Spending a few days at a spa hotel may very well be one of the most relaxing holidays you can have after a tough season. Considering all the things that happen at the spa – from the use of thermal pools and massages, through peaceful breakfasts and leisurely afternoons, a spa day is full of activities and hence, whatever products you carry in your cosmetics bag should enhance the experience without overcrowding it. Indeed, a trip to the spa clearly calls for a lighter skin care routine.
Your destination and hotel determine your skincare routine to a greater extent than you would imagine. As you search for spas and cheap holidays destinations online, you could end up choosing among many types, including thermal destinations in Central Europe to wellness destinations on the coasts of Portugal, Spain or Italy. All these factors play an important role in determining the actual products that are useful.
Find Out What is Already Provided by the Hotel
Once it is known what will be offered by the hotel, packing becomes a lot easier. Many spa resorts provide bathrobes, slippers, towels, basic toiletries and hairdryers. Luxury wellness hotels might have some skincare products at their treatments area or some cosmetics from reputable beauty brands in their guestrooms.
Checking the facilities of the hotel beforehand is a very efficient move since bringing large bottles of shower gel, lotion, and shampoo, which will definitely be provided by the hotel, is quite useless.
When it comes to the list of the treatments, it is also an essential thing. The person who plans to have a few facials in three days will need less of the active cosmetics since all the treatment includes cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, and masking; that’s why the same steps performed at the hotel will only overload the skin.
It is convenient to know whether the hotel has:
- thermal or mineral pools
- saunas and steam rooms
- facial treatments
- body scrubs or wraps
- indoor and outdoor pools
- hair and beauty services
The spas will also help determine the things to leave at home. Professional treatment-centered holidays require a collection of basic products to carry.
Skincare Routine Simplification Before Treatments
Spa holiday skin is often subjected to more heat, moisture, and treatment options compared to ordinary holiday skin. Steam rooms, pools, saunas, and facials may affect the skin barrier function, especially if the individual uses them frequently in a row.
Simple skincare is often the easiest option to go with. Cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF will provide basic skin care during a short trip. Hydrating serum may also come in handy for those individuals whose skin easily gets dry during travels.
Exfoliating acids and retinoids might be reduced in the skincare routine before facial treatments in a spa. This is because some facial treatments involve exfoliating ingredients. Use of many active skincare products on the same day may result in increased sensitivity of the skin.
Using new skincare products while on a break at a spa can make it difficult to determine the cause of any irritation. Products that one knows how to control will be more effective in use.
Sunscreen should also be considered for the day even if the rest of the trip will be indoors. A break at a spa always includes an outdoor pool or terrace or garden stroll around the town.
Think about Heat and Water
The sauna or steam bath is included in any relaxation period in a European spa, and this process will definitely have an effect on the state of your skin during the whole day. Increased sweating and reddening of the face due to heating may occur as well as skin dryness and sensitivity.
It will be more convenient to use these facilities without any make-up on the face.
Water rich in minerals or thermal waters are quite soothing for the skin, but spending long hours in the pool may cause the drying of the skin. Chlorine in pools may also have the same effects. So, it is necessary to take a shower after that and apply a body moisturizer.
Hair also requires care. Swimming and steam exposure repeatedly can make it dry or hard to manage. A small amount of conditioner or leave-in treatment is enough compared to carrying several products for styling.
In case of long hair, it can be loosely tied back during sauna or pool treatments. With just one simple clip or hair tie, hair can be held off the face without requiring daily styling.
The makeup routine in case of spa break should be adjusted according to the schedule of treatment at the facility. There is no point of wearing a full face of makeup in case of a swim followed by massage.
Package for When It’s Quiet
In most spa hotels, the clothing style is quite casual during the day. Lots of time will be spent moving around between the room, the swimming pool, treatment room, and the restaurant; therefore, comfortable clothing will matter a lot.
A light lounge set, a simple dress, or loose trousers will do after the treatments. Two swimsuits are necessary to allow drying the first one when you use the second one.
Evening will require more sophisticated clothes, especially at resort restaurants. One dress or smart trousers combined with a casual top will do for a short stay. Loafers or flats will not seem too unusual in the casual environment.
The same philosophy should be applied to the beauty bag. A practical spa vacation kit may include:
- gentle facial cleanser
- moisturiser
- broad-spectrum SPF
- lip balm
- deodorant
- basic makeup products
- hair conditioner or leave-in treatment
- body moisturiser
Keeping everything compact makes it easier to move between the bathroom, spa changing room and treatment areas.
Allow Time for Skin Post-Spa
The last night of a wellness holiday could be the perfect time to stick to a skincare routine that is stripped down. Following many days of swimming and steam baths, as well as spa treatments, it might help to do something soothing with a minimum of products on the skin.
It will guarantee that all the makeup and sweat is completely removed. The moisturizer will help in providing whatever extra hydration the skin needs at night. A hydrating serum or a heavy cream may need to be used in case the skin is feeling dry.
There is no need to immediately start applying all ingredients after returning from the holiday. In case the skin is a bit sensitive, it will make sense to leave some time between applying ingredients.
The same principle is true when it comes to the entire spa break. Having fewer products leaves more space for the actual experience. Professional services, thermal amenities, and an altered environment are enough to diversify the existing beauty routine.
A spa retreat should be simple right from the start – during packing. Using well-known must-haves, taking into consideration what amenities the hotel offers, and adjusting the skincare to the treatment services can make the beauty routine effortless during the entire stay. The extra time will be left for the very purpose of the trip – relaxation, great meals, pleasant surroundings, and a few days of leisurely life.
Leave a Reply