Summer skin: The ultimate skincare tips for travel & festivals
With the warm summer months right around the corner, many of us will be looking forward to long sunny days sitting by the pool or counting down the minutes until festival season starts back up again.
Whether you prefer a chilled-out summer or a more action-packed one, there’s no better feeling than basking in the sunshine and soaking in that vitamin D.
From hopping on flights to swimming in the sea, one thing you may neglect in the warmer months is your skin. And it’s safe to say that while you’re having the summer of your life, your skin can take quite a hit.
To ensure your face is glowing for all the right reasons in the months ahead, we’ve pulled together the ultimate summer skincare guide, covering everything from keeping hydrated while on a plane to festival skincare hacks and common SPF myths to avoid.
How to pack skincare for travel
When it comes to long-haul flights, it's perfectly acceptable to forgo glamor in favor of comfort.
The dry air inside an aircraft can cause skin dehydration, potentially triggering an excess production of sebum. If you've applied a full face of makeup before your flight, the foundation on your skin, combined with dirt and sebum over time, is the perfect breeding ground for pimples to form.
For this reason, we always recommend traveling makeup free - but with ample skincare products applied. Strap in for this section in the guide, as we’ll be walking you through how you can create the ultimate “in-air” skincare kit.
What skincare to pack for your flight:
- Hand sanitizer
- Hand cream
- Glycerin-based mist spray
- Eye drops
- Facial oil
- Moisturizer
- Lip balm
- Concealer
If you’re applying product to your face on a flight, then you’ll need to make sure that your hands are as clean as possible. Consider everything you may have touched from the moment you left your house to navigating through the airport and finding your seat on the plane... that's a multitude of germs and bacteria. For this reason, hand sanitizer should be your best friend when traveling.
Moreover, accessing the bathroom on your flight at the most convenient time for your skincare routine isn't always within your control. Instead, having a hand sanitizer in your travel bag ensures that you won't need to wait for the airplane bathroom to become available when you're ready to relax and begin your skincare routine.
For the same hygiene purposes, it’s worth packing either some tissues or wipes in your bag too.
Always keep hand cream within reach when flying. The constantly recirculated air on the plane can significantly dehydrate your skin during your flight.
Preparing a plastic spray bottle filled with a glycerin-based mist is a step you won't regret before your flight. In fact, you're likely to reach for this more than anything else during your flight for an instant refresh and hydration boost.
Another essential item for your kit is eye drops, especially if you often experience dryness or itchiness during flights.
If you’re on a long-haul flight, it’s worth reapplying them every two hours, and after you’ve had a nap too.
To give your flight an immediate upgrade (without paying extra for it), packing your favorite facial oil is an easy way to achieve a more luxurious experience.
Facial oil will help to calm your skin on the flight and acts as an additional layer of protection too.
The type of moisturizer you pack will largely depend on your skin type, but using this product during your flight will be key to locking the moisture into your skin and preventing it from drying out completely upon landing.
It’s no secret that lips are often the first area of the face to dry out, and this is even more true on an airplane so keeping them as hydrated as possible with a lip balm or lip oil is a safe measure.
Also, if you’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors in the sunshine, then your lips might already be struggling as a result so keep them topped up with a hydrating product.
If traveling completely makeup-free is something you do not feel comfortable with, then packing a concealer or tinted moisturizer to apply when they turn the seatbelt lights back on for a subtle hint of color is the safest option to prevent any skin flare ups or irritation.
Essential summer skincare tips - the dos and don’ts
The changes you make as the seasons shift from cold to warm affects your daily life. Sitting in an air-conditioned room instead of a heated room with dry air means you need to make a few lifestyle adjustments for your skin too. For instance, you’ll need lighter skincare products - not just lighter clothing in the summer.
The three main culprits of dehydrated, dry skin in summer tend to be overindulgence in alcohol, salt, and sugar so be wary of your lifestyle choices in the warmer months too, and the impact this can have on your skin.
The importance of vitamin D
It’s worth noting in this section of the guide, we’ll be highlighting the crucial role Vitamins D plays in your overall health and wellbeing. While basking in the sunshine after weeks of dull weather and grey skies can feel rejuvenating, especially after a long winter, it's essential to be mindful that excessive sun exposure can also have adverse effects on your health but on the flip side to this, there is too little sun, which is what can cause deficiencies in the winter.
