Headed to the Beach? Fill Your Bag With These 9 Summer Beauty Essentials

With beach season in full swing, don’t wait to dust off your go-to beach essentials: Towel and chair? Check. Fun bathing suit? Check. But have you thought much about your beach beauty bag?

While there will be many opportunities to put your makeup and skin-care favorites to use this summer, not all of them are particularly beach-friendly. Any successful day by the water requires purposeful items that make life easier—especially if you won’t be headed home right after. Your beach beauty bag calls for lightweight coverage options, a multitude of ways to keep your body hydrated, and lots of sunscreen. Below, we’ve curated an edit of beauty products you’ll wish you had in your beach bag sooner. Happy summer!

Reapplying Sunscreen

Certainly, you’re prioritizing applying SPF before your beach day, but don’t forget the importance of reapplying sunscreen every two hours—per the recommendations of our trusted dermatologists. With or without makeup, rely on a compact, effortless SPF formula that makes reapplication that much easier. For example, Shiseido’s stick goes on clear and is crafted to be even more effective in the water and sun. Or, there’s Habit’s mister that provides a sun-protecting refresh to your face.

Don’t Forget Body

Of course, it’s equally important to reapply sunscreen to your body too. So to combat sun damage all over, reach for Supergoop!’s Play formula if you prefer a lotion-esque option that’s water- and sweat-resistant. Otherwise, La Roche-Posay’s Athelios nourishes and protects skin from free radical damage thanks to a blend of antioxidant technology, glycerin, vitamin E, and SPF 60.

Protected Lips

Safeguard your lips throughout your beach day with your favorite lip balm or oil. Even more, there is an assortment of options now that provide sun protection, too. EltaMD, the brand behind the dermatologist-favorite sunscreen, delivers longwear moisture to lips with this soothing balm. For a sheer tint though, consider MDSolarScience’s sheer balm your go-to—leaving lips with subtle color and hydration.

Staying Hydrated

Proper water intake is always essential for optimal organ function, healthy skin, and feeling energized, but even more so while active or under the sun. Whether it’s Loewe’s printed aluminum bottle or Larq’s water-purifying insulator, keep a water bottle in tow to stay hydrated all summer long.

Mess-Free Makeup

While some of us eagerly sport a bare face, others might want to wear a bit of beach makeup—or, to have on hand for post-beach soirees. Thanks to the entrance of an array of multitasking makeup products and skin-nourishing salves, there are plenty of mess-free makeup solutions perfect for on the go. Stash Merit’s Flush Balm in your beach bag for sun-kissed color atop the eyes, cheeks, and lips, along with Chanel’s waterproof mascara. On the coverage front, Saie’s new concealer will blend like a dream to veil rogue pimples, hyperpigmentation, or dark circles. Furthermore, get your hands on Ilia’s bronzing powder for a buttery sculpted glow.

Hair Heroes

Maintain a good hair day even after a dip in the ocean with a leave-in conditioner or effortless styler. Those with curly hair should consider Mizani’s Miracle Milk—a lightweight spray formulated to repair, detangle, moisturize, and combat frizz. Otherwise, Living Proof’s Dry Volume and Texture Spray will give hair a much-needed boost—not to mention soft hold regardless of humidity.

All-Over Glow

After sunscreen, achieve the ultimate bronzed glow with a shimmering lotion. There’s Sol de Janiero’s SPF-infused oil that melts into skin for a touch of non-greasy illumination—not to mention leaving you with the brand’s signature scent. African Botanics oil is a fabulous option too—featuring a blend of marula oil, vitamin C, and other natural botanics.

Mood-Boosting Scent

A good fragrance can easily boost your mood, bring back fond memories, and help you feel prepped for the day ahead—so you won’t regret having your favorite scent on hand along with other beach essentials. Maybe it’s Vacation’s scent that offers a tropical vibe thanks to notes of petitgrain essence, coconut water, pineapple, and sea salt. Or perhaps Tom Ford’s Soleil Brûlant that’s seductively citrusy and spicy.

Skin Refresher

If your plans don’t allow a quick shower after your beach day, you’ll want to store some travel-friendly cleansing and odor-reducing salves in your bag. Megababe’s biodegradable wipes, infused with glycolic acid, botanical extracts, cucumber, and mint, are individually wrapped and effectively refresh the skin, while Kosas’ beloved natural deodorant works to combat body odor while soothing and brightening.