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You've planned the perfect spring break itinerary, stuffed your luggage full of resort-ready outfits, and packed all your travel essentialsee. But all of this careful planning and organization for your sun-filled trip can go down the drain with just one obstacle — sunburn. If you've ever experienced the pain of red, irritated skin and sun damage, you can probably relate to the motivation to avoid such an unpleasant situation.
So, if your spring break involves a lot of fun in the sun, chances are you'll need to pack a few extra essentials to ensure that you're prepared to protect and soothe your skin. We fully understand the struggle, and we've got you covered. From reviewer-approved after sun moisturizing spray to TikTok-viral ice rollers, we rounded up the best products to help you stay cool during your time in the sun and cool your skin down after.
These essential items will help brighten your entire spring break trip in more ways than one. All you have to do is enjoy your time on the beach(-each), go get a wave, and have a drink (clink) without worrying about the sun harming your skin.
SpotMyUV UV Detection Stickers for Sunscreen - 32 Count
As important as it is to apply sunscreen, during a spring break filled with lots of sun, it's equally important to know when reapply your sunscreen to avoid sunburn. These UV detection stickers give you a personalized reminder by changing colors when your sunscreen starts to wear off.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant and Non-Greasy Sunscreen
If you're looking for a sunscreen that's water-resistant, sheer upon application and doesn't have that heavy, greasy feeling, this Neutrogena sunscreen with SPF 70 is it. It has 17,700+ five-star reviews on Amazon, and it's both PABA-free and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for all skin types, according to the brand.
Florasis Yurong Light Veil Smooth SPF 50 Primer
Want to look flawless without stressing about the UV rays? This bestselling SPF 50 primer combines beauty and sun protection into one gorgeous bottle, featuring a creamy & non-greasy formula with nourishing ingredients like chamomile, mulberry flower, and chasteberry for optimal hydration minus the sticky finish. Not only does it act as an effective shield against sun damage (both UVA & UVB radiation!), the primer uses porous oil-absorbing particles to absorb excess oil on your face.
Supergoop! Glow Oil Body Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
For those who want a little extra radiance in their sunscreen routine, this Supergoop! glow oil is a must-have in your spring break packing list. The lightweight oil is water-resistant and made with an antioxidant-rich formula for superior sun protection, giving your skin a brilliant glow and dimishing signs of UV damage, all in one.
Protekt SPF50 Mineral Sunscreen
If you're spending hours on end having fun in the sun, you need a sunscreen that can keep up — bonus points if it's safe for the environment, especially if you're splashing around in the waves. Protekt's athlete-tested mineral sunscreen checks all the boxes, featuring a lightweight formula with non-nano zinc oxide to safeguard your skin for up to 80 minutes (yes, even in water).
This SPF power duo includes a lotion and spray. According to one of the rave reviews, "This stuff was amazing. Stayed on in water and keeps even the children who normally have a problem with the sun … sunburn free"
Franz Naked Sunshield Peptide Patch
Add an extra layer of UV protection for your sensitive cheeks with these Sunshield Peptide Patches. Featuring an impressive UPF 50+ grade rating, these patches mold seamlessly to your skin for a barely-there finish that's also water- and sweat-resistant.
One Amazon reviewer wrote, "I purchased this product for sun protection while golfing, and I love it. The patches are invisible on your skin and feel super lightweight. They also lasts all day, even when you're out in the sun and sweating. If you're looking for extra sun protection, I highly recommend you get these patches!"
BrüMate BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
Staying hydrated is the ultimate form of self-care in our books, especially when you're spending all day under the sun. Enter the BrüTank, aka the coolest cooler you'll ever meet. It's equipped with innovative features like a removable drink tank with a built-in tap, puncture-resistant all-terrain wheels, a foam seat top, a built-in bottle opener & more.
According to one BrüMate shopper, "We Love this thing! Took it to the beach with us...a 6 hr drive. Got to to hotel and filled it with ice, and adult beverages (and water!) It kept the ice in there for 4 days!!! We added a bit more but you were always reaching through ice for another drink. Even after taking to the actual beach, over labor day weekend sun. We used the water tank too which saved us a bunch of times. Once we got home, we dumped the remaining ice and water and it was perfectly clean. Well worth the price!"
Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Body Butter with Coconut Oil
This after sun body butter nourishes your skin with ultra-rich moisturization for 12 hours, making it the ultimate form of self-care after a day in the sun. It's made with a blend of coconut and avocado oils, as well as shea butter to kep your skin feeling smooth and silky soft.
Après Beauty Cool & Glow Towelettes
These Après Beauty wipes work as hard as you play to keep your skin feeling cool and refreshed on the go. A cleanser and toner in one, these biodegradable towelettes help remove sweat, makeup, dirt, and more. Goodbye, sweaty breakouts; hello, radiant glow.
One Free People shopper raved, "Literally cannot express how much I love these towelettes. I use them everyday after hot yoga and have notice a huge difference with my skin. Especially if I decide to grab food with friends before heading home. They also save my life when I'm out camping. I used to have to use baby wipes because make up wipes hurt my sensitive skin. But thank you Après because now I don't have to sacrifice my skin while out in the wilderness."
Solar Recover After Sun Moisturizing Spray
This after sun spray is a liquid lotion that can be used as an everyday moisturizer on your entire body. Reviewers rave about its effectivenesss for preventing and treating sunburns — according to one Amazon shopper who rated the product five stars, "We were skeptical about the stuff when we first ordered but, after five years of using it on sunburns, we are convinced it is close to magical--- less pain, no blisters, no peeling. Plus, we get lots of positive comments about the scent. I sometimes use it just to smell a little fresher."
TONYMOLY I'm Real Sheet Mask Collection
This $3 aloe sheet mask is fun, functional, and the perfect little treat to finish off a sunny day. The 3-layer pulp sheet is filled with natural ingredients and soaked in different types of enriched essence to deliver maximum hydration for your skin.
Tip: If you want an extra cooling and soothing effect, store the mask in your refrigerator until you're ready to use.
FACETORY Sun Bae Aloe Vera Soothing Sheet Mask - Pack of 5
This 5-pack sheet mask is formulated specifically for after-sun care— it features ingredients like aloe leaf extract, shea butter and jojoba seed oil to hydrate and soothe tired skin. It's great as a refreshing start to your day or as a relaxing wind down (or both); all in all, this is an essential item on our packing list.
Psst, make sure to clip the coupon when adding to cart on Amazon for an extra $2 off!
Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is the tried-and-true method that's most commonly used for after sun care — and for good reason. This organic aloe vera gel is made from real, freshly cut aloe leaves, and it absorbs rapidly onto your skin for soothing relief. You can use it to treat your sunburns, cuts, rashes and more.
Glow Cube Ice Roller
Ice, ice, baby. You might've seen this Glow Cube ice roller in the TikTok beauty community, as ice can help tighten and deputff your skin. In addition to the skin benefits, this refillable sillicone Glow Cube is the perfect way to cool your face down after being in the sun all day. Just pour in your liquid into the mold base, pop on the lid and fill, and place it in the freezer overnight — you can also customize your recipes to suit your skin's specific needs (e.g., lemon water, green tea, cucumber water or coconut milk).
Esarora Ice Roller
This is another TikTok-viral ice roller that can help massage and soothe your skin, morning or night. You can use it for puffy eyes in the morning, on irritated skin, arms, legs and neck— anywhere you need that might need some gently cooling relief. The head is also detachable for easy cleaning.
Medi Grade Cooling Face Mask and Cooling Eye Mask
This complete eye, under-eye and face ice pack set has everything you need to soothe and rejuvenate your entire face. It includes one gel eye mask, one gel face mask, two gel cooling eye pads, two gel under-eye cooling pads, and one cool bag, so you can refresh and feel your best after a long day of fun in the sun.
OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer
I know what you're thinking— why is there a kitchen tool included in a list of self-care products? But hear me out: cucumber face mask. Imagine winding down with an at-home spa routine, the coolness of fresh cucumber slices on your face after hours in the warm sun. This handheld mandoline slicer has 3 adjustable thicknesses, making it perfect for easily cutting neat, even slices of cucumber.
Looking to shop more must-have items for a perfectly sunny spring trip? You'll love our desert music festival packing list for spring break.
—Originally published March 2, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. PT