No matter the time of year, I tend to love products that nourish, heal, and support my sensitive, dry skin and fine, tangly hair. But summertime can be particularly punishing. I love sun, sand, the ocean, and the pool, but they certainly can do a number on my body from head to toe. Thankfully, I’ve been sampling some lovely products that have tackled some of these not-to-sunny summer woes. Here’s a look at some of my recent favorites.
I attend several trade shows annually, and in recent years, as I have walked the aisles, I’ve seen something consistent at the Epicutis booth—massive lines for spa professionals wanting to get their hands on these high-tech, highly effective products. Lucky for me, my friend Carlos Calvo Rodriguez, the brand’s VP of Global Spa & Wellness, treated me to a fabulous selection of products. I can honestly report that the hype is worth it. The system is simple and effective, and the products are exceptional. I’ve been using the Oil Cleanser ($85), which has a gorgeous texture and is made with the brand’s proprietary chia seed oil moisturizing agent Hyvia, hinoki wood oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and sunflower seed oil; the Lipid Serum ($250), a fast-absorbing, ultra-moisturizing serum that offers a ton of coverage with a pea-sized drop; the hydrating and protective Hyvia Cream ($195); and the Arctigenin Brightening Treatment ($175) to tackle dark spots and uneven tone. My skin feels amazing and looks even better. I can see why wellness pros are clamoring to get it into their spas and why consumers can’t get enough of these incredible, effective products.
Khadi Ayurvedic Body Oils ($36)
Combing two of my favorite things—nourishing body oil and Ayurvedic ingredients, the brand’s Holy Body series incorporates oils designed to deeply nurture skin while turning everyday body care into a more sensory self-care experience. Each formula contains up to 20 percent Ayurvedic herbal elixirs and is crafted through a traditional simmering process designed to extract the full potency of the herbs. The line includes Shatavari Everyoung Body Oil, formulated with shatavari, ashwagandha, and brahmi to support nourishment, vitality, and healthy-looking skin, as well as sandalwood to help calm the skin and arjuna to firm and tone; Rose Love Body Oil, a pampering Ayurvedic blend featuring rose, turmeric, geranium, and red sandalwood to help hydrate, soften, and comfort skin while delivering antioxidant-rich nourishment and a calming sensory experience; and Pink Lotus Beauty Body Oil, a moisturizing body oil inspired by the lotus flower, formulated with Brahmi, nutgrass, and mimosa to nourish and soothe dry skin while promoting mindfulness, relaxation, and soft, radiant-looking skin. The oils complement one another as part of the Holy Body series, but each product was also created to stand on its own through a distinct Ayurvedic ritual and skincare focus, so feel free to use them together or alone to meet your body and soul’s needs.
House of Sacred Scents Natural Perfumes (10ml for $75 and 5ml for $45)
San Francisco-based natural perfumer Molly Brennan’s new fragrance brand, House of Sacred Scents, is a synthesis of her love for plants, the art of perfumery, and the necessity of personal transformation as it relates to a societal shift toward sustainable behavior in business and our personal lives. Brennan strives to create perfumes composed of plants specifically chosen for the spiritual resonance and assistance they provide. The House of Sacred Scents website features a plant ally list that includes the spirit profile for each of the plants used in the fragrances, and customers are able to pick their favorites based on their specific intentions and desires, making this a very cool and very customized collection of small batch, handmade perfumes made of 100 percent botanical materials in a base of organic jojoba oil. Each bottle is created and poured with the intention that aligns with the function of the offering, then they are crystal- and reiki-charged for additional support of the wearer on their spiritual endeavor. I was lucky enough to try out the launch fragrances, including Heart Lift, a citrusy floral with a hint of spice made with notes of clary sage, rose, sweet orange, geranium, cardamom, lavender, and benzoin; Liquid Altar, an alchemy that facilitates moving deeply within the self while connecting with universal energies featuring notes of sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh, rose, lavender, and blue lotus; Enter The Temple, which awakens and expands awareness with notes of melissa, lime, clary sage, sandalwood, basil, and angelica root; and Drop In, a perfume that doubles as a supreme meditation oil with notes of cypress, bay laurel, lemon, frankincense, bergamot, and vetiver. I like to swap them out depending on my mood, and I love the healing and fragrant vibes of them all.
