My Simple Summer Skincare Routine

Summer is in full swing and it’s already very hot and humid here in Vermont. I’m currently sitting here typing this sweating in my office because we have no a/c yet. There’s always so much going on in the summer, and it seems like most nights I don’t even remember my head hitting the pillow. The days are long and I am typically exhausted at the end of it. The last thing I want to do is a super involved skincare routine. These days I’m keeping it simple and low effort.

I have a handful of products that I am really loving right now, including some favorites like Vitamin C serum, an incredible facial oil, and an SPF serum. Here is my simple summer skincare routine.

Simple Summer Skincare Routine

Cleansing Oil

Cleansing is important in the summer especially because we’re applying sunscreen, sweating and spending time outdoors which means dirt, oil and other things clogging our pores. I only use a cleanser at night and simply rinse with cold water when I wake up in the morning. I use this cleansing oil:

One Love Organics Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover

I can not believe I did not try this cleansing oil sooner. It is so gentle and incredibly effective. It also smells amazing, basically like a spa treatment. It melts off makeup and sunscreen like a dream, and contains a fruit enzyme to gently exfoliate and soften your skin. You only need one pump and one bottle lasts a while especially if you only use it at night.

Serum/Retinol

I like to use a Vitamin C serum in the morning (which pairs well with sunscreen) and a gentle retinol at night.

Ursa Major Mountain Glow Golden Serum

My Aunt had this serum in her bathroom when I was back in RI a few months ago and when I asked her about it she said it was one of her favorite skincare products. I love other Ursa Major products like their deodorant and shampoo too. It’s a Vermont based, woman-owned beauty brand and this serum adds a gorgeous glow with tons of hydration and zero greasiness.

Marie Veronique Multi Retinol Night Emulsion

I have been blown away by this product. I got it in early spring and I’m still on my first tube. It’s a creamy non prescription retinoid product with three different retinoid actives. It’s gentle but very effective. When I first started using it, it did bring some stuff to the surface, but it only lasted about a week.

I have tried other retinol alternatives and nothing has worked even remotely as well as this product. I have dry and somewhat sensitive skin and I have not experienced any redness, irritation or dryness using this retinol. It is on the pricier side, but I’m still on my first tube which I got in March.

Eye Cream

Follain Eye Cream

Honestly I’ve tried so many eye creams and I just keep returning to Follain’s Eye Cream. It’s just a simple, effective product with a nice texture (it’s like a creamy gel) and I truly notice a difference in my under eye area. It feels cooling and calming and is great for depuffing. I use it morning and night. It’s also less expensive than pretty much every other eye cream I’ve tested!

Moisturizer/Oil

It is fairly humid in Vermont (at least is has been lately) so I have not found myself needing a moisturizer in the morning or at night. If you’re in a really dry climate I recommend Alpyn Beauty PlentGenus Moisturizer which I apply before facial oil in the winter. These days I use my retinol, skip the moisturizer and follow with this Vitamin C facial oil at night. In the morning I use my Vitamin C serum followed by SPF.

Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Vitamin C Facial Oil

If you read my newsletter or weekend reading than you’ve probably heard me talk about this facial oil. I recommend it to everyone and anyone who will listen. It’s hands down the best facial oil I’ve ever used. It doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on the skin. It’s light and absorbs quickly. It leaves my skin feeling incredible. I’m on my second bottle and I can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. In the winter I use a moisturizer underneath.

SPF/Sun Protection

SPF should be worn year round, but it’s especially important in the summer. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even if you’re not going to be in direct sunlight.

Eleven Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 40

If you’re looking for a super lightweight and long lasting SPF I highly recommend the Eleven Sun Serum. It’s a very thin consistency that is very easy to apply and feels incredibly lightweight. It doesn’t feel sticky and even better, if you sweat, it doesn’t run or sting your eyes. I’ve worn it to the lake, playing tennis and going for bike rides and it has held up really well. You can easily wear it under makeup too.

Bug Spray

One thing that is very different about Vermont is the bugs, especially mosquitoes. On hot sticky nights it can be really buggy and bug spray is an absolute necessity. I don’t know if bug spray is considered skincare, but being covered in itchy red mosquito bites is NOT fun so I bring Kinfield Golden Hour Deet-Free Repellent everywhere (the only place I could find it in stock was Anthro). Bottom line, it works, and it smells great too. My friend says she swears by the Anti-Itch Relief Balm too.