We often think of our skin as a “type” but the reality is, it is constantly in flux. So while some of us have dry skin or oily skin, the truth is every day our skin is responding to so many different things that when the seasons change, skin needs will have to be evaluated. Here are the products that have been so good to my skin so far this summer.
The Hair Care: Rahua Shampoo
When I originally reviewed this shampoo, I noted that it was slightly drying. However this quality also makes it pretty good for summer where hair and scalp in general is more oily. The organic blend of quinoa, rahua-ungurahua, and palo santo improves healing, moisture retention, and regenerates scalp and hair follicles. The gentle formula uses coconut derived surfactants to clean hair and it is said to be color-safe. All these qualities make it great for summer when the sun can do some serious damage.
The Eye Care: Verso Super Eye Serum
I have a Goldilocks problem when it comes to eye product: too light and there is a tight/dry feeling, too heavy and it makes me feel suffocated (not to mention, I’ll no doubt end up rubbing it into my eye eventually). Verso’s Super Eye Serum gets it just right. It’s a light creamy gel texture that absorbs quickly without sitting on skin but retains that feeling of significance so the delicate skin around eyes is never feeling dry and tight. The patented Retinol 8 complex is formulated into every Verso product. It’s supposedly a more effective, gentler and UV stable form of retinol that increases collagen and reverses signs of aging around the eyes. I luckily don’t have crows feet or fine lines around my eyes but I feel this really makes my eye area take care of.
The First Cleanse: In Fiore Treate
I’m not a oil/balm cleansing type of girl. It takes too long to get skin clean from the film and doesn’t ever make my skin feel that clean afterward. In Fiore’s Treate is a non-foaming cream that gently helps to remove make-up and sunscreen which is very applicable for summer when my going out routine is sweat proof make-up and heavy water-resistant sunscreen. The scent is a light jasmine which also feels refreshing for summer. The bonus is unlike oil/balms, this actually washes clean. Look for a full review to come!
The Second Cleanse: YULI Halcyon
The second cleanse is a bit of a misleading moniker in that to the average person who thinks double cleansing is too complicated might go for the first and call it a day. The truth is that the second cleanse is when you need that really effective cleanser to come in and get rid of all those things lodged deep in skin and take care of skin. I originally reviewed this and loved it. Since then I’ve used a series of cleansers to see what was out there and similar to Nephriticus (scroll to 7:50 mark), this is a holy grail that I keep coming back to because each time I’m just reminded of how good this cleanser is. During summer our skin accumulates even more of that unwanted stuff and this is the right stuff to get it all removed without stripping/drying skin thanks to a pH balanced, soap-free formula.
The Mask: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
Summer is when we jam pack our schedules with weekend trips and vacations which makes this convenient jar of detoxifying mask perfect as your travel companion. Unlike powder masks which I love but take a while to prepare, this jelly mask comes ready to apply. The beta-hydroxy treatment sloughs off dead skin cells while clays detoxify skin. Perfect for summer. This mask applies like a dream gel and can be washed off when dried. Easy and simple, with results every time.
The Refresher: YULI Metamorphic Elixir
I couldn’t finish this list without a facial mist! They’re so essential for cooling off, reducing inflammation, and irritation. I carry a mist with me everywhere, after the gym, if I’m out for too long, throughout the day in the office, and of course after cleansing. YULI Metamorphic Elixir is one I fell in love with last winter when I needed something hydrating but come summer and I’m still in love with it thanks to the completely hydro-based formula that doesn’t clog pores or add any weight onto skin. The smell of roses feel like a luxury every time I spray it and it helps to tone and soothe skin. It works great for when I’m out and about and also for an after-sun spray.
Do you also switch out products when the seasons change? What are your summer essentials?
Great stuff! I also want to try the yüli products.
Author
You should! They’re great.
Great post!
How would you compare the In Fiore cleanser to the OneLoveOrganic one? Also, I love your recommendation of the anti-aging products, they work really really well, but I continue to have wanderlust and want to try the True Nature Botanical products too, have you tried them?