Zenergy Thickening + Volumizing Shampoo ($28.80)
Nothing damages my hair more than the summer sun, chlorine, and salt, so I was thrilled to get a chance to sample this highly effective shampoo for fine, thinning hair. Zenagen is a molecular biologist-founded scalp health brand that uses cold-extracted botanicals to improve the appearance of fine, damaged hair. Packed with ingredients that stimulate circulation and build visibly fuller-looking hair over time, ZENERGY transforms the role daily shampoo plays in haircare, particularly for those who use treatment systems for thinning or damaged hair. It doesn’t treat the daily wash as only a cleansing step, but something that strengthens and improves hair between system days. Key ingredients include encapsulated caffeine and biotin, a combo that can improve the delivery of active ingredients by stimulating the hair follicle, while supporting a healthy hair cycle and helping maintain a balanced environment for stronger, fuller-looking hair; amino acids like alanine, histidine, and phenylalanine to strengthen, protect, and reinforce the hair fiber for improved structure and resilience; and antioxidant-rich botanicals like alfalfa, hops, rosemary, sweet clover, green tea, turmeric, pumpkin seed, and Dyer’s broom, which work together to fortify and revitalize hair at the root, improve scalp condition, and support the appearance of thicker, healthier hair.
Cosmette Skincare Clarity Collection
Created for sensitive, reactive, and “tricky” skin, Cosmette was born from the belief that you shouldn’t have to choose between gentle skincare and products that actually work. Powered by clean botanical ingredients and thoughtfully selected plant-based actives, each formula is designed to calm, nourish, and visibly improve skin’s texture, clarity, and elasticity — without irritation. The latest release from the brand is the Clarity Collection. It includes the Clarity Clay Mask ($39), a gentle clay formula ideal for weekly use that draws out impurities, absorbs excess oil, and gently exfoliates congested pores, all without stripping or tightening the skin. It is formulated with bentonite, kaolin, zinc PCA, and oat and rice flour and delivers a deep, non-drying cleanse that leaves skin clear, calm, and balanced. Meanwhile, Pure Clarity Oil ($49) is formulated for acne-prone and oily skin types. This lightweight facial oil regulates excess sebum, decongests pores, and calms active breakouts, all without the dryness and irritation of traditional acne treatments thanks to natural botanicals tamanu oil, black cumin seed oil, and tea tree oil. My 13-year-old son, who is just starting to face some hormonal acne issues, has been loving this line. Meanwhile, I’ve been loving a few of my longtime favorites, all of which have received a fabulous packing update, including the Fresh Awakening Gentle Hydrating Cleanser ($29), the Rose Garden Vitamin A Repairing Treatment Oil ($49), the Timeless Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Facial Moisturizer ($42), and the Bright Embrace Niacinamide Brightening Eye Butter ($39).
IMAGE Skincare VOL.U.LIFT Body ($134)
Although I’ve yet to use a GLP-1 for weight loss, I am in perimenopause, which comes with an unwanted loss of skin firmness, along with other unpleasant side effects. So, when I heard of the launch of VOL.U.LIFT Body, I was excited to give it a try. Developed by a plastic surgeon, this multidimensional treatment targets the appearance of volume loss, deep wrinkles, dehydration, and diminished density, including the skin changes associated with GLP-1 use. A volumizing complex of next-generation hyaluronic acid, biomimetic collagen fragments, bakuchiol, and amino acids works with the brand’s proprietary XOSM Technology antioxidants for a firmer, plumper, more radiant-looking complexion. And while I’m sure it’s great for those who have experienced rapid, medically induced weight loss, it’s just as effective for slack, crepey, and deflated skin, courtesy of perimenopause and natural aging, no GLP-1 required.
Luesta Beauty Glossy Pearl Collection
No matter the season, it’s always a good time for shiny, radiant, and frizz-free hair. This fabulous pearl-infused collection does just that. The collection includes the Glossy Pearl Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle ($32.99), formulated with luxurious pearl extract and nutrient-rich ingredients, helping to reinforce each strand to reflect luster, increasing elasticity to resist breakage caused by brushing, chemical process, and styling. Other effective highlights include the Glossy Pearl Hair Mask ($36), which I use weekly for an extra boost of soothing moisture and shine; the Glossy Pearl Hair Shining Serum ($28); and the Glossy Pearl Heat Protectant Spray ($19), formulated with hydrolyzed pearl and hydrolyzed keratin to protect and add radiant shine and strength, leaving hair smooth, glossy, and healthy.
