Published Jun 9, 2021

I’m a Derm, and These Are the New Summer Beauty Products That Are Worth the Hype

Dermatologist Hadley King is breaking down seven must-have summer beauty essentials for max protection and glow all season long.

I’m a Derm, and These Are the New Summer Beauty Products That Are Worth the Hype

Dermatologist Hadley King is breaking down seven must-have summer beauty essentials for max protection and glow all season long.

Published Jun 9, 2021

In Partnership With

Saks Fifth Avenue

Written by

Well+Good Editors

Published Jun 9, 2021

In Partnership With

Saks Fifth Avenue

Written by

Well+Good Editors

Once summer hits and your Instagram feed lights up with endorsements of all the products you *need* for no-makeup-makeup selfies and dewy complexion close-ups—you probably start to wonder: Which products actually live up to the hype?

It’s way too easy to get sucked down a summer glow shopping hole, which is why we asked Hadley King, MD and board-certified dermatologist in New York City, what the true must-haves for a solid summertime routine are. At the top of her list? Antioxidants (specifically, a vitamin C) and a moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher with broad spectrum protection.

“Sunscreens, either mineral or chemical, help to protect the skin from UV radiation,” Dr. King says. “But if these ingredients are combined with antioxidants like vitamin C, then the protection has been shown to be greater because the antioxidants help to neutralize the free radicals from UV rays.” Basically, with just two ingredients, your glow is on lock.

To score all the high-quality vitamin C serums, soothing moisturizers, and top-of-the-line SPF products you need in one place, Saks Fifth Avenue—the ultimate destination for all things clean beauty thanks to its huge selection of the latest luxury and organic beauty products—is your one-stop shop.

For proof, we rounded up seven new (derm-approved) products to slot into your summer beauty routine ASAP to help your complexion feel healthy and glowing all season long.

Keep scrolling for the 7 summer beauty products a dermatologist says are worth the hype.

Espa Gradual Tan Body Moisturizer — $60.00

If keeping sun exposure to a minimum is your goal over the warm-weather months, that doesn’t mean you can’t maintain a sun-kissed glow. Tapping shea butter and sweet almond oil, this head-to-toe tanning moisturizer delivers both hydration and a natural-looking, all-over bronze.

“Shea butter contains fatty acids that have been shown to improve the skin barrier,” Dr. King says. “Sweet almond oil, with anti-inflammatory fatty acids and vitamins A and E, is a great choice for good moisturizing and antioxidant properties.”

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Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF+ Sunscreen — $49.00

An SPF product that becomes more effective in heat and water? Yep, it exists—and it’s vying for a front-row spot in your summer beauty cabinet. This one uses Shiseido’s WetForce technology, which combines the formula’s negative ions with positive ions in sweat and water, to provide an extra layer of sun protection that will keep working while you’re busy enjoying your day at the pool or beach.

Plus, Dr. King always recommends an SPF of 30 or above, and this SPF 50+ sunscreen can be used on both your face and body for max protection all summer.

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Eleven by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum — $50.00

As the last step in your routine before layering on your makeup, this lightweight serum combines skin care and sun protection into one product (and with SPF 35 it passes Dr. King’s hype test).

Made with 25 percent zinc oxide for reef-safe, broad-spectrum protection and prickly pear for soothing hydration, this summertime, sun-blocking serum is a no-brainer. Even better? The serum dries clear, with no chalky finish (unlike many other mineral sunscreens), so it’s a great option for all skin tones.

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Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer — $45.00

A go-to tinted moisturizer is a must for summer, and this super-lightweight one hydrates while also enriching skin with vitamin C—as well as protecting your complexion from UV rays with SPF 30. (So, yes it does everything.)

“Neutralizing free radicals with antioxidants such as vitamin C improves the prevention of photo-damage (changes in the skin from the result of sun exposure),” Dr. King says. Plus, how can you forget to put on SPF when it’s infused directly into your daily moisturizer?

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Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder — $56.00

Give your glow a boost without spending more time in the sun (since sun exposure usually equals skin damage) with this easy-to-blend, transfer-resistant bronzer. It taps nourishing argan oil to bronze and soothe your skin at the same time for a hydrated, sunkissed finish that will last all day.

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Shiseido Oil-Control Blotting Paper — $20.00

Sunny park picnics are peak summer bliss—but they usually come with some (or a lot of) sweat. These on-the-go blotting sheets absorb oil and eliminate shine for a fresh finish.

“The advantage of blotting papers over powders is that you are removing oil without adding more product,” Dr. King says. Keeping your look intact despite the humidity? That’s definitely a summer beauty win.

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Larq Double Walled Self Sanitizing Water Bottle — $95.00

Though a water bottle is not technically a beauty product in the traditional sense, according to Dr. King, one of the best ways to keep your complexion looking healthy is to hydrate it from the inside out.

“Maintaining adequate hydration is not only necessary for keeping our body functioning properly, it also helps make our skin more plump and resilient,” Dr. King says. “This can be particularly important when temperatures rise because we lose more fluid through sweating.”

