The Best Products for Healing Your Skin and Hair After a Long Summer

[Photo by Simon Hajducki]

It’s hard to believe that summer is already over, and while I’m always sad to see my favorite season go, there are many things to get excited about in the fall including cooler weather, cute sweaters and scarves, Bath & Body Works candles, and pumpkin everything.

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But even after summer is long gone, many of us are left with the lingering effects of the previous season, with some of the most common ones being dry and damaged skin and hair. Even if you didn’t make it down to the beach as often this summer or your family had to cancel the annual trip due to COVID-19, if you spent any time under the sun (in your own backyard, hiking, or meeting friends for socially distanced walks and lunches at the park) logged in some pool time, or even going for drives in the car—then you most likely have experienced some form of skin and hair damage (which is perfectly normal, by the way!)

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While it’s next to impossible to completely protect your skin and hair at all times from everything in the world around you, there are steps you can take to help restore them to a healthier state afterwards. From hydrating hair masks and treatments to nourishing body care products and more, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best products for healing your skin and hair after a long summer. Read on to discover and shop, and be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any favorites—and if there are any that didn’t make the list:

Acaderma Star Light Spot Corrector ($78)

This powerful and silky serum targets dark spots, freckles, roughness, and post-acne marks. Its key ingredient is Melamorin, a patented and IFSCC award-winning technology extracted from morus root, and it works together with the serum’s other root extracts to target any dark spots left behind. Natural althaea officinalis root extract stops the stimulation of melanocytes from intrinsic factors, while additional tranexamic acid works to inhibit melanin synthesis and transfer. 

Alastin Skincare Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex Technology ($195)

This restorative skin care treatment helps maintain skin health for a vibrant, youthful appearance. The emollient formulation with key ingredients helps volumize and lift aging skin. Synergistic ingredients help to combat all visible signs of aging. Potent antioxidants help protect skin from further damage, and it also supports the production of new, healthy elastin and collagen.

Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Intensive Skin Treatment Oil ($80)

This facial oil is formulated with unique vitamin-enriched oils that make it ideal for treating dry, dehydrated, and mature skin types. Ingredients include high altitude-grown lavender to support stressed skin and vitality-reviving rose oils. Vitamin E and rosehip seed oil help to nourish and encourage natural skin renewal. Can also be used on scar tissue twice daily to help reduce its appearance.

bareMinerals Brilliant Future Age Defense & Renew Serum ($55)

A blend of manganese, vitamin C, chai hu extract, and youth peptide helps to fight early signs of aging and prevent later signs of aging. This nourishing formula supports skin's natural collagen and defends your complexion from damage and environmental stressors. Helps resist the signs of aging and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Use daily for best results.

COCOOIL After Sun Lime Coconut Oil ($24.99)

Hydrate yourself from skin to toe with this body oil that is formulated with powerful antioxidants, fair trade cold pressed organic coconut oil, aloe vera extract, and refreshing lime oil. Helps with the relief and repair of sunburn, as well as overexposure to UV sunlight. Helps to naturally hydrate and nourish skin.

ColorProof DeepQuench Moisture Masque ($42)

This intensive hair mask quenches and infuses tresses deep within, helping to hydrate, nourish, strengthen, and repair while prolonging color life. The Advanced ColorLast System features Chromaveil and Heliogenol for full-spectrum color protection, FlexShield Technology for heat protection up to 450 degrees, a superior blend of vegan proteins derived from potatoes and soy for maximum strength and repair, and a rejuvenating blend of botanicals of rosemary, geranium, sage, shiitake mushroom, and yarrow to nourish, balance, and protect.

CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray ($14.50-$34)

For instant cooling relief, this provides advanced therapy for burned, wounded, and inflamed skin. This refreshing milky emulsion provides deep, hydrating moisture while calming and soothing flushed, sensitive skin. A multitasking formula, it brings instant, cooling relief to itching, burning, irritated, and inflamed skin caused by sun exposure, rosacea, eczema, rashes, laser treatments, chemical peels, shaving, waxing, minor burns, and radiation treatments. Features a gentle natural cucumber scent. Tip: also great on skin after shaving!

