Your eyes land on your arms as you’re putting everything back together again. Somewhere in between the half-zipped toiletries and the dripping wet towel you hung up, you see a glimpse of yourself. You’ve got some residual color left on your upper arms. Your hair smells vaguely like saltwater and shampoo. And honestly, your skin seems different from what it was just a few days ago, even in the dimmer light of your bathroom mirror.
There’s an element of sun exposure to that post-vacation glow; there’s an element of rest; and then there’s an element of being out by the ocean with all that salty air. While it will fade eventually, it doesn’t necessarily go away right away. But a few simple habits can help you maintain that softer, shinier version of yourself once you trade beaches for offices.
Identify What Your Skin Really Needs
It’s the biggest mistake most people make when they come home from vacation; doing way too much as soon as possible. As soon as you get back to your daily routine, you start to notice a slight peeling on your chest or some dry spots around your elbows, and you immediately grab whatever product has the highest concentration of exfoliants available. Unfortunately, this isn’t going to do anything to improve the situation.
Skin that has been exposed to sun, wind, and saltwater generally requires calming treatment initially. Using a gentle cleanser, applying a good body lotion, and waiting patiently are all more important than using abrasive products. Once your skin barrier is no longer irritated, the glow will appear healthy rather than streaked.
Gently Exfoliate Before Things Get Dreary
After the tight dryness subsides, gently exfoliating will assist in bringing back that smooth, even-looking finish you had on holiday. For those who are interested in using exfoliating gloves, they can be very effective because they are simple, inexpensive, and can easily be stored in the shower. Additionally, these types of gloves are much easier to use for regular maintenance purposes than coarse-grained scrubs.
You don’t have to scrub your skin until it squeaks. Lightly rubbing over areas such as the backs of your arms, knees, and ankles is normally sufficient. The goal here is to remove the dry surface layer that causes an uneven appearance to a tan and gives it a tired look.
Hydration = Healthy-Looking Skin
While many associate a “vacation glow” with color (and that certainly does contribute), it’s equally as much about texture. Hydrated skin simply looks better, regardless of whether your tan is fading fast.
Consider how your skin looked/felt after taking a shower at the beach house and applying lotion immediately afterward? That’s exactly what we’re talking about. Re-creating that feeling is what matters. Moisturize while your skin is still damp after bathing/showering. Focus on areas that tend to lose their moisture rapidly, i.e., shins, hands, and shoulders. Those extra couple of minutes make a big visual difference.
Maintain Some Of Your Holiday Habits
One aspect of the glow you experienced during your vacation was likely related to how you lived your life on holiday. You were drinking more water; you were moving more often throughout the day; you were spending more time outside in daylight versus sitting under fluorescent lighting at work.
We are not saying you need to transform your typical workweek into a well-being retreat. Just maintaining a few coastal routines can support that continued glow. Keep windows open while getting dressed. Take a quick walk each night. Continue to use products that smell fresh and feel reminiscent of the ocean. When your daily routine continues to allow for moments similar to the ones you experience on holiday, the glow will last longer.
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