38 Things That'll Help You Enjoy Your Beach Vacation

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4 days ago

Lanolips SPF 30 lip balm for a nice, light, pineapple-y treat so you don't end up with fried lips. Your lips needs sunscreen too! But with this, it doesn't taste like you're wearing sunscreen.
A set of sunscreen reminder stickers to pair with your body sunscreen so there's someone besides you and your pal who're wading in the waves to remind you that, uh, yes, you do need to reapply! Oh and they last for 12 hours. Once a sticker turns colors, it's time to reapply.
Solarcaine Aloe Sunburn Relief Spray for anyone who's fallen victim to a scorching sunburn and has felt hot to the touch because of it. (Been there, majorly regretted that.) This soothing lidocaine formula also acts fast or irritating scrapes and bug bites, so it's sure to come in handy all summer long.
Coppertone Glow with Shimmer Sunscreen Spray in SPF 30 can give you that been-outside-all-summer glow — even if the most light you've basked in has been the light of your phone three mere inches from your face as you scroll through TikTok at 3 a.m.
Or a "boardwalk"-scented spray SPF 30 in case you find yourself on an actual boardwalk during a go-with-the-flow beach day. Oh, and it's in a vegan, water-resistant formula made to protect you for 80 minutes.
A SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar for a K-beauty sun fix you can safely throw in your bag and then reapply on the go. It has a slightly curved bar for easier application (like in the GIF!) and matte effect, and won't leave a white cast in its wake.
A set of cooling patches will work some soothing magic for a variety of uses including (perhaps most importantly), sunburn. But it'll also help with itchiness from bug bites and poison ivy. And! They're TSA friendly. So you can probably leave your aloe vera gel at home for your next vacation.
A sweat-friendly, wide-brim ponytail cap to help get your hair up and off your neck while also giving you some serious face shade. And unlike other ponytail caps where you have to pull your ponytail through an opening, this one has a snag-free closure that's thick hair–friendly.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 Tinted Sunscreen in case you feel straight-up naked without foundation at the beach. This is tinted enough (while blending beautifully!) to give you coverage on both fronts. I've used this in several spots, including during a July vacation in Grand Cayman when it stayed PUT even though I all but ate and slept in the saltwater pool.
A TomboyX solar mesh tank that'll help keep you cool and dry thanks to its breathable UPF 50 protection material. So it'll work super well as a swim cover-up, workout top, or just a nice layer to keep you from pouring sweat while just being outside of your hotel room!
A reviewer-beloved, spacious beach tent with UPF 50+ protection (the maximum sun protective rating achievable for fabrics) to give you ALL the shade at the beach because the beach CAN be great. You just gotta be prepared!
Or a beach sun tent if you love the beach (same) but need some breaks from the sun and wind (same same) without obscuring your view of the ocean (same same same).
A UPF 50 quick-dry long-sleeve swim top that'll cover your poor shoulders that always ALWAYS get fried on beach vacations. Pull on this cute top and it won't be an issue!
And if you prefer a little more coverage, some UPF 50+ swim capris built to help you jump some waves and engage in some serious seashell-hunting activities.
A *solid* Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen that really sticks to your skin on your tropical (or just plain sweaty) vacation. Oh, and because it's a solid, it's carry-on–friendly! (I love to keep this in my purse all the time.)
Or Kopari Sun Shield On-The-Glow Sheer Sunscreen Stick packs SPF 40 for a verrrrrrry glittery effect on your skin while keeping it from sizzling in the sun. I just used this at a Las Vegas music festival and got away (mostly) unscathed. (I got a little lazy at the end and missed a few little spots on one shoulder.)
Burt's Bees after-sun soothing lotion because sometimes you get sunburned even when you think you're being great about reapplying sunblock. Or maybe you just recruited your laziest friend to help you reapply on your back. Both are highly possible!
A fancy umbrella that reviewers love for their patio but *also* take along to the beach. But if you're landlocked, you still have lots of shady backyard ops to use it.
A sturdy beach umbrella that reviewers say withstands the wind in case you're sick of renting an *essential* shady umbrella for every last beach day.
A retro-look swim dress that, tbh, has no business being this cute. And! It has full shorts underneath so you don't have to worry about anything riding up at the least convenient time. If you wanna look beach-y without putting every last inch of your skin in the sun (bc sunburns), then this is a great bet.
A packable floppy hat with a wide brim that'll provide some extra shade on your beach strolls!
A set of sunscreen reminder stickers to pair with your body sunscreen so there's someone besides you and your pal who're wading in the waves to remind you that, uh, yes, you do need to reapply! Oh and they last for 12 hours. Once a sticker turns colors, it's time to reapply.
A zip-up one-piece with cute cap sleeves and a fun print if you can't stand on the beach 20 minutes without getting sunburned on your chest. Or, you just wanna get versatile with the amount of cleavage you show.
A refillable sunscreen sponge applicator with a rollerball inside that'll make reapplication SO much easier. Even for your family members who always complain later after they avoided reapplication OR "reapplied" but somehow still have an extremely sunburnt stomach.
Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 beloved by reviewers with melanated skin for good reason. It rubs in (like, actually rubs in) and doesn't leave any ashy white effect.
A reversible bucket hat because, well, EVERYONE looks great in a bucket hat. You just haven't found one that suits you yet. WELP, I just found it for you. Keeping the sun outta your face has never looked so cute.
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 comes in a two-pack so you can know you'll be covered without FEELING like you're covered in greasy sun protection.
Milani Make It Last Sunscreen Setting Spray / Primer with SPF 30 to help you combine three beauty products into one...and make your makeup waterproof for up to 16 hours. After all, if you're going to bother putting on makeup during the blistering heat of summer, you might as well make sure it stays PUT.
If you're feeling splurgey, Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow Gel SPF 45 delivers on some major glitz while blocking the sun's harmful rays. In case you've always thought, "I love how people look all glowy while oiled up!" but have gone for traditional SPF for obvious reasons, here's your sign to try this.
A reusable, family-friendly sand eraser that'll help you brush off the scratchy stuff when it's time to reapply your sunscreen. Exfoliation scrubbing is happening LATER in the shower, not in between SPF layers on the beach, OK? Also, it'll be fab when it's time to the leave the beach and you don't want to track a bucket's worth of sand into your car.
Supergoop! Shimmershade eyeshadow, an easy-to-use SPF 30 sunscreen, makes for a super easy summertime (or any time) routine. People often forget their eyelids for SPF application!
Sun Bum SPF 30 Scalp and Hair Mist to make sure that your precious hair part doesn't get burned while you're doing whatever you're doing outdoors. This also doesn't turn your roots or scalp a different color!
An ultra-lightweight UPF 50+ umbrella that'll slip into your beach bag and pull out for a stroll down the beach. You might get some stares but 99% of those will be pure jealousy because you're a genius.
A sun hat with a wide brim can shield your face as you ride a boat through breathtaking scenery — or just walking to your all-inclusive buffet.
A cooling towel you simply soak in water and wring out to bring some chill to your days standing outside.
A *universal* drink handle you can slip onto whatever water bottle keeps water the coldest for longest. THAT's the one that deserves a spot in your suitcase!
A portable handheld fan that's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of uses for it, even when you're outside of the confines of deliciously chilly AC.
And finally a utility wagon that'll contain all that stuff you're taking to the beach. I see families on the subway in NYC with this all the time on the way home from a beach day. Now *that's* how you do the beach without a car. But! It'll also come in handy for folks that can drive to the beach.