Beauty

Summer Glow: Self-Tanner, Bronzer, and More to Warm Your Skin Right Up

Written by: Jean Godfrey-June

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Updated on: May 10, 2024

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Photo courtesy of Jana Kirn for Free People

There’s something so appealing about skin in the summer—sun-warmed, rejuvenated, and flush with energy—that makes us feel like the best versions of ourselves. To amp up your natural summer sunniness, start with an incredible self-tan (truly, it’s easier than ever—here’s the ultimate step-by-step guide) and follow with enlivening oils, elixirs, and bronzers. If you really want to kick it up a notch, send in the exfoliation and the moisture-bomb skin essentials.

Skip potentially harmful ingredients (conventional self-tanner, for example, can be made with parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, but try the clean tanning foam below and you’ll agree that it needs none of those things to be the best self-tanner on earth) and know that the glow you’re getting is a healthy one.

Saltyface also makes a gorgeous tanning water for your face. You can add a few drops to your moisturizer or SPF to nourish and hydrate skin while giving it an instant summery glow. Our tip: Use the fluffy brush to smooth the water toward the outer edges of your face and then over your neck and chest for the most natural-looking tan.

  1. For Body

    Saltyface
    Tanning Foam
    goop, $62SHOP NOW
  2. For Face

    Saltyface
    Tanning Water
    goop, $44SHOP NOW

GORGEOUS BRONZERS

Whether you prefer powder, cream, gel, or liquid, a touch of bronzer goes a long way, leaving skin with a beautiful sun-kissed glow. Put it all over or just where the sun would hit—at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, temples, or décolletage—for a beautiful radiance.

  1. Sheer Antioxidant Gel for a Sun-Warmed Glow

    goop Beauty
    Summertone Bronzing Gel
    goop, $38SHOP NOW
  2. Subtle Shimmer Cream in a Pot

    RMS Beauty
    Buriti Bronzer
    goop, $29SHOP NOW
  3. Luminous, Creamy Matte Powder

    Westman Atelier
    Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer
    goop, $75SHOP NOW

GODDESS GLOW OIL

For a soft, flattering allover gleam, this gorgeously scented, luxurious body oil leaves your skin with a bronzy sun-kissed glow. Coconut and avocado oils deeply moisturize, while raspberry oil soothes and energizes. Watermelon, coffee, and cacao oils play up any skin tone for a subtle, natural-looking bit of tan and gleam (no need to spend a second in the sun). Shake well and smooth over legs, shoulders—anywhere you want a little luminosity and tint.

  1. Balmyard Beauty
    Paradise Bronzing Oil
    goop, $98SHOP NOW

SKIN CARE FOR GLOW

Exfoliate, moisturize, and supercharge with some antioxidants and skin will be at its fresh, dewy best.

Exfoliate Regularly

Target exfoliation from both angles—physical and chemical—for brightening, smoothing, softening, full-on radiant effects.

  1. Scrub

    goop Beauty
    Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator
    goop, $125/$112 with subscriptionSHOP NOW
  2. Serum

    goop Beauty
    Dark Spot Exfoliating Sleep Milk
    goop, $98/$89 with subscriptionSHOP NOW
  3. Peel Pads

    goop Beauty
    15% Glycolic Acid Overnight Glow Peel - 4-Pack
    goop, $45SHOP NOW

Moisturize

Hydrated, supple skin that’s plump with moisture has a glow all its own. These three deliver long-term results as well as immediate ones, so your skin just keeps looking and feeling better.

  1. Cream

    goop Beauty
    72-Hour Supercharged Hydrating Water-Cream
    goop, $68/$61 with subscriptionSHOP NOW
  2. Face Oil

    goop Beauty
    All-in-One Super Nutrient Face Oil
    goop, $98/$89 with subscriptionSHOP NOW
  3. Body Oil

    goop Beauty
    Afterglow Body Oil
    goop, $48/$43 with subscriptionSHOP NOW

The Drink for Radiant Skin

Mix this with your water in the mornings for a healthy—it’s made with skin-supporting antioxidants like grape-seed proanthocyanidins, vitamins C and E, and CoQ10, along with the critical carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin—glow from within.* It’s citrusy and delicious and comes in single-dose packets that are easy to take to the gym or travel with.

  1. goop Wellness
    Morning Skin Superpowder
    goop, $60SHOP NOW

 


 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.