The best summer skincare products, according to three Toronto experts
Summer heat can take a toll on your skin (and your makeup). Here, skincare experts share the serums, sunscreens, masks and cosmetics you’ll need to make it through the stickiest months.
Mima Iveson, aesthetician at Toronto’s Four Seasons Spa
Omorovicza deep cleansing mask, $150. Sephora.com.
“In the summer, my clients complain about breakouts, especially along their hairline or forehead. This mask, made with Hungarian thermal water, mud and white clay, is great for pore cleansing: the white clay draws out impurities, and the Hungarian moor mud (which is rich in calcium and magnesium carbonate) cleanses and nourishes.”
Coola cucumber matte finish SPF, $47. Iherb.com
“I use this SPF as a finishing touch after most facials. I can’t stress enough how important daily UV protection is. This product in particular is strong enough to protect the skin, but doesn’t leave a greasy feeling. It’s a great makeup base—and it smells fantastic!”
Timeless Truth apple stem cell and collagen mask, $60. Timelesstruthcanada.com.
“Sheet masks are trendy right now. The apple stem cell extract in this one repairs damaged tissue, and it’s especially nice in the summertime because you can put it in the fridge before use to create a nice cooling sensation.”
Dr. Paul Cohen, dermatologist
SkinMedica Lytera skin brightening complex, $166. Skinmedica.com.
“For most people, hyperpigmentation gets worse in the summer. This is a really effective non-prescription skin-brightening treatment that helps with the appearance of dark spots—it’s one of the better products out there that doesn’t use the bleaching ingredient hydroquinone. Any doctor who does Botox will have access to the product line.”
Revision Intellishade matte anti-aging tinted moisturizer with SPF 45, $75. Amazon.com.
“The nice thing about this product is that it contains peptides, so it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also providing sun protection. The matte finish is really light for summer and makes your pores look smaller.”
Neutrogena water light sunscreen SPF 60, $18. Neutrogena.ca.
“A lot of people hate wearing high SPF sunscreen in the summer because it makes them break out. But this one is so light.”
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum, $208. Skinceuticals.com.
“I’m a big fan of serums, especially in the summer because they don’t cause people to break out. This one is a big seller here, and you can also easily wear it underneath sunscreen.”
Janine Holmes, makeup artist
Tarte creaseless eye primer, $26. Sephora.com.
“I love that this is waterproof. In the summer, you put it all over your eye as a primer to keep shadows and liners in place—because there’s nothing worse that going out in the hot summer heat and having your eye makeup melt off. It lasts for 12 hours, and also contains soothing vitamin E, so it’s great for allergy sufferers who are prone to watery and itchy eyes.”
MAC pro longwear nourishing waterproof foundation, $40. Maccosmetics.ca.
“I love this foundation. I use it a lot on brides because they tend to tear up. I also use it a lot for outdoor shoots and on myself if I’m travelling to somewhere humid—it actually repels moisture from your face so you never get that sticky, greasy feeling. It does double duty as foundation and concealer and lasts 24 hours.”
Maybelline lip studio colour blur in fast and fuchsia, $10. Maybelline.ca.
“These chubby lipstick pencils have a creamy matte texture. You have control over how much pigmentation you get on your lips. If you want a softer look there’s a smudger on the end of the pencil that helps get that berry-stained, just-been-sipping-on-wine look. The fresh colour palette, with lots of bright pinks and reds, is perfect for summer.”
. Here, skincare experts share the serums, sunscreens, masks and cosmetics you'll need to make it through the stickiest months.
Mima Iveson, aesthetician at Toronto's Four Seasons Spa
Omorovicza deep cleansing mask, $150. Sephora.com.
“In the summer, my clients complain about breakouts, especially along their hairline or forehead. This mask, made with Hungarian thermal water, mud and white clay, is great for pore cleansing: the white clay draws out impurities, and the Hungarian moor mud (which is rich in calcium and magnesium carbonate) cleanses and nourishes.”
Coola cucumber matte finish SPF, $47. Iherb.com
“I use this SPF as a finishing touch after most facials. I can't stress enough how important daily UV protection is. This product in particular is strong enough to protect the skin, but doesn't leave a greasy feeling. It's a great makeup base—and it smells fantastic!”
Timeless Truth apple stem cell and collagen mask, $60. Timelesstruthcanada.com.
“Sheet masks are trendy right now. The apple stem cell extract in this one repairs damaged tissue, and it's especially nice in the summertime because you can put it in the fridge before use to create a nice cooling sensation.”
Dr. Paul Cohen, dermatologist
SkinMedica Lytera skin brightening complex, $166. Skinmedica.com.
“For most people, hyperpigmentation gets worse in the summer. This is a really effective non-prescription skin-brightening treatment that helps with the appearance of dark spots—it's one of the better products out there that doesn't use the bleaching ingredient hydroquinone. Any doctor who does Botox will have access to the product line.”
Revision Intellishade matte anti-aging tinted moisturizer with SPF 45, $75. Amazon.com.
“The nice thing about this product is that it contains peptides, so it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also providing sun protection. The matte finish is really light for summer and makes your pores look smaller.”
Neutrogena water light sunscreen SPF 60, $18. Neutrogena.ca.
“A lot of people hate wearing high SPF sunscreen in the summer because it makes them break out. But this one is so light.”
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum, $208. Skinceuticals.com.
“I'm a big fan of serums, especially in the summer because they don't cause people to break out. This one is a big seller here, and you can also easily wear it underneath sunscreen.”
Janine Holmes, makeup artist
Tarte creaseless eye primer, $26. Sephora.com.
“I love that this is waterproof. In the summer, you put it all over your eye as a primer to keep shadows and liners in place—because there's nothing worse that going out in the hot summer heat and having your eye makeup melt off. It lasts for 12 hours, and also contains soothing vitamin E, so it's great for allergy sufferers who are prone to watery and itchy eyes.”
MAC pro longwear nourishing waterproof foundation, $40. Maccosmetics.ca.
“I love this foundation. I use it a lot on brides because they tend to tear up. I also use it a lot for outdoor shoots and on myself if I'm travelling to somewhere humid—it actually repels moisture from your face so you never get that sticky, greasy feeling. It does double duty as foundation and concealer and lasts 24 hours.”
Maybelline lip studio colour blur in fast and fuchsia, $10. Maybelline.ca.
“These chubby lipstick pencils have a creamy matte texture. You have control over how much pigmentation you get on your lips. If you want a softer look there's a smudger on the end of the pencil that helps get that berry-stained, just-been-sipping-on-wine look. The fresh colour palette, with lots of bright pinks and reds, is perfect for summer.”){kind=link}