I get asked all the time if I really use the things I share, especially summer beauty products that have been sent to me by a brand. So, full disclosure: yes, some of these products were gifted. Also, full disclosure: I always tell the truth. I’m very lucky to be sent products to try, and I’m always grateful when a brand thinks of me.
But not everything ends up being something I personally use, love, or feel is the right fit to share here. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it… it just means it may not be for me. And as my mum would say, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
But these? These are the Summer Beauty Products That Actually WORK for me. They’re the skincare and haircare favorites I genuinely use, really love, and feel good sharing with you.
Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Pore Therapy and Daily Hydro-Drops Facial Serum
This might be one of the best new summer beauty product discoveries in my skincare routine. I started using Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Pore Therapy, and I was amazed by how much it cleaned out my skin. Makeup, sunscreen — all of it. It’s technically meant for blemish- and acne-prone skin, but I use it to help keep my pores clear, especially because I wear sunscreen every single day. The 2% salicylic acid feels like it gently nibbles away at the top layer of dull skin and clears everything out without making my skin feel stripped. Since using it consistently, my pores look smaller, my skin looks brighter, and my makeup goes on better. There’s a reason Obagi is one of the medical-grade skincare brands you see in dermatologists’ offices. You can learn more about it here.
The Obagi Daily Hydro-Drops Facial Serum gives skin a hydrated, healthy-looking glow without feeling heavy or greasy, and it just feels lovely going on. It has niacinamide, Abyssinian oil, and hibiscus oil, and it makes my skin feel softer and smoother almost immediately. On days when my skin feels a little tired and dry, I’ll use it in the morning and at night. It’s hydrating, but not greasy. Glow-y, but not shiny. Basically, it makes your face look like it drank a huge glass of water. You can check it out here.
828 Aroma The Floral Edit
I always come back to florals. I love a scent that feels pretty and feminine, but not overpowering. 828 Aroma is a solid, alcohol-free fragrance brand designed to be worn close. It feels softer and more personal than a traditional perfume, especially in summer when anything too strong can feel a bit much.
The Floral Edit includes three scents: Milk & Honey, Morning Glory, and Honeysuckle Blossom. Together, they feel fresh, bright, clean, and lovely rather than heavy. It also comes in a beautiful collection box, and would make a great gift, but honestly, it’s just as nice as a little treat for yourself. I love that it’s easy to throw in a bag, travel with, and reapply without making a whole production of it. And you don’t have to worry about TSA taking it from you.
Obagi Lip Therapy + Soothe & Protect Lip Treatment
I feel like we do all the serums, acids, moisturizers, and SPF on our face, then expect one sad little lip balm to fix everything. The Obagi Lip Therapy AHA + PHA Smoothing Micro-Peel is a good reset when my lips are feeling dry or neglected. It gently exfoliates and smooths without feeling too gritty, and the hyaluronic acid helps them look more hydrated and plump. It also makes lipstick and gloss go on so much better, which is always appreciated.
Then I follow with the Obagi Soothe & Protect Lip Treatment which is the lip product I wish I had been using years ago. It has SPF 30, but it doesn’t feel like a chalky sunscreen lip balm. It’s soothing, hydrating, non-sticky, and feels much more like skincare than SPF. Together, they’re definitely a splurge, but for summer lips they make a real difference.
I love that it feels like skincare, not just SPF, and it’s one of those summer beauty products that is for sure a splurge… but it makes all the difference. You can check it out here.
Mama Sol FACEBRELLA, EYEBRELLA & LIPBRELLA
I’m very loyal to anything that makes my skin protection feel less like a chore, and Mama Sol’s FACEBRELLA Tints and LIPBRELLA are basically a full-face mineral SPF routine. They are summer beauty products that feel minimal, glowy, and easy to use.
The FACEBRELLA Tint gives skin a nice finish without feeling heavy, and the LIPBRELLA might be my favorite because it doesn’t feel like sunscreen pretending to be lip gloss. There’s no weird taste, no sticky situation, just luscious lips with a little color and SPF.
Everything is 100% mineral, made with non-nano zinc oxide, and designed to be gentle enough for sensitive skin. It’s also dermatologist-tested and safe for pregnant and nursing moms, which I love. This is exactly the kind of summer beauty product I actually use because it does more than one thing. Protection, glow, hydration, and a little polish without needing a full face of makeup.
RevitaLash Volumizing Hair Collection
The RevitaLash Volumizing Hair Collection has been a good summer find because it doesn’t just make your hair feel clean; it makes it feel healthier. The shampoo and conditioner are nourishing without leaving my hair flat, and the Hair Volume Enhancer gives it a little more lift and fullness without making it feel stiff or overdone.
I also loved the RevitaLash Leave-In Hair Mask & Conditioner – a 5-in-1 treatment that helps smooth, hydrate, and soften hair without weighing it down. It made my summer beauty products list because summer is not always kind to hair with the sun, salt, heat, styling, all of it…and this made mine feel softer, smoother, and much easier to deal with after one use.
Prive Vanishing Oil + Prep & Protect
When something works, you keep using it. That’s pretty much where I am with these Prive hair styling products. The Vanishing Oil makes my hair look instantly more finished. It helps smooth frizz, adds shine, and makes everything softer without leaving a heavy, greasy feeling that some oils can have. These are summer beauty products I use when my hair needs a little polish, especially in summer when humidity and heat are not helping.
I also love Prep & Protect before styling. It’s a lightweight blow-dry cream and heat protectant that helps hydrate, smooth, and protect hair before hot tools. Basically, it makes my hair easier to style, and it’s less likely to frizz. They work, so I keep using them.
Why Blue Lizard Sheer Sunscreen Is My Summer Beauty Products MVP
When it comes to sunscreen, I want something that works without feeling heavy, sticky, or chalky. Blue Lizard Sheer Mineral SPF 50 is my summer beauty products MVP because it gives me broad-spectrum protection in a lightweight formula I can wear every day. I use the Sheer Mineral SPF 50 Lotion on my body, and I especially like the Sheer Face Mineral SPF 50 for my face. It blends in easily, feels light on my skin, and doesn’t feel sticky or gunky.
So there you have my list of Summer Beauty Products That Actually Work. Whether you’re headed to Croatia, Spain, Charleston, or Salzburg, I actually use all of these skincare and haircare products, genuinely love them, and would happily recommend them to a friend. They earned their spot in my bathroom, my travel essentials bag, and my regular rotation. Are they inexpensive? No. But do they work? For me, absolutely. You can find the full list here.
And at this stage of life, I am far more interested in products that ACTUALLY WORK, rather than products that just look cute on a shelf. My skin needs hydration, my hair needs help, and I look for things that make me feel fab without requiring a full-time glam squad.
**Some links are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission. Costs you nothing. Keeps me caffeinated.**
What summer beauty products actually work for YOU?
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