Summer Ready Guide

Summer vacations are a time to relax, but travel, sun exposure, and changes in climate can take a toll on your skin. To get that healthy, glowing vacation complexion, preparation starts well before you pack your bags.

Skin Expert Lara Petrig Schurter shares everything you need to know about how your skin behaves in the summer heat and how to prepare it for your upcoming trip.

How the skin behaves in Summer

• Increased Sebum production: Heat and humidity often stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This can lead to a shinier complexion, especially in the T-zone, and for those already prone to oiliness, it can exacerbate the issue.
• Heightened Risk of Sun Damage and Premature Skin Aging: The sun's UV rays are stronger, increasing the risk of sunburn, photoaging (fine lines, wrinkles, laxity), and the exacerbation of hyperpigmentation. Even on cloudy days, the UV index can still be significant making daily protection essential.
• Increased Sweating & Congestion: More sweat, combined with increased oil, environmental pollutants, and sunscreen, can easily lead to clogged pores, contributing to breakouts on the face, back, and chest (body acne). Heat rash (prickly heat) can also occur when sweat ducts become blocked.
• Dehydration Despite Humidity: While the air may feel humid, increased sweating and transepidermal water loss (evaporation from the skin's surface) can lead to internal dehydration and external skin dehydration, leaving the skin feeling tight, dull, and compromised. Air-conditioned environments can further contribute to this.
• Increased Sensitivity: Heat and UV exposure can weaken the skin's barrier, making it more prone to irritation, redness, and sensitivity, especially if coupled with aggressive exfoliation or harsh products.

Before the Holiday

• Gentle Exfoliation: Exfoliate your skin twice a week with a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin cells. After exfoliating, always follow with a hydrating product.
  FURTUNA SKIN Triple Active Exfoliator
• Antioxidants: Introducing antioxidants like Vitamin C will help minimize damage by protecting the skin from free radical damage caused by the environment.
• Optimize Hydration: Good hydration is key to healthy, glowing skin. Use masks and overnight treatment to optimize this before travel.

Products to Use vs. Actives to avoid

Prioritize Hydration Loading by intensifying your moisturizing routine. Use richer, more emollient cleansers and layer hydrating serums (e.g. hyaluronic acid) under a nourishing moisturizer.
KYPRIS Antioxidant Dew
PROF. DR. STEINKRAUS Hyaluron Serum

Focus on Barrier Fortification and incorporate products with ceramides, squalane, peptides, and fatty acids to strengthen the skin's protective barrier, creating a reserve against dryness. Incorporate a sunscreen that additionally supports your barrier.
AIME The Barrier Cream
HYEJA Bamboo Peptides Barrier Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

Avoid strong retinoids and intense peels before travel!

Which treatments are recommended and which are best avoided?

I would recommend hydrating treatments and treatments that strengthen the skin barrier and prepare the skin for sun exposure and flying. Avoid aggressive resurfacing and strong exfoliants (high-concentration AHAs/BHAs), retinoids, or intensive in-clinic treatments (deep peels, ablative lasers) before your holiday, as they can temporarily compromise the barrier and increase inflammation in the skin as well as increase sensitivity to the sun.

During the Holiday: Skincare While Travelling & On Vacation

Once your holiday begins, your skincare focus shifts to protecting your skin from harsh airplane cabins, intense sun exposure, and new climate.

What to use & avoid on the plane

• Layer Hydrating Serums Generously: Apply a few layers of a hydrating serum to damp skin throughout the flight, especially every 2-3 hours on very long journeys. 
• Seal with Occlusive Moisturizer/Balm/Oil: This is the most crucial topical step. Apply a rich, occlusive moisturizer, balm, or facial oil over your hydrating serum. This creates a physical barrier. 
  MONASTERY Attar Repair  
• Utilize Hydrating Mists: An alcohol-free facial mist can provide immediate refreshment. Crucially, always follow a mist application with a moisturizer to trap the hydration; otherwise, the evaporation of the mist can lead to further dryness. 
  THE ORGANIC PHARMACY Rose Facial Spritz
• Don't Forget SPF: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (or 50+) sunscreen before boarding, especially if in a window seat, and consider reapplying on very long daytime flights. UVA rays penetrate windows. 
  LE RUB Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50 
• Eye & Lip Care: The delicate skin around the eyes and lips is particularly vulnerable. Use a rich eye cream and a thick, occlusive lip balm regularly. 
  IN FIORE Veloutée Complexe 
• Minimal to No Makeup: Travel days are best for going makeup-free. Makeup can cake, look dull, and trap impurities in the dry cabin air. If makeup is desired, opt for lightweight, hydrating formulas. 
• Hydration from the inside out: Drink water before, during, and after your flight.

