Holiday in the Sun: The Ultimate Skin Care Packing Guide for Tropical Climates

Are you squeezing in one more tropical vacation before we officially say bon voyage to winter’s brutal cold? Lucky duck. Before you leave home, be sure to check items off our beauty packing list, below!

Ever arrive at your final destination only to discover that you mistakenly left behind a handful of your beloved beauty items? It’s the worst feeling. Whether you’re headed to Miami, the Caribbean, or another tropical destination, it’s important to kick off your R&R on the right foot (and with all your skin care and makeup essentials in tow). To help make sure you never leave home without every last beauty essential, we curated a handy guide, ahead. Keep reading to discover the travel-friendly must-haves that deserve a first-class ticket on your trip! Because even one vacation without your beloved beauty necessities is one vacation too many.

After a long day spent outdoors by the pool or beach, your skin will certainly need some extra care. Sweat, saltwater, sand, pollution, dirt, and excess oil sitting on your skin’s surface can mix together and not only clog your pores, but cause an unwanted breakout as well. Keep pesky zits at bay by cleansing your face and body skin thoroughly. The sooner you rid your skin of impurities, the less time a breakout has to brew. After cleansing your skin, be sure to keep your hands off your face as they can be housing a host of bacteria and germs.

Pro tip: Store cleansing wipes, like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Towelettes, in your beach bag. They’re great for wiping off excess sweat and other pore-clogging impurities in a pinch while you’re lounging outdoors.

After cleansing, it’s important to add moisture back onto your skin. Instead of packing a thick cream that can feel heavy on your skin in humid temps, reach for a lightweight serum. Contrary to what you may have heard, lighter products don’t boast less of a moisturizing effect. Case in point? Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Power Serum. The formula—with hyaluronic acid, Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water, and three hydrating and energizing sugars—spreads water in all facial zones and maintains it harmoniously within the skin hour after hour.

This one’s a no brainer. Tropical locale or not, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher is a daily skin must to protect your skin against harmful UV rays that can cause premature skin aging and even some cancers. Try a lightweight sunscreen that maintains a matte finish even in hot, humid conditions, like SkinCeuticals Physical Matte UV Defense. The SPF 50 formula dries to a powder finish and feels weightless.

Speaking of SPF, don’t forget your pout! Anyone who has experienced sunburnt lips can attest that it’s no fun at all. Protect the delicate skin on your lips (and kill two birds with one stone) by reaching for a hydrating lip balm formulated with broad-spectrum SPF. Apply liberally and reapply at least every two hours. 

We love foundation as much as the next gal, but a lighter BB cream lends itself to warmer weather. These multi-taskers can help camouflage blemishes, even out your skin’s tone, add moisture, prime skin and more all in one easy step. Think of all that saved room in your carry-on! Bonus points for a BB cream formulated with SPF. 

After a long day spent in hotter than hot temps, your skin could likely use a pick-me-up to beat the heat. Carry a face mist with you to give your parched skin a refreshing boost. These formulas often feel incredibly soothing and calming. Some can even help improve the look of your skin! Talk about a win-win.