Dazey Mango Cooling Gel ($45)

Perfect for post-sun care, this is a special twist on classic aloe vera gel with the addition of 300mg of full spectrum hemp extract, along with all-natural botanical oils and the sweet scent of mango. Aloe vera juice soothes, protects, and rejuvenates skin; basil extract removes bacteria while toning and reducing inflammation; and neem extract protects skin cells from damage and signs of aging, also reducing scarring and clearing acne.

EiR NYC+ Hydration Hero ($40)

Formulated with shea butter, vitamin E, rose petal-infused olive oil, and kalahari melon oil, this balm works great on dry areas of skin that need extra love and care. Kalahari melon oil ensures a powerhouse dose of vitamins A, C, and E for collagen production, as well as cell-regenerative goodness thanks to omega 6 and 9 fatty acids. Apply to face, hands, feet, elbows, or any other areas of skin prone to dryness for deep, restorative hydration.

Epicuren Noni Skin Elixir ($21)

Pure noni fruit and organic aloe vera juice deliver powerful antioxidants and topical skin-tightening properties to help heal irritated skin, minor sunburn, and windburn. Great for all skin types, apply over entire face, neck, and décolleté twice a day.

Epionce Enriched Firming Mask ($40)

This hydrating mask is expertly formulated with botanical ingredients to help soothe and improve the visible appearance of elasticity and firmness of the skin. With highly emollient properties and a proprietary blend of barrier lipids, this mask helps calm visible redness and irritation, and gives skin a visible boost of hydration.

Eufora Aloetherapy Line ($25-43)

This collection of skin and hair products features aloe vera stem cells, which multiple the molecular potency of aloe by 1000x to soothe, calm, and ease sensitive skin and scalp. The Aloetherapy line provides both immediate and long-term benefits for those suffering from dry skin genetics, sunburn, and other irritations. The line includes:

• Moisture Mist for Hair & Body: Versatile mist helps soothe and calm. Delivers instant moisturization and hydration from head to toe. Perfect for after-sun soothing.

• Soothing Body Moisture: Versatile lotion helps soothe and calm. Delivers instant moisturization and hydration from head to toe. Perfect for after-sun soothing.

• Soothing Conditioner: Gentle daily conditioner rebalances moisture. Calms and soothes the scalp. Keeps hair soft.

• Soothing Hair & Body Cleanse: Gentle cleansing to calm and soothe sensitive skin and scalp.

FarmHouse Fresh Blissed Moon Dip Back to Youth Ageless Body Mousse ($32)

This light and airy mousse includes a powerhouse blend of age-fighting ingredients that are typically reserved for precious facial treatments. It treats neck lines, sun-kissed chests, and arms by hydrating and firming with vitamin-rich emollient oils, while enveloping legs with advanced peptides to visibly firm skin over time. Scented with natural notes of juicy watermelon and fresh basil.

HydroPeptide Revamp Your Regimen Set ($99)

This set features four products that are packed with antioxidants, skin-renewing acids, pre- and probiotics to instantly brighten skin, even skin tone, and enhance your glow. The set includes:

• 5X Power Peel (7 treatments): 5 gentle acids accelerate cell turnover for smoother, softer skin

• Full-size Radiance Mask: Provides a twice-a-week boost of brightness while working to firm fine lines and wrinkles over time

• Full-size HydraFlora Essence: Balances the skin's defensive microflora with pre- and probiotics

• Deluxe mini Firma-Bright 20% Vitamin C Booster: Blends perfectly with any moisturizer to increase radiance and aid in collagen production.

John Masters Organics Scalp Follicle Treatment & Volumizer ($24)

Powered by a proprietary combination of nature's well-known cure-alls, this treatment and volumizer creates optimal conditions for fuller, healthier-looking hair. Organic Irish moss strengthens the roots and moisturizes dry scalp. A proprietary combination of organic extracts nourishes and balances sebum levels, while organic thyme renews the scalp.

JOON Saffron Hair Elixir Oil ($28-$50)

This nourishing hair elixir oil offers many benefits such as added shine, detangling and defrizzing properties, helps seal ends, protects against heat, and moisturizes tresses. Features saffron, pistachio, and rose, which have been used for centuries in Persian culture for the beauty benefits. Great for both damp and dry hair, this oil can be used before/after styling, and as an overnight treatment.

