Your bags are packed, filled to the brim with mix-and-match bikinis, flowy Spanish dresses and all your favourite dangly earrings. This can only mean one thing: beach holiday here we come!
This week I head to Mexico to celebrate my dearest friend's wedding (!!!) and wanted to share my skincare packing secrets. When packing carry-on skincare essentials, I have four main principles:
1. Hydrate
Hydration starts on the plane. Before hopping into that aisle seat, I like to start with clean, well-hydrated, makeup-free skin. To achieve this base, I apply a serum or face oil, and an all-purpose face cream to seal in the moisture. Don't be shy about reapplying every few hours in the air.
Argan oil or moisturising serum
As I’ve mentioned before, my go-to face oil for about 5 years has been argan oil, due its balanced composition of fatty acids and vitamins. Moroccan liquid gold indeed.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This cult French pharmacy brand claims that it sells a tube of this cream every 60 seconds in the UK. It is gentle, non-greasy, anti-inflammatory, and a great primer for makeup. Its finish is a bit matte for my taste, so I prefer to layer it on top of facial oil or put a few drops of my oil into the cream and mix it together for a dewier look.
2. Refresh
There is nothing like a nice refresher spray mid-flight, on the beach, or in your powder room before heading out to a breezy, tropical evening. Beyond their sensorial glory, facial mists are a great way to rehydrate your skin throughout the day and can be a game-changer when you’re on the move with less access to all your normal amenities.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
I plan to pick this lady up in duty free at Gatwick. Caudalie Beauty Elixir is made from fruit, mint, and rosemary extracts and adds dewiness when spritzed under and/or over makeup. Yes, please!
3. Stay clear
What is it about planes that wreaks such havoc on the skin!?! I walk onto a flight clear as a summer sky and exit hours later with new found spots and dry patches. It literally doesn't even make sense! In addition to this long-haul madness, switching from cold/dry climate to hot/humid poses even further challenges to your skin’s balance. For this reason, keeping oil, dirt and grime off your skin is more important than ever. I used to rely on whatever hand soap or body wash the hotel had to wash my face, but (unsurprisingly) have noticed that bringing a high quality cleanser and toner from home on a trip makes a huge impact and prevents most mid-holiday breakouts.
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Refine & Polish Miracle Balm
I’ve packed this Aurelia balm because it’s a nice all-in-one gentle cleanser, but also includes just enough texture to exfoliate away any build up in dead skin from the trip to paradise.
Biologique Recherche P50
Bringing along your favourite acid is another way to ward off any potential breakouts. Lotion P50 is my saviour, but you do you. I typically only use this every other night on a sunny holiday however, as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. If you use an acid, be extra careful to apply sunscreen and wear a hat!
Bioderma Sensibio H2O - Micelle Solution
I don't do any kind of travel without this classic all-purpose Bioderma makeup remover. I pack a container of cotton pads to use with both this and the P50.
4. Protect
It goes without saying, WEAR SUNSCREEN. In order to make sure I make the effort to protect to my face, neck and chest especially, I do two things: 1) splurge on a fun, French sunscreen, and 2) for my fellow extra porcelain ladies, get a light professional spray tan before the trip.
Sunscreen
While most dermatologists agree that SPF 15-30 provides enough protection for your everyday life, when sipping Coronas on the beach, reach for the broad-spectrum SPF 30-50+ cream and reapply every few hours.
Bioderma Photoderm MAX Cream SPF 50+
I love and trust the Bioderma brand in general, so for this venture into el sol I chose their Photoderm MAX SPF 50+ which provides full spectrum protection across UVA and UVB rays, and is formulated to go on clear and without feeling greasy. Sun protection already sounds more exciting, no?
Professional spray tan
As perhaps the only human in history to have her gynaecologist comment on a poorly-applied self-tan DURING an exam, let me tell you, it’s worth getting some professional help here. In London, you can get someone to come to your house, set up a little tent, and spray you to your desired shade of golden. Added bonus, running around in your birthday suit for the next 30 minutes and frightening your pets/neighbours.
And with that, you are ready to hop on the plane and jet toward that sandy, salty oasis that awaits you and your #richgirlskin.
By Renee Parker
Special shout out to #knightdelight!!