Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page, we will earn commission. Waxing? Done. Eyebrows? Shaped. Hair? Cut and blow-dried. Fake tan? Lathered on. And that's just him. The list of beauty treatments you might feel you need ahead of a big holiday seems endless, from manicures and pedicures to plucking and preening.
The Cost of Pre-Getaway Beauty Prep
According to a 2025 report by the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, Brits spend an average of £150 annually on pre-getaway beauty preparation. But do we really need to indulge in all these treatments? Here, the Daily Mail consulted leading beauty experts to determine which treatments are worth your time and which you should avoid altogether.
The Pre-Trip Essentials
FACIALS Across the board, experts praised the benefits of a pre-holiday facial. From achieving a glowing complexion to intense hydration, the perks are significant. Expert cosmetologist Vlada Bilenca from Fam Beauty London salon explained, 'It's nice to have a facial, a deep cleansing—then you are preparing your skin for your holidays.' She also recommended skin boosters, injectable treatments that improve skin hydration, noting they help with bio-revitalisation before sun exposure.
Tricia Trimble, founder and CEO of SPF specialists Suntegrity, added, 'I always recommend keeping things simple and focusing on treatments that make your skin look fresh and healthy without causing irritation. A gentle peel or enzyme treatment a few days before you leave is wonderful for removing dull surface skin.'
SKINCARE General skincare is crucial for pre-holiday routines. Celebrity esthetician Tammy Fender advised, 'It feels good to spend the weeks preparing for your trip treating your skin to extra-loving care. I like to recommend gentle home exfoliation and masking.' She also suggested incorporating manual lymph drainage or gua sha practices for enhanced results.
BOTOX Vlada Bilenca advocates for Botox before holidays, stating, 'I would say that Botox is really good to have before the holidays. Let's say two weeks before, then it helps when you are enjoying the sun on the beach.' However, timing is critical, as it must be done well in advance.
MASSAGES Tammy Fender highlighted the benefits of pre-trip massages, saying, 'Booking a massage can put you in a vacation state-of-mind before you even leave and take the edge off of travel.' This not only benefits wellbeing but also skin health by reducing cortisol and stress.
The Beauty Treatments to Avoid at All Costs
ANYTHING 'DETOX' Shamsa Kanwal MD, a board-certified dermatologist, warned, 'Anything “detox” focused is usually marketing, not physiology, especially lymphatic facials sold as permanent sculpting.' Instead, focus on science-backed treatments and avoid quick fixes.
AGGRESSIVE TREATMENTS Ildi Pekar, a celebrity esthetician, cautioned against aggressive treatments right before a trip, saying, 'The best prep is skin that’s calm, hydrated, and balanced.' Dr Ariel Ostad, a cosmetic dermatologist, echoed this, noting that deep chemical peels or ablative lasers require downtime and can leave skin vulnerable to sun damage.
POOR TIMING Dr Gina Maccarone, a cosmetic surgeon, emphasised, 'The biggest mistake people make before travel is doing a treatment too close to departure.' Even excellent treatments can be disappointing if swelling or peeling hasn't resolved. Dr Jason Champagne added that resurfacing and chemical peeling should be timed carefully to avoid wasting money.
BRAND-NEW SELF TANNER Brittney Bennett, a celebrity spray tan artist, advised against trying new self-tanners days before a trip, as it could lead to unnatural colour and ruin the experience.
What Should Be on Your Travel Beauty Packing List?
All experts agree that sun cream is the top travel essential, even in winter. Tricia Trimble stated, 'The most underrated investment isn't a treatment at all, it's a high-quality mineral sunscreen used every single day.' Other must-haves include a hydrating serum, solid moisturiser, lip balm with SPF, and electrolytes for hydration.
Cecily Braden, an esthetician, recommended The Lymphatic Brush to reduce inflammation and compression socks for long flights or drives.
Any Pre-Flight Advice?
Olha Lialina, general manager at Fam Beauty London, suggested using a thick hydrating face cream before travel instead of face masks, which can be messy. She also advised drinking a glass of water every hour on board. Tammy Fender recommended flying with Bulgarian Rose Water and calming music to reduce tension.
Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at Fresha, highlighted the importance of sanitising your entire seat area on flights to prevent breakouts from bacteria, as cabin air can dry out and weaken the skin barrier.
What Are the Best Travel Beauty Products to Pack?
Here is a guide to essential travel beauty products:
- Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask for quick hydration.
- La Roche Posay Face Cream to keep skin balanced and hydrated.
- The Original Sculpt Lymph brush for reducing puffiness.
- Aventurine Gua Sha Massage Stone for improved skin tone.
- Good Flyte Travel Wellness & Electrolytes to combat dehydration.
- Suntegrity Milky Mineral Sun Serum Spray, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for full protection.
- Organic Bulgarian Rose Water Spray for a calming atmosphere.
- Rescue Mask from Evelome to cleanse skin after travel.
