Packing for a summer holiday can be tricky — you want to travel light without compromising your beauty routine. Here’s what to bring on sunny vacations to help you look and feel your best.
Sunscreen
Exposure to UV rays can wreak havoc on your skin, causing premature aging, dark spots, and even skin cancer. A high-quality sunscreen like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sun Cream SPF50+ is a holiday must-have.
Its advanced filtering system offers optimal UVA/UVB protection, and it comes as a fast-absorbing, non-greasy lotion that’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It also contains antioxidants, including senna alata to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals.
Just make sure to throw in your bag if you’re headed to the pool or beach or hiking through the canyons so you can apply it regularly throughout the day to shield your skin from burning and photo-aging. It’s easy to use and glides on to give you a nice, easy layer on the skin.
In addition to protecting your skin with sunscreen, seek shade in the intense hours of sunlight between 11 AM and 3 PM, cover up when necessary, and wear a hat.
Moisturizer
Keeping skin hydrated with a good moisturizer is the key to maintaining a glowing, youthful complexion while away. The Lotus Youth Preserve Smoothing Day Cream from Fresh is the best moisturizer to pack for a vacation, providing intense 24-hour hydration.
It’s enriched with nourishing lotus flower extract and has a lightweight cream texture that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. It also contains vitamins C and E to protect against environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays, making it ideal for sunny and humid summer days.
Concealer
A full-coverage concealer is essential for covering blemishes, dark circles, and redness. NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer provides natural-looking, opaque coverage in a crease-resistant formula. Just a few dabs will mask imperfections for a flawless, airbrushed complexion. The creamy texture blends seamlessly and lasts all day. You can also use it as a contour to enhance your features.
Eye Cream (with SPF)
You’ll likely be out in the sun all day, so using an eye cream with SPF is best. Supergoop’s Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 is enriched with skin-protecting caffeine and probiotics, and it disappears on the skin as soon as you apply it.
Simply dab the product under the eyes with your fingers, then massage the under-eye area with the metal applicator for cooling relief. The non-greasy formula contains high amounts of zinc oxide, allowing the product to stay on no matter how hot and humid it is.
Green tea eye cream underneath your sleep mask on the plane can also help boost circulation around the eye area.
Vitamin C Serum
A vitamin C serum is essential for summer to enhance and complement sunscreen protection. That’s because it can capture free radicals generated from UVs that get through your sunscreen.
Clinique’s Fresh Pressed Daily Booster Serum with Pure Vitamin C is perfect for travel. To apply it, simply remove the foil, press the inner bulb to release the powder, and shake it up well to mix it properly.
One pump releases enough for your face and neck, and the emulsion is viscous and spreadable, so a little goes a long way. It’s also hydrating, fast-absorbing, and dries quickly. However, you may want to apply it before your other products and then apply the rest of your routine.
Lip Balm
Lips become quickly parched from sun, chlorine, and saltwater exposure. So, pack a nourishing lip balm like Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask to keep your pout soft and smooth. This leave-on overnight mask delivers intense moisture with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.
The Berry blend also adds a juicy pop of color while you sleep so you can wake up to baby-soft lips. Apply a layer before hitting the beach or pool to protect against dryness, and drink plenty of water to keep your lips hydrated from the inside out.
Masks
Hydrating sheet masks like the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask can instantly boost your skin quality. The lightweight fabric is soaked in Pitera juice, containing over 50 micronutrients.
The masks come individually packed, making them super convenient to use anytime your face needs a pick-me-up. Leave it on and relax for 15–20 minutes for moisture-drenched, glowing skin.
You can also consider applying a cooling mask the night before your travel by plane to help revitalize your face because being on the plane can suck moisture out of your skin, leaving it dry and lackluster.
Befine’s Cucumber Facial Mask works perfectly for this. Apply a light mask layer all over your face and leave it in for five minutes before wiping it clean. It has tightening effects and leaves a lovely nude complexion.
Also, bring on board some soothing under-eye patches. You must peel them off and stick them under your eyes where they feel the most puffy. It’s a great way to pamper yourself mid-flight and give you a well-rested appearance when getting off the plane.
Waterproof Mascara
Thanks to humidity, regular mascara is prone to smudging and flaking off. Waterproof formulas will stay put no matter how hot it gets. The Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara is legendary for its hardcore smudge-proof power.
Just one coat provides curl and dramatic volume that won’t budge. Plus, it easily washes off with warm water, making removal a breeze.
Look As Gorgeous As Your Destination
A good moisturizer, sun protection, lip care, and makeup essentials like concealer and mascara will make you look fab all summer. Just pack it all in your carry-on in case of lost luggage, and remember to stay hydrated to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy in the heat.
