How to Prep Your Skin for a Summer Holiday

Summer holidays mean sun-soaked adventures, breezy outfits, and plenty of photo-worthy moments. Before you hop on a plane or head off on an exciting road trip, your skin deserves a little extra love. With a few simple treatments and tweaks to your skincare routine, you can protect, hydrate, and prep your skin for whatever your summer holiday brings. A little pre-holiday pampering can go a long way... 

1. Start with a Full-Body Exfoliation

Let’s be honest, the harshness of winter can leave our skin looking a little dull. A full-body exfoliation is the best way to slough away dry, flaky skin and reveal a smoother, softer surface underneath. Opt for a professional body scrub that will combine natural exfoliants with nourishing oils to hydrate your skin as it buffs.

Spa Tip: Book The Outer Glow - Body Exfoliation before your holiday. Your skin will feel like silk, and your tan (real or sun-kissed) will go on much more evenly!

2. Hydration Is Key

Hydrated skin = healthy skin. As the temperatures rise, our bodies lose more moisture, so it’s essential to make sure you stay hydrated both from within, and with the right skincare. Drink plenty of water leading up to your trip and avoid excess alcohol or caffeine, which can dehydrate the body.

Spa Tip: Treat yourself to a deeply hydrating facial to plump, nourish and revive tired skin. Try My Kinda Skin- Bespoke Prescriptive Facial or The Totally Quenched & Drenched - Rehydration Facial to add a hydrating glow.

3. Invest in a Good SPF

Sun protection isn’t just a holiday essential – it’s a year-round must. But when you're heading somewhere sunny, a high-quality SPF becomes your skin’s best friend. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, ideally with SPF 30 or higher. Don’t forget often-missed areas like your ears, the tops of your feet, and your lips (use an SPF lip balm!).

Spa Tip: Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic SPF for your face to avoid breakouts or clogged pores, especially in the heat. We love LIFE DEFENCE - TEMPLESPA, with it's UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection SPF 30, and potent antioxidant complex of rocket, ginseng root, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.

4. Book a Pre-Holiday Wax (But Not Last Minute!)

If waxing is part of your summer routine, make sure to schedule it at least 48 hours before sun exposure. This gives your skin time to calm down after the wax, and avoids irritation while you’re poolside or at the beach.

Spa Tip: Exfoliate the day before your wax (not the day of), and moisturise regularly to help prevent ingrown hairs.

5. Stock Up on Summer Skincare Essentials

Before you leave, ensure your skincare bag is holiday-ready. Think gentle cleansers, antioxidant-rich serums, lightweight moisturisers, and, as mentioned above, a high-quality broad-spectrum SPF. We love the handy travel-sized SPA WHEREVER YOU ARE by TEMPLESPA, containing eight 15ml and 30ml products.

Spa Tip: Ask your therapist for product recommendations, as they'll be able to help find the right products for your skin type. Remember you can sample most products in spa too, simply speak to a spa thearpist for help.

6. De-Stress Before You Go

Holidays are meant to be relaxing, so why not start early? A calming massage, fresh manicure or day enjoying the spa facilities before your departure can help you unwind, sleep better, and leave you feeling refreshed from the inside out. Bon voyage!

Spa Tip: Don't forget to check monthly or limited time spa offers to de-stress on budget!

If you'd like to book a spa treatment or try any of spa products, find your nearest spa here.