Summer holiday packing list: What you shouldn’t forget

While it is 30 degrees outside, you are sitting in a stuffy office. The fan is blowing lukewarm air in your direction, and your concentration is gradually fading. The only thing you can think about now is your holiday next week. Finally, no more small talk in the office hallway and no deadlines hanging over your head. Just you, the sun and pure joie de vivre. You check the weather at your destination countless times every day, and one question becomes increasingly pressing: What do I actually need to pack?

There are always a few essentials that should not be missing on any trip. And no, that does not mean you need 30 products that you somehow have to squeeze into your suitcase. The must-haves include a few beauty products, perhaps a pleasant everyday fragrance and one or two favourite items that bring a little piece of home with you on your travels.

What exactly you should take with you also depends on your destination and how you want to spend your free time. Relaxing on the beach, breathing in the mountain air on long hikes or perhaps taking a short city break? We have all the essential products covered. ;)

The first thing that should definitely go into your travel bag is sun protection. Without protection from UVA and UVB rays, a summer holiday can quickly become uncomfortable. After all, exposing yourself to the sun without protection is not only unhealthy – no one needs sunburn.

For anyone who does not want the hassle of reapplying cream in the sand, the Sunscreen Mist SPF50 by Le Rub is exactly the right choice. Thanks to its easy application and fast-absorbing texture, the sunscreen is perfect for a day by the sea.

There is hardly anything better than immersing your entire body in the cool sea on a hot summer’s day. However, many people forget that the combination of salt water and sun is anything but ideal for the hair. Seawater gives it texture. At first, that sounds like beach waves, but it can quickly turn into beach straw.

A few drops of the Vegan Serum by Cut by Fred help make dry ends feel smoother again. The oil can be worked sparingly into damp or dry lengths.

It is also important to give your hair plenty of moisture when exposing it to a lot of heat, sun and seawater. The best option is to pack a rich conditioner that primarily provides hydration. The Vegan Hydration Conditioner by Cut By Fred, for example, is ideal for keeping your hair well cared for while on holiday, and its size makes it a perfect fit for your toiletry bag.

Anyone who wants to save even more space should take the solid conditioner by e.e.m. Naturkosmetik. It is compact, uncomplicated and every bit as effective as liquid alternatives.

Yes, there is a suitable fragrance for every place and every moment. Some people might choose to skip perfume on holiday because, at first glance, it does not seem particularly necessary. We see things a little differently. Especially on a seaside holiday, a fragrance should never be missing. After sunbathing, you naturally want to keep the feeling of summer on your skin for a little longer.

Anyone who wants to stick entirely to the theme of sea, beach and sunshine should pack Miami Blue by 19-69. And do not worry: there is no need to bring the full-size bottle. The fragrance is also available in a practical travel size, which contains 9ml and can even be carried in hand luggage without any problems.

Anyone who prefers a creamy rather than maritime interpretation of the beach should choose Dirty Coconut by Heretic Parfum in 15ml. The fragrance combines coconut with a woody, skin-like warmth. Less Piña Colada with a plastic umbrella, more warm skin beneath a linen shirt.

Would you prefer a fragrance that has absolutely nothing to do with the beach or the sea, yet still smells like pure summer? Then Sundrunk by Imaginary Authors is exactly the right choice. Citrusy, fruity and precisely the right combination of refreshing lightness and a subtle statement that you need on a summer holiday.

When hiking, it quickly becomes clear which products are genuinely practical. Anything heavy, fragile or unnecessarily complicated is better left at the hotel. But the same question arises here too: Do I really need this? In most cases, the answer is a clear no, especially when you want to carry as little as possible on your way to the summit. The only things you really need for a trip to the mountains are:

• Deodorant
• Sun protection
• A light fragrance
• Shower gel

A good summer hiking holiday packing list focuses on small sizes, easy application and care for skin that is exposed to wind, sun and changing temperatures.

Sun protection is often underestimated in the mountains. The cool mountain air refreshes the skin, which means that the heat of the sun and the associated UVA and UVB radiation are often less noticeable. It is only after the hike that the true effects of the sun become apparent: red patches on the face or body that can be quite painful. You should therefore never skimp on sun protection when spending the day on your way to the summit.

For the face, choose a sunscreen that absorbs quickly, leaves no white residue and does not make your skin feel as though it can barely breathe underneath it. The Nourishing High Protection UV Stick SPF50 by Gun Ana is exactly right for this. It weighs very little, takes up hardly any space and can be applied on the go without leaving your hands greasy. It is particularly practical for the face, the area around the lips, the ears and the backs of the hands. Perfect for quickly refreshing your protection throughout the day.

If you would rather combine facial care and sun protection in one product, choose the Mineral Defence Sunscreen SPF30 by Nuori.

For the body, you should choose a sunscreen that you can apply generously before leaving your accommodation. A larger size is particularly practical to ensure that the product lasts throughout the entire holiday. The Mineral Fragrance-Free Non-Aerosol Spray by Bask is easy to distribute and is available with either SPF 30 or SPF 50. This means there is a suitable option for different needs.

One thing is certain: no one wants to smell unpleasant. A reliable deodorant is essential, particularly on hot summer days when you are physically active. Here are our absolute deodorant favourites:

• The Deodorant Gel Bergamot & Hinoki by Salt & Stone is designed for sensitive skin and has a fresh, woody character thanks to bergamot and hinoki. The scent feels clean and well-groomed without competing for attention with your perfume.
  
