The season we’ve all been waiting patiently for has finally arrived… holiday season.
Whether you’ve been booked and ready for a year, are still planning your vacation destination, or are just looking for that holiday glow minus the ‘getting on a plane’ part, then you’re in the right place.
We’ve tried and tested the best skincare routine for summer 2025 to give you that glowy, sunkissed look and laid it out in this handy guide to get you through the holiday season.
Let’s get into it.
Summer Holiday Skincare: Why Does it Matter?
When planning a summer holiday, skincare is probably the last thing on your mind. You’re dreaming of lounging under the midday sun, cooling off with a dip in the pool, fresh food, cocktails, beach days and relaxing with no care in the world. We get it. Skincare, who cares?
Well, actually, us. And so should you.
A change in temperature, weather and environment can cause your skin extra stress. More sun exposure is known to damage skin, leaving it dry, dull and even more alarming, exposed to harsh UV rays that can have lifelong implications.
We also switch up our routines when we’re in holiday mode - from heading out to work to waking up whenever we want, from eating similar meals each week to trying new cuisines, we may even drink less water and move less. All of these things can leave your skin feeling tired.
Creating a holiday skincare routine is really important for not only creating a clean, glowy look but for protecting your skin from real damage too.
Prepping Your Skin Pre-Holiday
Now that we know why we need to practice a healthy holiday skincare routine, let’s start at the beginning - before you’ve even been through security, you should be prepped and ready for a week in the sun.In the weeks leading up to your holiday, it’s paramount to create a skincare routine that works for you and leaves your skin feeling lighter, brighter and protected.
Getting into a routine prior to your holiday means you have time to find the right products for your skin and your skin has the chance to adjust to the products you’re using. It also means creating a habit that you’ll feel well in the swing of by the time you’re boarding the plane, so you don’t forget to keep it up whilst you’re away.
The Warm Weather Routine
You’ve touched down at your 2025 holiday destination, the warm air hits as you step off the plane, and you’re filled with excitement at the prospect of a week or so lounging in the sun.
Now for the important part, the skincare regime that’ll see you through those sunny beach days:
1. Exfoliate: Exfoliating regularly helps to remove the build up of dead skin cells that cause irritation and blemishes. Exfoliating twice a week in the lead up to your holiday allows your skin to absorb the ingredients of the following skincare products for a far more effective routine. Typically, our skin dries out in the sun, so exfoliating means ridding the skin of dry and dead cells that give us that dull, cracked look and feel. To exfoliate, you can buy purpose-built exfoliating scrubs, or for a two-in-one product, use an exfoliating body soap like our Coffee & Coconut Natural Soap.
2. Hydrate: Once you’ve removed any dead skin cells, you’ll need to reapply moisture back into the skin - this is where a good, reliable moisturiser comes in. The combination of a change in location, weather, temperature and routine means your skin will undoubtedly feel dehydrated. A daily post-bath or shower moisturiser like our Bergamot & Cedar Post Bath Moisturiser nourishes and keeps the skin looking and feeling hydrated. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day too!
3. Cleanse: Keeping with the hydration theme, a hydrating cleanser rids the skin of any residue from sun cream, chlorine and sweat to avoid a build-up of products and chemicals clogging your pores. Using a good-quality cleanser before bed is key here as you’ll want to rid your skin of any nasties before getting a good night’s sleep.
4. SPF: Packing a sun cream with an SPF of at least 30 and reapplying it regularly throughout the day is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your skin on holiday. Don’t forget to apply at least 30 minutes before your skin is exposed to sunlight and reapply it often, particularly if you’ve been swimming.
Now that you’ve got your healthy holiday skincare routine down, your summer adventure awaits.
Share your holiday glow with us on social @sentobathing 🌞🧴🫧🏖️
