I Update My Skincare Routine Seasonally—14 Luxury Buys I'll Be Reaching for This Summer

It's official, summer has (actually) arrived in the U.K., bringing with it brighter days, rising temps, increased humidity and the need for a shift not just in our wardrobes, but in our skincare routines too—that's right, I'm a firm believer that your routine should shift with the seasons.

I'm an esthetician, so I see first-hand how warmer weather calls for lighter layers, extra antioxidants, and more protection. At this time of year my clients arrive with concerns ranging from visible sun damage to dehydration, increased congestion and hyperpigmentation. Suddenly, what worked in the depths of winter now feels too rich, too heavy, or simply not enough for a slew of new skin concerns.

As I frequently tell my clients, one of the simplest ways to elevate your skincare results is to approach your routine as you do your wardrobe—seasonally. Just as you wouldn’t wear a wool coat in the middle of July, your skin doesn’t need the same occlusive creams or barrier-repair balms it relied on all winter. A lot of people think that summer skincare is all about stripping back, but in actual fact, summer brings a new set of challenges: increased sun exposure, sweat, and humidity, trigger a tendency for skin to feel simultaneously dehydrated and congested.

Some of my favourite summer beauty products for this time of year are luxurious yet incredibly hard-working—lightweight but still deeply nourishing, radiant without being greasy, and packed with ingredients that support your skin’s natural barrier while enhancing glow and dealing with the side effects of a summer climate and lifestyle.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been carefully curating a new seasonal lineup, selecting only the best high-performance, luxury skincare that genuinely earns its spot in my bathroom (and in my kit). These are the products that make me look forward to my routine—serums that feel like silk, moisturisers that instantly rehydrate and sunscreens that protect without smothering skin. They’re the formulas I trust to keep my skin calm, clear and luminous through heatwaves, days in the sun, long-haul flights and humid nights.

Ahead, you’ll find the luxury skincare heroes I’m reaching for this summer—tried-and-true staples and new discoveries alike. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your morning routine or bring a touch of spa-like calm to your evening wind-down, these products deliver on performance and experience. And yes, I recommend them to my clients, too.

The Best Luxury Summer Skincare Products

1. Best for a First Cleanse: Eve Lom Cleansing Oil
2. Best for a Second Cleanse: Chanel La Mousse Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream-to-Foam
3. Best for a Quick Cleanse: Matter of Fact Remove + Replenish Gel Balm Cleanser
4. Best for Immediate Hydration: Rhode Glazing Mist
5. Best for Brightening Skin: Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced
6. Best for Overall Skin Health: Bioeffect EGF Serum
7. Best for Congestion: Deviant Retinal Clarity Serum
8. Best for Dry Skin Hydration: Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturiser
9. Best for Oily Skin Hydration: Skin Rocks The Light Moisturiser
10. Best for Glow: Mecca In A Good Light Illuminating Drops
11. Best for No-Makeup Days: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
12. Best for Sunscreen Top Ups: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Stick SPF30
13. Best for Exfoliation: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow
14. Best for Cooling Skin: Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask

1. Eve Lom Cleansing Oil

2. Chanel La Mousse Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream-To-Foam

3. Matter of Fact Nourishing Gel Balm Cleanser

4. Rhode Glazing Mist

5. Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced

6. Bioeffect EGF Serum

7. Deviant Retinal Clarity Serum

8. Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturiser

9. Skin Rocks The Light Moisturiser

10. Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light Illuminating Drops SPF30

11. Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF50

12. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Stick SPF30

13. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow

14. Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask

Should you change your skincare in the summer?

Just like your wardrobe undergoes a seasonal reset, your skincare routine should evolve with the weather, too. Summer brings unique challenges—think more sweat, sun exposure and humidity—which can affect how your skin behaves. Those rich, heavy creams that felt comforting in winter might clog pores or feel suffocating when temperatures rise. Instead, summer calls for lightweight, breathable products that hydrate without overwhelming, protect against UV damage, address sun-induced hyperpigmentation and help keep oiliness or dehydration in check. So yes, as I tell my clients, switching up your skincare for the warmer months isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for keeping your skin healthy, balanced, and glowing all season long.

What skincare products are best in the summer?

Summer skincare is all about taking a smart, targeted approach. Lightweight moisturisers, like gel-creams or hydrating lotions are your best friends, delivering all the hydration your skin needs without feeling heavy or greasy. Sunscreen is non-negotiable—opt for broad-spectrum formulas with a lightweight, matte, or sheer finish that won’t clog pores or leave a white cast on dark skin tones. Incorporate antioxidant-rich serums to protect against environmental stressors, sun damage, and boost your skin’s natural glow. Refreshing mists and calming water-based products can soothe heat-exposed skin throughout the day while also rehydrating skin. And don’t forget gentle exfoliation to keep pores clear and skin radiant—but avoid harsh scrubs that can irritate sun-sensitive skin. In short: think breathable, protective, and hydrating—products that keep your skin comfortable, balanced, and safe.

How We Tested

To curate this edit of luxury summer skincare staples, I put each product through its paces in real life—fortunately, we've had our fair shade of hot, sticky commutes and sun-drenched weekends this year. As an esthetician, I’m constantly trialling formulas both on my own skin and with clients, paying close attention to how they perform in warmer weather. I considered how each product felt upon application (especially important in the heat), how well it layered under SPF or makeup, and whether it delivered on its promises—be that hydration, radiance, or oil control. Texture, absorption speed, scent, and results were all taken into account, as well as how each formula fit into a streamlined summer routine. Only the products that truly impressed made it onto this list.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.