Now that spring break has officially come and gone, it’s safe to say that we’re all wishing for another week off. Whether you and your friends decided to splurge on a trip somewhere tropical or stayed right here in New York City, these top five beauty and skincare products are essentials we found ourselves reaching for most this past vacation.

ELVIVE Smooth Intense Frizz Taming Serum

L’Oréal  – $6.99

Spring break means finally getting the opportunity to escape winter and jet off to somewhere much warmer. The downside? Humidity leads to unwanted frizz. Luckily, L’Oréal has got you covered. Apply a few pumps of the serum on damp hair, let it sit and enjoy perfectly smooth hair that even moist, tropical climates can’t compromise.

Moisture Surge Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief

Clinique – $25.50

Laying on the beach with the sun shining on your face all day feels great — until you realize that your face is in desperate need of hydration. Infused with active aloe and antioxidant ingredients and designed to restore the moisture of your skin, this spray provides instant refreshment. Simply hold it a few inches from your face, spray and bask in a speedy cooldown. Hydrating after sun exposure is extremely important, so you certainly won’t regret dedicating some room in your beach bag to this staple item.

Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
IT Cosmetics – $38

Beach and pool days always result in the same dilemma: protecting skin from pesky UV rays and go natural, or risk a day’s worth of exposure for some makeup? This SPF-loaded CC cream, which triples as a foundation, moisturizer and sunscreen, lets you claim the best of both worlds. Enriched with vitamins and anti-aging, antioxidant ingredients, this product ensures full coverage for your skin and protection from the sun, which can cause serious short and long term consequences. Simply apply a few drops on your face and spread evenly. Then resume your fun in the sun, guilt and sunburn free.

Ultra-Healing All-over Hydration 100% Raw Shea Butter
Shea Moisture – $14.99

Spring may mean warm weather and tropical, beach-filled getaways, but if we learned anything our last week before break, the groundhog didn’t lie — winter persists even during this transitional season. Conquer your dry and cracking skin with this versatile cream. The vitamins within ensure proper full-body moisture from the
irritability that accompanies freezing temperatures; apply anywhere, from your hands to your scalp, for instantly smooth skin.

Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask 

Skin Laundry – $48 for a pack of five

Here in frigid New York City, sometimes facial moisturizers just don’t do the trick. If you’re looking to pamper your skin with a quality face mask, look no further than the Skin Laundry Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask. Infused with plant and fruit extracts, this mask provides quick hydration, smoothness and pore treatment perfect for fighting off the damage of cold weather. Sip on some cocoa, binge watch Netflix and apply this sheet mask for a relaxing night-in.

While spring break always marks a respite from school, it’s important to remember that beauty and skincare products never take a day off. Hopefully we’ve all had time to rejuvenate both our minds and bodies, and these products are perfect to help us continue as we chug through the remainder of the spring semester.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, March 19 print edition. Email Celina Khorma at [email protected].