I'm a Dermstore Buyer—If I Could Reset Your Entire Skincare Routine, These Are the Products I'd Sub In
Credit cards at the ready...
When I want to shop high-quality, medical-grade skincare that's typically only sold in doctors' offices, I beeline to Dermstore. True to its name, the beauty retailer makes it easier to access professional-level treatments at home (and it even has a handy section for HSA/FSA eligible products!), so it's a fabulous place to turn to if you're in the middle of overhauling your skincare routine—like, ahem, right about now, when summer weather has finally made its grand entrance.
Of course, you don't necessarily need to toss every beauty product you own in preparation for the sweaty season. It is common, though, to make a few swaps to ensure your glow doesn't wind up reading greasy—a summer beauty starter pack, if you will. To help navigate the overcrowded market of serums, cleansers, and creams, I consulted two professionals responsible for curating Dermstore's top-tier collection: Chelsea Strauser, vice president of buying, and Kristy Bomba, senior director of buying. Both experts have a finger on the pulse of the industry, vetting brands and analyzing consumer patterns, and here, they're recommending 15 heroes for a summer skincare lineup. Scroll ahead for the best-selling formulas you shouldn't miss out on and the underrated items they expect to fly off the shelves in a matter of weeks.
The Best Summer Beauty Products to Buy at Dermstore
Sunscreens
Of course, no summer skincare lineup is complete without a winning sunscreen. "Summer is really about investing in products that work harder for you—lightweight, multi-tasking, protective, and easy to use consistently. SPF is obviously at the top of that list," notes Bomba. It's nearly impossible to crown the "best" sunscreen, as everyone has different priorities when it comes to SPF (mineral versus chemical, tinted versus untinted, etc.), but the pros say you can't go wrong with best-selling Isdin or Supergoop! formulas.
"My everyday sunscreen is ISDIN Waterfusion Magic," says Strauser. Not only does the chemical formula protect your skin with SPF 40, but it also drenches it with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and Mediterranean algae. It's so hydrating that you could, theoretically, use it as your sole moisturizer, especially during summer when you might want to streamline your skincare layers. And according to associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia, the skin-smoothing solution also works flawlessly as a universal makeup primer.
"For body, I always recommend the Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 because it’s one of those products people actually use daily when they buy the larger format," shares Bomba. "It layers beautifully, doesn’t feel sticky, and works for everything from beach days to everyday walks around the city."
For the face, Bomba praises the brand's tinted Glow Screen, specifically in the shade Golden Hour. "It gives that healthy summer glow without needing heavier complexion makeup," she notes. "We continue to see consumers gravitate toward hybrid products that combine skincare, SPF, and cosmetic benefits in one step."
Cleansers
As you layer on more SPF, you'll likely need to focus on cleansing to prevent any potential congestion. "I tend to double cleanse more in the summer—with more sunscreen reapplied and more sweat in general, it’s crucial for me to deep clean every night to avoid breakouts," Bomba explains. Check out her favorite combo below, along with another gently exfoliating option if you're dealing with pore buildup.
Here's step number one of Bomba's nightly combo, a light, silky cleansing oil that effectively removes all traces of makeup and sunscreen without leaving behind a greasy film.
Following the oil cleansing step, a water-based solution comes in clutch to sweep away all the grime. This Epionce gel number provides a deep, refreshing clean (that menthol is super invigorating!), and it even features willow bark extract (a natural alternative to salicylic acid) to unclog pores at the source.
"Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser is one of my favorite cleansers for summer because it effectively removes makeup, SPF, and buildup without stripping the skin," shares Strauser.
Lightweight Hydrators
Stow the whip-thick creams! 'Tis the season for milky serums and airy moisturizers. But don't think these formulas sacrifice moisture for a lightweight, breathable texture. Trust, Bomba and Strauser's recs below plump deep layers of the skin with hydration and provide a dewy (never sweaty!) sheen.
Fancy the famous Rich Cream? You'll fall in love with Augustinus Bader's lighter version (Strauser's summer favorite), which calls upon the same patented TFC8 technology to help with cellular renewal, a triple hydration complex to maintain firmness, and Australian lemon myrtle extract to reduce inflammation and balance oil production.
Bomba is quick to call out this lightweight water cream, which is known for its bouncy, fast-absorbing texture. Yet unlike some water creams (which evaporate from the surface of the skin within minutes), this formula locks in moisture all day long thanks to vegan collagen and five forms of hyaluronic acid.
If dullness and dark spots are your main gripes, you'll want to have this brightening cream in your arsenal for the next few months. Powered by vitamin C, manuka honey, rose water, and cucumber distillate, it attracts moisture to the top layers of skin while evening out texture, calming redness, and deflating puffiness.
Yes, it's pricey, but oh, does it work like a charm. My own skin eagerly drinks up the pillowy formula, and Strauser considers it one of her staple serums for summer. "[It's] a great lightweight hydration layer that supports the skin barrier, especially when skin feels dehydrated from heat, travel, or sun exposure," she notes.
According to Bomba, the matching Face Cream is a must-get. It's notably soothing with a silky, satin-finish that neutralizes redness upon application, and it features effective botanicals (like purslane) to reduce inflammation and fine lines.
Let's not forget about the lips! The delicate skin also deserves some T.L.C. on the hydration front, and according to Bomba, these ultra-moisturizing lip tints are 100% worth the buy. "Anfisa Skin’s lip products stand out to me in a crowded category. It’s my number one most-replenished item and is still a new-er to market brand. Their most recent shade [Angel Food] is so fun for summer," she shares.
Tools and Treatments
"A trend we’re seeing could be classified as those 'high maintenance to stay low maintenance' type products," declares Bomba. "Work smarter not harder" is essentially my M.O. when it comes to summer beauty (when even the thought of applying mascara makes me break a sweat), so it makes total sense that skin-improving tools and treatments would skyrocket in popularity. Yes, these are typically an investment (of time and money), but if you prioritize them now, you'll have a noticeable glow by June 30.
Dermstore offers tons of red light tools, but this Therabody device is one of my all-time favorites. It boasts red, red + infrared, and blue light for firm, taut skin and reduced breakouts (all in a 12-minute treatment, mind you), and it features vibration technology for a relaxing scalp massage while you marinate under the light. Talk about a spa-grade experience.
According to Strauser, this Goop Beauty exfoliator "gives an immediate glow and helps smooth texture without feeling overly harsh." It essentially delivers the effects of microdermabrasion at home, calling upon both physical and chemical exfoliants to buff away dead skin and brighten skin tone. No lie, you'll walk away from the sink with a softer, smoother complexion and an immediate post-facial glow.
Both Strauser and Bomba called out Sweed's eyelash serum as a summer beauty staple—that's when you know it's a winner. In fact, "[I] genuinely think it’s poised to become one of the next breakout lash serums on Dermstore," Strauser declares. "What makes it especially interesting is that it’s peptide-based, which really resonates with consumers looking for a more vegan-forward alternative within the lash growth category while still wanting visible results." Lash serums can be intimidating, but once you find one that actually works with zero side effects—like this prostaglandin-free formula—you won't ever look back.
