Sun Body Oil Phyto Defense + Repair by Laurel Skin
This is my summertime go-to. Founder Laurel Shaffer has a gift for creating magical plant-based products, and this one is a real winner. Formulated specifically for pre- and post-sun exposure, Sun Body Oil (shown above) is part body serum and part moisturizer—and my skin happily eats it up. The nourishing blend is full of ingredients that help prevent UV-induced oxidative damage, as well as ingredients that help repair damage after too much time in the sun. The oil absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth with a subtle scent that’s a combination of aromatic tropical and floral essential oils. Key ingredients are red raspberry seed oil, unrefined raw coconut oil, rosehip seed fruit and oil—and of course, a lovely gemstone essence containing aquamarine, turquoise, citrine, amber and sunstone.
HydraMemory by [comfort zone]
How do you know that a hydrating line is really worth its salt? You pack it in your bag and take it with you to a three-day convention in Las Vegas in the dead of summer. If Vegas hotel air doesn’t suck the life out of your skin, you’re not human. I tossed this newly relaunched line in my bag shortly after its relaunch, and headed to Vegas. I’ve tried all kinds of cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and (especially) lip balms to combat convention air—and it has always been a losing battle. Not any longer. The two powerhouse ingredients in this carefully crafted line are prickly pear extract and hyaluronic acid, and the line features something called “skin adaptive technology.” While I may not know exactly how that technology works, I do know that it does work. My favorites include the HydraMemory Water Source Serum and the Depuff Eye Cream.
Neroli Blossom Shower & Bath Gel by Kerstin Florian
A longtime cult favorite, Kerstin Florian’s Neroli Blossom Shower Gel hits all the right notes and never gets old. You can’t help but be uplifted by the happy captivating scent of orange blossoms. Other key ingredients include aloe vera, chamomile, and calendula—a powerhouse combo that soothes and refreshes the skin. A bottle of this makes a perfect summertime hostess gift—if you can bear to part with it.
Cellcosmet Switzerland UltraCell Intensive
Photo courtesy Cellcosmet
This ultra-luxe Swiss skincare brand, known for its signature cellular extracts, is like a best-kept secret. I became enamored with Cellcosmet back in my American Spa days, and have enjoyed watching the brand evolve over the years. Cellcosmet is guided by a simple principle—Responsible Beauty—and I’m particularly pleased to learn that a major re-packaging plan is underway. All products are formulated and manufactured in its own laboratory, and speaking of products, I recently completed the UltraCell Intensive 24, a limited edition 24-day course of ampoules. Especially beneficial for stressed and dehydrated skin, UltraCell Intensive is formulated to preserve the skin’s microbiome, improve elasticity, and protect from environmental stressors, among other things. These intense little vials do just what they set out to do—refresh and revitalize your skin. A perfect pick-me-up, UltraCell Intensive is meant to be applied to your face, eye area, and neck in the evening for 24 consecutive days. (Note: It’s also available as a 12-day course.) I enjoyed the nightly ritual and noticed pretty immediate results, especially on the fine lines around my mouth. New to Cellcosmet is the light and lovely CellLift Lotion Essence, and you can never go wrong with one of my all-time faves, the CellLift Eye Contour Cream.
Menthe Sea Polish by French Girl
One whiff of this peppermint body polish will boost your energy levels. An invigorating blend of peppermint, rosemary, and lavender essential oils, Menthe Sea Polish is a gentle exfoliant crafted from Atlantic sea salt and organic sugar. It has a fine consistency that left my skin not only nicely exfoliated, but nicely moisturized, thanks to the addition of shea, mango, and cocoa butters. Make an at-home spa ritual out of it and pair with the Restoring Mint Bath Salts.
Advanced Multi-Perfecting Red Oil Serum by Venn Skincare
Photo courtesy Venn Skincare
There’s a reason why this serum has attained cult status among spa directors and consumers alike—it packs a potent punch of active ingredients like fermented Korean Angelica Root extract—a key ingredient and just one of 32 other root extracts. The serum absorbs nicely into the skin, leaving it softer with a subtle glow. I love the lightness of this entire minimalistic K-Beauty line—from the Moisture Balance All-in-One Cleanser to the Symbiotic Defense Mist to the Age-Reversing All-in-One Concentrate. Of special note: the two-pack Venn Collagen Intensive Phyto-Retinol Renewal Mask. You’ll see the difference.
Mary Bemis
Mary Bemis is Founder & Editorial Director of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. An advocate for all things spa, Mary forged a vocabulary for spa reportage that is widely used by those who cover the issues today. Recently honored as a Top 30 Influential Voice Transforming Wellness by Medika Life, Mary is an inaugural honoree of Folio’s Top Women in Media Award. Her spa media roots run deep—in 1997, she launched American Spa magazine, in 2007, she co-founded Organic Spa magazine, and in between serving on the ISPA and NYSPA Board of Directors, she was on the launch teams of Luxury SpaFinder and New Beauty magazines. Named a "Wonder Woman of Wellness" by American Spa magazine, Mary was honored by the International Spa Association with the distinguished ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. She is a special advisor to the non-profit Global Wellness Day.
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