FESTIVAL-READY SKIN: OUR EXPERT TIPS TO PREP, PROTECT AND PARTY ON
Once again, festival season is upon us, and along with picking out our outfits and perfecting our festival make up, it’s time to streamline our skin care routines into just a few essential steps.
Whether you're heading to Glastonbury, Benicàssim, or any event where sleeping in a tent is part of the experience, your skin care will inevitably take a back seat. With limited packing space for the ‘must-haves,’ minimal access to water and a jam-packed lineup of performances to catch, staying on top of your beauty regimen can be a challenge. But it doesn’t need to be abandoned completely.
From how to remove your make up and glitter to topping up your SPF, here at Cult Beauty, we caught up with The Derma Lab’s, Elizabeth Japal, along with regular festival-goer and beauty expert Sophie Barker to get all the tips and tricks on how to keep your skin happy, healthy and hydrated while partying in the fields.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- How Can We Prep Our Skin Before A Festival
- What Effects Can Fest vial Have On Our Skin
- Our Experts’ Recommended Festival Skin Care Routine
- The Dos And Don’ts Of Festival Skin Care
- The Best Festival Skin Care
- What Skin Care Steps Should We Take Post Festival
BUT FIRST, HOW CAN WE PREP OUR SKIN BEFORE A FESTIVAL
Just like many beauty routines, the key to unlocking festival-ready glowing skin lays in the prep work. “Festival prep starts with barrier-building. A few days before your event, focus on hydrating and strengthening your skin with a good moisturiser, ceramide-based products and a hyaluronic acid serum – especially if your skin tends to dry out easily. Exfoliate gently two days before to remove dead skin can also help your products absorb better” explains Elizabeth.
And while prepping your face is crucial, festival-ready skin doesn’t stop at your complexion. It’s just as important to take care of your body too, ensuring you’re nourished, hydrated and protected from head to toe. “Prior to a festival, I’ll have an Everything Shower. I’ll either do this the night before the festival or in the morning before we set off, so I’ve done a full self care routine as close as possible to the eve. This includes everything from washing my hair and shaving to exfoliating and applying a moisturising body wash. After a shower, I’ll then do my full skin care routine, with some added moisturising steps such as a sheet mask or a thicker moisturiser for double the hydration” Sophie tells us.
Now you and your skin are ready to handle whatever the weekend throws at you.
WHAT EFFECTS CAN FESTIVALS HAVE ON OUR SKIN
There are many reasons why festivals can be tough on our skin. While the long days outdoors, sweat, sunscreen and dirt build up can cause havoc, the late nights and limited water are just as responsible for the lack of skin health. “All of this can lead to congestion, dullness, breakouts, or dehydration. The skin's barrier can become compromised, especially if you're not cleansing properly or reapplying SPF. That is why it’s important to still include your essential skin care step, even when you’re busy dancing the night away” says Elizabeth.
However, “if you’re willing to invest, a portable shower is a great option for having a more thorough wash and taking care of your skin. Just put a bikini on and use the portable shower to give your hair and body a good wash – you won’t feel left out, as everyone is doing it at Glastonbury!” adds Sophie.
OUR EXPERTS’ RECOMMENDED FESTIVAL SKIN CARE ROUTINE
When it comes to festivals you can keep the multi-step routines at home. “Leave retinols, strong acids and anything exfoliating out” suggests Elizabeth. Why? Because your skin may already be sensitive from sun and sweat. Keep it simple: cleanse, protect, moisturise. With that in mind our experts share their simplified steps to ensure suitable skin care.
1. Cleanse with micellar water and reusable pads
When using micellar water with reusable pads no running water is needed so you can do it morning and night from the comfort of your own camp. Plus, it successfully removes sunscreen, dirt and make up.
1
28.25€
32
13.56€
2
32.70€
3
10.17€
2. Hydrate with a barrier-repairing moisturise
Choose a formula with ceramides or squalane to lock in moisture and protect your skin from environmental stress.
78
67.80€
215
65.54€
60
20.34€
62
18.60€
34
14.69€
13
14.40€
3. Apply SPF 50 to both your face and body
A broad-spectrum 50+ sunscreen is best. Festivals usually mean long sun exposure and SPF is your best anti-ageing and skin-health essential no matter where you are. It’s recommended to carry both your body and face suncream around with you to keep this topped up throughout the day too.
357
22.60€
4
21.47€
214
22.60€
4
25.99€
49
36.16€
36.16€
4. Wash your body with biodegradable wipes.
Focus on key areas like underarms, feet and chest. A dry body brush or flannel can also help to gently exfoliate and refresh the skin without water.
17
16.90€
14
12.00€
13.56€
9
14.00€
THE DOS AND DON’TS OF FESTIVAL SKIN CARE
DO
- Use micellar water and clean cloths or cotton pads.
- Reapply SPF regularly, especially if you’re sweating or in the sun all day.
Utilise in multipurpose products. Use a moisturiser that doubles as a night cream, a tinted SPF to cut down on make up and opt for balms that serve as lip care, dry-skin relief and even a bit of natural highlight. Take hand sanitiser to wash your hands before doing your skin care in a morning or an evening. - Decant your products into smaller containers - don’t take the product in its full package (apart from suncream) as it’s wasted space in your bag. You can decant moisturiser, cleanser and micellar water into much more suitable containers that don’t take up the limited space in your bag.
DON’T
- Pack your full 10-step skin care routine – you simply won’t have the time or energy to carry this out.
- Sleep in your make up or SPF.
- Over-exfoliate or use harsh actives when at a festival.
- Share wipes or tools.
THE BEST FESTIVAL SKIN CARE
125
16.95€
36
10.10€
297
13.50€
36.16€
75
9.60€
141
19.50€
28
27.00€
6
45.20€
FINAL THOUGHTS…WHAT SKIN CARE STEPS SHOULD WE TAKE POST FESTIVAL
After days of dancing, sun exposure and minimal sleep, your skin will likely need some serious TLC, so post-festival skin care is all about rest, recovery and repair. Elizabeth suggests we “start with a gentle double cleanse to remove sunscreen and grime. Follow up with hydrating serums, a nourishing moisturiser and avoid any strong actives for a few days. A calming mask won’t go a miss either. For the body, a good exfoliation and deep moisturisation session will revive dry or irritated skin”. Taking this time to gently reset your skin not only helps it bounce back faster but also ensures that the post-festival glow lasts long after the music fades.
So, there you have it, now you know how to make your festival skin care fuss-free and easy, you can keep your skin healthy while never missing a beat.
Cult Beauty’s Senior SEO Copywriter, Trifonia started out in the industry when bold brows were just becoming a ‘thing’, and shares a passion for all things fashion and beauty. Currently embracing her curly girl journey (after endless years of straightening her strands), she is finally reverting to her natural ways! When Triffy isn’t busy testing out the latest curl-saving solutions, you’ll find her binging the latest reality TV show or on a long walk listening to her ever-evolving country music playlist.
