10 Summer Hair And Beauty Essentials For Your Beach Bag

I never used to be one for spending time at the beach, but now that I'm an adult I've grown to like it. I now enjoy spending time in the ocean breezes, exploring the coast, and people watching, well I could go on and on.

Despite all of the fun I have at the beach I've found that if I don't properly prepare and think about protecting my hair and skin beforehand I end up regretting my beach time.

The sun and ocean breeze I enjoy so much can dry out my hair and skin causing damage that will take weeks sometimes months to reverse and repair.

To avoid that damage I make sure to pack in my beach bag these seven beauty and hair care essentials.

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1. Hair clips and bobby pins

I use these to keep my relaxed hair in place and out of my face. I've found from past experience that using a ponytail holder or hair elastic when I spend time in the water or out in the sun and wind creates a tangled mess.

Some of my favorite hair clips are the flat ones because they give me secure hold for my thick hair but also I can lay back on a pool or lawn chair with no issue.

For bobby pins, there's no particular brand I stick with. I just for for the cheapest but sturdiest ones I can find. 

2. Hair conditioner

You might be wondering why I need a hair conditioner. Because it helps protect my hair. Saltwater isn’t good for our hair, and your hair absorbs less of it when your strands are saturated with something else. Like hair conditioner.

Additionally, the hair conditioner helps to keep my hair hydrated, so it’s less likely to dry out from the sun and wind.

I typically apply the conditioner before I hit the beach and will take a small bottle with me in case I feel like I need to use it a little bit later.

I like to switch between a deep conditioner like the Aussie 3 Miniute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner and a rinse-out conditioner like the Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditoner.

I typically apply the conditioner before I hit the beach and will take a small bottle with me in case I feel like I need to use it a little bit later.

3. Large hat

Wearing a hat helps to shield my relaxed hair, face, and eyes from the sun and blowing sand. By keeping my hair, face, and eyes protected from the sun I'm reducing, even eliminating damage from the sun.

4. Sunscreen

I wasn’t big on sunscreen when I was a teenager. It always felt heavy and sticky on my skin. Sunscreen today comes in many formulas and tends to absorb into the skin better than before.


When I go to the beach I like to use a sport sunscreen spray. Using a spray-on sunscreen like the Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray helps me to more evenly apply the sunscreen and apply it to those harder-to-reach places. It also keeps my hands smelling like sunscreen all day.

5. Face lotion with sunscreen

Many times when it comes to sunscreen we tend to forget that our face needs it as well. I don’t like to use the same sunscreen on my face that I do on my body because it causes my face to break out.

So I use a facial moisturizer that includes sunscreen like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 50 Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer. Not only does this help to keep my face protected from the sun, but it also keeps my face moisturized because my skin tends to dry out from the mixture of saltwater, wind, and the sun.

6. Body lotion

Like my face, the rest of my skin dries out when I spend a lot of time outdoors and it’s exposed to the sun, salt water, and wind. So I like to have lotion on hand to moisturize my skin throughout the day.

Additionally, the lotion can take away that ashy look you can get when your skin dries out which is handy if you're not going straight home from the beach. 

I don't have a favorite body lotion. I just use the cheapest but moisturizing body lotion I can find in the store. That may be a name brand on sale or a store brand.

Read more: How I Keep My Skin Moisturized In The Summer

7. Hand sanitizer and wipes

I pretty much don't go anywhere without a travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer. And I make a point to pack some extra hand sanitizer and also hand wipes when spending time at the beach. The hand sanitizer wipes I use are the Wet Ones Antibacterial wipes. I get them at Walmart or Target.

There are plenty of times I’ve been to a public beach and there wasn’t any soap or running water in the bathroom. So I had to use hand sanitizer or hand wipes instead. They also come in handy if I’m too lazy to get up and wash my hands before eating a snack. 

8. Face wipes

Sometimes after spending a day at the beach you’re not gonna head straight home. I know that after spending some time outside and sweating a bit I feel and look a hot mess. While not a regular go-to for me anymore they are great for when I'm on the go and washing my face the convential way isn't available. Having some face wipes like the Yes To Cucumbers Calming Facial Wipes in my beach bag allows me to clean and refresh my face and reapply my facial moisturizer.

9. Waterproof mascara

On days when I wear little to no makeup, I still make sure to put on some mascara. One thing I learned is to make sure the mascara is waterproof, like the L’oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, so it doesn’t run when I sweat or go in the water.

10. Deodorant

Last but not least I make sure to always pack some deodorant like this Shower Fresh Antiperspirant from Suave to help me stay fresh throughout the day and if I head out to dinner or the store afterward.

What beauty and hair essentials do you take to the beach with you?