Juniper & Pine Aloe Elixir Facial Serum ($65)

This serum absorbs deep into skin to stimulate natural regeneration while intensely hydrating at the same time. Aloe leaf juice, which is the most potent and effective form of aloe vera, is paired with hyaluronic acid, skin-brightening vitamin C, and a gentle botanical AHA to brighten, renew, and maintain smooth skin. This lightweight, fragrance-free serum can be used in the morning or evening, and before your usual skincare routine. Tip: massage into face with a jade stone roller for extra absorption.

La Mer The Reparative Body Lotion ($200)

This silky body lotion nurtures, hydrates, and revitalizes—leaving skin appearing plumped and brighter. It is formulated with the Reparative Ferment™ and the legendary Miracle Broth™ with restorative sea-sourced energies, leaving skin visibly plumped with moisture.

LALICIOUS The Oil ($12-$100)

Restore and illuminate from head to toe with this exquisite formula designed to provide powerful anti-aging and anti-oxidant benefits in one multi-use product. Nourish your skin with this intimate blend of peach nectar, coconut milk, and creamy musks.

Lather Avocado Mint Hair Repair ($16)

This deep-conditioning treatment provides intensive moisture therapy to restore strength and shine to dry or damaged hair. Includes avocado oil, emollient shea butter, macadamia seed oil, and jojoba oil to lock in moisture. Peppermint and tea tree oils tone and stimulate the scalp. Free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and synthetic fragrance/colors.

Mantra Mask CBD After Sun Mask ($15)

This face mask revives tired skin, soothes sun damage, reduces inflammation, and fights free radical exposure. Formulated with over 10 powerful antioxidants including chamomile, calendula, aloe vera, and chia seed to lock in moisture and reduce inflammation so skin will be glowing in no time.

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Shampoo ($32)

Part of the brand’s Head & Hair Heal line, this anti-inflammatory and hair growth-stimulating shampoo features piroctone olamine and natural aloe vera extract to treat and prevent dandruff and other scalp issues; vitamin E, epigenin, and peptides to stimulate hair follicles for growth; oleanolic acid to prevent hair loss; and Colour Guard Complex to protect and maintain the color in color-treated hair. The other products in the series include a conditioner, hair masque, as well as larger and travel-size versions of the shampoo. Click here to discover their Head & Hair Heal products.

Moroccanoil All In One Leave-In Conditioner ($28)

This versatile, leave-in conditioner hydrates, detangles, and provides up to 72 hours of softness. Powerhouse ingredients include argan oil to nourish hair, a superfood blend (sunflower seed oil, quinoa extract, and barley extract) to moisturize and condition, as well as pure amino acids to increase strength and elasticity. Hair will look and feel shinier and healthier with every use. Can also be used before styling to refresh second-day hair.

Native Atlas Zahara Vitamin Serum ($60)

This nourishing vitamin serum helps energize skin to even tone, reduce discoloration, and restore a beautiful glow while protecting the skin’s barrier. Key ingredients include watermelon seed (high in vitamin C), lotus flower (high in vitamin A to restore skin), licorice root (brightens skin), baobab seed oil (helps with cellular regeneration and improves elasticity), rosehip seed oil (improves appearance of lines and wrinkles), and botanical hyaluronic acid (smoothes and plumps skin to minimize lines and wrinkles). Use in the morning to combat environmental damage and in the evening after exfoliating to soothe and nourish.

Naturally Africa Tea Tree Oil & Vegetable Protein Braid Moisturizing Spray ($10.69)

This moisturizing spray features tea tree oil and vegetable proteins packed with antioxidants, vitamins, menthol, tea tree and peppermint oil, and natural alpha hydroxy acids to soothe scalps, hydrate, and strengthen hair (including braids and synthetic extensions). It effectively address everyday concerns such as dry scalp, frizzy, fragile, and brittle hair. +95% naturally derived and clean, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly. 

Oribe Gold Lust All Over Oil ($62)

This multipurpose oil features a curated blend of 17 intensely nourishing and protective natural oils that replenish and restore. Designed to hydrate and soften hair, body, face, and décolleté, this fast-absorbing oil nourishes, protects, and locks in moisture from head to toe. It can also be used as a deep treatment for hair overnight or as a conditioning beard oil. 99% natural.

