I think we can all agree, regardless of how much you may love your job, post-holiday blues are real. This period usually leads to a formidable level of brain fog that has a way of making us feel both uniquely dumb and also a little bit disorganised. Every day this week, I have woken up with the thought I need to sort my life out, and then, I don’t.
So, we get it, the whole ‘getting back into’ your full-time routine (no matter what that may entail) is seriously difficult, but if you are letting a few things fall by the wayside in this new year period, don’t let your skincare regimen be one of them. Because while it’s very easy to let the whole futility of the back-to-work spirit be reflected in your attitude toward beauty and upkeep in general, you will pay the price later down the track. And as they say, it’s better to prevent than attempt to turn back the clock, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to your skin.
As is well documented, the New Zealand sun is harsh and unforgiving, and as a result, wreaks havoc on your skin. And, even if you weren’t enjoying a Kiwi summer, being overseas with plane travel and changes in weather has a similar drying and dulling effect. With all this being said, having a New Year's plan for your skin is crucial to ensuring its prosperity in 2026.
What effect does summer have on the skin
Summer is a bit of a weird one, skin-wise, because there is a widely accepted misconception that the summer months are somehow good for the skin. This is actually largely untrue. While you may be eating more fruit and being more active over this time (which can give you a glow), the sun itself does a lot more harm than good when it comes to skin health. While a tan may give you the illusion of being in good health, that may not necessarily be true below the surface. Pair this with the drying effects of travel, chlorine, and salt water, and you actually have an overall net-negative effect on the skin, usually.
And of course, being summer in New Zealand, the sun is not behind us, in fact, it will be in full swing for another few hot months. So, while the festive season calls for recovery and hydration, protection and prevention still remain top priority when it comes to protecting our skin. So, here are your non-negotiables as you tackle them.
Sunscreen
It just wouldn’t be a very good summer skincare blog if sunscreen wasn’t the focal point. While we advocate for sunscreen being used religiously all year round, of course, summer calls for more assertive action. Whether you’re lazing on the beach or skiing in the Swiss Alps, sunscreen is a must. The NZ sun is no joke, and protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is the single most important step in any summer skincare routine. Sunscreen shields your skin from premature ageing, pigmentation, and, most importantly, serious sun damage, which can lead to health complications.
The trick to really getting the most out of your sunscreen is by being both consistent with applying it every morning (no matter what is on the agenda) and reapplying. Caci is committed to the very best in sun protection being on offer, and any of the SPFs for sale will do a mighty fine job at keeping you protected and primed. But some of our favourites for the post-holiday period are the Skinsmiths Daily Antioxidant Defence SPF30 and the Murad Superactive Moisturiser SPF 50: Brightening. Both of these options offer dual support of keeping damaging UV rays at bay, and also offering beneficial hydrating and glow-inducing ingredients.
Creamy cleansers for the win
At the end of a hard summer's day, there is no more satisfying feeling than cleansing the day away with a luxe and creamy balm. Preferably, one that glides across your skin, snatches away all the makeup and dirt that builds up throughout the day and then rinses it off cleanly. Because, really, those are the only three things you need out of a good cleanser any day of the year.
But post-summer you will want to be grabbing for something that is also hydrating and soothing. Creaming cleansers are a perfect way to get your skin clean without completely stripping it of all its natural oils and leaving it with that squeaky clean feeling that is not optimal. The Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser is the best in the business when it comes to summer cleansers, to be honest. This is because, as well as being creamy and nourishing, it also banishes breakouts or stops them from forming (which is a common skin struggle this time of year). It’s also great to use all year round, so a good investment anyway you slice the orange.
Hydration, hydration, hydration
It will come as no shock to you that this time of the year calls for ample amounts of hydration, in both your skincare and everyday life. So grab your motivational 3L drink bottles and arm yourself with a few extra-hydrating serums and moisturisers to ensure you make it through this thirst-inducing period with ease.
The post-summer dullness and dryness is something you are probably already feeling, as well as knowing it’s probably there. But if you have been a bit lost as to what you need to have in your bathroom cabinet, allow us to divulge our recommendations. When it comes to nourishing dry skin, you really only need three things: a hydrating recovery-style serum, a good active serum, and a thicker moisturiser. Which ones work best for your skin will depend on what other skin concerns you may be dealing with, such as pigmentation or acne. But as a general rule, these three will help support most skin types: the Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum, the Murad Intense Recovery Cream, and the Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion.
In clinic treatments to have post-summer
And of course, while your skincare is doing all of that important background work to keep your skin happy and healthy, the heavy lifting comes from the more intensive in-clinic treatments. We are, of course, still focusing on recovery, so while you will always be well looked after with any of the Caci skin treatment offerings, here are our top picks for this time of the year.
Sonophoresis Skin Infusion
This sounds intense, but it’s actually an incredibly non-invasive treatment that feels like a warm facial hug. Sonophoresis uses sound waves to push active ingredients deep into your skin, where they actually make a difference.
At Caci, we customise the serum to your skin concerns, so you can target dullness, dehydration, or pigmentation depending on what’s bothering you most, and you’ll walk out feeling hydrated and smooth. It’s like a tall glass of water for your skin post a hectic summer period.
LED Light Therapy
A fan favourite for a reason, there are few aspects of your skin that won’t be improved by incorporating a couple of cheeky LED Light Therapy sessions into your schedule. And post-summer, the reason is simple. If your skin looks tired, treat it as though it is. LED Light Therapy uses coloured wavelengths to stimulate collagen, kill acne-causing bacteria, and calm inflammation. It’s a relaxing, low-effort way to reset skin that’s stressed or run down. And pro-tip, if you close your eyes and envision that you're next to a pool and genuinely feel like you are sunbathing.
Hydradermabrasion
Having adequate exfoliation this time of year is crucial to ensuring healthy cell turnover, and there are few better way of achieving that than with a Hydradermabrasion. This is because, while it's hoovering up all those dead skin cells, it's also injecting hydration back into the skin. So rather than stripping skin that may already feel like it's on the sensitive side, it also helps to rejuvenate and quench its thirst. Talk about multitasking.
Join a skincare membership
If you are already feeling overwhelmed by the seemingly constant scheduling that coincides with this busy time, then you might want to consider investing in a Reformaskin Skin Health membership. If you are sitting firmly in the ‘I don’t want to think’ camp right now, this is for you. You will be booked every 3-4 weeks for a skin conditioning treatment that fits your skin's specific needs. It basically means that your skin will be getting the consistent love and attention it craves and deserves, without the need to constantly be booking them in or the upfront cost.
So, while we understand the unique franticness that accompanies this post-holiday period, the running amok, wreaking havoc, squeezing tubes, and frantically pumping pumps, don’t let your skin creep onto your 2026 ‘things to worry about list’.
