Your Skin-Friendly Holiday Edit – What to Pack & What to Leave Behind

July 4, 2025

Heading off for a sunny getaway? Bliss. But before you start mentally checking out by the pool, let’s talk about your skin. Holiday skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be thoughtful. Long-haul flights, sun exposure, heat, and even a change in water can all throw your skin out of balance—especially if you’re already navigating hormonal shifts or sensitive skin.

So, here’s your skin-savvy packing list—and what you’re better off leaving at home.

What to Pack for Healthy, Glowing Skin

1. The Jenny Nordic Discovery Set – Your Skincare Routine in Travel Sizes

Say hello to your perfect travel companion. Our Discovery Set contains everything your skin needs in three high-performance, multitasking products:

Smooth Oil-to-Milk Cleanser (10ml) – This gentle cleanser effortlessly melts away SPF, sweat, and daily grime without stripping your skin. It’s particularly great after a beach day or city wandering—dissolves even stubborn sun protection with ease, no double cleansing needed. Just a fresh, clean face.
Balance & Rehydrate Beauty Essence (10ml) – This is your skin’s post-sun drink of water. With calming Swedish fermented oat, Arctic lingonberry, and niacinamide, this antioxidant-rich essence rebalances, soothes, and deeply hydrates skin. It helps support your skin barrier (hello, sensitive sun-kissed cheeks) and keeps things dewy, not dull.
Glow & Revitalize Oil Serum (10ml) – The final step in your minimal skincare trio. Rich in skin-nourishing oils and active botanicals, this lightweight oil serum locks in hydration, restores glow, and soothes any redness. It’s the perfect holiday multitasker—use it as your night-time treatment or mix a few drops into your daily routine after the essence.

Each product is small enough to pop in your hand luggage and potent enough to keep your skin looking fresh and happy, even with travel stress.

2. SPF 50 for Face & Body – Non-Negotiable

Sun care is the most important step in any holiday routine. Look for broad-spectrum SPF 50, ideally fragrance-free and water-resistant. Your skin is already going through enough changes without the added burden of sun damage or inflammation.

Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic SPF for your face (bonus if it includes antioxidants), and don’t forget to reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors. For your body, opt for a fast-absorbing lotion or spray that’s easy to top up on the go.

3. Lip Balm with SPF

The skin on your lips is thinner and more prone to burning than you think. A nourishing lip balm with SPF 30 or higher will help prevent cracking, peeling, and discomfort. Plus, no one wants sunburnt lips ruining their beachside brunch.

4. A Wide-Brim Hat & Sunglasses

Consider these as part of your skincare regimen. A hat and sunnies aren’t just style accessories—they’re physical sun protection for your face, eyes, and neck (which often gets overlooked). These areas are prone to pigmentation and fine lines, especially during hormonal changes, so protect them like you would your skincare investment.

5. Mist or Hydrating Spray (Optional)

If you’re flying or spending lots of time in air-conditioned spaces, a hydrating face mist with calming ingredients (think aloe vera or oat extract) can be a skin-saver. Keep it in your beach bag or backpack for an on-the-go refresh.

What to Leave Behind

1. Peels, Scrubs & Anything “Harsh”

We know it’s tempting to pack that glycolic toner or gritty scrub, but resist. When you’re in the sun, your skin is more vulnerable. Exfoliating acids or physical scrubs can make your skin more sensitive and prone to damage. Instead, focus on barrier support, hydration, and soothing ingredients. Your skin will thank you—especially if you’re dealing with perimenopausal dryness, redness or breakouts.

2. Overcomplicated Routines

This isn’t the time to be trying new actives or layering five different serums. Travel, heat, and stress are enough of a challenge for your skin. Stick with a simple, effective routine that focuses on cleansing, hydration, nourishment, and sun protection.

3. Fragrance-Heavy Products

Strongly fragranced skincare or body products can increase the risk of irritation, especially under the sun. Plus, some essential oils can be photosensitising, meaning they can actually make your skin more likely to burn. Keep it gentle, always.

Your Skin on Holiday: Less is More

The golden rule of travel skincare? Minimal, but mighty. Instead of dragging your whole bathroom cabinet abroad, choose multifunctional products that work hard and don’t overwhelm your skin. The Jenny Nordic Discovery Set makes this ridiculously easy—cleanse, hydrate, nourish, done.

You’ll come home with memories, not a breakout or a barrier in crisis.

So whether you’re off to the Amalfi Coast, a staycation in Cornwall, or just a sunny weekend escape, make space in your suitcase for products that care for your skin and keep things delightfully simple.

Happy travels, and don’t forget your SPF!

Jenny, the founder of Jenny Nordic Skincare

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