The Skin Care Products Keeping my Skin Glowing and Clear this Summer

For all of my life, there will be one word that will, no matter the context, catch my immediate attention.

GLOW

Of course, not every use of the word will mean what I want it to mean. I'm not particularly interested in the "glow inducing" juice or any other trendy health food bandwagon claiming to provide the adjective I crave so much.

However, the yellow glow of street lamps in pitch dark or the glowing green light at the end of Gatsby's dock are just a few uses of the word that do bring me great happiness. But for today we're here to talk about the achievement of glow through beauty, and more specifically, skincare. I apologize to the literary nerds that there will be no further discussion of symbolism in this post, but rather some good old fashioned product recommendations from yours truly. Getting that glow becomes increasingly more vital in the summer months for a pale girl such as myself, and I'm sure you will agree that the months designed for tanning oils and bare faces leave us demanding a clear and glowing complexion. The following are the three products currently sustaining my glow cravings.

ALPHAH BEAUTY SLEEP POWER PEEL

The packaging of this masterful product has changed since it came into my life, but the formula remains as dreamy as ever. This rich oil-based golden cream has become my savoir when I'm experiencing texture and dullness. 0.5% retinol works with 14% glycolic acid and fruit enzymes to promote cellular turnover, gently exfoliating and resurfacing the skin cells while you sleep. Waking up in the morning to what feels like, and in some ways literally is a brand new face, never gets old. The anti-aging effects aren't exactly being put to their full potential on my skin, but I promise you I'm reaping every ounce of glow generating and skin smoothing benefits this incredible peel has to offer.

KATE SOMERVILLE EXFOLIKATE GLOW MOISTURIZER

Once again, I'm smitten with anything to help rid my skin of dead cells, because dead = dull. I deeply underestimated how much I would adore this fruit enzyme dream. The original Exfolikate exfoliater never wowed me, but if the rest of the line is comparable to this moisturizer, I'll splurge for it without hesitation. To be perfectly plain, the product is great but for a very specific clientele. It's gently exfoliating and thus best used at night on skin that is acclimatized to resurfacing ingredients. This is a product that works best for someone who doesn't mind having two separate moisturizers for morning and night, and someone who's skin is not easily sensitized to fragrance (I'm uncertain of the source of the fragrance, but it has never bothered my skin). It's a lightweight cream that feels silky on the skin and leaves the luminosity I adore. This is a product I look forward to using each day, and would highly recommend for any fellow skincare nerd and glow seeker.

DRUNK ELEPHANT D-BRONZI

What I love most about this serum-hybrid product, is that the skin tone-smoothing and bronzing effect it gives is merely a bonus to its primary purpose. Mixing half a pump of D-Bronzi with your serum, moisturizer, or in my routine, sunscreen, leaves your skin protected from environmental aggressors, pollutants, and free-radicals in the air. This is, without a doubt, the most ideal addition to any summer skincare routine, especially when wearing makeup in the heat doesn't appeal to you. The tint is just right, the skincare benefits are flawless, the brand is the epitome of clean beauty, and the glow is stunning. *Insert praying hands emoji here, because that's the only way to describe this liquid gold.