P116 SKIN TRANSIT
If you’re investing good money in lightweight luggage and wise time editing your wardrobe, going big on toiletries is counter-intuitive. Check out our selection of summer grooming products that will make it through security
Our carry-on friendly travel kit will keep your skin cool, hair soft – and luggage light
Face value This high- concept yet affordable moisturiser from Brit brand Heath features hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, plus a new substance called Soliberine, which protects your face from the degrading effects of both sunlight and blue light (that’s the glare coming from your iphone, Instagram hound). “This product sinks in easily, and won’t leave surface shine on your face,” says Ian Matthews, barber at Mayfair’s Bath & Racquets Club. _ £ 15 for 100ml heathlondon.co.uk Pool resources While there’s little more refreshing than a cool dip after lunch, both sea and pool can give your hair a beating. That’s where this cleanser from Aveda comes into its own, featuring ‘babassu surfactants’ (us neither) to remove chlorine and salt. “It’s important to cleanse the scalp thoroughly on holiday,” says Aveda’s master barber Stel Nicolaou. “A build-up of salt and chlorine can create irritation and affect your hair’s growth.” _ £5.50 for 50ml aveda.co.uk Smooth move This rich shaving oil from Bulldog contains aloe vera, camelina oil and green tea for a superior glide. Reparative natural ingredients like these can even eliminate the need for a post-shave balm, providing precious extra room in your luggage. “A travel essential, this oil soothes and protects,” says spa specialist Mark Smith (thespaman.co.uk). Top notes of bergamot and lemon will keep you feeling fresh on arrival, too. _ £5.50 for 30ml bulldogskincare.com _ Cool-down After-sun products do more than just cool incandescent skin – the best ones also counteract cellular damage caused by UV exposure. “Think of after-sun care as you would taking vitamins,” says Dr Lionel de Benetti, head of research at Clarins. “I’d advise you start using it a few days ahead of your holiday to build up your skin’s defences, then use it each night until it runs out,” he says. A beach body isn’t honed in the gym alone. £ 27 for 50ml clarins.co.uk
Light touch While you’re doubtless tired of us extolling sunshine’s health benefits, we’ve all overdosed on the good stuff and been served up mediumrare. Fortunately, protection doesn’t come more bulletproof than this broad spectrum SPF50. “The lightweight formula has an invisible finish and it’s waterproof,” says Elly Sandberg, La RochePosay’s product manager. In other words, it’s perfect for both sea swimming and beach barring. £14 for 100ml laroche-posay.co.uk Locks stock “We sweat a lot more in the summer, and the salts tend to dry out the hair,” says Gary Green, founder of 72 Hair. Couple that with prolonged sun exposure and it’s likely your holiday barnet will turn into something resembling a bird’s nest. “Our Repairing Oil rehydrates without adding any greasiness,” he says. Best of all, it moonlights as a styling product, holding hair in place while adding shine to your beach tresses. _ £ 15 for 75ml 72hair.com Deep clean You may think it’s urban living that does your skin the most damage, but days by the pool can do their worst, too. Yes, a little sun can do wonders for the complexion, but if you’re topping up the SPF (you are, right?) your pores can easily get clogged up with oil. That’s why we like this foaming cream, which cleanses and exfoliates at the same time. “It even doubles as a skin prep for shaving,” says Smith, “so you save space and time.” _ £ 19 for 100ml labseries.co.uk Good scents Pit Boss may not be the most alluring of names for a grooming product, but it’s in keeping with the no-nonsense attitude we’ve come to associate with US brand Jack Black. And it delivers, too. Odour molecules are more easily emitted from warm skin, and this deodorant offers double protection against both smell and sweat to keep you feeling cool on long summer days. Crucially it isn’t too heavy-handed, either. _ £ 15.50 for 78g mankind.co.uk