UV rays! Saltwater! Chlorine! Summer is always hard on my hair and skin, but this year, it’s next-level. I spent lots of time traveling in dry climates. I laid out on the beach under the hot sun. I maintained an inconsistent sleep schedule peppered with cocktail hours and late-night dinners. Sure, I had fun, but I incurred some serious skin and hair damage.
Allow me to give you all the unsavory details. Firstly, my hair is dry and brittle, and I have more split ends than I can count. It’s not cute. Secondly, despite diligent sunscreen application, my skin is dull and discolored. It’s always been prone to hyperpigmentation, so I’m not surprised TBH. Generally speaking, I need a glow-up—not just in an aesthetic sense but also in a “skin and hair health” sense.
Luckily, Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale is on through August 18. Select products are up to 25% off with the code CHEERS. During it, I’m snagging damage-reversing skin and hair products at a discount. Think brightening vitamin C serums, moisturizing hair masks, dark spot–fading exfoliants, and more. Ahead, see every single item I’m buying to reverse late-summer skin and hair damage.
Skincare
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare
Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Deal: 20% off
Before I do anything else, I want to fade dark spots and discoloration from sun damage. This two-step exfoliating peel uses seven AHAs and BHAs to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, discoloration, acne scars, pores, and more. It’s the perfect post-summer skin brightener.
Beauty ORA
LED Light Energy Mask
Deal: 25% off
This LED mask uses seven (yep, seven!) light therapy treatment modes to target basically every single skin concern I can think of. I can’t wait to start using this regularly for a fall skin reset. Check out the deets on each light therapy treatment mode:
- Red light: promotes collagen production to smooth lines and wrinkles
- Blue light: reduces breakouts
- Green light: soothes irritated skin
- Yellow light: improves skin texture
- Purple light: repairs acne scars
- White light: boosts skin metabolism to improve tone and sagging
- Clear blue light: enhances cell energy for healthier skin
Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty
Asta C Vitamin C Age Defense Serum
Deal: 20% off
With my summer sun damage, a good vitamin C serum is a must. This one uses two advanced forms of vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) to brighten the skin, reduce dark spots and discoloration, defend against pollution, and offer anti-aging benefits. I love that it’s fragrance-free to avoid further irritating my sensitive skin.
Obagi Medical
Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish Mask
Deal: 20% off
I’m not done with the brightening products yet. This one combines vitamin C with skin-polishing microdermabrasion. I’m going to use it to slough off dead skin, smoothing the rough texture around my nose and mouth and evening my skin tone.
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Deal: 25% off
ICYMI, snail mucin is so good for the skin. It’s hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant rich, so it’s no wonder this TikTok-viral product is a best seller. I can’t wait for the glass skin this is going to give me.
Obagi Medical
Retinol 1.0
Deal: 20% off
Retinol is still the gold standard in anti-aging, and with all the sun damage I have, I’m committing to using it three nights a week come fall. Over time, it will resurface my skin to smooth lines and wrinkles and fade dark spots and discoloration. Of course, I’ll wear sunscreen every day, as it makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays.
Paula’s Choice
Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Deal: 20% off
The sun damage doesn’t stop at my face. That’s why I’m snagging this retinol body treatment while it’s 20% off. It offers all the benefits of vitamin A with shea butter to smooth and moisturize the skin.
Pai
Rosehip Bioregenerate Universal Facial Oil
Deal: 20% off
I took a break from face oils during the summer when my skin veered on the oily side. For soft, plump skin as the weather turns cooler, I’m bringing them back—Pai’s Rosehip Bioregenerate Universal Facial Oil in particular. The multitasking formula is rich in cold-pressed rosehip and seed oils, omegas, and antioxidants. It improves everything from dryness and dullness to firmness, blemishes, and acne scars. Plus, it gives my skin the most incredible glow.
Haircare
Grow Gorgeous
Scalp Massage Tool
Deal: 25% off
Scalp massaging boosts circulation and oxygenation, which leads to stronger, healthier, and more productive hair follicles. I’ll be using this budget-friendly scalp massage tool each time I oil my hair and/or shampoo to reap all the benefits.
Olaplex
No. 3 Hair Perfector
Deal: 20% off
If you know, you know. Olaplex’s iconic No. 3 Hair Perfector is the original bond-building hair product. It literally repairs broken areas on the hair strand for stronger, healthier hair. It’s my ultimate split-end remedy.
T3
Source Handheld Showerhead
Deal: 20% off
Here’s something you rarely think about—the water you shower in at home. Often, your household water supply contains high levels of minerals like chlorine that lead to dullness, dryness, and frizz. (FYI: That’s what the term “hard water” refers to.) This handheld showerhead contains a filter that uses a complex blend of tourmaline, calcium, zinc, and copper to remove damaging minerals from the water before they hit your hair and skin. That means you’ll see shinier, sleek, and healthier hair and more hydrated skin without using a single product.
Deal: 25% off
I can’t tell you just how much I love this hair oil. It’s one of the only formulas that *actually* does what it says it will—hydrating, smoothing, and strengthening damaged hair. My bleached strands basically drink it up, which is why I’m snagging two or three bottles while it’s on sale.
Briogeo
Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Deal: 25% off
A classic. A masterpiece. An icon. This moisturizing hair mask uses algae extract, B vitamins, almond oil, and rosehip oil to nourish, strengthen, and repair damaged strands. I’ve had one of these little white tubs in my shower for years, and I’m snagging another one during this Dermstore sale.
