Destination GLOW : Your Ultimate Guide to Vacation-Ready Skin

Vacations are a time for relaxation, exploration, and rejuvenation. However, amidst the excitement of planning the perfect getaway, it’s easy to overlook the importance of skincare. Whether you’re basking in the sun on a beach, traversing the arid landscapes of a desert, or trekking through the rugged terrain of mountains, your skin requires special attention to stay healthy and radiant throughout your travels.

To shed light on the best skincare treatments for different vacation destinations, we’ve consulted with Dr Kate, the esteemed founder of YouthLab Australia. With her extensive experience in skincare and rejuvenation techniques, Dr. Kate shares her insights on the essential pre-holiday, during-trip, and post-holiday skincare routines tailored to each unique vacation setting.

Beach Bliss: Sun-Kissed Splendor Awaits

Imagine yourself lounging on powdery sands, the gentle ocean breeze caressing your skin as the sun paints a golden hue across the horizon. Welcome to Beach Bliss, where the allure of sun, sea, and relaxation beckons. But before you embark on your beach adventure, ensure your skin is prepared to bask in the sun’s embrace.

Pre-Holiday Preparation:

What pre-holiday skincare preparations do you recommend for individuals heading to the beach?

Getting ready for a bit of sun, sand, and surf? I don’t blame you! Personally, a beachside vacay is unbeatable when I want to unwind and spend some quality family time. There’s just something so relaxing about lounging ocean-side with softly swaying palm trees around and a cocktail in hand.
Unfortunately, my skin doesn’t always love a sun-kissed holiday as much as I do. That’s why it’s important to prep your skin before you even hit the airport. Setting your skin up for success can be easy with the right tools.

Start by quenching your skin to best prepare it for some extra time in the sun. You can do this through skincare products laden with Hyaluronic Acid (like my personal favourite PCA Skin’s HA Boosting Serum) and in the old-fashioned way – by staying well hydrated. This is especially important if you’re planning to let your hair down and enjoy a few tropical cocktails on your holiday!

Next, incorporate a pigment inhibitor – like Cosmedix Simply Brilliant – into your skin routine. This will help to combat any pigmentation like freckles, dark spots, and hormonal melasma coaxed out by the sun.

During-Trip Care:

What are your recommendations for maintaining healthy skin while on a beach vacation?

Congratulations! You made it to your tropical beachside location and you can’t wait to hit the sand. Hold up – step one is to be sun smart. This is to protect your skin health and avoid sun damage. A full spectrum 50+ SPF sunscreen, a pair of chic sunglasses, and a broad-brim hat are your best friends.

Pack a luxurious hydrating mask like PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask. This will provide intensive hydration while soothing any irritation you might be experiencing from the elements.
Remember to leave your retinol at home. Skincare ingredients that make your skin photosensitive are best avoided when spending more time in the sun than usual. Instead, stick to the brilliant basics. A quality cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen, and hydrating mask are all you need.
While the holiday is the perfect time to indulge in delicious food and restaurant experiences, try to get some nutritious foods into your routine. Berries, leafy greens, and other antioxidant-rich foods will keep your skin nourished from within. This consistency will also keep any ill-timed breakouts at bay.

Post-Holiday Recovery:

What are the essential steps for restoring the skin’s health and vitality after returning from a beach vacation?

When I return home from a beach holiday, the first thing I want to do is have a Hydrafacial followed by a soothing Healite II LED. The Hydrafacial is incredible at reducing congestion, prolonging the holiday glow, and exfoliating away any debris.

Returning from a beautiful beach vacation is hard enough as it is – you don’t need to be dealing with skin irritation and breakouts. Returning from any holiday can sometimes result in skin purging due to changes in diet, sun exposure, and hours spent in air-conditioned planes. Return to a balanced diet and up your water intake as soon as possible to reduce the risk of blemishes.
Be sure to get your rest as well! Quality sleep is crucial for overall skin health and can help reduce signs of aging and stress.

Once home, you can also start to incorporate retinoids back into your skin routine – although you may want to gradually reintroduce these particularly if you’ve been gone for a while.

Desert Oasis: Discover Beauty Amidst the Dunes

Embark on a journey to the heart of the desert, where endless dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, and the desert sun casts an enchanting glow over the landscape. In Desert Oasis, nature’s raw beauty captivates the soul. However, amidst the arid landscapes, your skin requires special care to thrive.

Pre-Holiday Preparation:

What pre-holiday treatments do you suggest for those embarking on desert vacations?

Exploring the desert on your vacation? You’ll want to ensure your skin isn’t as dry as the arid landscape! When my clients ask for recommendations ahead of an exciting desert holiday, I always stress the importance of hydrating treatments in the lead-up. Light peels and Hydrafacials are my top picks.

To ensure your skin is at its strongest by the time to touch down in the desert, you’ll want to avoid more intense treatments like ablative lasers and skin needling. Mesotherapy with exosomes is a fantastic superficial brightening option that will have your skin glowing without compromising it for your big trip.

During-Trip Care:

What are your recommendations for maintaining healthy skin while on a desert vacation?

