Summer Glow Go-To Products (No-Makeup)
Curated by Cake The Mag, this is your ultimate guide to achieving a radiant, fresh-faced summer glow—the kind that makes your skin look almost iridescent when the sun catches it just right and keeps you looking effortlessly hydrated when the night lights hit. Whether it's the luminous sheen of body oils, the glass-like glow of your skin after a hydrating routine, or the fresh, dewy complexion that needs nothing but SPF, this list is your summer beauty bible. Each product has been tested by our editors or carefully selected based on viral TikTok buzz and meticulous research, ensuring you achieve that sunlit, radiant look all season long.
A glowing look starts with the skin. A clean, hydrated base ensures everything else falls into place, giving you that effortless, healthy radiance. (If you’re layering scents, even better!)
Face Wash
A fresh, clean complexion is the foundation of every radiant summer look. These face cleansers ensure your skin stays clear, hydrated, and balanced.
Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
A gentle foaming cleanser infused with calendula to soothe and purify the skin.
Shu Uemura Ultime8∞ Sublime Tsubaki Cleansing Oil
A luxurious cleansing oil that melts away impurities while nourishing with antioxidant-rich camellia oil.
Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser
Packed with superfoods, this gel cleanser energises and brightens the skin with every wash.
Body Wash and Exfoliants
A smooth, glowing body starts in the shower. Exfoliating and cleansing with the right products will leave your skin fresh, soft, and ready to soak in hydration.
Comfort Zone Aromasoul Mediterranean Shower Gel
Infused with botanical extracts, this gel transforms your shower into a sensory escape while cleansing and softening your skin.
First Aid Beauty Exfoliating Scrub
A gentle yet effective scrub that buffs away dead skin, leaving you feeling silky smooth and refreshed.
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash
A nourishing formula that gently exfoliates while hydrating, leaving your skin radiant and baby-soft.
Shower Oils
For a deeper hydration experience, shower oils nourish and leave your skin supple and glowing right out of the shower.
Comfort Zone Tranquillity Oil
A lightweight, aromatic oil that enhances hydration while delivering a spa-like experience.
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
A cult-favourite oil-to-milk formula that deeply nourishes and leaves behind a subtle, sweet almond scent.
Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench™ Shower Oil
A luscious, tropical-scented oil that cleanses while locking in moisture for irresistibly soft skin.
Serums and Drops for the Face
The key to achieving that lit-from-within glow lies in lightweight serums and glow-enhancing drops that brighten, hydrate, and prep the skin.
Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops
A sheer, golden-illuminating serum that enhances your natural glow while delivering skin-loving benefits.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops
A radiance-boosting formula with niacinamide that evens skin tone and gives a juicy glow.
Rhode Glazing Milk
A milky, plumping serum that leaves the skin hydrated and glassy with a smooth finish.
Saie Glowy Super Gel
A lightweight, hydrating illuminator that can be worn alone or mixed with skincare for an all-over glow.
Oils and Shimmers for the Body
Nothing says summer like skin that looks like it’s been kissed by the sun and spritzed with oil. These lightweight oils and lotions add the perfect dewy sheen, making your skin glow all day.
Chanel Les Beiges Illuminating Oil
A delicate dry oil with golden micro-shimmers that leaves your skin subtly glowing all day long.
L’Occitane Almond Shimmering Body Oil
A nourishing oil infused with almond extract and golden shimmer for a radiant finish.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® Shimmering Dry Oil
A cult-favourite multi-purpose dry oil that hydrates while delivering a sophisticated golden shimmer.
Vaseline Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil
A lightweight, silky oil that enhances deep skin tones with a gorgeous, reflective glow.
Moisturisers and SPF for the Face
Keeping your skin protected and hydrated is non-negotiable in the summer. These moisturisers and sunscreens ensure a dewy, healthy complexion while shielding you from UV damage.
Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense
A lightweight SPF that provides broad-spectrum protection while keeping skin fresh and non-greasy.
LANEIGE Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Toner & Moisturizer
A 2-in-1 formula that deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier.
Tatcha The Water Cream
A lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that bursts into hydration upon application for a smooth, poreless look.
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50ᐩ Ultralight Fragrance Free Skinscreen™
An super-light, invisible SPF that sits beautifully under makeup (even helps with a dewy look) or on bare skin.
Moisturisers and SPF for the Body
Your body deserves the same care as your face. These hydrating and protective products keep skin smooth, soft, and shielded from the sun’s harsh rays.
Comfort Zone Sun Soul Protective Mist
A weightless body sunscreen that hydrates while providing broad-spectrum protection.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion
A deeply nourishing classic that keeps skin soft, hydrated, and luminous.
Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
A rich, fast-absorbing cream infused with squalane to deeply moisturize and restore skin’s natural glow.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
A fast-absorbing body cream that firms and leaves a deliciously addictive scent.
Lip Balms and Oils
To complete your skincare routine, the final touch is always the lips—keeping them hydrated, plump, and glossy all summer long.
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
A luxurious, honey-infused oil that softens and smooths for a hydrated pout.
SHEGLAM Crystal Glaze Moisturizing Lip Care-Candy Lane
A glossy, nourishing lip treatment that enhances your natural lip colour.
Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil
A silky, high-shine lip oil that delivers hydration with a hint of tint.
The Ordinary Squalane and Amino Acids Lip Balm
A simple yet effective formula that deeply nourishes and locks in moisture.
Don’t Neglect Your Nails
Your hands are always on display, and in the summer, fresh-looking nails are essential—whether you’re wearing rings or showing off your toes in sandals. Keep your nails and cuticles nourished with these must-haves.
Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing Cuticle Oil
A nutrient-rich oil that keeps cuticles hydrated and promotes strong, healthy nails.
Essie On A Roll Apricot Cuticle Oil
A hydrating formula that softens and conditions nails with a subtle apricot scent.
MiniLuxe Nourishing Cuticle Oil
A lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that instantly revives dry cuticles.
