By late July, even a well-considered beauty routine can start to come apart: SPF migrates into your eyes, humidity takes over your hair, and TSA forces a ruthless edit. Beauty editors are particularly good at knowing which products can handle all of it—mostly because they try so many that can’t. So we asked five beauty editors and writers to name the one product they rely on most in summer. The result is a tightly edited list of essentials that make heat, humidity, and travel considerably easier.
Jessica Matlin
founder and host, fat mascara podcast
“I like my cleansers with a little grit, particularly in summer, when my skin is sticky from sweat, SPF, or some combination of the two. Normally, I prefer cleansing milks and micellar waters, but water-resistant sunscreen calls for something stronger. Tata Harper’s Refining Cleanser contains rice powder to buff away buildup but still has the softness of a cream cleanser. And like all Tata Harper products, it smells verdant and spa-like.”
THE GENTLE COMPLEXION POLISHER
Jessica Cruel
editor-in-chief, Allure
THE BODY-MOISTURIZING STONE
“The first time I stand naked in front of the mirror as the weather warms, I regret every winter morning I skipped the body lotion. Just because no one could see my knees didn’t mean they weren’t dehydrated. That’s when I reach for this stone. The blend of oils and butters takes care of the dryness, and rubbing the solid moisturizer over my skin feels luxurious. It also leaves behind a glow that helps make up for months of neglect.”
Andrea Lavinthal
executive director of special integrated projects, people
“I love the convenience of face wipes when I travel. Does anyone else use them under their arms, too? If not, forget I said that. But the packaging needs an overhaul: Once you peel back the sticker, it never fully reseals, and the wipes start drying out. Since I tend to use them only on trips, they’re often useless by the time I need them again. Ursa Major’s individually wrapped wipes solve the problem. I toss a few into my toiletry bag before a weekend at the beach, and each one is fresh when I open it.”
THE TRAVEL-FRIENDLY FACE WIPE
Amy Synnott
editor-in-chief, goop
THE VITAMIN C SERUM I ACTUALLY FINISH
“I have rosacea-prone skin, so I’m wary of anything described as “high potency.” This serum contains 20 percent L-ascorbic acid, but it’s balanced with ectoin, which helps calm skin and support the barrier, and ferulic acid, which helps stabilize the vitamin C. I use it every morning before sunscreen for an added layer of antioxidant support. My complexion looks brighter and more even, but what keeps me using it is the texture: It absorbs quickly, isn’t sticky, and layers beautifully under SPF without irritating my skin. I’ve finished two bottles, which is about as strong an endorsement as I can give a serum.”
Tatiana Boncompagni
beauty writer and brand consultant
“In summer, I don’t bother blowing out my own hair—it just poofs unless I have it done at a salon. Most of the time, I let it air-dry, which also keeps me from damaging it by overstyling. After I shower, I squeeze out the excess water, put a dollop of the Hydration Detangler in my palm rather than spraying it directly onto my hair, and comb it through with my fingers. It calms frizz, adds slip and just enough weight, and helps protect my hair from the sun. The result is controlled but still beachy—something I can work with.”
THE AIR-DRY ESSENTIAL
