With the arrival of warmer weather, the summer vibe is taking hold of our minds and hearts. The summer of 2024 promises to be a radiant one, inviting us to leave behind the long periods indoors to welcome the sun, sport a golden complexion and enjoy the natural glow of summer glow. On the horizon are well-deserved holidays: trips abroad, relaxation on golden beaches and festive Friday evenings. However, in the whirlwind of preparations, one crucial element deserves our full attention: a beauty routine adapted to the season.
We need to develop a targeted summer skincare routine to help our skin and hair cope with the rigours of the season. Because while summer is synonymous with joy and freedom, its environmental factors, such as increased exposure to the sun, sea salt and chlorine from swimming pools, can be harsh on our skin and scalp. Before you pack your bags, it’s essential to stock up on clever, effective beauty products. Given the multitude of choices available, we’ve selected a list of the 10 must-have beauty products for a healthy and radiant summer in 2024.
Selection criteria
When we selected the best beauty products for summer 2024, we took a number of essential criteria into account to ensure both effectiveness and user safety. These criteria include the effectiveness of the product, its natural composition, its ability to provide adequate sun protection and its moisturising properties.
- Effectiveness: The first criterion to consider is the product’s effectiveness. It’s vital that beauty products fulfil their promised functions, whether it’s protecting against UV rays, moisturising and nourishing the skin or hair, or repairing damage caused by the sun. This effectiveness is evaluated through clinical tests and feedback from users, ensuring that the products offer visible and satisfying results.
- Natural composition: The current trend is towards products made from natural ingredients, without potentially harmful chemical additives. Not only are these products environmentally friendly, they are also generally better tolerated by the skin. A natural composition minimises the risk of allergies and irritation, while still being effective. It’s important to check the list of ingredients to ensure that they are of natural origin and free from controversial substances such as parabens, sulphates and phthalates.
- Sun protection: Protection against UVA and UVB rays is crucial, especially in summer. The products selected must offer an appropriate sun protection factor (SPF) to prevent sunburns, premature skin ageing and the risks associated with UV rays, such as skin cancer. This protection must be effective yet comfortable to wear, without leaving a white or sticky residue on the skin.
- Hydration: In summer, skin and hair are exposed to conditions that can dehydrate them, such as the sun, chlorine from swimming pools and sea salt. The products selected must therefore have powerful moisturising properties to maintain the skin and hair’s moisture balance. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerol, natural oils and plant butters are particularly sought after for their ability to retain moisture and deeply nourish the skin.
N°1: Sun cream
Whatever the season, sun protection is as essential as day cream. In winter or summer, in the sun or under cloudy skies, UV rays are always present. To protect yourself, we recommend CattierSpf50 Face and Body Sun Protection Spray. As we attach particular importance to respecting and protecting the environment, we have awarded the prize for the best beauty product of summer 2024 to this 98.7% natural-origin, certified organic product from Cattier .
This carefully formulated sun spray provides high protection thanks to its natural mineral filter, optimised by a Brazilian plant extract. This water-resistant, biodegradable cream respects both the skin and the seabed. Above all, it won’t cause sunburn or redness! In short, you’ve got all the ingredients you need to fall under its spell!
No.2: Thermal spring water
In second place on the podium isUriageSoothing Thermal Water Mist. This multi-purpose skin care product ensures well-being, practicality and effectiveness all day long! Its naturally isotonic composition makes this thermal spring water ahydrating, soothing and refreshing mist forsummer. An essential part of any beauty routine, it boosts the effectiveness of a cream, sets make-up, decongests the eyelids and perfects make-up removal. Keep in the fridge for aguaranteed feeling of freshness!
3: After-sun lotion
Overheated, attacked and dried out by UV rays, salt and chlorine, the skin needs a good dose of kindness. Caudalie Vinosun Protect After-Sun RepairMilkCaudalie ‘s After-Sun Tan Prolonging Milkcomes third in our ranking. The key to its success? Firstly, its formula, made up of 98% natural ingredients. But also its moisturising and regenerating action , which plays a vital role in the beauty and duration of your tan . Areal concentrate of hydration and freshness, Caudalie After Sun Milk repairs and soothes the skin on both face and body after each exposure to the sun. Your skin will be more radiant than ever this autumn!
4: Moisturising cream
From “Sèves de Beauté”, a range of face care products formulated with 99% natural ingredients by Natessance, La geléefraîche hydratante by Natessance proudly occupies fourth place in our ranking. It’s the result of an impressive combination of the moisturising benefits of Aloe Vera Sap and the refreshing power ofCoconut Water. This Freshness Moisturising Organic Cream is quite simply THE ideal cream for skin bursting with moisture and radiant with freshness. Its refreshing texture moisturises without feeling greasy on application.