Alcohol intake
During the summer months, it's common to indulge in more alcohol as we relax and spend time outdoors with friends. However, it's important to be aware that alcohol can have detrimental effects on your skin. For example, alcohol is highly dehydrating and predominantly consists of sugar, which can significantly impact your skin's health.
If you skip your skincare routines because of the effects of an awful hangover, any skin concerns you experience will only get worse as a result.
It's important to note that if you are disciplined, you can enjoy a glass of good quality wine now and then. However, if you find it challenging to moderate your alcohol intake, reconsidering your consumption altogether might be beneficial.
How to protect your skin in the sun
While basking in the summer sun can feel glorious, witnessing your tan deepen over time, it's crucial to recognize that most sun damage occurs within the first 20 years of life.
That doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to enjoy the sun - just be sure you know how to protect yourself first. Even on those cloudy days.
To avoid the ‘lobster’ look this summer, here are the basics you need to know when it comes to buying the right SPF. We recommend using broad-spectrum sunscreen - UVA and UVB. If you’re wondering hat’s the difference between UVA and UVB: UVA rays penetrate deeply into your skin, gradually deteriorating its elasticity and causing premature aging, while UVB rays induce skin damage and can potentially lead to skin cancer.
Always aim to use SPF30 or SPF50 and try to avoid anything lower than that.
Remember not to limit SPF application to just your face. In fact, the most vulnerable areas of the body to sun damage include the tops of the ears, the back of the neck, and the nose, so be sure to protect these areas as well!
Aim to apply at least a teaspoonful for each body part. For instance:
- Face and neck: 1 teaspoon
- Chest: 2 teaspoons
- Back: 2 teaspoons
- Arms: 2 teaspoons
- Legs: 2-3 teaspoons
Also, it’s important to note that SPF degrades over time so you’ll need to purchase a new one at least once a year to protect yourself from sun damage effectively.
Common SPF myths debunked:
- SPF60 is twice as effective as SPF30
- Darker skin doesn’t need SPF
- Sunscreen is waterproof
- SPF accumulates
This is a common mistake people make when it comes to SPF factor, don’t assume that SPF60 is twice as effective, and therefore doesn’t need to be topped up as frequently.
If you are sitting in the sun, you will still need to reapply your sunscreen every two hours - no matter how ‘strong.’
While darker skin tones are not quite as vulnerable to UV light, they still require protection from UV damage and should at a bare minimum use SPF30.
It's important to emphasize that no sunscreen is waterproof; it’s only labeled as 'water resistant'. Therefore, don't assume that you won't need to reapply your SPF after taking a dip in the pool.
A common misconception is that you can ‘add up’ products on your face for additional layers of protection. For instance, if you wear moisturizer and sunscreen, you will only have protection from the highest SPF that you are wearing.
Summer skincare routine: The basics
Here are five key things to consider changing in your skincare routine when you pack away your cozier layers for summer dresses:
- Opt for cleansing milk and gels
- Acids and serums
- Antioxidants
- Moisturizer
- SPF and sunburn
The best type of cleanser to opt for in the summer months are milk and gel-like formulas, as neither of these will feel too heavy in the heat.
In hotter, more humid weather, we tend to sweat more and skin may become oily. So, opt for a lighter face serum that hydrates and smoothes the face without making your skin oily. Keep in mind that glycolic acid can increase your sensitivity to the sun. However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't use it during the summer. The crucial point is to ensure you're not skipping your SPF to maintain protection.
Vitamin C for instance is a powerful antioxidant that encourages visibly even skin.
While vitamin C is advisable throughout the year, it deserves special attention during the summer months. With increased outdoor activities and longer sun exposure, adding vitamin C to your skincare routine can enhance your natural glow.
Note that your skin will be able to retain more of its own moisture in humidity, so if your products feel a little too heavy or greasy in summer, it’s worth swapping to a lighter - and even oil-free - moisturizer until the temperature cools down again. Using a gel based moisturizer is a great option for a warm, humid day because gels help to mattify oily skin and visibly reduce shine.
An oil-free moisturizer is a good option all year round for those who tend to struggle with skin oiliness, but it’s a good option for everyone when it’s especially hot outside.
As the days lengthen, remember to increase your SPF usage as part of your summer skincare routine. If you enjoy soaking up the sun, whether it's during the day or catching the final rays in the evening, it's essential to reapply sunscreen regularly. Consider making it a habit to carry a spray SPF with you so you can easily top up throughout the day.
