Beach Holiday Skincare: Morning Routine for a Summer Glow

Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by Amy

A beach holiday promises relaxation, sun, and sand—but it can also take a toll on your skin. Sun exposure, saltwater, and humidity can cause dehydration, irritation, and breakouts. But don’t worry! You don’t need an elaborate skincare routine to maintain a healthy glow. Here’s a simple, effective morning routine that will keep your skin protected and radiant all vacation long.

Morning skincare routine for glowing skin

Cleanser

Cleansing in the morning is essential while on a beach holiday to remove the oils and impurities your skin accumulates overnight. This step prevents clogged pores and breakouts—especially in warm, humid weather—and creates the perfect base for SPF and other skincare products.

For a quick and easy cleanse, especially when you’re eager to hit the pool, micellar water is a great option. I recommend:

• Garnier Micellar Water Facial Cleanser
• Bioderma Micellar Water

Both are travel-friendly, effective, and gentle on the skin.

If you prefer a deeper cleanse, a gentle foaming cleanser is ideal. The Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser is a great choice—effective yet non-stripping. Click here to read my review of this product.

Mist

A refreshing facial mist is a must-have in hot climates. It provides an extra layer of hydration and helps prep the skin for the rest of your routine.

The Byoma Balancing Face Mist or Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist are both excellent options. They not only hydrate but also strengthen the skin barrier, helping to prevent moisture loss—a common issue in sun-exposed skin.

Vitamin C serum

Adding a Vitamin C serum to your morning routine is a game-changer. It enhances your SPF’s effectiveness while protecting against sun damage and boosting radiance.

I recommend:

• Allies of Skin Vitamin C Serum (30ml, £93) – Fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and provides an instant glow.
• Oskia Super C Smart Nutrient Beauty Capsules (£72 for 60 capsules) – Travel-friendly and lightweight despite their oil consistency.
• Beauty Pie Superactive Capsules Pure Double Vitamin C & E Serum (£16 for 60 capsules for Beauty Pie members) – A more budget-friendly yet effective option.
• The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (£12.50) – A great affordable alternative that still brightens and protects.

If your skin is sensitive to Vitamin C, you might prefer the Skin1004 Tone Brightening Ampoule. It features gentle brightening ingredients that deliver a radiant glow without irritation. Check out my full review here!

💡 Tip: Store Vitamin C serums in a cool, dark place to prevent oxidation, as they degrade easily when exposed to heat and light.

Eye Cream

Travel, sun exposure, and dehydration can leave your eyes looking tired and puffy. A lightweight yet hydrating eye cream can help.

Some great options:

• Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream (15ml, £28) – Hydrates and brightens.
• Votary Super Bright Eye Gel (15ml, £65) – Refreshing and lightweight, perfect for humid weather.

For more options, check out my posts on brightening eye creams and hydrating eye creams for puffy eyes.

Moisturiser (Optional Step)

I often skip a separate moisturiser in the morning since my SPF provides enough hydration. However, if your skin is feeling dry from sun exposure, adding a lightweight moisturiser can help lock in hydration.

Some great options for hot weather:

• Clinique Moisture Surge – Layers beautifully under SPF with no pilling.
• Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream – One of my favourites! Lightweight and fast absorbing. Check out the full review here.

SPF (The Most Important Step!)

Sunscreen is the most crucial step in your morning routine. A lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF protects against sun damage, premature ageing, and hyperpigmentation.

My go-to SPFs:

• Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Featherlight SPF 50 (£15 for members) – A non-comedogenic formula that absorbs quickly with a dewy finish.
• Ultrasun Anti-Ageing Face SPF50 (50ml, £24) – Fast-absorbing and lightweight, great for sensitive skin.

Reapplication Tip: A facial SPF mist is a must-have for touch-ups throughout the day.

Garnier Super UV Over Make-Up Mist SPF 50 (75ml, £8.67) – A fantastic budget-friendly option that provides an even, weightless layer of sun protection.

Sculpted by Aimee Sun Mist SPF 50 Spray (70ml, £19) – Invisible on the skin and great for use over makeup.

SPF Lip balm

Lips are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection, but they are highly prone to burning. Many lip products, especially oils and glosses, can make lips more vulnerable to UV damage.

Look for a hydrating lip balm with SPF:

• Dr. PAWPAW SPF Repair and Protect Balm (£4.95)
• Aquaphor Lip Protectant SPF 30 (£6.29)

💄 Want a tinted option? The Hello Sunday Tinted Lip Balm SPF 50 (£10) is a gorgeous choice with two wearable shades.

I hope these summer skincare tips help you maintain glowing, healthy skin on your next beach trip! The key to hot-weather skincare is keeping it simple and effective—focus on hydration, protection, and lightweight layers.

Do you have any favourite travel-friendly skincare products? Let me know in the comments!