Keep this self-cleaning water bottle—which chills drinks for up to 24 hours and uses UV-C LED light to eliminate bio-contaminants from the water and the bottle—in your tote to have on hand during all your summer adventures.

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Food

Published Feb 20, 2025

The Making of an Internet-Famous Fruit: How Sumo Citrus Has Captured Hearts, Tastebuds, and a Devoted Following

Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With

Sumo Citrus

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Photo: Sumo Citrus® & W+G Creative

Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With

Sumo Citrus

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Confession time: I love citrus—zesty limes squeezed on my tacos, fresh-squeezed orange juice on slow Sunday mornings, and the invigorating scent of grapefruit candles when I need to unwind. But when it comes to eating whole citrus fruits? Historically, not my thing. The mess of peeling, the sticky fingers, the rogue juice dribbling down my wrists—for me, most citrus has never been worth the (literal) squeeze.

Then, one day, my roommate came home from the store with an oversized citrus I didn’t recognize. She told me I had to try a piece, while effortlessly peeling it in one smooth motion—no mess, no struggle. I skeptically accepted a slice, wondering what the big deal was.

To my surprise, the experience was completely sticky-fingers-free. And the taste? Unlike any citrus I’d had before—enormously sweet, impossibly juicy, and balanced with just a hint of tang. That was my first bite of Sumo Citrus^®—and now, I understand why The Office actress Jenna Fischer planted a Sumo Citrus tree in her yard, John Mayer peeled it on TikTok, and it has its very own merch (kind of eyeing that beanie, TBH).

So, what’s earned Sumo Citrus this devoted following? Sumo is taking the sweetness on the road for you to experience it yourself with the Tastemonial Tour—and it’s making a special stop at House of Good during our Ultimate Citrus Experience pop-up from February 21 to 23. Stop by for the hype if you're in Los Angeles, and read on to find out how this one-of-a-kind fruit became a seasonal fruit fixation.

Find Sumo Citrus Near You

Sumo Citrus wasn’t just plucked from a tree one day and marketed as the next big thing—it’s the result of decades of careful cultivation, according to Sunnia Gull, AC Food’s vice president of marketing. First developed in Japan in the 1970s, it was naturally bred to combine the best traits of different citrus varieties—including the sweetness of mandarins, the juiciness of navel oranges, and the easy-to-peel skin of a satsuma.

Despite its popularity, growing Sumo Citrus is no easy feat. It takes years of expertise to perfect, and California’s Central Valley is the only place in the United States where it’s grown. Even then, farmers face unpredictable weather challenges, which means every piece of fruit that makes it to the store is a result of careful tending and patience.

The first thing you notice about Sumo Citrus is its size—it’s the largest variety of mandarins. The second? Its signature Top Knot^®, a bump on top of the fruit that serves as an easier way to peel it. The skin practically lifts off, revealing plump, seedless segments that don’t leave your hands coated in juice and stubborn pith.

Every Sumo Citrus is guaranteed to be incredibly sweet, thanks to each being measured on the “brix meter,” to ensure it meets sky-high sweetness standards before hitting shelves, Gull says. For those who prefer their fruit without surprise sour bites, it’s a game-changer.

Beyond its chef’s-kiss flavor and finally-I-don’t-need-a-wet-wipe convenience, Sumo Citrus packs a *serious* nutritional punch. Each fruit contains 163 percent of your daily vitamin C, along with fiber, potassium, and a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has antioxidant benefits. Whether you’re looking for immunity support, a gut-friendly snack, or a natural energy source, it fits the bill. Bonus: It’s the kind of snack I can toss in my bag and eat in two minutes flat—way better than the sad granola bar that’s been in my purse for the past three months.

And while Sumo Citrus is made to eat straight out of the peel, fans have gotten creative with how they use it. The fruit’s sweetness and juiciness make it an ideal addition to everything from bright citrus salads to zesty cocktails and refreshing desserts. Its bold flavor also complements savory dishes—think citrus-glazed salmon or a tangy dressing for roasted vegetables.

All of that creativity may be a result of the fact that Sumo Citrus is here for a good time, but not a long time. Unlike standard grocery store oranges that are available year-round, Sumo Citrus has a limited growing season, running only from January to April. This short window has created an almost cult-like following, with fans stocking up as soon as they see the signature purple sticker in stores.

I get it—now that I’ve experienced Sumo, I fully understand the impulse to grab them while they last. The anticipation is almost part of the appeal: Like cherry blossom season or holiday peppermint mochas, Sumo’s fleeting availability makes it even more special. And when the season ends? People (me) are already counting down the days until its return. Conclusion: Do yourself a favor and grab a few before they disappear for the year. Because once you’ve had a taste of this juicy citrus, there’s no going back.

Psst: Want a taste ASAP? The Sumo Tastemonial Tour is rolling into Belmont Park in San Diego from February 28 to March 1, Boreal Ski Resort in Tahoe from March 7 to 8, Craig Ranch Regional Park in Las Vegas from March 10 to 11, and La Encantada in Tuscon from March 14 to 15—or stop by House of Good in Venice Beach for the Ultimate Citrus Experience from February 21 to 23.