Founded by bloggers Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Gores Ireland, Summer Fridays is a line of skin care products designed to “relieve stressed-out skin so everyday feels like a Summer Friday”. These bloggers were inspired to create Summer Fridays after trying countless beauty products and treatments and still not being able to achieve an immediate “selfie-worthy glow”.
With a team of industry experts, they formulated their first product—a simple mask that would leave skin looking gorgeous whether you’re hopping off a plane or just running out the door. In this review, we’ll discuss the best selling Summer Fridays skincare products, key ingredients, reviews, and more.
BEST PRODUCTS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
| 2 | Formulyst | Review | |||||
| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | Sunday Riley |
What Are The Best Selling Summer Fridays Skincare Products?
At the time of writing this review, Summer Fridays offers a total of six products: a lip butter balm and five skincare products. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits these products may provide and the key ingredients in their formulations.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
The mask that started it all is called the Jet Lag Mask, a dewy, hydrating mask that is said to soothe thirsty, stressed-out skin by providing skin cells with a nourishing mix of vitamins, ceramides, antioxidants, and gentle exfoliating extracts. It is recommended to apply this mask to cleansed, dry skin (including the under-eye area) and leave it on for a minimum of 10 minutes. Unlike other masks, the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask does not need to be rinsed, just wiped off with a warm cloth or towel.
Summer Fridays R+R Mask
Another Summer Fridays face mask is called the R+R Mask, which features delicately ground wild rose powder to help remove dead skin cells while also replenishing skin with plenty of antioxidant-rich oils. The mask should be massaged into dry, cleansed skin and left on for 10 minutes. R+R Mask should be removed with a damp washcloth.
Summer Fridays Overtime Mask
The third Summer Fridays face mask is called Overtime Mask, a clarifying mask designed for dull or congested skin. This mask is said to gently exfoliate and polish away dead skin cells for a luminous effects. Overtime Mask should be massaged into dry, cleansed skin, left on for 10 minutes, then washed off with warm water. It can be used twice a week or whenever skin feels dull.
Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser
The Summer Fridays cleanser is a gentle, pH-balancing gel cleanser that is said to replenish, protect, and support skin elasticity due to the combination of 11 different amino acids. The cleanser also contains naturally-derived surfactants, such as coco-glucoside and disodium cocoamphodiacetate. A surfactant molecule contains one end that is hydrophilic (attracted to water) and one end that is lipophilic (attracted to oil). This allows surfactants to attract and suspends oils, dirt, and other impurities that have accumulated on the skin and wash them away, leaving the skin clean.
Summer Fridays CC Me Serum
The final Summer Fridays skincare product is the CC Me Serum, a daily brightening serum that is said to deliver instant brightness while reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. A few drops of CC Me Serum can be applied to cleansed, dry skin and followed by your favorite moisturizer and SPF.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is a silky vegan lip mask that is said to hydrate and soothe lips in seconds while sealing in moisture. The formula contains a blend of shea and murumuru seed butters, vegan waxes, and natural vanilla flavor.
What Are The Key Summer Fridays Skincare Ingredients?
All Summer Fridays skincare products are vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben free.
Below we’ll discuss the formulation details behind each of the Summer Fridays Skincare products.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask features Castanea sativa (chestnut) seed extract as a key ingredient. Chestnut seed extract contains a high concentration of antioxidants, such as rutin and quercetin, which protect against free radical damage and provide anti-inflammatory effects. Rutin can also improve skin elasticity and decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Another key ingredient in Jet Lag Mask is niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that plays a vital role in cellular metabolism. This means that niacinamide provides skin cells with the energy needed to perform important processes, such as DNA repair and cell turnover. Niacinamide also has the ability to repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkling.
Summer Fridays R+R Mask uses several different physical exfoliants, including sucrose (sugar), silica, and ground rose flower powder. When you massage these ingredients into the skin, they help to remove dead skin cells from the surface. However, many skin care experts agree that using products with these large, irregularly-shaped particles can damage skin by causing micro-tears in its surface. With continued use, micro-tears weaken the skin’s barrier and may cause dry, flaky patches, redness, and signs of sensitivity.
Unfortunately, the same problem exists with Summer Fridays Overtime Mask, which utilizes ground apricot seed powder to physically exfoliate skin. Once again, these particles can be too abrasive and may cause micro-tears in the skin. In addition, the Overtime Mask contains numerous fragrant plant extracts, such as lavender, cinnamon, and clove, which have the potential to cause sensitization and irritation. There is a good mix of emollient plant oils in the Overtime Mask, such as sweet almond oil and safflower seed oil, but the hydrating effects of these oils may be counteracted by the sensitizing ingredients in this mask.
As the name implies, the key ingredients in the Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser are amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of peptides and proteins. This is why topical application of amino acids may help to stimulate synthesis of collagen, the main structural protein in your skin. In addition, amino acids are naturally present in the skin as part of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The role of the NMF is to maintain adequate skin hydration. Therefore, topical application of amino acids can help to replenish the NMF, leaving the skin soft and hydrated.
CC Me Serum helps to brighten skin with two stable vitamin C derivatives: 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside. Both derivatives are converted to ascorbic acid, the active form of vitamin C, once absorbed into the skin. Ascorbic acid exerts potent antioxidant activity. Like other antioxidants, ascorbic acid is capable of protecting the skin from free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ascorbic acid also serves as a cofactor for two enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of collagen. According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, clinical studies have shown that the topical use of L-ascorbic acid increases collagen production in both young and aged human skin. By increasing the amount of collagen in the skin, signs of aging will be diminished and the skin will appear more firm. Lastly, ascorbic acid can decrease the appearance of dark spots and improve uneven skin tone through inhibition of melanin synthesis.
Where are Summer Fridays Skincare Products Sold?
Summer Fridays skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as several third party online retailers, such as Sephora and Amazon.
Is Summer Fridays Cruelty Free?
Yes, Summer Fridays is cruelty free. The brand does not test finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do their suppliers or any third-parties.
Summer Fridays Reviews
Summer Fridays reviews on the brand’s website are very positive. The product with the most reviews is the Jet Lag Mask, which has earned an average of 5 out of 5 stars. Many of the reviews mention that this mask effectively hydrates skin, leaving it feeling soft and looking plump. The R+R Mask has also received an average of 5 out of 5 stars after 174 customer reviews. Out of all these reviews, only one customer pointed out that the exfoliating particles were too rough on the skin. The Overtime Mask has received an average of 5 out of 5 stars after 172 customer reviews. Customers love the smell, the texture of this product, and how it makes their skin feel afterward. Lastly, the CC Me Serum has only received one customer review so far. This customer said the CC Me Serum smells amazing, goes on smooth, and instantly makes skin feel younger and more hydrated.
What Are Some Alternatives?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.
References:
1. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 143–146.
2. Amino Acids 2012 Jun;42(6):2481-9.
