I'm a Summer-Skincare Expert—Here Are the 30 Essentials I Always Buy on Sale

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(Image credit: Who What Wear)

Summer is my season. Maybe it's because I was born during this time of the year (that Capricorn moon jumps out sometimes, but I'm a true Cancer), or maybe the sun just gets my sleepy skin cells buzzing after months of cooler weather, but I've always had an affinity for knowing exactly what my skin needs and wants as soon as Memorial Day hits. As a beauty editor, I've been lucky enough to interface with the best dermatologists and skincare experts on everything from chemical peels to skin tightening, but the truth is I had summertime skincare on lock well before my career called for talking shop with the best in the business. 

Transitioning your skincare routine to serve you during a new season can be a pricey endeavor, which is why one of my annual traditions it to stalk beauty sales starting around May to stock up on all the cleansers, serums, and moisturizers I'll need to get me through the dog days of summer. This year, there are three epic sales happening all at once that are making this summer skincare haul easier and more affordable than ever. Beauty e-tailers Violet Grey, Dermstore, and SkinStore are each holding big-time Memorial Day savings events, and the deals are good.

Being the summer-skincare enthusiast I am, I'm sharing the best deals from each of these epic sales to get your summer shopping list started. Ahead, check out the must-have items you can't skip if you plan to keep your skin happy, healthy, and glowing all summer long. 

Violet Grey

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(Image credit: @cassandra.cadwell)

The deal: From May 19 through 25, Violet Grey is offering savings of $15 off orders of $100 or more, $50 off orders of $250 or more, $100 off orders of $500 or more, and $250 off $1000 or more on hundreds of must-have beauty items.

The cleansing gel:

The cleansing oil:

The treatment essence:

The all-in-one serum:

The vitamin C serum:

The skin barrier protector:

The resurfacing mask:

The cooling mask:

The eye patches:

The SPF mist:

Dermstore

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

The deal: From May 19 through 27, Dermstore is offering 10% to 20% off sitewide, with double loyalty points on selected brands with code SUMMER.

The face massager:

The hyaluronic acid serum:

The collagen-stimulating supplement:

The texture perfectors:

The anitoxidant serum:

The resurfacing peel:

The physical exfoliator:

The foolproof cream:

The tightening eye ceam:

The derm-approved SPF:

SkinStore

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

The deal: From May 20 through 26, SkinStore is offering 15% to 30% off sitewide on selected brands.

The microcurrent device:

The superfood cleanser:

The cleansing oil capsules:

The cleansing water:

The gentle peel:

The soothing gel mask:

The sheet mask set:

The vitamin C serum:

The multi-use facial spray:

The anti-inflammatory moisturizer:

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Associate Beauty Editor

Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.