Holidays should leave you feeling refreshed—not returning with dry, stressed, or sun-damaged skin. But climate changes, cabin air, new environments, and indulgences can take a toll—especially on skin. So what is the key to radiant, resilient skin? A smart, informed routine by your aesthetician that begins before your suitcase is packed and continues after you get home. Here’s your complete guide to holiday-ready skin that glows before, during, and after your trip.
Prepare your skinbBefore you travel
Skincare during your holiday
Repair after your holiday
Skinportant Skin Clinic Tips
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Holiday Skin Care Prep- A Smart Skincare Routine
Before You Travel: Strengthen Your Skin Barrier (Start 2–3 Weeks Ahead)
Your skin needs support well before sun, wind, or plane air has a chance to disrupt it. This prep phase is all about hydration, protection, and resilience.
Upgrade Your Moisturiser- Switch to a barrier-supportive formula with ceramides, glycerin, or squalane. These lock in moisture and keep skin comfortable across climates.
Gently Exfoliate (1–2x per week)- Use a mild lactic acid or PHA toner or serum to remove dead skin cells and brighten tone—without triggering sensitivity.
Introduce a Hydrating Toner- After cleansing, use a gentle alcohol-free toner to prep skin and rebalance pH. This also boosts the absorption of serums and moisturiser.
Apply moisturiser with Vitamin C in the Morning- Use moisturaser with Vitamin C such as Vitafore C Cream which helps even tone, fight free radicals, and protect against pigmentation.
Optional: Book a Pre-Holiday Facial- Treat yourself to a hydrating facial such as our Deep Hydration Facial Treatment at least 5-7 days before departure.
During Your Holiday: Protect, Hydrate & Simplify
Keep your skincare routine simple and focused while you’re away. Stick with tried-and-true products and stay committed to protection and hydration.
Gentle Cleanse & Tone-Use a non-foaming cleanser followed by your regular hydrating toner to cleanse without stripping. Avoid experimenting with new actives—especially in intense climates- to reduce the risk of new allergy.
Choose Moisturiser Based on Climate- In warm/humid places: opt for a light lotion or gel. In cold/dry areas: use aricher cream or balm to prevent water loss.
SPF Every Morning (And Reapply)- Apply abroad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning—even on cloudy days. Reapply every 2 hours. Don’t forget your ears, lips, neck, chest, and hands.
Hydrating Mist + Toner Combo- Keep your hydrating toner in a small spray bottle for on-the-go refreshment. Use it after sun exposure, flights, or long walks. Follow with moisturiser to lock it in.
After Your Trip: Repair, Rehydrate & Rebalance
Whether you’ve been in the sun, salt air, or mountain wind, your skin may return feeling dehydrated, uneven, or slightly reactive. Post-holiday care is about gentle restoration.
Cleanse & Tone as Usual- Stick to your pH balancing toner to soothe and rebalance your skin. This helps calm sensitivity and prepare skin for deeper hydration.
Apply Moisture-Rich Products- Look for moisturisers with ceramides, peptides, or squalane such as the Super Hydrating Cream If your skin feels tight or flaky, use a hyaluronic acid serumunderneath for extra hydration.
Resume Exfoliation After 2–3 Days- Once your skin has recovered, reintroduce a gentle exfoliating toner or enzyme product to smooth texture and renew your glow.
Optional: Book a Post-Holiday Facial- Let your skin reset with a hydrating or detoxifying facial. At Skinportant, we offer post-travel treatments that calm, clear, and rehydrate without irritation.
Skinportant Clinic Tip:
We have a great selection of travel size products from Janssen Cosmetics.
If you developed sunspots, hyperpigmentation or any other skin disorder during your holiday, please don't hesitate to contact us immediately to have it checked out. Better be safe than sorry..
KNOWLEDGE
READ MORE
Sun-Kissed Then, Sun-Spotted Now: Understanding Hyperpigmentation in Later Life
Do you remember the days when a bottle of olive oil and the midday sun were all you needed for that perfect summer tan? Before SPF was a household term, many of us soaked up the sunshine with little more than a towel and some baby oil—blissfully unaware of what it might do to our skin decades later. Now, years on, those long afternoons at the beach may be showing themselves in the form of dark patches on your face, arms, or hands. These sunspots, sometimes called age spots or liver spots, are a type of hyperpigmentation—and while they’re a perfectly normal part of ageing, there are ways to treat them, protect your skin, and feel confident again.
Despite living under increasingly intense UV exposure, only 22% of the UK population uses SPF daily. With rising skin cancer rates—1 in 41 women developing melanoma—understanding how SPF works and choosing the right sunscreen, like Janssen Cosmetics' Face Guard Advanced, is more important than ever for protecting long-term skin health.
Over-exfoliating is one of the most common skincare mistakes, and it can lead to serious issues like damaged skin barriers, increased sensitivity, dryness, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation. Many people think exfoliating daily will give them smoother skin, but this can strip away natural oils, making the skin vulnerable and inflamed.
As autumn brings cooler temperatures and lower humidity, it’s essential to adjust your skincare routine to maintain healthy, hydrated skin. Opt for a hydrating cleanser, richer moisturiser, and hydrating serums to keep your skin nourished during the drier months. Gentle exfoliation, consistent sunscreen use, and extra care for the eyes and lips are also crucial. Avoid over-exfoliation and stick to richer products that suit the season.
