11 Summer Essentials We’re Loving for Beach Days, Travel & Long Summer Days
Summer is all about long, sun-filled days—whether you’re heading to the beach, spending the afternoon by the pool, taking a weekend road trip, or escaping for a summer getaway. Over the years, we’ve discovered a handful of summer essentials that make those days a little easier, more comfortable, and a lot more enjoyable.
From beach bags and compact Turkish towels to sunscreen, sunglasses, and our favorite water bottle, these are the 11 summer must-haves we reach for again and again. Living near the beach means we spend plenty of time outdoors, so we’ve learned which products are actually worth keeping in our summer rotation.
Some are practical staples, like sunscreen and hydration essentials, while others add a little everyday luxury to the season. We’ve included affordable options for travel and beach days, along with a few products we love enough to keep stocked at home for family and guests.
If you’re planning beach days, pool afternoons, summer travel, or simply want to make the most of the season, consider this your summer essentials checklist. These are the products we’re loving right now—and the ones we think are worth adding to your beach bag, suitcase, or summer routine.
Sunscreen is one summer essential we never leave home without, and Follain Daily Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is one we reach for again and again. Living at the beach means plenty of time outdoors, so we apply it throughout the day—especially after swimming or spending extended time in the sun. We love that it’s PFAS-free and made with organic ingredients, while the smooth finish makes it easy and pleasant to wear. It also has a fresh, subtle cedar scent that doesn’t feel overly sunscreen-like. Whether we’re heading to the beach, taking a long walk, or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon, this is a favorite.
2.
COOLA Organic Sunscreen
For full-body coverage, COOLA Organic Sunscreen is another summer favorite in our house. We keep a bottle ready for beach days, pool afternoons, and any time we know we’ll be spending hours outside. It goes on smoothly and makes applying sunscreen from head to toe feel easy, which is especially important when you’re reapplying throughout the day. We also keep extras in the guest bathroom, so friends and family can easily grab some before heading outside. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, heading to the beach, or enjoying a sunny afternoon in the backyard, we think sunscreen should always be within easy reach.
3.
Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol
For those hot, humid summer days when you want to feel instantly refreshed, Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol is a favorite. We especially love it for city days and elegant summer dinners when the heat can leave you feeling less than fresh. A quick spritz feels cooling and revitalizing while the beautiful scent adds an effortless touch of luxury. It’s perfect to keep in your bag and use throughout the day—after walking around the city, before dinner, or whenever you need a little pick-me-up. It’s one of those small summer luxuries that helps you feel fresh, polished, and your best.
4.
Noshinku – Bergamot Hand Sanitizer Wipes
Summer adventures often mean being out and about all day, and these Noshinku Bergamot Hand Sanitizer Wipes are an easy addition to your bag. They’re especially handy for days at water parks, outdoor concerts, the beach, summer carnivals, farmer’s markets and other outdoor events where soap and water aren’t always within reach. The individually portable wipes make it easy to freshen up after grabbing a snack, riding a carnival attraction, or touching shared surfaces. We also love the refreshing bergamot scent, which feels much more pleasant than traditional hand sanitizer. Tuck a pack into your beach bag, purse, or picnic basket and you’re ready for whatever the day brings.
5.
Noshinku Bergamot Pocket Hand Sanitizer Refill Kit: Refill Pouch + Sprayer Bundle
For a more compact option, we love the Noshinku Bergamot Pocket Hand Sanitizer Refill Kit. The small sprayer is easy to slip into a purse, beach bag, or even a pocket, making it perfect for summer days when you want to travel light. Instead of carrying individual wipes, you can quickly spritz your hands whenever you need a little extra freshness—whether you’re at a water park, walking through a summer carnival, or grabbing lunch at the beach. The refill pouch also makes it easy to keep your sprayer stocked, so it’s a practical choice for frequent summer adventures and everyday on-the-go use.
6.
eos Vanilla Cashmere Lip Butter Plumping Peptides Smoothing Shea Butter
Summer at the beach means long days spent in the sun—walking along the shore, swimming, reading, and soaking up every bit of the season. One thing we never leave home without is eos Vanilla Cashmere Lip Butter with Plumping Peptides and Smoothing Shea Butter. It’s the perfect little essential for keeping lips feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized throughout the day. The creamy vanilla cashmere scent feels indulgent without being overpowering, while the rich formula helps combat the dryness that can come from sun, salt water, and warm summer air. It’s a beach-bag staple we reach for all summer long.
7.
eos 100% Natural & Organic Lip Balm Sticks
If you prefer a more traditional lip balm, eos 100% Natural & Organic Lip Balm Sticks are another great option for summer. Unlike the richer, more indulgent Vanilla Cashmere Lip Butter, these balms have a simple, lightweight feel that makes them especially easy to toss into a beach bag and reapply throughout the day. Made with natural and organic ingredients, they help keep lips soft and moisturized while you’re spending long hours outdoors. We love having one on hand for beach walks, swimming, or simply relaxing in the sun. It’s an easy everyday balm when you want moisture without the extra fuss.
8.
YETI Camino 35 Carryall
The YETI Camino 35 Carryall has become one of those summer essentials we use religiously. It’s our go-to for beach days, easily holding towels, sunscreen, water bottles, books, snacks, and all the little extras that seem to multiply when you’re heading to the shore. We love that it feels incredibly sturdy without being complicated, and the open design makes it easy to see and grab what we need. It’s also great for pool days, picnics, and summer outings when you need to carry a little more. For us, it’s the ultimate grab-and-go summer bag—and one we rarely leave home without.
9.
Turkish Beach Towels
10.
Affordable Sunglasses
Summer is not the season to worry too much about expensive sunglasses. For travel, pool days, and beach adventures, we love having a few affordable pairs that we can toss into a beach bag or suitcase without stressing about them. JASPIN Rectangle Sunglasses are a stylish, budget-friendly option with a chic, classic shape, while goodr OG Polarized Sunglasses are great for active summer days when you want a secure, comfortable pair that can keep up. Having inexpensive sunglasses on hand also means we can leave our favorite designer pairs safely at home. They’re practical, stylish, and perfect for summer adventures.
Staying hydrated is one of the most important parts of enjoying long summer days, and the Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle makes it easy. We love the 40-ounce size for beach days, long walks, road trips, and afternoons spent outside—it means fewer refills when we’re on the go. The FreeSip design is especially convenient because you can sip through the built-in straw or drink from the wide opening. It’s become a summer essential we reach for constantly, helping us keep water cold and close at hand. Whether we’re headed to the beach or simply running errands, it’s always with us.
