9. jane iredale Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen (5 g.)

A lightweight, reef-safe, broad-spectrum sunscreen for the face, body and scalp, this mineral, powder formula comes in a refillable tube with a flow-through vegan brush. The soft brush head delivers an even sunscreen powder application that is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, and is ideal for all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone skin.

10. MDSolarSciences Solar Stick SPF40 (0.6 oz.)

23 reviews

$22.00

Don’t let the size fool you; this mighty mini is an on-the-go must-have for sun protection. It glides onto skin for easy application and reapplication without any white cast and is enriched with vitamins C & E to help protect and nourish, shea butter to add extra softness.

11. SENTÉ Bio Complete Serum (1 oz.)

If you’ve shied away from retinoids in the past due to skin sensitivity, then this one’s for you. Unlike traditional retinoids, this retinol-based serum is combined with the power of Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) to work together to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while also restoring smoothness and softness to your skin.

12. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60 (1.7 fl. oz.)

This incredibly light formula is non-whitening, with a matte finish and absorbs in a flash. Plus, it's formulated with their Cell-Ox Shield® Technology, that combines photostable UVA/UVB filters to deliver broad spectrum and powerful antioxidant protection to help visibly reduce the appearance of sun damage.

13. Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant (4 fl. oz.)

A year-round favorite, our beauty shelves are rarely without this skin smoother. Formulated with salicylic acid, it exfoliates and promotes faster cell regeneration to minimize the look of blemishes, redness, large pores and wrinkles. Plus, skin-soothing green tea helps reduce inflammation and shield against free-radical damage.

14. Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum 20% (1 oz.)

Our obsession with vitamin C shouldn't shock anyone, and this formula from Obagi provides effective antioxidant protection from UV damage as it brightens away hyperpigmentation and encourages the growth of collagen and elastin fibers. Plus, it has hyaluronic acid to help bind moisture to your skin and help prevent dryness.

15. Neocutis LUMIÈRE FIRM RICHE Extra Moisturizing Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream (0.5 fl. oz.)

Late-night beach bonfires and all-day BBQ are a summer must, but puffy, sleep deprived eyes are not. Neocutis' best-selling formula not only provides rich hydration and improves texture, it also smooths, refreshes and helps reduce under-eye puffiness. In short, it's like eight hours of sleep in a jar.

16. Revision Skincare® Brightening Facial Wash 6.7 fl. oz.

While we love mostly all things summer, we don't love coming home at the end of the day a sweaty mess. This ultra-rich cleanser, formulated with alpha and beta hydroxy acids and brightening botanicals, removes the day's impurities, leaving skin clean and hydrated.

17. Eminence Organic Skin Care Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer 2 fl. oz

229 reviews

$65.00

Summer heat + oily skin can = breakouts. This clean formula from Eminence Organics helps banish blemish-causing bacteria to give you clearer, smoother-looking skin free of bumps and shine. Formulated with salicylic acid to shed dead skin cells and help break up oil deposits, it tightens the look of pores and helps prevent blemishes. The addition of cucumber juice acts as a natural astringent to soothe and calm irritation, while shea butter and yogurt eliminate pesky dry skin flakes by maintaining balanced moisture levels.

18. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (Various Sizes)

1587 reviews

$16.00

Sunscreen and sweat-proof makeup are summer skin musts, but those formulas can be tricky to remove completely, leading to clogged pores and general skin dullness. DHC's beloved oil cleanser (we're talking 1,500+ five-star reviews kind of beloved) removes excess oil, makeup, dirt and other pore-clogging impurities with a water-soluble formula. Infused with olive oil and vitamin E, it nourishes and hydrates the skin, while rinsing completely clean without leaving a greasy residue.

19. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector (3.3 fl. oz.)

For many (*cough* us) summer isn't summer without a few well-placed highlights. But bleach-damaged hair isn't very fun-in-the-sun. Olaplex's weekly at-home treatment features their patented Bond Building Technology™ is proven to rebuild weak and broken bonds and reduce breakage and split ends for visibly healthier, stronger hair.