Author
Thanks! I’ve only used a sample of the One Love Organic Easy Does It Foaming cleanser and they’re very different. In Fiore is a milky cream, almost like a lotion whereas One Love Organics is a foaming gel. If we’re comparing to the ED4OLO Oil Cleanser I think it’s mainly the difference between oil and cream texture. Oils might be a bit better at make-up/sunscreen but the cream just feels better on the skin in my opinion.
I’m so glad you like my recommendation on the anti-aging products! I haven’t used the True Nature line since they separated from Marie Veronique, I noticed some ingredient changes and it just took too much effort to keep up!
I am alternating between the combo you recommend (LOVE!) and the TNB. I I used to use prescription strength retin-A without any irritations so I think my skin can handle them but I am thinking maybe I should still have one or two nights that I just use the less active serums just to give my skin a break (I also bought the face serum without retinol from TNB). What do you think?
I am obviously a product junkie and there are just so many products out there that I want to try!! 🙂
Have you used the Rahua Voluminous Shampoo? I want to buy one of the Rahua shampoos not sure which one. I use two masks every week, Tata Harper on Weds for a quick refresh and Yuli on Sunday for a stronger treatment. I always forget how good Halcyon is! I don’t use a lot of green cleansers, most are Aesop or Ren and Yuli is still my favorite. I just purchased the Verso Eye serum from Beauty Habit and can’t wait to use it! How does it smell?
Author
Not yet Linda, it is next on my list to try! I think you’ll love the Verso serum. And the pairing of Tata Harper and Yuli masks sounds great, I’ll need to try that next week!
I wish YULI didn’t sell so quickly on SBL! I’ve been on their pre-order list for several products and even after like 3 stock refreshments I was still on the list to receive my order.
Author
I feel you girl! I order from their website now and usually get my orders shipped out in a few days so I’d try that.
Gorgeous picks! I’m hoping to try In Fiore and more from YÜLI.
I am adding that eye serum to my list for sure! Have you tried anything else from Verso? I am curious about the line but I have not felt very “adventurous” with skincare lately. I have not changed my routine much for Summer, but I can’t put any serum or moisturizer in the daytime because the heat and humidity in Florida are so high at the moment that I start sweating the moment I step outside. I just cleanse well with Halcyon to remove any greasiness and use face mists to hydrate (Cocoon is still my fave). Love your posts as usual!
What are your thoughts on the verso ingredients? I have to admit I was surprised to see one of their products listed here as I know you lean toward more natural products but I’m interested in your thoughts.
I’m also looking for a pigmentation serum and had the verso one in mind-have you tried this?
I just happened to stumble upon your blog and I’m in love with it! I have terribly acne prone & sensitive skin and I’m considering trying the Yuli line that everyone is in love with, but I noticed that the halcyon cleanser has collodial silver in it. The hubby and i are going to start trying for a little one soon, so I’m not comfortable with using that. Obviously I’ve had to stop all of my acne meds, and it’s been pretty horrible. I’m looking to replace my entire skincare and makeup lines with as natural and effective products as possible that won’t hurt any potential babies, but that will keep my skin in check. Any help would be much appreciated!
Author
Yeah ingredients can be a deeply personal thing so I don’t ever want to tell someone what they can and cannot use. I will say however that I don’t have a problem with colloidal silver especially if we’re talking about safety for pregnancy. May Lindstrom uses this ingredient in higher concentrations and I know that she was testing many of the products DURING her pregnancy. It’s actually a very safe preservative and my friend The Green Derm has a great write up on it which I’ve linked: here.
Hi! I found myself agreeing with your review of Tata Harper products – I had a similar experience of waxy plugs resulting from the Refreshing Cleanser. Based on your descriptions of your skin, I think we must have very similar skin! So I tried some of the products recommended here, and I LOVED them: the Halycon cleanser smells so delicious, but without being the least bit cloying, and leaves my skin feeling amazingly clean. I’ve been using the Tata Harper mask for a while and still love it. The Verso eye cream tingles which makes me feel like something is happening, and the texture and smell is so uplifting and luxurious. I really like the Fiore cleanser too, but I haven’t been wearing much makeup lately, so I haven’t had much case to do the extra cleansing pre-step. Would you please do a winter products post? Well, perhaps I should first ask if you somewhere that snows and gets very dry and cold? Anyway, thank you for being such a fresh, insightful voice of integrity in the field of green beauty blogging…