Summer is right around the corner and many of us are starting to plan upcoming vacations — have you booked yours yet? With exotic locales like Fiji and Bora Bora on our minds, we’ve decided to put together a list of 20 beach bag essentials inspired by tropical and island destinations. From ultra-hydrating body oils and delectable body butters to refreshing face mists and tropical body scrubs, you’ll want to get packing for your upcoming island vacation or beach holiday—and you’ll want to bring all of these products (which conveniently fit into any beach bag or carry-on) with you, too. The best part is, you can make your vacation rental feel like the ultimate spa retreat when you pack these in your bag.
1. Beverly to 5th Coconut Scrub
Coffee and coconut are two of the best things ever, so why not put them together to make an incredible body scrub? This organic treat exfoliates, moisturizes and helps with stretch marks, cellulite and aging, leaving behind super soft and sweet-smelling skin. What’s more, it comes in this stunning palm print-inspired packaging that easily fits into any suitcase or beach bag. In addition to coconut, it comes in other fun flavors including mandarin orange and refreshing peppermint. Can’t make up your mind? Just buy all three and switch it up in your daily showers for more fun!
Cost: $18.49
2. Farmhouse Fresh Island Elixir Shea Butter Hand Cream
Treat yourself to the intoxicating scent of pineapple and white coconut notes that will inspire anyone to book a tropical island vacation every time they use this silky hand cream! Organic shea butter and coconut oil contain vitamins A, D and E to help skin retain moisture, along with sweet almond oil which is rich in essential fatty acids. And as an added bonus, it’s free of GMO’s, synthetic herbicides and pesticides, and is paraben- and sulfate-free.
Cost: $16
3. Eminence Organic Skin Care Apricot Body Oil
Firm and refresh skin for that perfect summer glow with this ultra-hydrating and anti-aging oil, which contains an assortment of essential oils including apricot kernel, grape seed, jojoba, seabuckthorn, pomegranate seed and Biocomplex—an antioxidant booster of vitamin A, vitamin C Ester, vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid. And how stunning is the packaging? This is definitely one of those items you’ll want to leave out on the bathroom counter.
Cost: $29 (available at select spas)
4. LALICIOUS Coconut Body Butter
What could be more tropical and vacation-inspiring than coconut? We can’t seem to think of anything more perfect to bring in your beach bag than this healing and delicious coconut-scented and paraben-free body cream. It contains shea butter and safflower oil, which provide intense hydration, as well as aloe vera and vitamin E to nourish skin. If you’re obsessed and want more, the line also comes in other fun scents and includes a lip hydrating balm, body scrub, shower gel/bubble bath and hand cream.
Cost: $26.50
5. Immunocologie Mist
Enhance skin cell performance with this hydrating, mineral-rich mist that brings balance to your skin and reduces cellular degeneration caused by free radicals that age the skin. This refreshing spray also contains anti-inflammatory properties and supports the skin’s natural protective barriers by providing minerals and trace minerals that are essential to its long-term health. Great for use before applying other moisturizers and serums during your regular skincare routine and as a hydrating touch-up during the day (especially on airplanes).
Cost: $65
6. Epicuren Kukui Coconut After Bath
Indulge your skin to a delicious and hydrating treat with this luxurious after bath moisturizer, which features a hydrating tropical formula that transports your senses to a lush island in the South Seas. Kukui, coconut and macadamia nut oils hydrate and create the ultimate aromatherapy experience. This is especially great for use after a long day at the beach.
Cost: $18-83 (multiple sizes available)
7. Pure Fiji Coconut Sugar Rub in Pineapple
You’ll love the skin you’re in with this natural exfoliation and moisturizing treatment that is the next best thing to an actual vacation in Fiji. The scrub contains fresh sugar cane crystals that feature naturally occurring alpha hydroxyl to gently buff away aging skin cells and unclog pores, while cold pressed virgin coconut, dilo, macadamia and sikeci oils to nourish, moisturize and protect skin. Your skin will glow like it never has before.
Cost: $43.95
8. Kopari Skincare Beauty Bag
You’ve got everything you need with this four-step coconut skincare system by Kopari that includes a cleansing oil, rose toner, face cream and an ultra-silky lip balm. The ingredients include 100 percent pure, organic coconut oil sourced from the Philippines and work to cleanse and hydrate skin, and is perfect for the gal on the go. And we love the beautiful Samudra Palm Pouch, which can double as a fun clutch or day bag when you’re exploring the island or having a fun night out!
Cost: $104
9. Fleur’s Hydra-Nutritive Floral Oil
Harness the power of flowers to moisturize and nourish your skin with this rich facial skin oil that is formulated with passion flower and hibiscus and features a fresh floral scent that immediately transports you to a tropical island. With regular use, average skin hydration levels tend to increase 33.4 percent after one hour, while skin is lipid-replenished by 96 percent and visibly plumped by 87 percent.
