Summer is in full swing and my kids and I are having so much fun by the pool, on the beach, camping and spending some quality time with the family. Through some trial and error, I was able to narrow down my summer essential list which turned out to be my time-tested favorites that never let me down and I thought I would share them!
Sun protection
First and foremost, and arguably most important, is SPF! Wearing sunscreen reduces your risk of skin cancer, but you need to make sure that you are getting at least SPF 30 to block out the most harmful UV rays. It also prevents early wrinkles and premature aging! BB Lifestyle has great sunscreen that my husband and I use. I use Think Sun Care & Baby Care for my children.
Lip balm
Dry lips are never fun, but it’s one of my biggest battles in summer. Wearing SPF lip balm is ideal because the skin on the lips is thinner than the skin on the face and therefore more prone to dryness and sunburn. The two lip balms that I have found most successful are Botanica Wellness Products and Sun Bum.
Essential oils
Sunburn is never fun, but sometimes summer is part of it. Aloe is always soothing, but I’ve found that using essential oils was much more helpful on sunburns. Vitamin E, vitamin C, peppermint, lavender, tea tree, geranium, chamomile, and eucalyptus are all oils that I have found very soothing and helpful after sunburn. I get all of my oils from Vibrant Blue Oils. BB Lifestyle also has a really great regeneration gel against sunburn.
Summer snacks
Snacks are essential for any occasion, but here are a few tips I have for summer! Safe + Fair is a company that I’ve been using for a while that has everything I crave for the summer! Chips, popcorn, and even baking mixes made with clean, plant-based ingredients! Another company that I get my snacks and sweet treats from is BHU Foods. You have endless choices of snacks and foods that fit the keto diet. Both Safe + Fair and BHU Foods make eating goodies guilt free because I know they’re good for me!
Beach towels
Going to the beach or to take away usually takes a good amount of towels. You can hardly go wrong with a towel. However, I try to buy from companies that others benefit from when I buy something. In Sand Cloud, I buy my towels for my family’s summer adventures. They come in so many different designs and sizes and with every purchase 10% of them go to marine conservation.
Swimsuits
It was so hot this summer that we go to the pool, beach or lake at every opportunity! Finding swimsuits that would fit my kids, husband, and me was a challenge, but mix-and-match brands have allowed me to find the ones that suit everyone’s needs. Body Glove is a one stop shop because they have swimwear for everyone! They also have life jackets for the kids that keep me safe when they play in the sea or lake. Personally, I love Robin Piccone for my swimwear, they are so cute and comfy! I also order from Mott50 because they have super cute matching sets for the whole family and they even put SPF in their suits for extra protection!
Hats
Being in the sun with my family is wonderful, but in addition to sunscreen, I always have a hat with me to protect my face. I can find most of my hats at LOVESTITCH! They also have really great big bags that help me store everything I need to go out and have a great time with my kids.
Pop-up tents
On the subject of sun protection, I found this great company called Pacific Play Tents that make pop-up tents for kids to use when they play outside. They are super easy to set up and provide great shade. They also have perfect chairs for my kids that we take everywhere!
Personalized labels
With all of the fun outings come a lot of personal items. To keep track of things, I use this company called InchBug who make personalized labels for everything. From water bottles to backpacks, they have a label to help you keep track of everything.
Water bottles
Summer is always a very special time for my family and it is so much fun going out and making memories. These are my tools to ensure my family is safe, protected, and well fed for any adventure! I hope you find it as helpful as I do!
Find Jessica Hall on IG@jessicahall
