Getting a Guilt-Free Summer Glow

By Caitlin Brown

No one wants to look pasty-white at the beach or in the whimsy dresses of summer, but we all know those sun rays have consequences — wrinkles, skin damage, and cancer. Luckily, the glow trend is real — beauty markets (just walk down an aisle at Sephora) are saturated with products that promise bronze, dewy, and sun-kissed without the damaging effects of the sun. What’s not to love about that!

Gone are the days of the streaky and the orange-tinged fake tanner. The new products help to set the canvas (prep our faces and bodies), and look sizzling for summer, without frying our skin and hair.

Navigating through all the sunny offerings — and there are a lot out there — can pose challenging for even the most skilled beauty veteran. Here are some stand outs that stay true to their promise of bronzed, dewy goddess.

AmorePacific Skin Energy Mist: A dreamy blend of hydrating botanicals that leave skin feeling and looking radiant.

Sephora Collection Super Matte Moisturizer: Take the power back against summer’s humidity and keep skin shine-free, under makeup.

Isle of Paradise, Light Self-Tanning Drops: For a natural-looking sun-glow, simply add these color-correcting self-tanning drops to your moisturizer. No streaks, smells, or orange tones in sight. In three shades: Sun-kissed Glow, Golden Glow, and Bronzed Glow)

Get a safe summer tan with Tan-Luxe’s hydrating serum, which contains hyaluronic acid, raspberry seed oil, and a small concentration of DHA for the most buildable, natural-looking faux glow.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads: An exfoliator and self-tanner in one; it possesses anti-aging properties and is packed with vitamin D and antioxidants to boot.

Guerlain Terracotta Light Healthy Glow Vitamin Radiance Powder: A natural-looking bronzer is a summer essential. Guerlain’s contains a unique blend of sun-kissed tones enhanced with vibrant colors and infused with vitamins. Sweep over your face for a healthy glow.

Hourglass Illume Sheer Color Trio: This all-in-one bronzer, blush, and highlighter will be your go-to palette of the season. The sheer cream-to-satin formula leaves skin radiant — never cakey.

Together Beauty, Crown & Glory Smoothing Mask: This 99% naturally-derived hair mask is a serious game-changer for taming frizz and getting shinier, silkier strands. Plus, every product from Together Beauty contains at least 95% natural ingredients.