By Dr Kaur, Aesthetic Doctor & Founder of My Cosmetic Doctor
1. Skipping Vitamin C in the Morning
Many people leave vitamin C out of their holiday routine—but this is when your skin needs it most. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against free radical damage caused by sun exposure and pollution. It also helps prevent pigmentation and works with your sunscreen to give more complete protection.
What to do instead: Even if it’s not part of your usual routine, use a stable vitamin C serum under sunscreen each morning on holiday. My current fave is VI derm's Vitamin C brightening concentrate which contains Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. This is more stable and less irritating than ascorbic acid, whilst still enhancing collagen production and antioxidant protection to help reduce UV damage and prevent further pigmentation.
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2. Only Relying on Sunscreen for Sun Protection
Sunscreen is essential—but it shouldn’t be your only line of defence. Many people forget that physical protection matters just as much.
What to do instead: Use UPF clothing for kids, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Seek shade where possible and try to avoid direct sun between 11am–3pm when UV rays are strongest. These little changes make a big difference in protecting your skin (and your family’s).
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3. Not Reapplying Sunscreen Often Enough
Applying sunscreen in the morning and then forgetting about it is a common mistake. Between swimming, sweating, and wiping faces, sunscreen doesn’t last all day.
What to do instead: Reapply at least every 2 hours, or more often if you’ve been swimming or sweating. Keep a roll-on handy for easy top-ups—especially with kids.
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4. Continuing Retinoids and Acids Without Adjusting Your Routine
You can continue using actives like AHAs or prescription tretinoin—but only if you’re strict with sun protection. With more sun exposure on holiday, your skin may be more prone to irritation or burning.
What to do instead: If you won’t be able to reapply SPF consistently or are in the sun all day, it may be safer to pause these ingredients temporarily. Your skin will thank you.
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5. Trying New Products Just Before or During Travel
Introducing new products right before a trip is risky. If your skin reacts, you might not have the tools or time to manage it properly.
What to do instead: Stick to products you know your skin tolerates well. Holiday is not the time to experiment! Or get help at least 6-8 weeks before your planned trip and let us help you curate a skincare regime for brighter and healthier skin before your holiday.
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6. Decanting Products—Especially Active Ingredients
Many people decant products into smaller pots to save space, but active ingredients like vitamin C can degrade quickly when exposed to air and light.
What to do instead: Use travel-sized versions of your skincare, or simplify your routine temporarily. It’s better to skip a product than use one that’s no longer effective.
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7. Getting Skin Treatments Too Close to Travel
Procedures like chemical peels, microneedling, or laser treatments can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Doing them too close to a trip increases your risk of pigmentation or irritation.
What to do instead: Avoid any treatments that increase photosensitivity for at least 2 weeks before travelling.
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8. Not Packing a “Problem-Solver” Product
Long-haul flights, heat, or shaving can cause unexpected breakouts, rashes, or irritation—and many people forget to pack anything calming.
What to do instead: Bring a gentle, multi-tasking product like hypochlorous acid spray. It’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and works for everything from breakouts to shaving bumps. Great for kids too!
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9. Ignoring Pigmentation Triggers Like Blue Light
If you have melasma or are prone to pigmentation, sun isn’t the only trigger. Blue light (HEV) from screens or sunlight can worsen pigmentation too.
What to do instead: Use a pigmented sunscreen with iron oxides that protect against UVA, UVB, and HEV light. It also doubles as light coverage!
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10. Overcomplicating the Routine
Trying to keep up your full 10-step routine on holiday is unrealistic—and it often results in irritation, especially in hot or humid climates.
What to do instead: Simplify. Prioritise cleansing, antioxidant protection (vitamin C), a good moisturiser, and high-SPF sunscreen. That’s your core. Everything else is a bonus.
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Final Thoughts
Skincare on holiday doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs to be considered. A few smart choices can keep your skin protected and glowing, even while chasing kids through the sand or rushing through airports.
Ready to glow from within?
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