This is the time of year students all around the country look forward to the most: Spring Break. The welcomed week off is a chance to take a break from academic and career pressures and just relax and unwind in the warming sun. For most spring breakers, this vacation will be the first time in months that you will be out in the sun for hours on end. And while that sounds like heaven, the results can wreak havoc on your skin if you are not prepared. Here is a must have list for your beach break.
by Fabiana Santana
Sunscreen
Supermodel Behati Prinsloo is never without her sunscreen, especially in the summer. “It’s always in my beach bag. I’m the girl carrying around the 50 or 100 SPF stuff and reapplying it all day. My lip balm even has SPF in it”. Apply sunscreen before going outside and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Bronzer
A healthy glow can make or break your beauty look. Victoria’s Secret introduced Beach Sexy this year, a limited-edition collection of self-tanning, bronzing and after sun care products that are a must bring on your spring break trip. The Daily Glow Gradual Tan Moisturizer keeps skin soft and hydrated, while slowly building up a base of color on the skin. And the Flawless Airbrush Body Bronze Spray is a spray tan on the go! Perfect for your makeup bag is the Pretty Glow Pink Face & Body Bronzer – a luminous powder with a hint of sunny radiance!
Makeup Remover
It is best to apply sunscreen and bronzers to clean, dry skin. Use a gentle makeup remover like Biore’s Makeup Removing Towelettes with Green Tea. The wipes dissolve away makeup – even thick mascara – and leave no oily reside behind, so there is no need to rinse after. The resealable package is an ideal beach bag item so that you can refresh your skin before applying sunscreen.
Cleanser & Exfoliator
According to Hadley King, MD, a New York based board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, when exposed to heat and humidity, our skin produces more oil, or sebum. “This sebum can clog pores and cause acne. It therefore becomes more important to cleanse the skin regularly with a light, oil-free cleanser.” Dr. King suggests using Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Cleansing Wash (or Cleansing Wipes if you’re on the go) to scrub skin clean after a day at the beach
Another tip from Dr. King: Exfoliate! “It is important to remove the dull dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin and make your skin look dull and dry. But after wearing sun block, particularly products that are water-resistant or have high SPF, exfoliation can be even more important to remove the sun block residue.” Dr. King advises to look for exfoliators with a gentle formulation and rounded, smooth grains so that skin doesn’t become irritated. Estée Lauder’s So Polished Exfoliating Scrub polishes skin with a soothing marine extract and natural volcanic ash for smooth, luminous, and extra clean skin.
Other must haves:
Sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection
A wide brimmed hat to protect your face while walking around
An umbrella for more shade time at the beach
