Summer Skincare Tips: Stay Refreshed Before and After Your Holiday

When travelling to sunnier destinations during the summer, we can sometimes notice a change in our skin’s behaviour. It might feel oilier, appear more congested or be more prone to redness due to increased heat, humidity, and a greater exposure to UV rays.
Even if you have perfected a set routine, our skin is something that shifts with the seasons, and therefore our steps need to be adapted accordingly.
If you are heading on a holiday and want to prep and protect to keep skin clear and clarified, look at our summer skincare tips for before, during and after your trip below.
How to Prepare Your Skin Before a Holiday
To ensure you feel your best when stepping foot onto the plane pre-holiday, making minor adjustments to your routine in the weeks before is best.
There are two main steps that are recommended for holiday-ready skin: exfoliate and hydrate.
Exfoliation
Aim for regular exfoliation, roughly 2-3 times per week, at least three weeks prior to take off.
For the face, take our Refining Skin Polish to gently lift impurities and sweep away blemish-causing bacteria. As this is a non-abrasive physical exfoliant, paired with moisturising shea butter, it helps to nourish the skin barrier and support a glowing complexion after each use.
To exfoliate the body, a scrub or body brush removes dulling dead skin, dislodges blocked follicles, and sweeps away surface debris, making shaving a smooth-gliding step. Additionally, it allows your subsequent body products to absorb more effectively, meaning any tanning lotion looks seamless, and creams and oils deliver ultra-supple results.
Top Tip: Avoid harsh chemical exfoliants leading up to time in the sun, as they may contribute to feelings of sensitivity.
Hydration
An essential part of any skincare ritual, hydrating the skin counteracts the effects of oiliness, encouraging natural-looking radiance. When on holiday, we are exposed to low-humidity aeroplane air, high UV rays, and the drying consequences of air conditioning.
To prepare for this shift, an overnight moisture-locking mask provides long-lasting nourishment, paired with a light daytime cream to defend against dehydration.
If you want a head start on your sunlit glow, switch your usual body lotion for a gradual tanning formula for radiant nourishment.
Holiday Skincare Tips
Though it can be easy to slip into a laid back and let go mindset while away, keeping up with a streamlined skincare routine can make a significant impact.
Here’s some top skincare tips for a summer spent in the sun:
Protect
A priority every single day, but more so when on holiday, is sun protection. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of factor 30+ not only defends from sunburn, but also the damaging skin ageing effects that UV rays accelerate. Apply generously as the very last step in your routine and top-up frequently for optimal defence.
Cleanse
We tend to use more sunscreen on holiday, sweat more, and are frequently exposed to chlorine and seawater. As a result, double cleansing is a crucial step to clear the complexion of excess product, pollution, and grime.
Begin with your oil-based cleanser to remove surface impurities, then opt for a light gel wash to clarify and refresh.
Hydrate
Pack a multi-action quenching serum or cream moisturiser for skin barrier support and defence from dryness when away. Since sun exposure may speed up dehydration, a topical hydrator is essential, as it acts like a drink of water for your skin.
If applying makeup, a lightweight moisturiser encourages a radiant, healthy-looking complexion. As the cream creates a dewy, smooth base, it enhances the application, wear, and adherence of your cosmetics, while providing a plumper, more polished look.
Cool
To soothe your sun-exposed skin on holiday, consider taking fast-acting, refreshing formulas. Spritz a mist across the complexion for poolside cooling and quick hydration.
Feeling the jetlag? Treat tired eyes with a set of gel masks to help depuff. Consider leaving them in cooling storage like the fridge for an extra-soothing sensation.
Top Tip: When trying to save space, streamline your routine with multi-action formulas – like our SPF-in-moisturiser and three-in-one cleanser.
How to Care for Your Skin After a Holiday
To maintain your post-holiday glow, regular hydration is key. After spending time in the sun, our skin may feel more dry than usual, therefore requiring a nurturing moisturiser to nourish its barrier. And with your summer skin freshly sun-kissed, replenishing its moisture levels is the secret to a long-lasting, even-looking tan.
Soothing skincare is a must-have, too. Cooling toners, serums, masks, milks and creams can help to balance any visible redness and calm the complexion.
Finally, the use of SPF shouldn’t be stopped once you land — daily application is essential to protect against invisible UV rays, still present even when the sun is not shining.
Post-Holiday Skincare Cheat Sheet:
If you are feeling the effects of the sun on your skin, discover how our top picks from the radiance-restoring Optimal Pro range can help to relieve and repair:
Optimal Skin Cleansing Oil
This gentle oil-to-milk cleanser effortlessly refreshes and clarifies thanks to its Omega + Vitamin Complex, while providing a light moisture boost that leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Use as the first step of your routine and follow with a water-based second cleanse.
Optimal Skin Pro-Serum
A multi-benefit oil that utilises brightening botanicals to supercharge your glow. Rich in vitamins and nutrients, it promises to visibly balance skin tone, texture, and moisture levels with continuous use, promoting a naturally luminous result.
Optimal Skin Pro-Moisturiser SPF 30
This two-in-one formula quenches the complexion while protecting against the sun’s rays. Plus, its radiant finish makes the perfect base for any following makeup formulas.
