How to keep your summer glow

“Skincare first, makeup second.” The beauty story doesn’t list who uttered this truism first, but TikTok-based Korean skincare advocate Ava Lee argues that it’s key to what she calls “jello- called skin. It’s her livelier take on “glass skin” — a dewy, almost reflective look achieved through a combination of supplements, skincare, and makeup that captivates with its resemblance to, well, more youthful skin.

“Ingesting collagen stimulates your own body to create collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin, the compounds that make skin elastic, plump, and glowing,” says Wellness author and HTSI Associate editor Rebecca Newman. Lee shows his followers how to make their own collagen ‘soup’ at home, but if you’re pressed for time, Newman recommends supplements like Artah Skin Clinic (£52 for a month’s supply) and Nue Co’s Skin Hydrator (£27) – with ingredients -topical aloe vera to protect the skin’s barrier – or Pippa Campbell Health’s Radiance formula (£44.35) with marine collagen and astaxanthin, an antioxidant found in seaweed that protects cells from damage.

“The benefit of the ‘skinside-out’ approach is that not only is it good for your face, but it’s good for skin all over your body and actually good for overall health,” says Newman. That’s why glowing skin is so attractive in the first place – we’re programmed to recognize it as an outward sign of inner health.

The skin that comes with returning from vacation isn’t just the effect of a blast of vitamin D. Downtime is usually less filled with stress and poor sleep, both of which increase cortisol levels and lead to the breakdown of collagen. But what’s the best way to capture the glow of summer? Complement supplements with glowing skincare and makeup, drinking alcohol in moderation, and going to bed early have long-term benefits for your health and, in turn, your skin.

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Ilody Luxmi Hydrating Radiance Serum

There are many collagen serums out there, but I like this one—packed with botanicals like skin-lightening licorice—for its multifunctionality and a squishy gel consistency that promises fullness. Moisturizing and nourishing, it’s great as a morning foundation before makeup – or its vibrant gold hue can be mixed into foundation to add shine to base makeup. £72 for 30ml, ilodyskincare.com

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Susanne Kaufmann light mask

A great 15 minute brightening mask for a fast route to a radiant glow. It uses gentle exfoliating papaya powder, red date seed extract for its antioxidant properties and raspberry fruit extract for hydration. Ginger root extract and caffeine provide a plumping effect. £60 for 50ml, susannekaufmann.com

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Inika Brilliant Veil

“I always recommend using a glow-in-the-dark primer before applying makeup to create a glow, rather than just putting a highlighter on top,” says makeup artist Brooke Simons. “Apply to cleansed, moisturized, sun-protected skin as a final step before base makeup.” She favors Inika’s Radiant Glow Veil, high-fatty kukui nut oil, magnolia bark for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, argan oil for the all-important plumping, and combines the hero ingredient of the moment, soothing aloe vera. £44 for 30ml, inikaorganic.com

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Revive Glow Elixir Hydrating Radiance Oil

Probably everything from RéVive, which was invented 25 years ago by the reconstructive surgeon Dr. Gregory Brown and uses Nobel Prize-winning technology will make your face look brighter. But for a spotty mother-of-pearl shine, this little bottle is just the thing. It contains the brand’s Bio-Renewal Protein, which helps skin look rejuvenated and revitalized, so never mind using it as a highlighter and sweeping a small amount all over skin after foundation. £100 for 30ml, harveynichols.com

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Ultra Violet Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil

The brave – or the very beautiful – like to dab on their glowing serum and go. For everyone else, there’s a tinted moisturizer that will add a bit of coverage while preserving the shine. Australian brand Ultra Violette’s new skin tint comes with SPF50 and the smooth, silky feel of a silicone-based product, but without the silicone (which can be irritating on some skin types). It is also oil, perfume and alcohol free. That’s good as long as the sun is still shining. For Autumn/Winter, I still find Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (£34 for 50ml) to be the ultimate lighter coverage, especially for dry or sensitive skin. £38 for 50ml, spacenk.com

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Sann Nourish + Care Firm Lip Serum

The “clean girl” makeup obsession is the latest manifestation of no-makeup makeup, which has been prevalent in one form or another since the 1990s. In this latest iteration, eyes and lips are best taken care of with totally color-free balms with gentle ingredients that can soothe and hydrate. Sann’s lip “serum” isn’t waxy or shiny, just perfectly glossy, which it seems to achieve with ingredients like cannabis oil, meadowfoam oil (as a barrier to moisture loss), and good ol’ cocoa butter. £22, www.sannbeauty.com

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Peep Club Soothing Coconut Eye Balm

This is not an eye cream per se, but a balm that acts as both an eye makeup remover and a clear gloss. Optometrist and brand co-founder Nicola Mari-Alexander says it nourishes the entire eye area, including the delicate skin around the eyes. “It’s a base of premium raw organic coconut oil, enriched with cranberry, which is a powerful antioxidant, and soothing chamomile — making it an all-around delicious treat that’ll make your eyes shine,” she says. Like the lip serum above, it’s devoid of the waxiness inherent in many balms. £20 for 120ml, peepclub.com

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray

The problem with sheer, lightweight formulas is that they are just that – and what’s gained in natural-looking radiance can be lost in staying power. Not only does this setting spray hold makeup in place, it does what the very glittery can promises, adding a subtle shine without drying out the skin. £28 for 100ml, anastasiabeverlyhills.com