We’ve all been there — it’s the night before your long-awaited trip and you’re frantically trying to whittle down an entire bathroom cabinet into an impossibly small wash bag. Maybe you’re struggling with airport ✈️ security restrictions (since you weren’t willing to splash out on the £40 Ryanair hold luggage💸) or maybe you’re trying to streamline your packing for a week in the countryside. Either way, how we can finally get away, it’s time to up your beauty packing game. Below, we’ve pulled together the ultimate guide on the travel essentials to take, depending on where you’re going✨. Needless to say, we believe the best product recommendations are personalised, so read on and then book a Holistic Skin Session and we’ll build you a bespoke routine, unique to you!

SPF. Undeniably, the most important product you need to bring with you when beach-travelling is your sunscreen! SPF should be your #1 priority whether you have a carry on or hold luggage. We recommend using a high factor (SPF 50 is the gold standard) and making sure you have enough to see you through your entire trip, for face and body. Remember: you need to apply generously and every few hours or after you emerge from the sea like the mermaid you are. Lion/ne loves REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 for face, Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body and Hand Skinscreen SPF50+ for body and Ultrasun Lip Protection SPF 30 for lips!

Antioxidants help to boost your skin’s protection and fight free radicals found in the sun’s harmful rays. Megan advises you to pack an antioxidant serum and use it at night instead of the morning to up your protection for the following day while Ksenia’s go-to antioxidant product when travelling in the sun is a Vitamin C mask such as the one by Lixirskin. Use as a mask for two minutes in the morning before your sunscreen et voila!

Hair protection. Just like your skin, you want to protect your hair. When your skin burns, you see the effect of the sun within 20 minutes but with hair, the damage takes much longer to notice (up to 3 days). Make sure to bring a hair SPF mist or a protective oil (Ksenia’s favourite is Leonor Greyl’s L’Huile). and mist it over the strands and the scalp. A burnt scalp is not fun.

*To find out which products are right for you, book a Holistic Skin Session now.

SPF. First things first, don’t forget your SPF. We know, we can’t stop talking about sunscreen, but it’s the only product that really protects you from premature ageing. No need to go crazy when travelling to a city, the easiest product to carry is a good moisturiser that contains a sturdy amount of SPF, like Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50. We also recommend you have an SPF mist for regular top ups. Try La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sun Protection Face Mist.

Antioxidants. Cities = pollution ! While you’re spending your day sightseeing, visiting cool spots and eating out on dreamy terraces, your skin is battling pollution (and the prerequisite free radicals) all day. An antioxidant serum will help neutralise free radicals and halt the ensuing skin damage. We recommend Drunk Elephant Mini C-Tetra Serum and Paula’s Choice C15 Booster.

Cleanser. After a long day in the city, it’s so important to remove all the pollution particles, lingering SPF, sweat and other dirt from your skin, to avoid congestion and other skin issues. A double cleanse will make sure your skin is perfectly clean and if you have oily skin, you also want to go a little bit deeper and use a BHA exfoliant (like Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant) to take care of excess sebum. We love Oskia’s Renaissance Cleansing Gel, Face Gym Electro-Lite Brightening Face Cleanser and Exuviance Gentle Cream Cleanser.

To find out which products are right for you, book a Holistic Skin Session now.

SPF. As per usual. It’s especially important in the countryside, as you will hopefully take advantage of spending more time outdoors. In order to make sure that your skin is taking in that country air, go for a lightweight SPF like Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defence or Ultrasun Sensitive SPF 30.

Exfoliant. When unwinding from the stress of work, you can focus more on your night routine to boost skin cell renewal and nourishment. Exfoliating your skin at night will help to enhance your natural ‘glow’ that comes with a relaxing weekend away from screens and pressure! Depending on your Skin Profile, we like Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel or Paula’s Choice 2% BHA.

Serum. After exfoliating the skin, you want something hydrating and repairing to give skin a quick pick-me-up. Megan loves Pestle and Mortar’s Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

Moisturiser. A good moisturiser will help to seal the benefits of the previous products and ensure your skin receives all the necessary nutrients it needs to rest and recuperate overnight. We often recommend Exuviance Ultra Restorative Creme and Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream to clients.

To find out which products are right for you, book a Holistic Skin Session now.