Holiday Skincare Essentials

Holiday booked? Check. 30 000 Outfits chosen for each day? Check.

Sometimes, we can forget the important stuff when it comes to our holidays. Skincare is really important when it comes to having a blast in the sun, which is why we've compiled a comprehensive guide of Holiday Skincare Essentials for you to pack away ready for your next trip! What are your holiday essentials? Let us know below in the comments...

SPF

This should be your number one priority when it comes to your holidays. UVA and UVB are ultra damaging to your skin, and can effectively cause skin cancer down the line. Although UVB can cause sunburn, UVA can promote early ageing and onset wrinkling.

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is the rate at which you are safe from UVB rays in the sunshine. The higher the number, the longer your are protected for in the sun. For example. If you're using factor 15, you will be safer in the sun for around 150 minutes longer than you would be if you weren't using any protection at all. So, in theory, the higher the SPF, the longer you can stay in the sun for without suffering from sun burn.

For women in their 20s, the chances of getting skin cancer are around 1 in 5. This number, although applicable in hotter climates, also counts all year round in any country, no matter the amount of sun you can see. This is why it's important to have a moisturiser with an SPF built into it, to avoid UVB and UVA rays.

So, if you're heading away this summer, we suggest grabbing some of the best deals you can in stores such as Boots or Avon on high SPF creams.

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture

When you're away, you can forget how much the heat can make you sweat. Always keep hydrated throughout the day by drinking water - a good way to do this is to buy a large bottle of water before heading to the beach. This way you can swig away when you're feeling the thirst.

When it comes to your skin, it's important to understand just how much the summer sun can affect our skin. The sea salt and constant showering can actually dry us out, which is why we should be moisturising at least once a day. Although SPF can be moisturising, it doesn't beat a great moisturiser when leaving the shower.

Aftersun

If you're one of the unlucky ones who burn easily in the sun with or without protection, Aftersun is your true life saver. If you're strapped for cash, pure Aloe Vera Gel (available at Holland & Barret) works amazingly to soothe skin that has been burned in the sun.

If you can afford a more high-end Aftersun, Nuxe offers a great smelling Aftersun which can soothe red aching skin.

Deodorant

Swimming, playing, even relaxing in the sun can cause you to sweat on holiday. Sometimes even more so than when you are at home. This is why it's important to stock up before you go away. By rule of thumb, one can or bottle should help to mask odour for up to two weeks, however, we suggest taking two (just in case).