There are occasions when a 10-step skincare routine is exactly what you need… and an island holiday is not it. When a private cabana awaits, who has the time to work through a hill of tubes and jars? Here, our picks of multitasking skincare saviours to keep your holiday beauty routines short and sweet, all the better for skipping to the good part.
Do Everything Balm
You’ll need a multipurpose balm. You know the kind – use for a sheen on the lips and as a dewy cheekbone highlighter, brush through brows in place of brow gel, and dab on your cuticles, around the nose and elbows to nourish and heal dry patches. In a pinch, you can even use it to remove makeup, along with a washcloth and some warm water.
Take along your favourite, whether it’s Lucas Papaw Ointment, Egyptian Magic Cream or beeswax-free Lush Ultrabalm, a fine vegan choice.
Lucas Papaw Ointment, USD 9.95
Egyptian Magic Cream, USD 26
Trilogy Everything Balm, USD 37
Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm, approx. USD 70.33
Lush Ultrabalm, USD 16.95
Read also: How to pack a capsule holiday wardrobe
Mask On
A soothing mask works wonders in a parched airplane cabin, but also post-mild sunburn. Bonus – some double up as a moisturiser and makeup primer, too. Designed with travel in mind, the one by ThisWorks is famously approved by jet-setting makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. Or use Lancôme’s Énergie de Vie rejuvenating sleeping mask in place of a night moisturiser and you’ll be ready to go in the AM. Drier skins will adore Bobbi Brown’s Skin Nourish Mask. Once you’ve tissued off the excess, massage in what’s left for maximum suppleness.
ThisWorks In Transit Camera Close Up, USD 55
Lancôme Énergie de Vie Nuit Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask, approx. USD 50.73
Bobbi Brown Skin Nourish Mask, USD 51
Read also: Island hopping around Koh Samui
Sunscreen 2.0
When all your beauty essentials have to fit a pouch, even sunscreens have to pull their weight. Enter sunscreen-serums that treat as they protect you from UV rays. Eve Lom’s SPF 50 sunscreen has niacinamide and vitamin C to smooth and protect, while cult sun care line Anthelios by La Roche-Posay’s antioxidant serum shields skin from free radical damage in a comfortable, lightweight texture. Sensitive, dry skins need something deeply moisturising, like Sisley’s Super Soin Solaire. Want some coverage? Try IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream for its blend of sun protection, hydrating properties and light-diffusing effects.
Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF 50, USD 90
La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Antioxidant Serum SPF 50 , USD 42.50
Sisley Super Soin Solaire Facial Sun Care SPF 50+, USD 184.97
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, USD 38
Read also: Top to toe: Sunscreen for your face, body and hair
Mist Me
Facial mists were designed for the beach bag! A single bottle quickly refreshes, hydrates, soothes, and sets makeup all at once. We especially enjoy liberal spritzes of Mario Badescu’s classic mists, Algenist’s invigorating Splash mist, Pixi’s softening, oil-infused Glow Mist, and Diptyque’s aromatic rose and citrus cocktail.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray in Chamomile & Lavender, USD 7
Algenist Splash Hydrating Setting Mist, USD 35
Pixi Glow Mist, USD 15
Diptyque Infused Facial Water, USD 55
Words by Grace Wong.
