It’s officially summer holiday season and we’re so excited to share our top tips for enjoying your time away with a dry skin condition.
But first, packing…
It’s crucial to take your skincare essentials away with you! Our 100g EPIMAX® tubes are conveniently travel sized for both hand and checked luggage. If you are travelling for a longer period, why not take a 500g EPIMAX® tottle or tub with you in your luggage!
Additionally, don’t forget:
- Lightweight, breathable clothes in fabrics such as cotton and bamboo. They can help reduce irritation and offer some skin protection from the sun.1,2
- A wide-brimmed hat to help provide coverage for your face, neck, and shoulders.
Remember to also pack for the journey! Keep an emollient to hand while travelling to hydrate your skin on the go, air travel can be especially drying to your skin, due to the low humidity and recycled air within the cabin.
Staying away from home
Whether you are travelling to a bucket-list destination, or staying closer to home, being in a new space may bring different challenges to your skin. Try the following tips to help prevent a flare-up away from home:
- Be mindful of potential new skin irritations, such as fabrics, sand, water and changes in temperature.1 We suggest damp dusting when you arrive at your stay, to help reduce additional skin irritants from your living space.3
- Avoid using complimentary toiletries provided by your accommodation, as they may contain ingredients that could irritate your skin: instead use your regular body wash or an emollient body wash alternative, such as EPIMAX® ExCetra Cream.
- If you are sensitive to different washing powders/detergents, taking your own bedding when you go away can help make you feel more comfortable.
- If you can, adjust your room temperature to provide a cool space away from the sun.
Spending time in the sun
Did you know, some people with eczema find that their skin improves with gentle exposure to sunlight, while others experience a worsening of their condition?2
Despite this, it’s so important that everybody protects their skin from the sun, whether at home or away.
- Apply sunscreen every 2 hours during the day.
If you’re using an emollient, apply it 30 minutes before applying sunscreen. Emollients should not be used in the sun without sunscreen as they can accelerate burning.2
- Plan activities in the morning or evening, when the temperature is cooler and try to find shade throughout the day, but especially between 11am-3pm, when the temperature is at its hottest.2
- Remember to re-apply sunscreen after swimming and sweating. 2
Going swimming
The chemicals and chlorine in swimming pool water can dry out the skin and could be a trigger for eczema flare-ups.4 To keep your skin comfortable both in and out of the water try to:
- Apply an emollient before swimming to act as a barrier between your skin and the water.4
- Shower thoroughly as soon as possible after swimming. If the pool showers use chlorinated water, a better option may be to wash once you are back at your accommodation.4
- Generously apply an emollient after your shower to rehydrate your skin.4
As with any emollient, always read the label and avoid contact with eyes.
- https://www.nottinghameczema.org.uk/documents/sun-holidays-fun.pdf (Accessed July 2025)
- https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/triggers-for-eczema/sun-and-eczema/ (Accessed July 2025)
- https://eczema.org/wp-content/uploads/Household-irritants-Oct-21-1.pdf (Accessed July 2025)
- https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/triggers-for-eczema/swimming-and-eczema/ (Accessed July 2025)
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