When you go on vacation, your skin does not need a suitcase full of products. An effective summer skincare routine can remain simple: cleanse gently, maintain hydration, protect your skin from the sun, and soothe it after exposure .
Between heat, sun exposure, perspiration, swimming, air conditioning, and changing schedules, however, your skin can quickly feel out of balance. The goal is not to add more steps, but to focus on a few essentials that suit your skin and your destination.
In short: what skincare routine should you follow on vacation?
In the morning, keep your routine simple:
- Cleanse gently.
- Apply a hydrating or antioxidant treatment.
- Finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen.
In the evening, cleanse thoroughly to remove sunscreen, makeup, perspiration, and impurities accumulated throughout the day. Follow with a hydrating and soothing product.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply it regularly, especially after swimming, perspiring, or towel-drying.
Why should you adapt your skincare routine in summer?
Summer does not necessarily mean your skin is properly hydrated. Increased oiliness on the surface can sometimes coexist with dehydration, tightness, sensitivity, or a lack of radiance.
During vacation, your skin may be affected by several factors:
- Sun and UV exposure
- Heat and perspiration
- Salt water and chlorine
- Dry airplane air
- Air conditioning
- Changes in sleep and daily habits
The best strategy is to simplify your routine without abandoning its foundations.
1. Cleanse without stripping your skin
Even when your routine becomes more minimal, cleansing remains essential, particularly in the evening. It helps remove sunscreen, makeup, perspiration, excess oil, and impurities accumulated throughout the day.
Our selection: Skinbetter Science Cleansing Gel, 237 ml
Skinbetter Science Cleansing Gel is a lightly foaming cleanser designed to cleanse the skin without leaving it feeling stripped or uncomfortable.
Its gentle formula makes it suitable for daily use and a practical option for vacation, when one cleanser can often be used both morning and evening.
Discover Skinbetter Science Cleansing Gel
Espace Skins tip: If you wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, consider double cleansing in the evening to remove all residue thoroughly.
2. Focus on hydration and antioxidant support
Heat does not automatically mean the skin is well hydrated. Sun exposure, air conditioning, flights, swimming, and changes in routine can all contribute to dehydration and discomfort.
Our selection: HYDRI-C Daily Vitamin C Moisturizer by Hydrinity
HYDRI-C combines daily hydration with antioxidant support. Its formula includes vitamin C and hydrating ingredients designed to help improve moisture, comfort, and the appearance of radiance.
Because it addresses several needs in one step, it is especially useful when you want to streamline your morning routine while travelling.
Good to know: An antioxidant treatment can complement your morning routine, but it never replaces sunscreen.
3. Make sunscreen non-negotiable
Whether you are spending the day on a patio in Montréal, beside a lake, or under the sun at a more distant destination, sunscreen remains the most important step in your summer skincare routine.
Our selection: Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
This mineral sunscreen offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection in a lightweight texture designed to blend comfortably into the skin.
Its sheer finish makes it easy to wear every day, either on its own or underneath makeup.
Discover Colorescience No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Remember to apply sunscreen to areas that are often forgotten, including the ears, neck, chest, and backs of the hands.
Reapply throughout the day, particularly after swimming, perspiring, or towel-drying. Avoid leaving sunscreen in a hot car or directly in the sun for extended periods.
4. Soothe the skin after sun exposure
An after-sun product does not reverse UV damage and should never replace proper sun protection. It can, however, help moisturize and comfort skin that feels dry or overheated after spending time outdoors.
Our selection: COOLA Radical Recovery After Sun Moisturizing Lotion
COOLA Radical Recovery is a rich, moisturizing after-sun lotion formulated to help hydrate and soothe skin after exposure to the sun, heat, salt water, or chlorine.
Apply it to clean skin after showering, paying particular attention to areas that feel dry, warm, or uncomfortable.
Discover COOLA Radical Recovery After Sun
5. Keep an express treatment for tired-looking eyes
Travel, schedule changes, shorter nights, and long days can quickly show around the eyes.
An eye treatment is not an essential part of a minimal routine, but it can be a welcome extra when you want to refresh the appearance of the eye area.
Our selection: Three Ships Brighter Days Eye Masks
These biodegradable hydrogel eye masks contain red algae and avocado and are designed to hydrate and brighten the appearance of the eye area.
They are ideal before an evening out, after a flight, or simply as a relaxing ten-minute treatment during vacation.
Discover Three Ships Brighter Days Eye Masks
Common summer skincare mistakes to avoid
Bringing too many new products
Vacation is not always the best time to introduce several powerful ingredients at once. If irritation occurs, it can become difficult to determine which product caused it.
Whenever possible, travel with products your skin already knows and tolerates well.
Exfoliating too frequently
Between sun exposure, heat, salt water, and chlorine, your skin may already be under additional stress.
Over-exfoliating can increase dryness, redness, or discomfort. Maintain your usual frequency or reduce it if your skin feels more sensitive than usual.
Using after-sun instead of sunscreen
After-sun products are applied after exposure. They do not prevent sunburn and do not protect the skin against UVA or UVB rays.
Forgetting to reapply SPF
One application in the morning may not be enough for a full day outdoors.
Sunscreen should be reapplied regularly and always after swimming, heavy perspiration, or towel-drying.
The ideal skincare bag for one week of vacation
To travel light, four products may be enough:
- A gentle cleanser
- A moisturizer suited to your skin
- A broad-spectrum sunscreen
- A soothing face or body treatment
You can then add one targeted product based on your needs, such as an eye treatment, lip balm, hydrating mist, or your usual serum.
Consistency matters more than complexity. A simple routine that you actually follow will always be more effective than a complicated routine you abandon after the first few days.
Frequently asked questions about summer skincare
Do I need to completely change my routine in summer?
No. In many cases, you only need to adjust textures and simplify certain steps while continuing to cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin from the sun.
Your routine should always reflect your skin type, concerns, and sensitivity.
Can vitamin C replace sunscreen?
No. Vitamin C is commonly used for its antioxidant properties and can complement a morning routine, but it does not provide the same protection as broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Can sunscreen be applied over makeup?
Yes. Some powders, sticks, sprays, and portable formats are designed to make reapplication easier.
However, your first sunscreen application of the day should still be generous and evenly distributed.
What should I do if my skin reacts during vacation?
Temporarily stop using new products or potentially irritating active ingredients and return to a simple, gentle routine.
If the reaction is severe, painful, persistent, or worsening, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Need help preparing your summer skincare routine?
Every skin reacts differently to sun exposure, heat, travel, and changes in environment.
The Espace Skins Montréal team can help you build a routine suited to your skin type, concerns, and destination.
Shop our summer skincare essentials
Article prepared by the Espace Skins Montréal team.
Updated July 2026.
