A relaxing sun, sea and beach holiday can make you feel radiant, energised and relaxed. But even if you’ve been super vigilant with the SPF, increased exposure to the sun, along with late nights and holiday over indulgences, may have left your skin and body in need of help.  

“A holiday can make you feel and look great,” says Holistic Skin and Wellbeing Expert, Gemma Clare. “However, once the tan has faded you may notice new issues such as dry, dehydrated skin, brown patches and hyperpigmentation, blemishes and fine lines.”

We've asked Clare and other EV Experts to share their solutions to the most common summer skin and body woes.

Dry, dehydrated skin

Dry air, low humidity levels, air conditioning, alcohol and flying can cause skin to become dry and dehydrated. So, what can you do?  “Drink plenty of water when you get back, especially if you’ve been on a long flight,” says Clare.

 “To give skin a moisture boost, choose products that contain hyaluronic acid, which enhances the skin’s ability to retain water. Linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) also helps to hydrate the skin.”  

• AlumierMD HydraDew contains niacinamide, aloe, hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
• Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Water Facial is a deeply moisturising mask that can be worn overnight for maximum hydration. Contains a combination of potent hydrating ingredients, including linoleic acid, ceramides and squalene.
• CeraVe Body Moisturising Cream contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides and is perfect for dehydrated skin.
• Caudalie Vinotherapist Hyaluronic Nourishing Body Lotion is a light, non greasy lotion containing hyaluronic acid, organic shea butter and polyphenols.
  
  

Brown patches and hyperpigmentation

“Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment within our skin that gives it colour and causes the skin to have a ‘tan' response,” says Amish Patel, Aesthetics Practitioner and Skincare Expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic. “When melanin is produced in high concentrations or clogged together, this causes discolouration, brown patches and age spots.

"To tackle hyperpigmentation, try laser treatment, chemical face peels and skincare with a high retinol formulation,” says Patel, "although wait at least 10-14 days after your holiday.”

• UltraClear is a fractional laser using a cold ablative laser beam that can help to reduce all types of hyperpigmentation in one 20 minute session. 
• ZO Skin Health Body Emulsion exfoliates dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of brown spots and patches and evens skin tone.
• iSClinical Retinol +Emulsion 0.3. is a highly active, fast-acting botanical formulation that diminishes the appearance of an uneven skin tone and texture, brown patches and blemishes.
  
  

Water retention, puffiness and bloating

Bloating, water retention, puffy eyes and swollen ankles and feet, can commonly occur in hot weather. “It’s easy to become dehydrated in the heat,” says Clare. “The loss of fluids causes your body to retain water which can trigger tummy bloat. Sitting for hours in a plane, train or car affects circulation, which can make your feet and ankles swell.

“Drinking plenty of water, as well as herbal teas such as mint and fennel can also help to reduce water retention and bloating," she continues. "Avoid white carbohydrates, processed food, carbonated drinks and sugar as these can make you more bloated. If you’re on a flight, do ankle exercises and stretches."
 

• 111Skin Cryo De-Puffing Facial Mask helps reduce dark circles and puffiness around eyes and face.
• Organic Pharmacy Detox Body Oil contains a blend of organic oils including juniper, rosemary, fennel and grapefruit essential oils. Apply to damp skin, or use a skin brush to detoxify and boost circulation.  
• Dab ankles with a few drops of Tisserand Essential Oil, Rosemary and Geranium, to help prevent swelling.
• The Naked Pharmacy Gut Love contains 19 billion friendly bacteria—an imbalance of gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can make summer bloating worse, but taking a daily probiotic (which contains good bacteria) can help. We also love
  
  

Skin blemishes and rashes 

Insect bites and allergic rashes can leave unsightly blemishes and marks on the skin, so it pays to be prepared. "Depending on where you travel, you'll probably want to include insect repellent as part of your travel first aid kit,” advises Patel. Certain ingredients in your SPF may also cause an issue if you have sensitive or reactive skin. “If you're using a new sun cream, always do a patch test before leaving home,” says Patel.  

• La Roche-Posay Cicablast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm contains thermal water and cicaplast, a leafy herb that enhances skin healing.
• Paula’s Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains 3% tranexamic acid, 5% niacinamide and 0.5% bakuchiol to fade discolouration and blemishes, and even out skin tone.
  
  

Sun-induced fine lines

If you do get back from holiday with a few new lines and creases, there are aesthetic treatments that can help. “To soften expressive lines such as forehead lines or crow's feet around the eyes, botulinum toxin is an option,” says Patel. “Targeted dermal fillers can re-volumise sagging skin and help reduce the appearance of fine lines.”

• Profhilo is an ultra-pure, stablised hyaluronic acid bio remodeller that's injected into the skin. This hydrates and plumps the skin, while stimulating the production of collagen and elastin
• Alphascience Lift & Correct Surface (CR) Cream is an ultra-smoothing wrinkle corrector including botulinum toxin-like patented tripeptide to reduce the appearance of fine lines (in two hours). Used regularly, it can help to reduce wrinkles and sagging.
• Altrient C Liposomal Vitamin C has a 98 per cent absorption rate—vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that enhances skin repair after sun damage and is crucial for collagen production. This gel is a bio-available form of the vitamin.