How to Prep Your Skin for a Summer Vacation

Once you’re on vacation, it’s all fun and games. But in the weeks leading up to your summer travels, there’s work to be done. Besides packing your suitcase (on a related note, here’s How to Pack Your Makeup When You Travel) and planning out vacation activities, you’ll need to prep your skin. You can keep using your regular old facial cleanser, and there’s no need to ditch your facial serum, but you will want to make a few adjustments to your skin care routine. In order to relax and enjoy your trip, go ahead and start following these six steps before you get to your destination.

1. Try a Moisturizer Formulated with Aloe Vera Water

Jet setting to a hot climate? In that case, we recommend switching out your current moisturizer for one that’s formulated with aloe vera water. Of course, you won’t want to wait until you’re in a new location to give the new moisturizer a try—you need to prepare. Instead of risking that the only moisturizer you’ve brought with you might not be a good fit for your skin, it’s best to put it to the test in advance. Have your pick from the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Normal/Oily Skin, L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Normal/Dry Skin, or L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Extra Dry Skin, then add it to your skin care routine and give your skin time to adjust.

2. Address the Appearance of Dark Circles

If there’s any time to cut down on your makeup routine, it’s when you’re on vacation! Who wants to spend all morning getting ready when they could be on the beach? Are we right, or are we right? To feel comfortable leaving your concealer at home, start working on your dark circles ASAP. Introduce the L’Oréal Paris Miracle Blur Eye to your skin care routine to help minimize the appearance of dark circles, under-eye bags, fine lines, and wrinkles. And don’t forget to stow the eye cream in your carry on when it comes time for your trip—the cooling applicator tip will be a lifesaver when you’re dealing with intense heat.

3. Exfoliate Regularly

We won’t blame you if you haven’t been scrubbing your skin on the regular—but it’s time to start. After all, no one wants to start their vacation with a dull complexion, hence the need for exfoliation. Instead of opting for a chemical exfoliator, which can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, start using a face scrub. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Face Scrub, which leaves skin feeling smooth and baby-soft, with a visible glow.

4. Make Broad-Sunscreen a Habit

It can be hard to start a new habit—even if it’s an extremely important one. So, instead of trying to get into the habit of applying (and reapplying) broad-spectrum sunscreen while you’re on vacation, get used to being diligent with SPF in the month or two before you leave. And don’t stop slathering your skin with sunscreen as soon as you get back. You’ll want to keep this habit going year-round because, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunscreen is a must even when it’s cold or cloudy outside. Other sun protection measures you should take are limiting your amount of time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., seeking shade when you’re outside, and covering up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

5. Create a Golden Glow with Self-Tanner

Rather than laying out for the entirety of your vacation in an attempt to catch some color, tan ahead of time. And no, we don’t mean baking under the sun in your backyard or hitting the tanning bed. Why do that when you can achieve a sun-kissed look without damaging your skin? To ensure you’ll have skin that’s ready to be shown off by the time you arrive at your vacation spot, use a gradual self-tanner, like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk Medium, three times a week.

6. Follow an Airplane Skin Care Routine

Don’t stop prepping once you board the plane. If you have a long flight ahead of you, it has the potential to wreak havoc on your skin. To help combat the effects of air travel, head to the airport makeup-free and pop on a hydrating sheet mask while you’re in flight.

Your hair won’t require the same level of prep work as your skin, but you should plan to take care of your strands during your travels. Read up on How to Take Care of Your Hair When You’re on Vacation.