Your Skincare Music Festival Checklist: Packing the Essentials

As the weather warms up, music festival season is just around the bend. And whether you're new to the scene or are hoping to perfect your festival-goer technique, a little know-how can help you prepare for your best season yet. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors. This means sweat and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays — which can also mean breakouts and sunburn.

As you pack your social media-worthy outfits, use this handy music festival checklist to make sure you include all the skincare essentials to protect your skin from the elements. Because who wants to nurse a sunburn or battle a breakout during their favorite set?

For Quick Cleaning: Bring Cleansing and Makeup Wipes

Whether you're rocking out in the desert or the woods, showers aren't usually readily available at music festivals. Even if showers are on-site, they often come at a cost, lack privacy or have long lines. So, add cleansing wipes to your music festival checklist of skincare essentials. They're a convenient way to quickly refresh and reset, and they help minimize the risk of breakouts by keeping your skin clean.

Throw Neutrogena^® Individually Wrapped Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes in your overnight bag for an easy way to clean your skin after the last act. Perfect for when you're on the go, these single-use, plant-based wipes remove dirt, oil, sweat and leftover sunscreen without the need for running water.

If you have sensitive skin, try Neutrogena^® Fragrance-Free Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes. Also plant-based, these wipes are ultra-soft and fragrance-free. They're formulated to remove impurities and stubborn products (including waterproof mascara) while still going easy on your skin.

For Sun Protection: Use Water-Resistant Sunscreen

The most important music festival essential? Sunscreen! It's light and easily fits in your bag, and it's an absolute must for protecting your skin while you have fun in the sun.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following sun protection criteria and best practices:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
• Choose a water-resistant formula.
• Apply 1 ounce (about a shot glassful) to your entire body 15 minutes before exposure.
• Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

You can find a range of sunscreen types that meet these criteria, from lotions to sprays to serums. For example, Neutrogena® Sport Active Defense with Broad Spectrum SPF 70 is a non-greasy spray formula with 80 minutes of sweat and water resistance — plus antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E.

From there, select a product for your skin type and use it in combination with other sun safety tips, like seeking shade, covering up and wearing a hat.

For Acne-Prone Skin

Keep blemishes at bay while protecting your skin from UV damage with Neutrogena^® Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50. This lightweight, oil-free formula won't clog pores and leaves a matte finish on the skin.

For Dry Skin

Don't let the sun dry out your skin. Quench your skin's thirst with quick-absorbing Neutrogena^® Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50, clinically proven to hydrate skin all day and formulated with antioxidants like vitamin E to fight daily environmental aggressors. Broad spectrum protection and weightless hydration — hooray for two steps in one!

For Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena Invisible Daily^® Defense Face Serum SPF 60+ is sunscreen that acts like skincare. This invisible (goodbye white cast), fragrance-free formula enhances your skin's sun protection and natural radiance with antioxidants and hydrating humectants. Bonus: You can also use it as a makeup primer.

To Use Over Makeup

If you love to create a fun festival look with makeup, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer^® Dry-Touch Oxybenzone-Free Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 70 is an excellent choice for reapplying throughout the day. It's lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly, meaning you won't need to rub it in and disturb your whole look. Gently pat it on with a makeup sponge for a smooth finish.

For Sweaty Skin: Try Oil Blotting Sheets or Shine Control

Sweaty skin is a given at any outdoor event. But if your skin is on the oilier side, the mix can leave you feeling uncomfortable and not exactly photo-ready. Oil-absorbing face sheets (also known as blotting papers) are great for controlling oil and shine. These tiny pieces of paper are light and portable, and using them is even easier. Just press the paper on the greasy areas of your face and watch it lift away the shine.

Another way to control oil is to get ahead of the problem. Use a mattifying face primer like Neutrogena^® Shine Control Primer under your makeup to prevent oil buildup throughout the day and keep your skin looking picture-perfect. For silky, lightweight coverage, follow up with one of 14 beautiful shades of Neutrogena Healthy Skin^® Liquid Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 20.

For Skin Hydration: Use a Cleansing Gel and Water Cream

The sun can do more than cause sweat and sunburn — it can also dry out your skin. Dryness can compromise the skin barrier, which makes your skin more susceptible to the signs of sun damage. So, maintaining healthy hydration should be one of your top festival essentials.

Neutrogena^® Hydro Boost Water Cream Fragrance Free is ideal for when you're spending lots of time under the sun. Suitable for all skin types, this velvety cream replenishes moisture for up to 72 hours and makes your skin feel balanced and comfortable. Pair it with Neutrogena^® Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid, Fragrance Free to keep your skin clean while locking in moisture.

For Acne-Prone Skin: Add Mineral Powder

Sun damage can aggravate acne. So, protecting your skin from UV damage is doubly important if you're prone to breakouts, preventing hyperpigmentation and inflammation while keeping blemishes in check.

If you have acne-prone skin, add mineral powder to your list of music festival camping essentials. Neutrogena SkinClearing^® Mineral Powder is oil-free and gentle, formulated with MicroClear® Technology to treat and help prevent breakouts by cutting through oil and unclogging pores. Natural minerals have many skin benefits, from toning down redness and excess oil to visibly improving clarity and texture.

For All-Day Freshness: Use a Setting Spray

It can be difficult to maintain a fresh makeup look all day long when you're sweating and dancing under the sun. Fading, smudging and flaking are bound to happen. One of the skincare tips and tricks to keep your makeup looking fresh all day is to give your face a spritz of Neutrogena Healthy Skin^® Radiant Setting Spray before you head to the next set. This fine, cool mist locks in your look with a dewy finish and delivers a boost of peptides and antioxidants. After being out in the sun, your skin could use some extra love!

For Unexpected Pimples: Get Fast-Acting Results With Overnight Acne Treatments and Pimple Patches

No one likes dealing with an unexpected pimple — especially when camping out at a music festival. Neutrogena Stubborn Acne^® Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches are a great on-the-spot solution. Super easy to wear, these little beauties make blemishes disappear fast so you can continue the fun. Throw in Neutrogena Rapid Clear^® Treatment Pads to help reduce redness and swelling in less than eight hours.

Making the Most of Music Festival Season

Get your music festival checklist ready now so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Keeping these music festival camping essentials on hand — including long-wear sun protection, moisture boosters and acne-care products — will keep you looking and feeling fabulous. Enjoy!