N°5: Hair protection
Since our hair suffers just as much fromUV rays as our skin, we also need toprotect our mane from the sun’s rays, both before and after exposure. So our next and fifth product will be a hair sunscreen. Enriched with KPF 90 and naturally photoprotective Sesame Oil, René Furterer Waterproof Protective Summer Oilprovides optimum protection for your hair. This product, which can also be used on coloured hair , providestotal nutrition and prevents dryness. Its little extra? Its delicious, sun-kissed fragrance!
6: Mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes ‘ high-pitched buzzing and uncontrollable itching tend to spoil our special moments. So you also need to take steps to protect yourself from these little beasts. LCA mosquito repellent lotion, which can be used as a preventive measure to keep them at bay, is in sixth place in our ranking. Thanks to its active ingredient of plant origin, derived from lemon eucalyptus leaves, it will repel the main European and tropical mosquitoes, such as the tiger mosquito, and protect your whole family. Spray the exposed area with this lotion to guarantee protection for up to 7 hours.
N°7 : Soothing roll-on
Despite all the precautions you’ve taken to keep mosquitoes away, unfortunately you’re still left with a number of red bumps and, above all, itching ! It’s clear that a few smart alecks have snuck in and bitten you. Instead of picking at your skin with your fingernails, use Ladrôme ‘ sLavender Soothing Roll-On. Made with several essential oils, itspleasant-smelling formula immediately soothes and calms the skinafter a sting or light burn. The small, practical format of this soothing roll-on means you can take it with you wherever you go, at the weekend or on holiday.
No.8: Perfume
No summer without perfume! Howabout a fragrance with a sun-kissed kick? Nuxe Sun Eau Délicieuse Parfumante gives off an absolutely addictive trail of sensual notes of Orange, Tiaré Flower and Coconut, taking you to the tropics. True to its commitments, the French house has created a respectful formula with 85.6% ingredients of natural origin. Non-photosensitising, it’s ideal forperfuming yourself while enjoying the sun. Spray on a cloud of Eau Délicieuse Parfumante, then walk through it to feel fully ‘dressed’ in its fragrance.
No.9: Timeless skincare
Aloe vera gelis an ideal ally forsoothing the discomfort caused by sunburn. This natural substance has remarkable moisturising and repairingproperties, which are particularly useful forsoothing burns and speeding up theskin ‘shealing process . That’sexactly why it features in our top 10 beauty products for summer 2024. Without enough protection, sunburn can quickly burn your skin. Aloe vera can provide fast relief. But the best thing, of course, is to avoid getting sunburnt in the first place.
N°10 : Self-tanner
Once seen as a difficult and risky product,self-tanner is finally tempting more people, even the most reluctant. It has even become one of the must-have products for a glowing complexion without exposing yourself to the sun for hours on end and reducing your sun capital .Garancia ‘s Fée Moi Dorer Mousse Crépitante Auto Bronzanteis one of those products that gives you atanned look, with no demarcation from the very first application. Pleasant to apply, this creamy mousse will give you a moment of pleasure and softness.
What impact does the sun have on our DNA?
Exposure to the sun is a key factor in our well-being, influencing our mood and bone health through the synthesis of vitamin D. However, the sun can also have a less beneficial effect, particularly on the DNA of our skin cells. When the skin is exposed to UV rays, these can induce alterations in cellular DNA, known as DNA damage.
Is UVB harmful to my skin?
UVB rays are particularly energetic and can cause direct damage to DNA, such as thymine dimers, where two adjacent thymine bases bind abnormally, leading to genetic coding errors during DNA replication. These errors, if not properly repaired by cellular correction mechanisms, can lead to mutations that accumulate over time.
Do the sun’s rays cause ageing?
UVA rays, although less energetic than UVB rays, also contribute to oxidative stress. They can generate free radicals, reactive molecules that can damage proteins, membrane lipids and, indirectly, DNA. This process can trigger photo-ageing of the skin, characterised by wrinkles and loss of elasticity, and in more severe cases can contribute to the development of skin cancers such as melanoma.
It is therefore vital to protect DNA from the harmful effects of the sun by using appropriate suncare products that filter or block this radiation, and by adopting cautious behaviour when exposed to the sun. This includes using sun creams with a high sun protection factor, wearing covering clothing, and limiting the amount of time spent in the sun, especially during the hours when it is most intense.
In short, our selection of the 10 best beauty products for summer 2024 is designed to meet the essential protection, nutrition and care needs of your skin and hair under the summer sun. By incorporating these products into your daily routine, you’re not only preserving the radiance of your natural beauty, you’re also contributing to the long-term health of your cellular DNA. Don’t forget that behind each product lies a shield against the potentially harmful effects of UV rays. By taking intelligent, far-sighted care of yourself, you can ensure a radiant summer and lasting well-being.
Sources
- Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Oct; 21(19): 7264 Focus on UV-Induced DNA Damage and Repair-Disease Relevance and Protective Strategies
- Indian J Plast Surg. 2023 Apr; 56(2): 103-111. Perceived Age in Patients Exposed to Distinct UV Indexes: A Systematic Review
