The holiday glow. We all know the feeling. When your skin is radiant and glistens in golden hour, you’ve got natural beachy waves after a day dipping in the sea, and feel rejuvenated after some well-deserved relaxation. Prolonging the holiday feeling feels like a lost cause when you’re back in the drizzle, but we have come to your rescue with an essential guide to post holiday skin care. We bring you tips and advice from our beauty insiders and our very own elite beauty therapists. From the best ways to tackle skin care post-sun exposure to product and treatment recommendations, we’ve got your back. 

Stay hydrated from within

Spending long periods of time in the sun can seriously dry out your skin. Whilst there are products and treatments that can rejuvenate dehydrated skin (we’ll recommend some later), diet is key. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day is essential in giving our bodies the hydration it needs to function properly and to achieve healthy, glowing skin.We know we’re not the first to tell you the benefits, but now’s the time to get proactive. Set alarms on your phone or download water apps that send you a reminder. If you find your skin feeling a little lack-lustre after a holiday, try to avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol for a while (hard we know!). Unfortunately, caffeine and alcohol are renowned for their dehryating effects and will only worsen the problem. Opt for a detoxifying green tea, decaf coffee or green juice for a health kick. Or if you’re really feeling the post-vacay blues, treat yourself to an alcohol-free mocktail.Fruits and vegetables are saviours for dull, dry skin. They are packed with water, amongst other antioxidants and vitamins. Perfect if you’ve been making the most of the hotel breakfast buffets on holiday! Your skin is your protective barrier, so make sure you give it the TLC it deserves by fueling your body with nutritious foods. These can include sweet potatoes, avocados, fish, seeds, oranges, and more. Omega 3, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C will work wonders on dehydrated skin. 

Book a revitalising facial

We recommend booking in for a series of facials after a holiday to combat any potential sun damage and severely parched skin. While you will see benefits after one facial, regular monthly facials will give you truly long-lasting results. If you’re pushed for time (aren’t we all!) and need a quick fix, our ‘Glow on the Go Facial’ by OKSIA  is designed to provide immediate and lasting hydrating effects. A quick 45 minute facial that uses a combination of OSKIA’s results-driven beauty products, which are packed with ingredients including micro-derma exfoliant, passion fruit enzymes, Swiss cress liposomes and AHA masks. This will brighten your skin and help you prolong your holiday radiance. 

5 post-holiday skincare hero products

1. OSKIA’s newly launched award-winning serum, Renaissance Brightlight (£92, oskiaskincare.com) is designed to repair holiday skin by targeting the chemical processes involved in melanin production. Packed with bio-available actives and nutrients, the serum is clinically proven to fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, two common effects caused by overexposure to the sun.2. Our office are huge fans of Neom. The Neom Great Day Glow Face Serum (£45, neomorganics.com) is a handy little product that’s perfect for your post-holiday facial routine if your skin tone is looking uneven. Enriched with turmeric root extract, the serum is designed to enhance the skin’s natural radiance.3. The OSKIA Isotonic Hydra Serum (£78, oskiaskincare.com) is known for plumping the skin whilst helping to retain moisture.4. Another OSKIA favourite of some of our elite facialists is the OSKIA Renaissance Mask (£64, oskiaskincare.com) which gently exfoliates the skin using natural enzymes found in papaya and passionfruit. The gentle exfoliation will help to prevent your tan from being scrubbed away immediately.5. Neom have also launched two new editions of their classic Hydrating Magnesium Body Butter (£36, neomorganics.com). The Complete Bliss fragrance is fruity and flirty, perfect for afternoon cocktails with the girls. If you’re looking for something a little more subtle, Neom has encapsulated summer in a scent with the Great Day fragrance. Zesty and super-fresh, you’ll have that summer feeling all year round! Neom are huge advocates of the power of magnesium in revitalising and nourishing the skin and we absolutely agree. It’s the best kept secret to prolonging your holiday tan.

Top up your tan

It’s a sad sight when the tan lines you worked so hard to gain begin to fade. While we don’t usually condone cheating, we do recommend topping up your spray tan so you can continue to enjoy the compliments of ‘you’ve got such a lovely colour’. Book in for a cheeky at-home spray tan with one of our discreet tan technicians. Don’t worry, we won’t tell if you don’t!If after reading this, you’ve got even more holiday blues and are tempted to book a last-minute getaway for some autumnal sun, then be sure to check out our guide to holiday beauty preparation.