Ready, Set, Vacation: 5 Products To Pack In Your Suitcase For Perfect Vacation Skin

Summer is in full swing, which means that - if you’re lucky - you’re just a hop, skip, and a jump away from arguably the best part of summer: summer vacation.

Whether your summer vacation has you jet-setting across the world to a tropical locale or driving a few hours to the coast, you want to make sure you have everything in your suitcase you need to have the vacation of a lifetime. And that includes the right skincare products.

One of the trademark characteristics of vacation is feeling loose, relaxed, and getting away from your daily routine. And while taking a more casual approach to your skin on vacation is ok, you might be tempted to get a bit too relaxed with your skincare and abandon your day-to-day regimen.

But don’t worry! There’s a happy middle ground. You can take care of your skin on vacation without reserving half of your suitcase for products.

Here are five products to pack in your suitcase for perfect vacation skin:

Sunscreen

This one should be a no-brainer, but if you’re off on vacation - where you’ll be spending a lot more time than usual enjoying the great outdoors - you must, must, MUST bring sunscreen.

Many people, in hopes of returning from their trip with an enviable “I just got back from vacation” tan, abandon sunscreen and head into the sun unprotected. But unless you want to be fighting sun damage long after summer has come and gone, it’s super important that you protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

Make sure to pack two types of sunscreen in your suitcase - one for your face and one for your body. Aim for at least SPF30 (if you burn easily, go for SPF50 - better safe than sorry!) and reapply every few hours (more if you’re sweating or swimming).

And remember - if you’re using a chemical sunscreen, it takes about 20 minutes to fully absorb into the skin and offer protection, so make sure you lather up before you head outside.

Hydrating Facial Mist

Even though summer vacation is typically associated with heat, sweat, and an overall oily feeling to the skin, they can actually leave your skin feeling dry and dehydrated.

Vacation is full of opportunities for parched skin, including long plane rides, air conditioning, chlorine, and too much fun in the sun. And while your skin might feel oily when you’re laying on the beach (thanks to the sweat and sunscreen), when you get back to your hotel, you’re likely to feel totally dry.

Keeping a hydrating facial mist, like CAUDALIE Grape Water, in your purse throughout your vacation can help to combat that dryness and keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated for your trip: beginning to end. Spritz your face on the plane, after you get out of the pool, when you’re blasting the A/C, and when you get back from your sun-filled adventures.

Vitamin C Serum

When you’re on summer vacation, you’re going to be in the sun. A lot. Which means that your skin is susceptible to all kinds of sun damage, which is why it’s important to throw a Vitamin C serum, like Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu C X 30 Vitamin C Brightening Serum, into your suitcase before you jet.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to help reverse the signs of sun damage. So if any dark spots pop up as a result of your sunbathing, you’re going to want to have your handy dandy Vitamin C to do damage control.

In addition to causing discoloration, too much sun can also leaving your skin looking a little… worse for wear. Vitamin C will add an overall brightness to the skin and boost collagen production, which will help fight fine-lines and wrinkles.

CC Cream

Vacations are, by definition, supposed to be laid back. Which is why you probably don’t want to do a full face of makeup, including a heavy foundation, every time you leave your vacation home to head to the store or grab dinner. But you probably don’t want to go bare-faced, either.

Which is why CC Cream is a MUST in your suitcase.

CC Cream is the skincare world’s best multitasker. It gives you a light coverage (perfect for a laid back vacation look), protects your skin from the sun (look for a CC Cream with SPF30 or above, like Supergoop! CC Cream Daily Protect Broad Spectrum SPF35+), AND doubles as a skincare product, offering a host of benefits like color correction and anti-aging properties. Plus, it’s super easy to apply, making this the perfect companion for your vacation adventures.

A Calming Treatment In Case You Get Too Much Sun

Even if you’re crazy about applying (and reapplying) sunscreen, on vacation, you always seem to get too much sun, which can leave your skin irritated, dry, red, and in desperate need of some TLC.

A potent treatment to calm your skin after too much face-time with the sun’s harmful rays can help reverse any vacation damage and soothe any irritation. The DERMOVIA Lace Your Face Calming Chamomile is the perfect treatment for too much fun in the sun thanks to chamomile extract, aloe vera, and apple stem cell. Put the mask on for 30 minutes while you unwind from your day spent in the sun.

You don’t have to bring every product you own with you on vacation, but before you leave, make sure these five products snag a place in your suitcase!