It's Vacation Season: Your Skincare Must-Haves & Must-Nots for your Travel
The Skin Savant is giving us all the must-knows before packing for your next summer vacation in her new feature on New Beauty.
What products should you NOT bring on a beach vacation? Why?
I recommend leaving strong chemical exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids out of your beach bag. These ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, increasing the risk of sunburn and hyperpigmentation. Products with benzoyl peroxide or other drying agents should also be avoided, as they can dehydrate your skin in the sun and saltwater. Also it’s best to skip any invasive lasers or peels right before your trip. I love a good a laser treatment but I’m always cautious to plan for plenty of downtime before any time in the sun.
What ingredients should you avoid when going on a beach trip?
The best approach for beach days is to avoid ingredients that can increase sun sensitivity or disrupt your skin barrier. Chemical exfoliants and salicylic acid as well as retinoids, can heighten your risk of sunburn and irritation. Benzoyl peroxide and high-dose exfoliating enzymes can also cause dryness and inflammation when combined with sun exposure and saltwater. I also avoid heavy makeup products that can trap sweat and clog pores in the heat, leading to breakouts. Stick with lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas, and save the intensive treatments for after your trip.
What ingredients should you prioritize?
Prioritize protection, hydration, and simplicity. See my top favorite travel essentials.
1. The Preservationist - Lenox and Sixteenth
I never skip the Preservationist from Lenox and Sixteenth. It’s the vacation moisturizer of my dreams. Not only does it brighten, but it’s packed with peptides to plump and hydrate the skin, leaving it effortlessly radiant.
I love the HA Immerse from Alastin. It’s lightweight yet deeply hydrating and helps replenish moisture and plump the skin. This is especially important after sun and salt exposure.
3. NUDA's Solarglow Mineral SPF
For a no-makeup, glow-from-within look, swap foundation for NUDA’s Solarglow Mineral SPF. This is my go-to for sheer coverage, sun protection, and a luminous finish in one step.
And don’t forget to top it all off with the De La Heart Visor. A stylish, breathable, essential for keeping your face shaded and skin safe while you soak up the sun.