Streamlined Holiday Routine 

Stick to a minimalist, yet effective, routine. Focus on the essentials:

• Gentle Cleanser: A travel-sized, familiar cleanser that won't strip your skin.
• Hydrating Serum: A multi-tasking serum with hyaluronic acid 
• Moisturizer: Adapt texture based on climate (lighter for humidity, richer for dry/cold). 
• Broad-Spectrum SPF: Non-Negotiable Sun Protection, the single most critical step. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (ideally 50+) sunscreen every single morning, even on cloudy days. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming, sweating, or spending extended time outdoors. Opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) formulas. Mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are often well-tolerated and provide excellent physical blockage. Don't forget often-neglected areas like ears, neck, décolletage, and hands.  
• Optional: A gentle exfoliant if congestion arises, or a targeted spot treatment. Avoid Experimenting: Travel is not the time to introduce new active ingredients or products; stick to products you know your skin tolerates well.

Manage Climate Shifts

• Humid Climates: You might prefer lighter gel cleansers and moisturizers. Increase exfoliation frequency slightly if prone to congestion. 
• Dry/Cold Climates: Prioritize richer cleansers, heavier moisturizers, and facial oils to protect against windburn and dryness. Reapply moisturizer frequently.

Treatment Recommendations during your vacation

I recommend hydrating treatment with masks and LED to nourish the skin and restore balance from the sun exposure, as well as massages and lymphatic treatments that will help lift and depuff the facial contours and ease tension. Avoid Aggressive Treatments: Refrain from strong exfoliants (high-concentration AHAs/BHAs), retinoids, or intensive in-clinic treatments (e.g., deep peels, ablative lasers). Avoid treatments that can make the skin more sensitive to the sun or cause irritation. 

After the Holiday

Once you return home, your skincare goals shift from protection to recovery. Focus on restoring balance and replenishing the skin's moisture levels.

What to do upon arrival

• Thorough Cleanse: perform a gentle but thorough double cleanse to remove all accumulated products, impurities, and any cabin grime. 
• Gentle Exfoliation (If needed): If skin feels dull or congested, a very gentle enzymatic exfoliant or a mild AHA liquid can help refresh the surface. Avoid aggressive exfoliation if the skin is feeling compromised. 
• Rehydrate & Replenish: Apply hydrating serums and a nourishing moisturizer. Consider a hydrating sheet mask or cream mask for intensive repair.
  AUGUSTINUS BADER The Hydrogel Face Mask
  

Skincare habits to restore and rebalance the skin

• Prioritize Sleep: Allow your body and skin to adjust to your normal routine by prioritizing quality sleep. Sleep is essential for the skin's optimal repair processes.
• Hydration and Barrier Support: Gentle, hydrating skincare with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane helps strengthen the skin barrier and counteract dryness.
• LED Therapy: Consider using red light to support your skin's recovery. HIGHERDOSE Red Light Face Mask

It is also important to avoid aggressive actives initially and give the skin time to recover.

Which treatments are beneficial for recovery and repair 

Many of the clients we treat have issues with stripped skin, dehydration, and pigmentation after the summer. We focus the initial treatment on repairing and rebalancing the skin. Only after this would we then begin to treat other issues with more intensive treatments like microneedling. LED therapy is a great way to strengthen the skin and boost hydration. Oxygen therapy helps supply the skin with oxygen and lock in moisture into the deeper layers of the skin.