Experts share secrets to glowing holiday skin

Preparing Your Skin for a Radiant Holiday

Achieving that perfect pre-holiday glow is more than just a quick fix. It requires careful planning and consistent effort, much like preparing for a long road trip. The combination of heat, humidity, and travel-induced dehydration can be tough on your skin, but with the right approach, you can arrive at your destination looking fresh and ready for your break.

At-Home Treatments That Really Work

Many people tend to panic and overdo their skincare routine in the days leading up to a trip. However, last-minute scrubs, acids, or overhauls can actually do more harm than good. Instead, focus on gentle exfoliation and hydration to support your skin’s natural barrier.

Dr. Hansel Misquitta, an aesthetics doctor, recommends focusing on hydration and mild exfoliation rather than trying to overhaul your skin overnight. “Think of it like prepping your car for a road trip – you top up the oil and clean the windshield, rather than swapping the engine last minute.”

A light resurfacing formula is ideal. Reform skincare’s renew gel, which contains mandelic, glycolic, and phytic acids, is a great option that gives a fresher glow without risking peeling or redness.

Moisture should be the main focus in the days before you travel. Dr. Amiee Vyas, a skin health and cosmetic doctor, suggests using products containing hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and squalane. These ingredients help restore moisture and strengthen the skin without causing irritation.

To mimic the results of a salon facial, layering hydration is a trick worth knowing. After cleansing, mist your face with a thermal water spray or hydrating toner. While your skin is still damp, apply a hyaluronic acid serum, then follow with a nourishing moisturiser or balm to seal everything in. A lymphatic massage with fingers or a roller can also boost circulation and help your skin look lifted and fresh.

Recommended Products

• Reform Repair & Renew Gel, £30
• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation), £7.90
• Estee Lauder DayWear Moisturiser Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant 24H-Moisture Creme SPF 15, £54
• Brushworks HD Rose Quartz Resin Roller & Gua Sha, £14.99

What to Book and When to Do It

Timing is crucial when it comes to in-clinic treatments. Skin boosters like polynucleotides can be done as close as five to seven days before flying, offering glow and hydration without downtime. However, other procedures require more time to settle.

For injectables like anti-wrinkle treatments or fillers, two to four weeks before travel is ideal. This allows the product to settle and any swelling or bruising to calm before you step off the plane. Any tweaks to facial symmetry or volume need a buffer too. Three to four weeks gives you an insurance period in case you need corrections.

Hair removal also needs planning, especially before sun exposure. Waxing removes the top layer of skin and leaves it temporarily vulnerable. Three to five days before travel is best to avoid irritation, especially if you’re heading for sun, sand, or chlorinated water. Brows can be shaped or tinted two to three days out for a polished look without the risk of redness or nicks.

What Not to Do Before Flying or Sun Exposure

There are several professional treatments that are best avoided right before a holiday. Anything that causes peeling, inflammation, or temporarily compromises the skin barrier should be approached with caution. Deep peels, laser resurfacing, or micro-needling can make your skin more vulnerable to UV damage. They need recovery time and are better done well in advance.

Flying itself dries the skin, as cabin air humidity often dips below 20 per cent. Combining that with a compromised barrier can lead to irritation, flaking, or pigmentation. Even at home, it’s worth pausing harsher actives. Stop retinoids and high-strength AHAs or BHAs a few days before flying. Instead, focus on calming and hydrating products that help your skin adjust to changes in environment, long flights, and sun exposure.

Easy Glow-Ups That Won’t Blow the Budget

You don’t need to splurge on spa facials to get a pre-holiday glow. A solid combination of light exfoliation and barrier repair is often enough. A pharmacy-grade lactic or mandelic acid peel, followed by a ceramide-rich moisturiser with peptides, delivers a fresh look with no downtime.

For hydration, she likes peptide sheet masks, “think of this as ironing your shirt before a meeting – minimal effort, low risk and it delivers.” At-home massage is another secret weapon. Just a few minutes spent working in your serum or moisturiser with upward strokes can help de-puff, lift, and revive tired-looking skin.

Recommended Products

• Facetheory Resurfa AHA & BHA Exfoliating Serum, £25
• COSRX The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch 60 patches, £24.99

How to Keep Skin Glowing After Landing

Once you’ve landed, keeping your skin calm and hydrated is key. Pack a gentle, non-stripping cleanser, a lightweight moisturiser with ceramides or niacinamide, and a broad-spectrum SPF 50. A vitamin C serum is a great addition to help protect against free radicals from sun and pollution, and keep pigmentation at bay.

Dr. Misquitta also prioritises cleansing and sealing in hydration. She always packs micellar water wipes or an oil-based balm. “The Elf Holy Hydration! is affordable, effective and doesn’t leave a greasy film.” She recommends following with a second cleanser at night, plus a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid and panthenol. “Just remember, serums draw in water, but don’t lock it in. Always follow with moisturiser.”

And if a post-injectable bruise sneaks up mid-trip, “a dab of arnica speeds up recovery and keeps things looking fresh for your holiday photos,” says Dr. Misquitta.

Final Tips

Above all, consistency matters more than a last-minute miracle. Great skin is built daily, like brushing your teeth. Your holiday should be about enjoying your skin – not fixing it.

Recommended Products

• Elf Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Serum, £12