If you experience sunburn, simplify your skincare routine by removing any active ingredients. Keep your skin cool by taking regular showers and using damp cloths. Applying after-sun lotion can help soothe and alleviate the burns. Follow the recommended dosage of aspirin for pain relief and wear loose-fitting clothing that covers the affected areas when outdoors.
How to take care of your skin at a festival
For avid summer festival-goers, it's no secret that sleeping in tents, continuous drinking, and questionable hygiene habits can wreak havoc on your skin. However, there are steps you can take (and certainly things to avoid) to care for your skin as best as possible in such environments.
With Coachella 2024 beginning in April, those with tickets to this renowned music and arts festival in California may already have their bags packed with excitement.
Your approach to the festival will dictate the skincare essentials you should bring along. If you intend to enjoy the festival at a leisurely pace, you can aim to maintain most of your usual skincare routine while away.
However, if you plan on partying non-stop with minimal sleep for days on end, let's be realistic: the most practical solution to preserve your skin is to pack wipes and SPF. You can address any flare-ups once you return to the comfort of your own home.
The basics to follow when it comes to skincare at festivals:
- Cleanse
- Face mist
- Serum
- Moisturizer
- SPF
- Don’t sleep in your makeup
- Keep your hands as clean as possible
At the festival, you don’t always have time or facilities to wash your face like you do at home. So it’s important to bring a cleanser that doesn’t have to be rinsed like the One Step Facial Cleanser! Just shake the bottle and apply the One Step Cleanser to a cotton pad or a clean, gentle cloth. Sweep across the skin to dislodge impurities—working from the center of the face outward.Turn over the cotton pad and repeat. No need to rinse.
If you have the time and energy, then take a face toner mist with you for the festival. Not only will this help to keep your skin hydrated when you’re outside sitting in the baking Californian sun but most will have antibacterial properties in it too, keeping your skin as clean as possible.
Aim for a travel-sized bottle if you can so you’re more likely to carry it around with you during the day.
If there’s one choice of serum for a festival then it’s Hyaluronic acid - you will need it! Whether you plan to drink alcohol or not, the sun and wind will inevitably take its toll on your skin’s hydration levels so the trick here is to keep it dosed up with hyaluronic acid.
In the name of convenience, we’d recommend using a moisturizer that has SPF included in it to reduce the chance of sunburn or any other type of skin damage during the festival. Opt for a high-quality hydrating moisturizer and a broad-spectrum SPF to use on top.
If your normal moisturizer sits in a glass tub then it’s worth transporting a decent-sized amount into a plastic tube to prevent it from getting shattered and landing all over the desert at any point.
Pack SPF50 in your festival bag - nothing less, and aim to apply it to your face and body in the morning, as well as carrying a spray to stay topped up throughout the day.
From SPF to heavy foundation and eyeshadow - sleeping in your full ‘glam’ and skincare from the day before is never a good idea, no matter how desperate you are to curl up in your sleeping bag.
SPF and makeup is specifically designed to stick to your face, which makes the process of removing it even more important for your skin’s health.
Aside from the products on your face, consider all the dirt and pollution that will be clinging to your skin from being outside dancing the day away. For this reason, sleeping without washing your face and removing your festival makeup is the perfect storm for pimples, dehydration, and general dullness - which screams anything but glamorous.
While you may be surrounded by celebrities, don’t fall into the trap of believing that they don’t wash their faces either. Even if your favorite celebrity claims that they only put “mānuka honey” on their skin, or strips it down to basics using soap and water, don’t fall into this trap of believing the skincare regimes you read online.
Instagram photos of celebs’ ‘perfect skin’ are rarely achieved without dermatology expertise or medical intervention - so bear this in mind when you go to follow the latest ‘caveman’ trend during a festival, as it may not go as planned…
When the time comes for you to do your skincare, make sure your hands are as clean as possible (even if your only option is hand sanitizer) when you touch your face.
Otherwise, you risk moving any sweat, dirt, and bacteria from your hands, straight onto your face.
AM festival skincare routine
If you manage to wake up at a decent hour and are rewarded with a nice morning shower at the festival, use this precious time to do your skincare routine.
First things first, clean with micellar water or a gentle milk cleanser, and use a flannel if you packed one.
Get your skin as clean as you can then apply your hyaluronic acid and moisturizer, finishing with a generous layer of SPF.
PM festival skincare routine
Depending on how tired you are, at least aim to wipe your face and apply some moisturizer after.
For extra points, use micellar water and cotton pads to clean your face back at your tent, then serum and finish with moisturizer.
Beauty FAQ linking module from Ultimate Oily Guide
