NICOLE M. CARUSO

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Summer Skin

Photos by Marquel Patton of Marque Makes.

Late summer days are typically hazy, humid, and sun-drenched. Our skin is our largest organ, and learning that fact is what drew me in to do research about how my long-loved products from the drugstore and Sephora could be impacting my health.

A few friends recommended the EWG Skin Deep Database to learn more about how certain questionable ingredients could cause potential damage to my fertility and hormones, while also increasing allergic reactions and even causing neurotoxicity. After a battle with autoimmunity, my reasoning knew it was time to switch, but I had significant attachment and straight-up brand loyalty to my favorite products.

Lucky for us, the beauty industry has come a long way in the last 10 years, and now there are safer versions of my old favorite products (that I like even better). I even tried a new category in summer skincare this year simply because the brand is known for it’s effective, gentle, and safer formulas. Enter, Beauty by Earth self-tanner.

I’ve always wanted to try self-tanner as a way to create an even base on my limbs, much like I do with foundation for my complexion, but I was never a fan of the smell, questionable ingredients, or super-fake-bake look of it. After hearing from a few trusted friends that this brand was legit, I bought a tube on Amazon before heading to Miami with my husband for a quick weekend getaway.

My first impressions were not what I expected. I followed the instructions I’ve been reading in beauty columns for decades: exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate, shave, and then hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. So I dry brushed before getting into the shower, exfoliated with the Necessaire scrub, shaved, and then exfoliated with the Lemongrass body scrub, which leaves behind a gorgeous, dry oil sheen. Next, I applied the Necessaire body serum (overkill, but I didn’t want streaks!!), and then finally, the self-tanner.

It smells like coconut—not shelf-stable cookies, didn’t leave streaks, and didn’t make my skin tone so deep that I didn’t look like myself. It basically made my legs, which never tan, look like I had been at the beach for a few days. I was hooked! And not to mention, my limbs were the softest they have ever been because I was much more intentionally caring for my body.

Flash forward to a few weeks ago, and I had an email from Beauty by Earth in my inbox. I thought it was a customer service email, but upon closer examination, it was an email requesting a partnership. I was so excited! I had already shared this self-tanner with friends and family, spilled the beans on a podcast with Cecilia Pappas and Megan Wells, and produced the photos you see in this post with Marquel Patton well before this was a thing. Now, I am a happy affiliate with the brand, which is truly a win-win for me. There is nothing better than endorsing products you love with brands that wish to offer a small compensation for your creative work. I’m happy to share that if you use code NMCARUSO12 can get 12% off your purchase!

Onto my list of favorite clean body products. Here is the lineup of my summer skin must-haves:

  1. Dry brush: Reform Wellness. Dry brushing is not only amazing for exfoliating dead skin, but it also increases circulation and promotes gentle detoxification. This one from Reform Wellness has the best wooden handle to make it easier to reach the back too.

  2. Lemongrass body scrub: Beautycounter. This body scrub is one I always have extra stock of because its citrusy smell. It leaves behind a glowy sheen because it’s a sugar scrub (sugar is a humectant) and is packed with gorgeous oils. (On sale right now for 15% off — sale ends 8/16/2021)

  3. Lava rock: Amazon. Rather than a crumbly fake pumice stone, this lava rock actually removes dead skin from heels, and doesn’t tear up the skin. It also lasts forever!

  4. Razor: Billie. My sensitive skin can’t handle excessive shaving, but these Billie razors have been a dream for getting a close shave without razor burn.

5. Deodorant: Corpus Naturals in Third Rose. Clean deodorants are notoriously irritating for sensitive skin, but this deodorant is different. It feels like a serum under the arms, prevents odor, and lasts a long time. One travel size deodorant lasted me almost 5 months! Neroli and Santalum also smell amazing, not overpowering. The larger size is going on 6+ months right now!

6. SPF: Beautycounter. After the TSA took my large Countersun SPF 30 (I packed it in the wrong bag), I had to look elsewhere for clean SPF for my family’s vacation. Unforuntaely, those brands left a white cast and were so hard to rub in. This SPF rubs in clear, hydrates the skin, and doesn’t cause my sensitive skin to break out. This has been a daily go-to for our backyard adventures and beach days alike. It’s also part of the end-of-summer sale for 15% off until 8/16/2021.

8. Self-tanner: Beauty by Earth. The most gentle, barely-there hint of sun on the skin. Use code NMCARUSO12 for 12% off!

9. Body serum with hyaluronic acid: Necessaire. This lightweight serum sinks right in, and allows the next step of moisturizing to actually do its job. Just like a serum penetrates the skin more deeply on the face, this serum quenches dry skin on the body.

10. Melting Body Balm: Beautycounter. I’ve lost count on how many tubes of this I have used! It’s a solid balm that you warm up in your hands, and melt (literally) into the skin. The Monoi flower scent is unbeatable and feels like vacation never ends! It’s an Allure Best of Beauty winner too.

11. Body scrub: Necessaire. This scrub is a bit different than the Beautycounter in that it’s less oily, does a lighter scrub, and is gentle enough for use nearly every day. I also use it on my limbs after using the Beauty by Earth self tanner, to keep the product from building up.

If you end up giving these a try, be sure to let me know! I love hearing when my favorites become your favorites too.