We’re spending more time outdoors these days, which means more exposure to sun rays, heat and humidity. You’re likely already armed with your SPF, a crucial step to kickstart any sunny day. But what if we said wearing sunscreen is only scratching the surface of what you can do to prep your skin (and hair!) for the upcoming season?
Take it from Shop TODAY contributor Makho Ndlovu, who stopped by TODAY to give us the scoop on the summer finds she recommends packing in your beach bag. From cooling moisturizers to anti-humidity sprays that prevent frizz, we put together a complete list of products to add to your summer beauty survival kit.
The best part? You can shop all of these summer saviors right on Amazon, starting as low as $8. Check out Ndlovu’s go-to picks, along with some trending editor favorites, below.
Amazon summer beauty seen on TODAY
Ndlovu shares that this “frozen cream” has K-Beauty buzz on social media right now for its cooling and dewy skin care effects. It’s a new version of Belif’s bestselling moisturizer, but the brand says this formula is designed to reduce skin temperature by over 10 degrees with tiny, dissolving beads of eucalyptus extract. Having personally tested this out over the last few months, I can confirm that it has a significant cooling effect, which is perfect for summer days when your skin feels hot, puffy or irritated.
Summer means showing more skin, and if shaving or waxing leaves you with bumps or ingrown hairs, this No. 1 bestselling treatment on Amazon with over 60,000 ratings can help. According to reviews, a little goes a long way, meaning a bottle can easily last you all summer and then some.
“This can be used on common areas like the face, neck, legs, underarms and bikini line after shaving to reduce redness, calm skin and exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs or bumps,” Ndlovu explains. “It was recommended to one of our editors by a friend and now it’s a staple in her bathroom.”
This has been the “it” lip balm of the last few years, having gone super viral on TikTok and earning its status as a Shop TODAY award-winning, tried-and-true favorite. It has a light tint and is easy to use any time, whether you rock it alone or layer with lip liner or lipstick for instant hydration and shine.
“This is my absolute favorite lip balm — I use this all the time. If your lips are like mine and they get dry or flaky, this instantly adds moisture and makes them look smoother and healthier,” Ndlovu gushes. “My favorite color is vanilla beige, which adds a sheer rosy-brown tint for a naturally polished look.”
This anti-humidity spray is a game-changer for summer humidity. It’s an affordable solution for keeping frizz and flyaways at bay all season long, thanks to the protectant “shield” it provides to strands. One Shop TODAY producer gave it a try — spraying on her hair before styling with a hot tool — and swears that it kept her hair tame for over 24 hours.
To use, lightly shake the can and lightly spray it on damp (or even dry!) hair before styling. The formula can even help to extend the life of already-styled hair. It also acts as a heat protectant, up to 450 degrees.
Prep your feet for sandal season with this exfoliating spray. Its skin-renewal formula can help with the appearance of cracked heels and calluses, as well as give your feet a softer, smoother feel by eliminating dead skin.
More Amazon summer beauty favorites
Shop TODAY contributor Melissa Garcia previously stopped by TODAY to share some of her favorite summer beauty finds, including this popular lip stain. It is designed to stay put on your pout for up to eight hours, making it one of the more low-maintenance products in your makeup routine. All you have to do is apply it to the lips, let it dry for 20 seconds — or up to 60 seconds for bolder pigment — and then wipe it off. “I actually love using this as a lip liner with gloss over it for a more subtle look,” adds Garcia.
If you tend to get shiny throughout the day, you need a quality powder to make sure your look stays perfect. This pressed shine eraser may be your answer. It’s designed to go on as a gel but it dries down like an invisible powder, working to instantly mattify your skin and eliminate shine. “I love that it easily melts into the skin, creating a soft-focus finish without caking, creasing or altering your makeup,” says Garcia.
Garcia loves a bronzed summertime look, but not the sun damage that comes with it. That’s why she says she prefers a self tanner like this Shop TODAY Beauty Award winner. Part moisturizer, part tanner, this multi-tasking lotion also works to firm the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite in as little as seven days, per the brand, thanks to a formula packed with collagen and elastin.
Did you forget to re-apply your SPF? We’ve all been there, and sunburns are no fun. Luckily, Garcia found a way to give your skin immediate relief, with this Burt’s Bees lotion. Its secret? According to the brand, the formula contains a combination of aloe vera, coconut oil, glycerin and antioxidants that work together to heal and hydrate irritated skin. Garcia also says it’s lightweight, quick to absorb and won’t leave behind any sticky residue.
Use these innovative, Shop TODAY-loved stickers to take the guesswork out of re-applying your sunscreen. It’s easy: Add a patch to your skin and rub or spray on your sunscreen as normal.
But don’t worry, the brand says the sticker is made with skin-mimicking Dermatrue technology, which helps it absorb sunscreen as well your actual skin does. Then, go about your typical beach day fun! (The stickers are resistant to water and sweat, so you can spend your day in the water and out in the sun for as long as you want.) When it’s time to re-apply your SPF, the sticker will signal it by turning a deep shade of purple.
Did you forget that your lips need sun protection as well? There’s a reason why Sun Bum is a go-to brand for so many Amazon shoppers — its lip balms are moisturizing, soothing and provide that sensitive area with SPF 30. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they smell incredible.
For when the sun, chlorine and salt water start to take a toll on your hair, try this peptide-infused hair mask. Senior editor Julie Ricevuto says it’s her go-to when she starts to get straggly ends. “All it takes is two minutes for this mask to work wonders on my damaged hair,” she says. “It truly makes my hair look healthy and glossy after use.”
Complete your summer skin care with a bronzed glow. This serum helps you achieve the look without spending hours in the sun, while also targeting hyperpigmentation and minimizing the look of pores over time, per the brand.
Glassy skin is so in for the summer, but the look doesn’t just happen overnight — unless you throw on one of these face masks, that is. By applying one of Medicube’s collagen gel masks before bed, you can wake up to a more hydrated complexion, firmer skin tone and stronger barrier, per the brand. Plus, it also offers a cooling effect, which is the perfect way to soothe skin after a long day in the sun.
If you don’t have an after-swim hair routine, you’re doing pool days all wrong. On days when you don’t have the luxury of washing your hair right after a dip in the water, you can use this spray to detangle and soften strands instantly. It’s safe to use on curly and color-treated hair, and it also acts as a UV protectant to keep your hair shielded from sun exposure.
With summer comes increased heat and humidity, which means you could be looking at a few puffy-faced mornings. Use these tools to lift, firm and de-puff before kicking off your beach day.
Don’t let the heat deflate your fresh blowout! Use this thickening spray to help maintain your hair’s fullness and volume from roots to ends all day long.
You’ve waited months to put on your favorite bikini — don’t let dry skin ruin your beach look! Use this body oil to transform your skin from dusty to hydrated and silky smooth.
Use these patches to target dark circles and puffiness on those summer mornings when you’re up and at ‘em early. They’re made with a handful of great ingredients that can help hydrate those sensitive areas and even diminish the look of fine lines.
Want to keep your hair thick and strong this summer? There’s nothing wrong with getting a little help, especially from this bestselling regrowth serum. The fast-absorbing formula works to “replenish nutrients at the scalp, resulting in stronger strands, a reduction in breakage and a decrease in hair thinning, per the brand.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with Makho Ndlovu and Melissa Garcia.
- Makho Ndlovu is a Shop TODAY contributor and on-air expert.
- Melissa Garcia is a Shop TODAY contributor, professional stylist and the founder of Melissa Garcia Styling.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers searched Amazon to find the best products. We comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
