Let’s talk about summer skin – specifically how to keep it hydrated, glowy, and red, dry, and blotchy.
Whether you’re sipping iced coffee by the pool, wandering a new city, hanging at the beach, or running around a theme park (hi, it’s me), your skincare routine has to change a little.
Heat + humidity + sweat + sunscreen + travel stress? It all adds up.
But the good news? A summer skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. Just intentional.
Here are all my go-to skincare tips for vacation – simple things that actually work and keep your skin happy all summer long.
This blog post may contain affiliate links. Please note these do not impact my review, and no extra costs have been added to the items mentioned.
Summer Skincare Routine
Before we get into the actual steps, let’s talk about what summer really does to your skin – because that’s why this routine matters in the first place. Heat, humidity, sweat, sunscreen, chlorine, long travel days, and a totally different schedule (hello beach naps and late dinners) all impact your skin more than you think.
That’s why a vacation skincare routine needs to be:
✔ lightweight
✔ hydrating
✔ protective
✔ easy to stick to
We’re focusing on keeping your skin calm, glowy, and balanced – not overwhelmed with a million products. These tips help prevent breakouts, dryness, sun irritation, and that post-trip “why is my skin mad at me?” moment.
This routine is simple, realistic, travel-friendly, and something you can do whether you’re at a tropical beach, exploring a big city, or running around a theme park all day (me, always).
Okay, now let’s dive into the good stuff.
1. Start Hydrating Before You Even Leave
I swear by pre-trip hydration. Hydrated skin behaves better, looks better, and survives travel way better.
A few days before your vacation:
- Drink more water (yes, it matters)
- Use a hydrating serum morning + night
- Switch to a lightweight moisturizer
- Add a sheet mask every other night
Glowy skin starts before you hit the beach.
2. SPF Is Your New Best Friend
Sunscreen is not optional. Even on cloudy days. Even if you “don’t burn.”
My rules:
- SPF 30+ daily for face
- SPF 50 for pool + beach days
- Reapply every 2 hours
- Use lip balm with SPF
- Don’t forget your neck, chest, ears, shoulders, and hands
A wide-brimmed hat is your best friend.
3. Pack a “Glowy Skin Trio”
My holy-grail trio for summer trips:
✔ Lightweight moisturizer
✔ Sunscreen
✔ Body oil or glow oil
Your skin will look fresh, healthy, alive… even on no-makeup days.
4. Keep Your Routine Light and Simple
This is not the time for your 14-step, retinol-heavy evening routine. Your skin is already going through a lot with heat and travel.
Stick to basics:
- Cleanser
- Hydrating serum
- Moisturizer
- SPF
At night? Cleanse, hydrate, moisturize, done.
Save the heavy exfoliants for home.
5. Refresh Your Skin With a Hydrating Facial Mist
A hydrating facial mist is the quickest way to revive your skin on hot vacation days. It cools, refreshes sunscreen, and boosts your glow – all without adding shine.
6. After Swimming: Rinse + Moisturize ASAP
Saltwater, chlorine, sun… they destroy hydration.
After you swim:
- Rinse off ASAP (face + body)
- Moisturize and lock it in with a body oil
- Use a leave-in conditioner or hydrating hair spray
7. Don’t Forget Body Care
Body skin matters too!!!
And you can absolutely have glowy legs, arms, shoulders.
Try:
- Gentle exfoliating scrub 1–2x a week
- Body Butter
- Body Oil
- Sunscreen specifically for the body
Also, if you tend to break out on your chest or shoulders (like me), use a hypochlorous acid spray. It helps to prevent breakouts. I purchased travel perfume bottle sprays and filled them with hypochlorous acid to take with me on-the-go.
8. Keep Makeup Minimal (Especially in Humidity)
Trust me, heavy makeup and tropical weather is never fun.
My go-to vacation makeup:
- Tinted sunscreen or skin tint
- Cream blush
- Brow gel
- Waterproof mascara
- Lip balm
- Glitter – because glitter is an absolute necessity
Let the glow happen naturally. Your skin will thank you.
9. Stay Hydrated, From the Inside
Hydrate like it’s your full-time job.
Water, electrolytes, coconut water, whatever helps.
Traveling, sweating, walking 20k steps… all of that affects your skin. Drink up.
10. Summer Travel Skincare Must-Haves
Here’s what actually earns a spot in my travel bag:
- Cleanser (Oil and water-based)
- Lightweight moisturizer
- Face + body SPF
- Hydrating mist
- Glow oil
- Sheet masks (2–3 for the trip)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Aloe gel / Vitamin E oil
- Micellar water or makeup remover cloths
- Sunscreen stick for reapplication
Everything fits in a carry-on toiletry bag and keeps your routine simple.
11. Exfoliate Smartly
With more sunscreen + sweat, gentle exfoliation becomes essential.
Just don’t overdo it.
A gentle exfoliant 1–2 times a week keeps skin smooth and prevents sunscreen buildup.
12. Vitamins, Sleep & Shade (Yes, This Matters)
Take your vitamins before and during your trip. Get actual sleep. Find shade whenever possible. This means wear your hats and pack an umbrella if you’re going somewhere extra hot and sunny.
13. After-Sun Care
If you get a little too much sun (it happens), here’s what helps:
- Aloe vera Gel
- Vitamin E Oil
- Hydrating sheet masks
- Avoid active ingredients for a few days
Your goal is to soothe, not treat.
Prepping Your Skin for Summer
Vacation skin doesn’t have to be complicated, but your routine does need to be consistent.
Especially if you want smooth, glowy, non-burnt, non-irritated vacation skin.
Getting your skin ready for hot weather, beach days, pool days, and long travel days really comes down to three things: hydrate + protect + glow.
Especially if you want smooth, glowy, non-burnt, non-irritated vacation skin.
This post covered how to prep your skin before your trip, what to use during long days in the sun, and the best after-sun care to help calm redness, dryness, and breakouts.
Whether you’re headed to a tropical beach, a theme park, or just spending more time outdoors, these summer skincare tips for vacation will keep your skin happy the entire season.
XOXO,
Julia
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About the Author: Hey there! I’m Julia, a passionate theme park and travel writer. My love for theme parks has fueled my obsession with sharing tips and adventures for years. Join me as I uncover the magic of summer vacation and beyond!
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