  
• The Deodorant Cedar Bergamot by Fine in the 40 g tube is even more compact. The tube can be stored without taking up much space and is suitable for anyone who finds solid deodorants in glass jars rather impractical when travelling.

• For anyone looking for a reliable deodorant for travelling, the Natural Deodorant by Corpus Naturals is an excellent choice. It effectively protects against unpleasant odours while relying on natural ingredients.

Light fragrances are particularly suitable for physical activities, and the same applies to hiking holidays. A suitable perfume for sport usually features citrusy, aquatic or green fragrance notes. The most important thing is that the fragrance does not feel too overpowering or develop a strong sillage.

In the mountains, however, a perfume can still be a little woodier, greener and more rugged. Candyfloss and a heavy cloud of caramel are about as well suited to a mountain hut as leather shoes are to a hotel pool. If you would like to wear a fragrance on your hiking trip, it is therefore best to choose one of the following:

• Wandervogel by 27 87: This fragrance already carries the destination in its name. The green scent suits forest paths, fresh air and the first cold drink after a longer hike.
  
  
• Cowboy Grass by D.S. & Durga: Dry herbs, vetiver and dusty expanses: this fragrance feels like a walk through sun-dried landscapes and is perfect for long days outdoors.
  
  
• Dirty Hinoki by Heretic: Anyone who prefers something darker and calmer should choose this one. Smoky wood, spicy pepper and an earthy depth create a fragrance that feels like a quiet moment in a remote forest cabin.

After a long day on hiking trails and a refreshing swim in a mountain lake, your skin deserves the right care. A nourishing shower gel and a rich body lotion should therefore not be missing from your luggage. The Body Wash by DedCool provides intensive moisture and helps the skin recover after a sunny day. Afterwards, the Body Lotion – Saffron & Cedar (100ml) provides the skin with valuable nourishing ingredients, supports its regeneration and strengthens the skin barrier. Thanks to the practical tube, it also fits easily into any toiletry bag.

Is your summer holiday a little shorter this year, with just a long weekend in a city? It sounds straightforward, but it can quickly become a small challenge for your hand luggage and the mandatory zip-lock bag. All liquids can contain a maximum of 100 ml and have to fit together into this surprisingly small bag. Extremely annoying.

With a little planning, however, you can still fit in everything important without having to leave half of your skincare routine at home. Small sizes, a sensible selection and perhaps choosing a solid product instead of a liquid version are key.

Your city summer holiday packing list needs products that provide protection during the day, can be refreshed quickly on the go and do not look like purely functional cosmetics in the evening. These are the essentials you should not forget on your city break:

• Sunscreen
• Deodorant
• Body care
• Facial care
• Perfume

For a city break, a lightweight sunscreen that works beneath make-up and leaves no visible film is the best choice. With its 100 ml size, the Plant Stem Cell Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 30 by Mádara is not only particularly practical and fits into any toiletry bag, but also protects your face, hands and body from UVA and UVB radiation.

A good deodorant is particularly important for a city break. When you are out all day in high temperatures, there is one thing you want to avoid above all else: unpleasant body odour.

If you have very little space in your bag and really want to make use of every centimetre, take a look at the Limited Mini Deodorant Set by Salt & Stone. It contains four small sizes of the brand’s most popular deodorants. They fit easily into any bag and are therefore perfect for a short trip.

If you do not want to buy four deodorants at once, the Deodorant Cedar Bergamot by Fine in 30 g is a good alternative. It not only saves space and protects against unpleasant odours, but also cares for the sensitive skin under the arms. Are you still unsure whether the deodorant by Fine is right for you? You can test it as a sample first.

A small tip: the sample is also ideal for your handbag and can be used quickly on the go when the day has already demanded a little more from you.

In addition to deodorant and sun protection, facial and body care are especially important on a city break. Sun, exhaust fumes, sweat and the dry air in air-conditioned rooms can put considerable strain on the skin throughout the day. You should therefore prepare it well in the morning and give it the care it needs in the evening.

A good facial cream is essential. It should provide the skin with sufficient moisture and support it in protecting itself against external environmental influences.

The same applies to the body, which is often neglected in the daily skincare routine. A rich body lotion and a nourishing hand cream can feel almost like a small spa experience after a long day spent between hot asphalt and cold air conditioning. Particularly when the skin feels dry, tight or irritated.

In the city, a fragrance can show a little more character and tell its own story. Between busy streets, small cafés and urban bustle, perfumes often develop differently than they do in a quiet environment and quickly become an expression of your own personality. Fresh compositions work just as well as metallic, green or unusually clean fragrances. Light floral accords are also an excellent match for a warm day in the city, provided they do not feel too heavy or overloaded.

For your city break, it is best to choose a travel size. The small bottles usually fit into the zip-lock bag without any problems and can easily be stored in your handbag during the day. This allows you to refresh your fragrance whenever you like without having to carry a large, heavy bottle around with you.

If even a travel size feels too large, you can take one or two of our 1.5 ml samples instead. You are completely free to choose and do not first have to check whether your favourite fragrance is even available in a smaller size.