7 Beauty Products to Keep in Your Beach Bag

Long gone are the days that when we headed to the beach or pool, we only took a towel and our Nokia phones with us. Now that our sun care involves more SPF and hats, less body oil and burning, packing for the beach has taken on a whole new meaning.

While sunscreen is obviously a beachside essential, if you’re packing right, you should have way more than just sunscreen in your bag. A beach day entails hours of sun, sand, and likely socializing, which means you have to be prepared for a whole slew of scenarios.

From extra protection for your hair to ways to products to keep you feeling fresh in case you hit up a post-beach happy hour, these are the seven beauty products you should keep in your beach-day arsenal, always.

1. Sunscreen for your face

Sunscreen is an obvious but necessary part of your beach bag packing. Rather than just grabbing one form of SPF and heading out the door, we recommend bringing two: one for your face, and one for your body. This way, you can protect your face from harmful UVA and UVB rays without the pore-clogging ingredients body sunscreen might have. And since you’ll be re-applying throughout the day (duh,) you should pack your face sunscreen even if you already put it on in your morning skincare routine. 

Supergoop!

Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

This cult-favorite SPF is weightless and leaves no white-cast, making it perfect for everyday use. It also is cruelty-free, vegan, and reef-safe—check, check, check.

Tower 28

SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Suscreen

Want a little bit of coverage with your SPF? Look no further than Tower 28’s tinted SPF, which will protect and perfect your skin without looking heavy or cakey.

Shiseido

Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

If ease is your thing when it comes to re-applying your sunscreen, opt for this ultra-quick stick form of SPF. It’ll leave a hydrating, invisible finish that can even be applied over makeup.

2. Sunscreen for your body

Especially if you’re planning on being in the water all day, re-applying sunscreen throughout the day is essential. Opt for one that’s easy to use and sinks into the skin seamlessly, so you actually want to re-apply.

Supergoop!

Glow Body Oil SPF 50

If you’re looking for incentive to re-applying your sunscreen, the gorgeous, hydrated glow this SPF 50 body oil leaves is all you need.

3. A protective hair product

Yes, your hair can get damaged from the sun, too. Be sure not to neglect your head by protecting both your hair and hair part from the sun (nobody wants a burnt and peeling scalp—trust me). If you dye your hair, protecting your locks from the sun will also prevent from any altering or fading of your color. 

Sachajuan

Hair In The Sun

Like sunscreen for your hair, this protects your tresses from harmful UV rays while delivering moisture and styling benefits.

Supergoop!

100% Mineral Part Powder

Scalp sunburn has met its match with this non-greasy, translucent, undetectable powder. It’s like dry shampoo, but with SPF.

4. Lip balm with SPF

the skin on your lips is thin and delicate, making it super susceptible to sun damage. Plus, since the skin on is so delicate, getting them burnt can also be seriously painful. The antidote? A lip balm that also contains SPF. These formulas are hydrating, protective, and are formulated so it won’t taste like you have a mouth full of sunscreen.

Sun Bum

SPF 30 Lip Balm

This lip balm contains SPF 30, plus aloe and vitamin E to moisturize your lips all day long (even after a dip in the ocean).

Supergoop!

Lipscreen Shine SPF 30

More of a gloss girl? This non-sticky lip gloss contains SPF 40, and works both on top of other lip products and on bare lips.

Source: Supergoop!

5. A hydrating face mist

A day of sun and saltwater is bound to leave your skin absolutely parched, and a hydrating face mist is an easy way to give it a dose of moisture without messing around with the stickiness (or hassle) of taking a moisturizer with you. Look for one that has ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, and give yourself a spritz of it every time you re-apply your sunscreen.

6. Leave-in conditioner

Both saltwater and chlorine are major culprits of hair dryness, and can leave your locks looking dull and lifeless. Follow a day in the water up with a leave-in conditioner to immediately surge your strands with the dose of hydration they’re craving. Keep a mini one on-hand that can easily fit in your beach bag and be taken on the go.

Source: dae

7. Deodorant

Days in the sun tend to be a little extra… sweaty. Be prepared for whatever the day will bring you by packing your deodorant in your bag to—you guessed it—re-apply. In the event you head straight out to lunch or to get drinks, you’ll be able to freshen up and feel like your best post-beach self.

Nécessaire

The Deodorant Gel

This aluminum-free deodorant is fast-drying and completely unsticky, making it a perfect match for beach-day heat.