20. KLORANE Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - All Hair Types (5.4 oz.)

If you're anything like us, the second temperatures get above 80 degrees, our hair looks like we went WAY too heavy handed on the hair oil. Klorane's ultra-gentle, plant-based dry shampoo is formulated for all hair types and quickly absorbs oil to clean hair in minutes without water. It helps soothe and protect your hair and scalp, while also absorbing oil and removing excess dirt and odor. Plus, its ultra-fine powder formula blends into hair for an invisible finish with no chalky residue, leaving hair clean, refreshed, full of texture and volume.

21. VIRTUE Damage Reverse Serum 1.7 oz

Damage Reverse Serum revolutionizes hair repair by not only fighting future damage, but by reversing it. Packed with the highest percentage of our bioidentical protein, Alpha Keratin 60ku®, this wonder-working miracle serum near-instantly and holistically repairs the severed bonds that give hair its strength, naturally restores damaged peptides to give hair elasticity, and refills each strand with all-natural keratin to smooth, soften, and protect from future harm.

22. Briogeo Farewell Frizz™ Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner 5 oz

Did we mention we need all the frizz-fighting we can get? We swear by Briogeo's lightweight, leave-in conditioning spray. It helps boost hydration, minimize frizz, smooth hair, and adds shine. Formulated with a nourishing blend of rosehip, argan, and coconut oils, this powerhouse oil trio helps seal the hair cuticle to reduce frizz and enhance smoothness, shine, and manageability while also nourishing and detangling hair right out of the shower.

23. Chantecaille Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation 30g

The last thing we want when it's scorching hot outside is a heavy face of foundation. This ultra-lightweight formula from Chantecaille is a buildable, oil-free gel formulated with light-reflecting pigments to help mask the look of imperfections and leaves a flawless finish. It contains 60% water and is infused with Aloe Leaf and Camellia Sinensis extract to help hydrate and soothe skin.

24. Dermablend Loose Setting Powder

166 reviews

$32.00

Perfect to prevent makeup meltdowns, Dermablend's setting powder not only helps set makeup, it's waterproof formula also stays on for up to 16 hours without fading, even during outdoor activity. Plus, it helps blend, smooth and is transparent on just about all skin types and skin tones.

25. Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow™ Bronze Highlighting Drops 30ml

The battle between wanting a sun-kissed glow and never letting our face see the sun is solved. Pai's bronzing drops let you customize your glow and is packed with hyaluronic acid and sea kelp for hydration.

26. RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Bronzer 7g (Various Shades)

Some things we want to melt, like the way this RMS bronzer melts into our skin. It’s sugar-derived wet powder technology combines a creamy texture with a long-lasting 3D finish. It glides on effortlessly, infusing skin with multi-dimensional life as the bouncy, light-as-air gel blends and builds color.

27. LightStim for Acne (1 Kit)

49 reviews

$169.00

Summer blemishes are no match for LightStim. This non-invasive therapy uses UV-free blue and red lights that work together to destroy bacteria and reduce inflammation without damaging or drying healthy skin. The light emits a gentle warmth in 3-minute treatments that may be used everywhere with zero recovery time.

28. Slip pure silk pillowcase - King (1 piece)

One of the biggest improvements to the look of our hair and skin came when we switched to slip pillowcases. They work by helping reduce signs of friction, stretching and tugging on delicate facial skin, allowing skin to glide along the pillow while reducing extra pressure (a.k.a. no more facial creases). It also resists hair pulling while you toss and turn, helping to preserve style, volume and length of hair.
Teresa Greenfeld
Teresa Greenfeld Writer and expert

Teresa Greenfeld has worked in fashion and beauty for over 15 years as a writer, editor and content strategist. She has been privileged to work at Carbon38 as a Senior Editor, at OliviaPalermo.com as the Fashion and Beauty Director, and has amassed a resume that includes Vogue, Allure and Elle magazines. Her passions include back-to-back sheet masks, reading peer-reviewed papers on skin care, and obsessive sunscreen application. Though born in Manhattan, she currently lives in LA, and will always consider herself a New Yorker at heart.

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