I don't mean to brag, but I'm headed out of the office for two weeks of beachside relaxation. The first leg of my trip is a week at the Jersey Shore with my husband's family, and the second is a week down the Cape for my brother's wedding. I plan to spend as much time outdoors as possible during both—whether that's walking on the boardwalk or sitting in the sand—and to do that, I need a smart skincare regimen.
I already deal with hyperpigmentation because I unfortunately spent my teen years in tanning beds, but I'm happy to report I'm much smarter in the sun now. I won't head out without sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, the works. But there are other skincare concerns to consider when I travel—I usually sweat more, so I'll likely deal with a pimple or two, and my skin tends to dry out in the heat, so I'll need a moisturizer I can trust.
Thankfully, I don't need to jump from retailer to retailer to find what I need. I'll be sourcing all my summer skincare essentials from CVS. Here's what I'm snagging and why.
My CVS Summer-Skincare Checklist
I have naturally sensitive skin, so I prefer to use products that are derm-tested. While I'm lucky enough to have a couple derms on speed dial, you don't need a friend in the business to know what products derms recommend. CVS makes it easy with its Dermatologist-Tested Skincare hub. That's how I found the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, which removes makeup and excess skin oils without stripping my sensitive skin of moisture.
As much as I try to avoid the sun, it's inevitable that I'll leave the beach with some freckles and hyperpigmentation. Along with sunscreen, I love using a vitamin C serum. Vitamin C has been proven to help block excess pigmentation that can cause dark spots. This formula also contains salicylic acid to exfoliate and even out the skin tone and neurosensine to help soothe skin. I used to spend upwards of $200 on vitamin C serum, but this product—like all of CVS's skincare—combines smart ingredients with affordable pricing, so there's really no need to shell out the big bucks.
As I mentioned above, I spent years in tanning beds, and now I'm paying the price. Along with vitamin C serum, I like to pack a more targeted dark-spot-correcting serum—namely, Eucerin's Radiant Tone Dark Spot Corrector Serum. It uses thiamidol to treat existing spots, licochalcone A to fight free radicals, and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration. I've spent 10 years working in beauty, so I have a baseline knowledge of skincare ingredients and what to look for, but if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask a CVS beauty consultant for help. They're available in over 550 stores nationwide and are trained to provide accessible solutions and skincare product guidance to customers.
Probably the least shocking product on my packing list is a derm-tested sunscreen. I like La Roche-Posay's mineral sunscreen because it's non-greasy, fast-absorbing, oil-free, fragrance-free, and provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. But honestly, I trust any sunscreen pick from CVS—the brand has a nearly 20-year partnership with the Skin Cancer Foundation and has removed any CVS Health sunscreen below SPF 30 from its shelves, per the foundation's guidelines.
Beach vacations are relaxing, but there's a good chance packing, traveling, and inevitably navigating Cape traffic will leave me feeling a little stressed. Stress = pimples. I'm not worried about it, though—I always rely on Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for an easy, fast, and non-invasive way to shrink my blemishes in 6–8 hours. I'm not hopping on a plane, so I'm bringing my 30-count box, but CVS also offers a travel-friendly size option. In general, CVS's value-sized products are a smart way to try new products before committing to the full size.
I always keep a lightweight moisturizer on hand in case I mess up and get a bit sunburnt, or if I'm dealing with general dryness from the heat. This gel feels weightless but nourishes like a heavy cream thanks to its hyaluronic acid formulation. And while $12 is already a reasonable price, be sure to keep an eye out for even steeper savings. CVS's Extra Big Deals event releases new deals every two weeks, including BOGO savings, ExtraBucks rewards, and more. Neutrogena products are often thrown in the mix.
On vacation, I'll be running around with my nieces and nephews, hitting up a beach yoga class, swimming in the ocean with my pup, and maybe joining in on a beach volleyball game or two. All this is to say, my sunscreen needs to stay put. I've used Coppertone Sport for years (including during a marathon in Texas), and it provides protection even when playing in the water or sweating in the heat for up to 80 minutes. Of course, per The Skincare Foundation, I will be reapplying at least every two hours.
I actually love this product because it smells amazing—similar to another well-known tropical scent on the market, but for about a fifth of the price. This formula also has hydrating coconut oil and vitamin C, so it makes your skin seriously shine.
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