Available at select stores and spas.
10. Kayo Better Body Care
The skin is our largest organ and in summertime, we often do a number to it with all of that time spent in the heat and under the sun. The Kayo line features a series of highly penetrating serums, luxurious body crèmes and topical nutrient boosts that can either be used individually or all together to restore radiance, elasticity and firmness for a healthier and more radiant appearance. The line includes a body oil, daily vitamin boost, body crème, daily remodeling serum and a concentrated slimming serum. The gorgeous, all natural formulas comes in nature and beach-inspired colors such as seafoam blue, pearlescent white and a golden, sunny yellow—all of which are a reflection of the natural ingredients they contain.
Cost: $46-$68
11. Repêchage Algo Mist Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray
This face mist is perfect for use anytime, anywhere—whether you’re at the gym or at the beach. It contains a special combo of seaweed extract, vitamin C, Gingko Biloba, aloe and orange water to keep your skin smooth and soft. It’s great for refreshing makeup and restoring that natural, healthy glow.
Cost: $35
12. Body Drench Coconut Oil Replenishing Body Balm
If you’re stranded on an island this summer, you won’t want to be without this product. The multi-tasking shea butter body balm contains 10 benefits, all in one jar. In addition to firming dry skin and replenishing lost moisture, it also has anti-aging properties, brightens, promotes elasticity, smoothes wrinkles, soothes chapped lips and can be used as a makeup remover.
Available at Sally Beauty Supply Stores and online.
13. Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub
Refreshing and revitalizing, this mint body scrub exfoliates, smoothes and brightens skin while removing dead skin cells. A powerful formula of silicon-rich seaplant particles, Devils Apron seaweed and peppermint essential oil leave skin ultra-soft and more receptive to moisturizing. And the packaging is equally gorgeous—the blue bottle reminds us of the ocean and mermaids, which is perfect when you’re spending all your days at the beach.
Cost: $47.50
14. Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil
This skin-saving oil fits into any purse or bag and rapidly absorbs to reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. Phytoactives from Camellia and Tamanu oils restore skin’s natural barrier; an essential lipid blend featuring orchid flower and chia seed oil smoothes lines and locks in moistures; and finally, rice bran, sunflower and rosemary extracts protect skin against free radical damage by creating a luminous antioxidant shield. Can be worn alone or layered under foundation for an all-day, dewy glow.
Cost: $75
15. Pevonia De-Aging Papaya-Pineapple Body Balm
If you’re self-conscious about your skin’s appearance as you slip into that bikini, look no further—this unique anti-aging moisturizer works to smooth lines and wrinkles, firm skin tone and texture, and nourishes, replenishes and repairs the skin for a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
Cost: $85.50
16. Jurlique Sun Specialist Sunless Tanner
Get tan before you even leave for the islands with this special lightweight formula that contains sweet orange fruit extract to give you a natural-looking, golden tan without the messy streaks. In addition to protecting skin from environmental aggressors, it also provides intense hydration and can be used on both the face and body to achieve that bronzed babe appearance.
Cost: $36
17. SpaRitual Limited Edition Passionfruit Agave Vegan Nourishing Sugar Scrub
This 100-percent plant-derived, luxuriously hydrating sugar scrub gently removes impurities, leaving behind ultra-silky and smooth skin. Blue agave extract nourishes skin, Goji berry plumps the dermis, and organic pomegranate provides antioxidants so you’ll have that all-over beach body glow.
Cost: $50
18. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Keep styles fresh with this special dry shampoo—one of the only ones on the market that is formulated without aluminum starch or chalky talc. The Sea Buckthorn Berry-infused formula leaves hair soft and refreshed while immediately absorbing excess oils. It’s the perfect hair companion when you need to go an extra day or two without washing your hair.
Cost: $24
19. Intelligent Nutrients Smart Armor Perfume Spray
Keep the bugs at bay and smell amazing with this certified-organic perfume that also doubles as a bug repellant. This refreshing, hydrating spray features warm, woodsy cedar notes and clove paired with top notes of peppermint, lemongrass and geranium, as well as rosemary and citronella for a pleasurable aromatic experience. It can be sprayed on the hair and body, and it also makes a great air freshener in any room.
Cost: $31
20. Malibu C B5 Face & Body Moisture Mist
Spritz skin with this light yet moisture-rich spray that is infused with 5 percent Pro Vitamin B5 along with other wellness phyto-nutrients. Keeps skin fresh, rejuvenated and soft—ideal if you’re spending time in the desert or ultra-hot climates. Tip: Store in the fridge until you head out the door, then mist your face for a cool treat.
Cost: $24