While vacationing in the desert, be sure to drink lots of water and stay sun smart. This isn’t just vital for your skin – it’s important for your overall wellbeing. I often recommend taking supplements to support your skin and gut health during this time – a high-quality zinc and probiotic can make a world of difference.

Once again, leave the retinol in your bathroom cabinet in favour of gentle, hydrating products. I love vitamin C and antioxidant serums like Skinceuticals cult favourite CE Ferulic. These active ingredients are fine to wear in the sun (under appropriate sun protection) and will provide a barrier against free radical damage while keeping you radiant.

To deal with the dry heat, many clients switch their usual moisturiser out for a more emollient, luxurious formula. PCA Skin’s Hydraluxe or Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore are ideal for this purpose.

If you know that dry skin is a struggle of yours, consider bringing a travel humidifier with you to add moisture to the air. Similarly, avoiding scorching hot showers can also help reduce the drying impact of the climate on your skin.

Post-Holiday Recovery:

What are the essential steps for restoring the skin’s health and vitality after returning from a desert vacation?

Once you’ve returned from your desert vacation, you’ll want to visit your dermal professional for a hydrating facial. My favourite is the OxygenLift Facial which helps to repair any environmental damage to the skin’s barrier. The potent antioxidants in the formula are fantastic for targeting free radical damage and promoting healthy skin metabolism.

I also recommend using a gentle exfoliating mask like Aspect’s Enzyme Mask. These formulas use fruit enzymes to slough off dead skin, dust, and debris without the abrasion of physical exfoliants. Adding a product to your routine once a week once you return home will help to return your skin to its pre-desert glow.

Mountain Majesty: Ascend to Skincare Excellence

Venture into the rugged embrace of Mountain Majesty, where snow-capped peaks and pristine alpine air await intrepid travellers. As you embark on a journey to higher altitudes, immerse yourself in the majesty of nature’s grandeur. But amidst the breathtaking vistas, don’t forget to elevate your skincare routine to match.

Pre-Holiday Preparation:

What pre-holiday skincare regimen would you advise for travellers venturing into higher altitudes?

We might not hear as much about it in Australia, but environmental skin stressors aren’t limited to just the sun. Cold and high-altitude conditions can also wreak havoc on even the clearest complexions.

Begin intensifying your hydration routine a few weeks before your trip. Use a richer moisturiser and consider adding a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid to your daily skincare routine to increase moisture retention – my personal favourite is the PCA Skin HA Boosting serum.

The lips can easily become chapped at high altitudes. Start using a nourishing lip balm or salve with SPF daily before your trip to keep them moisturised and protected.

I recommend looking for products that contain ceramides or essential fatty acids, which strengthen the skin’s barrier. This is especially important in dry, cold environments where the skin barrier can be easily compromised. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore is a top pick.

During-Trip Care:

What are your recommendations for maintaining healthy skin while on a mountain vacation?

Just because you’re not on the beach on your summer vacation, doesn’t mean you should skip the hydration. Use hydrating masks, barrier-repairing creams and a dedicated lip product like PCA Skin’s HA Lip Booster. Remember that at high altitudes, UV radiation is more intense – this isn’t the time to scrimp on sunscreen. Use a 50+ SPF formula for maximum protection. Wind and cold can also dry out your skin. Layering clothing helps you manage body temperature and reduce the risk of sweating and subsequent chilling, which can stress the skin. While away, keep your diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins to support skin health. Consider supplements if you feel your diet may lack these nutrients.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mist or Gel is a great product to pop in your cosmetics bag if your skin is exposed to harsh conditions. It contains all of the green goodness with thyme, eucalyptus, and cucumber to soothe sensitive skin. Apply this under an emollient moisturiser to lock in the actives.

Post-Holiday Recovery:

What are the essential steps for restoring the skin’s health and vitality after returning from a mountain vacation?

After returning from a mountain vacation, your skin may need some special attention to recover from harsher conditions like intense UV exposure, cold winds, and low humidity. Start with a gentle cleansing routine to remove any impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils, which are important for maintaining the skin’s barrier function.

Following cleansing, it’s important to focus on hydration. Use intensive hydrating serums and moisturisers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. These will help replenish and lock in moisture, restoring hydration levels that are often depleted in mountain climates.

An LED Express facial is a great way to soothe and repair your skin gently. It uses light therapy to reduce inflammation and promote collagen production, helping your skin heal without harsh treatments.

Avoid jumping right back into intense treatments after your trip, as your skin might be more sensitive than usual. Give it some time to stabilise before reintroducing more potent treatments.
It’s also always a good idea to support your gut health, which can affect your skin. Eating foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics, such as yogurt and fermented vegetables, can help improve your overall skin condition.

Lastly, drinking plenty of water is essential for detoxifying and maintaining hydration, both internally and externally. This will help your skin recover and maintain a healthy glow.

Have an amazing holiday!

Dr Kate x

Photography: Isa Lanaro (@isalanaro)
Model: Caitlyn Hayek (@caitlynhayek)
HMUA: @theclyque
Styling by: @styledbyhassni

Shop the products mentioned: