There’s no better way to get excited about your upcoming summer holiday than by going shopping for all your beach essentials. Even the most eco-conscious of us aren’t immune to this pleasure, but some of us – quite rightly – temper that excitement with our concern for the environment and the health of ourselves and our children. So here’s some greener and healthier ways to join in with the summer joy of planning for your beach holiday.
Sun Protection
Sun protection of one kind or another is so important, especially for children. Getting
just 5 blistering sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer by up to 80%. So make sure you have a variety of ways to protect your skin. Many drugstore sunscreens are full of parabens, oxybenzone and other chemicals linked to various types of hormone-disrupting cancers. But there’s no need to worry – there are plenty of options open to you. You can wear a beach cover up which covers the arms and chest well – and there are plenty of good second hand ones about, like this one which I’ve featured from the Oxfam online shop (click here to check out their full range of colours and options).
You should also invest in a good ocean-safe, reef-safe SPF sun cream each summer. Some people make their own suncreams with coconut oil and essential oils, and if that’s your thing, go for it, but be aware there’s always the risk that you end up making a basting oil for your skin rather than a sun protectant. While many oils and essential oils do have a natural SPF quality to them, there is no way you can guarantee that level of protection is still in the base ingredient product you’ve purchased without expensive testing. Instead, buy a non-nano, paraben-free, oxybenzone-free sun protection product which is as natural as possible. Suncreams like this new one from Weleda which I purchased at my local health food store last week are a great option.
If Weleda is difficult to find in your area, consider the Thinkbaby and Thinksport sunscreens which I tried out on two separate occasions earlier this summer when visiting friends and I had to borrow some sun protection. Thinksport do SPF 50 creams, but also a great SPF 30 face and body stick which is easy to apply to your face – kind of like a mini deodorant stick. It’s a clean range of products which is easy to find in Canada, the US and the UK, and it’s been designed for serious athletes – so it will definitely be able to withstand your beach holiday demands! Plan ahead and make sure you have enough for your trip – you don’t want to end up like I did on my trip to Italy, having to buy horrible overpriced chemical-filled sunscreen at the pharmacy (you don’t want to know how much sun protection costs in Europe).
For kids I also recommend getting UPF 50 sun protection suits for the beach. When paired with a good wide-brimmed hat, it means you don’t have to worry about when they spend a bit too long in the sunshine – as they inevitably will. I do buy these suits and shirts second hand for my daughter but do keep in mind that the sun protection factor in second hand suits might not be as high as it will be in a new suit.
Swimwear
You can get some great bathing suits and bikinis second hand like these ones at the Oxfam online shop (just give them a good boil wash after buying them). I’m a bit busty, however, so have never had luck finding second hand bikini tops that fit me. In fact, finding any gorgeous bikini tops that will fit over a D cup is actually quite difficult. I was gifted this beautiful black Boho Chic bikini from Hunkemoeller (I saw their gorgeous lingerie and swimwear boutiques all over Germany last month). It fits me so well – in fact this model ran a bit on the generous size, so I had return my first bikini top (thank you free returns!) and go a cup size smaller than my usual Panache bra cup size which looks amazing on me. It ties at the top and the back , so you don’t need to worry about whether the band will be too tight or too loose, and the metal U bar in the front, allows the front of the bra to open easily for topless sunbathing (or easy breastfeeding, if you’re still nursing your child). They also had a variety of styles of bikini bottoms, so I was able to find the right cut to suit my derrière. (That’s not me below, btw!)
After Sun
Don’t overthink this one. Buy some pure organic aloe gel (like this one from Amazon which comes in a handy 200ml size). Avoid those livid green and totally transparent Aloe-based concoctions you see at the supermarket and pharmacy – they have a lot of other stuff in them other than healing aloe. You can mix the aloe gel with a few drops of a good quality lavender essential oil (I use Young Living – see why here) to boost the skin soothing quality of the aloe. If you do get a bit too much sun, just rub in some of this into your skin and it will help cool you off and start to nourish your sun-damaged skin. Just keep reapplying as your skin sucks it in (and it will, depending on the severity of the burn).
Beach Bag
Don’t forget a beach bag to schlep around all your stuff. You don’t need to invest in something really expensive – if you’re travelling on your own or with your partner, a small canvas shopping tote will work. If you’re travelling with kids the best thing are those big tacky re-usable supermarket bags which are fantastic for this purpose because they’re waterproof and hold tons of stuff like flippers, goggles, snorkels, sand-encrusted swim shoes, gazillions of towels, etc.
But I know that if you’re going back and forth to the beach club, you might want something a bit more chic than a massive orange Sainsbury’s bag proudly branding it’s elephant design emblazoned on the side. I’ve decided to splurge and treat myself to this black & white one from Hunkemoller UK to match my new bikini. It reminded me of some of the gorgeous bags I’ve seen in Anthropologie. (I remember the days of disposable income. They’re long gone, but I do remember them!)
Sunglasses
For Pete’s sake, don’t forget a pair of sunglasses or you’ll be squinting in agony for the next two weeks. On my way back from Canada in June, I treated myself to a new pair of Oakley matte tortoiseshell Latch sunglasses at the duty free shop. (Yeah, I’ve given myself a few treats lately – what’s up with that?) I had been planning to get the folding Ray Ban Wayfarers, but discovered that they come in a leather case, which kind of didn’t flow with the whole vegan vibe.
Water Bottle
It’s pretty easy most places to access clean drinking water, so unless you’re travelling somewhere at particular risk for waterborne pathogens, just take your water bottle with you and for each member of your family so you can stay hydrated throughout the day. Even if you go to a resort, its great having your own reusable cup bottle with you, so you can have the bar staff refill it with water for you from their filtered water systems. I love my Yeti bottle because I can attach it to my bag with a carabiner – and yes, I bought it second hand.
It’s also a great idea to take a reusable coffee cup (like a Keep Cup) or an insulated wine tumbler (yes, there is such a thing) so you don’t have to use plastic cups for your wine or cocktails, and they’ll stay cooler for longer in the sun. (Amazon have a wide range of insulated wine tumblers at various price points, and Yeti do a cool one too).
Sun Hat
Sun hats are such a personal thing, I’m not even going to show you an example here. I have a great soft brushed cotton baseball cap I love from ethical clothing company Absolutely Bear which I wear for day trips and hiking all the time, but I probably won’t wear it on the beach on my trip to Spain, as I might want something which channels a bit more of a Sophia Loren vibe. But whatever suits your style.
One thing I will say is, just take a sun hat. Something foldable might be wise, so you can pack it in your luggage. I have a gorgeous Panama style hat which I love, but it isn’t the easiest to travel with because I have to wear it for the whole flight, or make sure it doesn’t get crunched up in the overhead luggage compartment.
Sun hats are such a great and easy way to keep the sun off your face without worrying about whether your SPF cream has worn off and panda eyes are developing. And as the (not so) proud wearer of many, many panda eyes in the past, may I say I have expert knowledge that it is worth avoiding. (No make up will really cover those puppies up.) Just wear the hat.
Reading Material
It’s really important to have enough reading material on your trip. On shorter trips I’ll usually just take a library book, but I also have started to enjoy borrowing my husband’s Kindle and I absolutely love Amazon Audible, so I can listen to audio books on my phone while on the plane and so I can keep an eye on my daughter on the beach. (Getting lost in a book isn’t really possible when you’re looking after children near the sea, lakes or the pool.) Here’s the link I used to get a free 90 day trial of Audible so you can see if it’s the kind of thing you would enjoy too – at the very least it will last you your holiday! They’re often read by the author or by someone with a delicious reading voice, like Mariella Frostrup. I recently listened to Swing Time by Zadie Smith and can highly recommend it.
And have a great holiday! For more tips, check out my posts on eco travel, how to pack light and travelling with kids. Have I forgotten anything? Let me know in the comments below.
Resources/References:
Sun Protection – https://www.nhs.uk/news/cancer/just-five-sunburns-increase-your-cancer-risk/, https://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sunscreen-report/index.html
Photo Credit: Hunkemoeller bikini shot – from https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/uk_en/47-boho-chic-bikini-bottoms-black-123295.html, Hunkemoeller beach bag shot – from https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/uk_en/47-doutzen-beach-bag-black-134253.html
I love the bikini – so simple and chic. Its great to see that they do an expansive size range with it too!
I’ve heard such great things about the Weleda sunscreen and really need to try it as its cruelty -free as well as sustainable.
C x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’d say the bikini top ranges are broad in sizing, but I think the max the bottoms go up to are probably a 16 or maybe 18. I’m a 12 and took the medium, but with lots of beachwear companies, that’s pretty much the max size. But it’s the bra sizing that is usually the issue for me. Weleda is definitely worth trying – I’ve been wearing their stuff for 27 years!
LikeLike
These are all such great tips and I am a huge fan of Weleda products – have been using then for years and love them
Laura x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Laura! I started wearing Weleda Iris face cream when I was 13, and 27 years later I still love Weleda products too!
LikeLike
Loads of greta tips, I think a lot of people forget to take their water with them when the weather is this hot and that’s the first issue – dehydration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fab tips. With this weather and everything we are doing we need to follow your guide. Water and sun protection is key!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great tips! These will come in handy for my next trip in 19 years!
LikeLike
Oh dear! Not much of a traveller?
LikeLike
Great post with some really useful tips! It’s a good idea to make sure that your sunglasses are protecting your eyes against UV light as well, even if it means spending more – the cheaper ones don’t always do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true! I’m not associated with Oakley in any way, but I’m a big fan of their glasses and always wore them when I ran my eco-tourism company in Southern Mexico as they protected my eyes really well on long hikes, cycle rides and when rock climbing. The guy who ran the shop where I used to buy them had this video running where they did laser tests through lenses of some seemingly top brands, and they all refracted the laser in different directions, except Oakley, where the lasers went straight through, so the optical quality is definitely very very good.
LikeLike
We try to only use natural skin protection. It’s so much better for the environment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hot tips! Like the canvas tote bag ideal to put all my beach stuff in x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I swear by my aloe vera aftersun, so refreshing (especially if you keep it in the fridge)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, it feels fantastic if you leave it in the fridge – great tip!
LikeLike
I never thought about how harmful the sunscreen was for the ocean until I went snorkeling last year in Belize. As soon as everyone on the boat jumped in the water, the color of it changed to a creamy white – that surely isn’t good! I’m glad to hear that there are sunscreens that are environmental friendly and don’t pollute the water.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes and thank goodness there are more and more of them these days. Usually they are labelled reef safe or ocean safe. But you can often tell by looking at the ingredients too.
LikeLike
Sun protection is so important so good cover ups and great sunscreen like you mentioned are my huge must haves!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My friend uses Weleda and I got the chance to try it too. I am impressed and I am convinced to buy my own too. Where can I get this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Angela, I got my big 150ml bottle at Holland and Barrett, but if there’s not a store near you, Amazon has it as well, a bit cheaper actually: https://amzn.to/2vvD3v9
LikeLike
These are great travel essential tips and most of which I take with me when I head to the beach too. Having a nice wide brimmed hat is so important to me as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much for your comments. I love wide-brimmed hats…the only bummer is what to do with them on the plane! So awkward!
LikeLike
Sunscreen is so important, I try to always use Weleda for my kids as they often react to other brands. Really enjoyed these tips x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Laura, thank you so much for your lovely comments. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
LikeLike
This list is going to be super useful when I’m packing for our first summer holiday abroad next year as I always seem to forget basics opps
LikeLiked by 1 person
We always try and opt for the more eco friendly option as well. We have cloth bummed our children as well so this is second nature to us. Loving the sound of the suncream, im always on the hunt for new options to try
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh amazing! We did cloth too – well, a combination of cloth (in the house) and Naty eco ones (when on day trips or travelling). I love hearing when other people who don’t brand themselves publicly as eco or green (like me) just get on and live life as naturally and ecologically responsible as possible. That’s really how it should be. I imagine the Weleda suncream is the more natural of the two I recommended, but the little sticks of the Thinksport and Thinkbaby are so convenient to have in your bag for reapplication – and no sticky hands afterwards!
LikeLike
Great tips and products. It’s great to see how many great eco friendly products are on the market now (I love that beach bag too!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could not agree more with suncream being so important, I’ve just come back from Ibiza and I got extremely burnt and it’s not an enjoyable way to spend your holiday. Factor 50 all the way. Some great tips and suggestions here
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you. t’s often taken for granted but sunscreen is so important – not just during the holidays but all year round! It is a big part of my daily regimen. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely love going on holiday. When I’m buying my things to take with me, I always focus on the SPF first and foremost. It doesn’t matter what I’m wearing or what accessories I take with me, I focus on protecting my skin first. Then I get down to the fun stuff! xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some great tips! I’m always very careful about which brands of sun protection I use both on myself and the kids. I love that bag by the way – I’ll check out the range!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the first year we invested in sun protection suits for our kids and they’ve been a life-saver!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh fantastic! They do take some of the stress out constantly checking if your kid is burning and reducing the sunscreen reapplication battles! Lol 🙂
LikeLike