Pietro Simone Skincare Prestige Act: Bio-Recovery ($250)

The lightweight formula features a cream-silk texture that deeply penetrates skin and is embedded with the exclusive Italian Bella ComplexTM of nutrients (including edelweiss meristematic cells, Tuscan grapeseed oil, apple annurca, Tuscan and Sicilian almond oil, and cold-pressed and filtered tomato seed oil) to energize and rejuvenate skin. Calendula stem cells, amino and glucuronic acids work to sustain hyaluronic acid renewal, while rejuvenating multi-peptides help prevent sagging and build stronger collagen fibers. It’s also infused with vitamins A, C, and R, and sunflower and argan oils in a slow-release-rapid-result bio-active formulation to seal in moisture and plump skin.

R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Toning Masque ($42)

This luxe purple masque corrects dull or yellow hues and prevents fading. Perfect for anyone with blonde, gray/silver or white hair, it’s formulated with naturally derived pigments and corrects uninvited, dull, yellow hues and prevents fading, oxidation, and brassiness while imparting shine. Features the lovely scent of Serious Gaze—a bright oriental composition of juniper berries, blood orange, rhubarb, leather accord, violet, and dark woods.

Rahua Enchanted Island Lotion Mist ($38)

This quick-absorbing lotion acts as a botanical climate shield by providing natural, plant-based UV protection for sensitive skin. Includes morete oil, aloe, guayusa extract, (a powerful herb that contains twice the amount of antioxidants in green tea), and guava and passion fruit. Perfect as an after-shower hydrator and for a day spent outdoors. For each bottle purchased, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Pink Flamingo Project to protect precious species and their habitats.

Stevie Fox Yum Therapy Mega Hydrate Mask ($19)

This delectable face mask is filled with antioxidants to hydrate dry skin. Ingredients include blueberry; apple fruit; a blend of papaya, mango, and shea butters; various skincare oils; and white tea, which helps infuse the skin-repairing ingredients even further by removing dry, dead skin cells with fruit acids.

Sun Bum Deep Conditioning Hair Mask ($3.49)

This hair mask was specifically formulated to restore essential hydration and enhance overall softness and smoothness to dry, damaged or over-processed hair. It’s infused with amla and bamboo extract to help strengthen hair, making it resilient and more manageable. Also safe for color-treated hair.

Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray ($12)

This 100% natural soothing, purifying, and repairing daily rescue spray was designed for angry, stressed-out skin. Hypochlorous acid, which is naturally found in the body’s white blood cells, helps to fight and defend your body from harmful bacteria and inflammation. When applied to the skin, it triggers an immune boost, which signals your body to repair and heal irritated skin. This unique solution is pH balanced (4.5) and formulated for facial skin, but is safe to use anywhere. It has received the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance™ and is safe for all skin types.

VENN Skincare Advanced Multi-Perfecting Red Oil Serum ($115)

This multi-correctional face oil serumis strategically formulated using 34 root extracts, botanicals, and essential oils to deliver comprehensive skin benefits. Efficacy-driven bioactives make up 100% of the formula. Inspired by Korea's traditional herbal first aid ointment, key ingredients include Lithospermum Erythrorhizon (Gromwell) Root Extract and Angelica Gigas (Korean Angelica) Root Extract which are fermented for 150 hours at low temperature for amplified delivery and performance on the skin.

W3LL People Bio Booster Facial Serum ($24.99)

This multifunctional treatment is packed with hydrating and brightening ingredients including rose seed oil and broccoli seed oil to repair and firm the complexion. Organic red raspberry seed combats against breakouts, while turmeric calms and reduces redness for a balanced, glowing complexion.

Whish Repairing Eye Serum with Bakuchiol ($60)

This repairing serum reduces dark circles and puffiness, and revives elasticity and firmness to the delicate skin around eyes. Ingredients include bakuchiol, an edible 100% natural substitute for retinol; as well as organic rose hip oil and organic argan oil to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Organic cucumber fruit extract reduces puffiness, while organic green tea and soybean protein firm and tighten.

[Images courtesy of brands]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk