5 Vacation skin care & beauty essentials for your next trip

Did you know that maintaining a specialized beauty regimen while traveling or on vacation is of utmost importance due to the unique challenges posed by different environments?

Climate changes can lead to skin dryness, breakouts, or sensitivity. Exposure to harsh sun rays and environmental elements like pollution can also accelerate aging and damage skin cells. Even the effects of jet-lag can leave the skin looking tired and dull… Imagine working on your holiday skin glow for months before your big break just to arrive looking tired and drab!

A tailored skincare regimen inclusive of specialised skincare and beauty products helps combat these issues and helps ensure a radiant look from airport to airport. By preserving skin health and appearance with a specialised beauty regimen you can embrace every moment with confidence, radiance and poise.

This curated list of holiday beauty products, featuring top brands like SkinMedica and  ARMÉE Cosmetics , covers our go-to essentials for the most common of vacation skincare needs. From ultra-hydrating serums and protective sunscreens to last-minute-filler concealers and non-drying lipsticks, it ensures a hassle-free and radiant holiday look from start to finish.

Maintaining skin hydration during your vacation is vital for a healthy and glowing complexion. Drinking water and using intensive skin hydration products help combat dryness caused by travel and changing climates, ensuring supple and radiant skin, while also preventing premature aging and promoting overall well-being. Two of our go-to hydration helpers that are perfect for all skin types are SkinMedica’s HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator and the Intensive Lip Hydrator by ARMÉE Cosmetics.

It should also go without saying that an investment in great sun protection is a must for any holiday! There are so many great options available today, but one of our favorites are the Tinted Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum SPF 34 Sunscreen by SkinMedica. Why? This revolutionary superscreen goes beyond UV protection to defend against harmful infrared rays while supporting the skin’s ability to restore itself and provide a beautiful tinted cover for those giving their foundation a break.

If make-up (or the application thereof) is not negotiable during your holiday, then we highly recommend that you up your cleanser game and remove your make-up and all other traveling impurities before you go to bed. Sleeping with your make-up on does not only ruin your hotel pillow covers, but also prevents the skin from much-needed renewal which in turn leads to premature aging. And no, this is not the post-vacation look you should be going for.

PS: did you know that Allē Members earn points with each SkinMedica purchase?

Specialised skincare treatments are essential for a radiant vacation skin look as they address specific concerns and enhance overall skin health for truly radiant results. Treatments such as PRP injections and HydraFacials really focus on feeding the skin from within, acting as rejuvenating boosters, improving texture, tone, and radiance.

For a real holiday glam-up and for those interested in taking things a little further than “skin deep”, some wrinkle softening and lip plumping can also go a long way in achieving the vacation glam goals! 

If you suffer from dark under-eye circles, fine lines, dry skin, sun damage, a dull complexion, stressed skin, or large pores, PRP injections might be a great solution for you! By purifying and injecting your body's own plasma into specific skin areas, the treatment ignites natural healing processes from within and allows you to enjoy a smoother, brighter, and more youthful skin for weeks to come.

For the ultimate skin glow-up, there is one go-to treatment at California Cosmetics, the HydraFacial® MD. This specialized treatment lets you Indulge in a personalized facial experience for long-lasting skin health by offering a revitalizing 3-step process that unveils your skin's innate vitality and radiance with immediate visible improvements.

If you don’t want to rely on your time off to give you that fresh vacation look, then pre-vacation BOTOX® treatments can also help you achieve a smoother, wrinkle-free appearance, perfect for that “already on vacation” look. By temporarily reducing facial lines and wrinkles, cosmetic BOTOX® injections provide a refreshed and youthful appearance, allowing you to enjoy the festivities with renewed confidence.

Regardless of which pre-vacation skin glow-up you’re going for, it is imperative to plan these treatments in advance to allow your skin time to settle and reveal the best results by travel time.

If you decided to invest in a plumper lip look before your big break (our Kissable Lips Lip Augmentation Package is an all-time pre-vacay lip filler favorite), then your lips will most definitely need some extra love.

When it comes to lip filler results, the aftercare is just as important as the actual lip augmentation procedure. With the lip-specific products by ARMÉE Cosmetics, you can put your best face forward with specialised lip augmentation aftercare that gives your lips the luxurious care it deserves. With their nourishing sugar lip scrub and intensive hyaluronic acid-based lip hydrator, you can maintain a kissable lip look throughout your break, whether you had your lips done or not. 

Protecting your skin against sun damage should always be your number one skin priority, therefore we cannot stress this enough. Sunscreen protects the skin from sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer risks, therefore using sunscreen and reapplying it regularly is crucial to shield against harmful UV rays. Prioritize sun protection to maintain healthy, radiant skin and enjoy outdoor activities with confidence and peace of mind.

SkinMedica offers a great range of sun protection products that go beyond UV protection to defend against harmful infrared rays while supporting the skin’s ability to restore itself. Regardless of your skin type or whether you prefer a mineral based product, something with a slight tint, or an additional infusion of Vitamins E and C, their sunscreens with have the ideal solution for you.

When it comes to sun protection, sunscreens are however not enough… Wearing physical barriers such as anti-aging visors, hats and sunglasses provides additional protection against sun damage. They shield the face, eyes, and delicate skin from harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of sunburn, skin aging, and eye damage. So, instead of shying away from it, try and embrace these stylish accessories to ensure comprehensive sun protection and maintain skin health when outdoors.

Did you know that during sleep, your skin's blood flow increases, and the organ rebuilds its collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure, reducing wrinkles and age spots? All the more reason to kick your anti-wrinkle nighttime routine into top gear.

At California Cosmetics, we recommend a signature sleep mask to all our patients! This 100% Mulberry Silk sleep mask was designed to improve your complexion, reduce allergies, promote a deep sleep and moisturise the delicate skin around your eyes, all while you get a good night’s rest.

If you are serious about your holiday skincare and want to make a difference on the go, nighttime skincare products enriched with retinoids and peptides are ideal to help stimulate collagen production and enhance skin elasticity. Retinoids (such as our favourite Retinol Complex 0.25) encourage cell turnover, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Peptides, on the other hand (as with the best-selling TNS® Advanced+ Serum), support collagen synthesis, promoting firmer, smoother skin. This amazing product is the only growth factor product proven to address sagging skin and shows visible results in just 2 weeks.

These advanced skincare tools and products will however deliver the best results with regular use, so do keep that in mind when shopping for your holiday beauty essentials.

Okay, enough about skincare, let’s talk about the glam-up! Faux eyelashes add instant glamour to any holiday look by creating bigger, more dramatic eyes in an instant. They amplify lash volume and length, enhancing the overall appearance. Perfect for festive occasions, artificial eyelashes elevate the charm and allure of your makeup, making you feel confident and captivating throughout the celebrations.

There are, however, a few tips to consider if you want to pull off the perfect false lash look:

Choose the right style: Consider your eye shape and desired look when selecting faux eyelashes. Opt for a natural or wispy style for a subtle enhancement or dramatic lashes for a bold statement. Ensure they fit your eye length, trimming if necessary for a comfortable fit.

Use quality eyelashes and adhesive: Invest in premium eyelashes and reputable eyelash adhesive that is safe for your eyes and long-lasting. Apply a thin layer along the lash band and wait a few seconds for it to become tacky before applying the lashes to avoid excess glue and discomfort.

Proper false eyelash removal: Gently remove the lashes at the end of the day using a makeup remover or warm water to dissolve the adhesive. Avoid tugging or pulling, as this can damage your natural lashes. Clean the false lashes and store them properly for reuse, ensuring they remain in good condition for future applications.

As you can see, there is a wide variety of non-invasive yet effective body treatments available today, from muscle-toning and fat reduction, to sweat control and booty sculpting, there really is a body treatment solution available for every concern.

To ensure the best results are achieved, we, at California Cosmetics, work with each client to develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with their unique body goals and needs. Some clients even prefer to start their personalized plan design from the comfort of their homes by making use of our virtual consultations, and then visit us for their first appointment once they are confident with the suggested plan of action.

Ready to achieve your sexiest summer body? Explore more body treatment options at California Cosmetics or simply take the sunny season leap of faith and book your appointment online today.