Travel tips + SPF essentials from a PA and founder of Daily Shade Breelyn Vanleeuwen PA-C
Spring break sounds dreamy until you’re standing in a hotel room with four kids, sunburned shoulders, sand in every bag, and the sinking realization that you packed five swimsuits but forgot the one thing that actually mattered.
As a Physician Assistant and founder of Daily Shade, I think about prevention differently. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in America and the most preventable. I’ve seen what happens decades later when daily habits aren’t built early. Spring break isn’t just a vacation. It’s a week of peak UV exposure.
So here’s your no-fluff, actually-worth-it Spring Break Survival Kit.
1. TRUE Mineral Sunscreen! Let’s start with the obvious. But also the most commonly under-packed item.
You need more sunscreen than you think.
What to look for:
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Non-nano zinc oxide as the sole active ingredient
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No hidden UV chemical boosters
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Fragrance free
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Water resistant
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Comfortable enough for daily reapplication
Many brands say “mineral” but quietly rely on boosters to inflate SPF performance. That was one of the biggest shocks in my research journey. I created Daily Shade because I could not find a true mineral option that disappeared on skin without irritation.
If you’re spending full days outdoors, plan for:
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1 ounce per full-body application per adult
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Reapplication every 2 hours
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Extra for water days
Spring break is not the week to ration sunscreen.
2. Wide-Brim Hats (Not Just Baseball Caps)
A 3-inch brim makes a massive difference for:
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Face
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Ears
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Back of neck
Baseball caps leave too much exposed. If you’ve ever seen melanoma on ears or scalp lines you understand why this matters.
Hats are effortless protection. No reapplication required.
3. UV Protective Sunglasses
The ones shown above can be purchased through our shop here: https://www.dailyshade.com/products/babe-shade-sun-glasses
The skin around the eyes is thin and vulnerable. Chronic UV exposure contributes to:
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Wrinkles
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Pigmentation
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Ocular damage
Look for 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Not just “fashion.”
4. Long Sleeve Swimsuits and Rash Guards and Lightweight Cover-Ups:
Rash guards and UPF clothing reduce how much skin needs constant reapplication.
Especially helpful for:
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Toddlers who won’t sit still
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Midday pool breaks
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Long boat rides
You don’t need to hide from the sun. But you do need structure around it.
5. Electrolytes + Real Hydration
Spring break dehydration is real.
Sun exposure + travel + sugar drinks = headaches and exhaustion.
Pack:
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Electrolyte packets
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Refillable water bottles
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Salty snacks
Sun safety is not just skin deep.
6. After-Sun Recovery (Even If You Do It Right)
Even with perfect habits:
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Skin gets dry
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Salt pulls moisture
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Wind irritates
Bring:
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A gentle fragrance-free moisturizer
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Zinc-based soothing cream for irritated areas = Daily Shade Sunscreen
Zinc oxide is not just protective. It’s calming and barrier supportive which is why it’s used in diaper creams and post-procedure skin care.
7. The “Daily Habit” Reminder
Spring break is intense UV exposure.
But here’s the bigger perspective.
Up to the majority of lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18. Those cellular changes follow you for decades. You cannot undo them later.
Spring break is not about fear. It’s about habit.
In our house the question every morning is:
Did you brush your teeth
Did you put on sunscreen
Same category. Same level of importance.
What’s Not Worth Packing
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Most Spray sunscreens on the market. They are filled with UV Chemical filters and or boosters. Most people spray this into the wind, don't rub in and spray directly onto the face getting into the eyes, nose and mouth (AHHH!) This is a hard NO for a Daily Shade Parent.
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“Tanning oils” or Baby Oil
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Fragranced beach lotions
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One tiny travel-size SPF for five people
Convenience is only helpful if protection is real.
Final Thought
You can love the sun and respect it.
You can travel and protect.
You can build memories without building damage.
Spring break should leave you with sandy shoes and tired kids. Not preventable harm.
If sunscreen has felt greasy, chalky, irritating, or complicated in the past that’s exactly why I built Daily Shade. True mineral. No boosters. No ghost face. Designed for daily wear so protection feels normal not dramatic.
Because the goal isn’t surviving spring break.
It’s protecting the rising generation for decades after it.
