My go-to pool & beach products

Written By Mary Blom

There’s something about the beach that has always felt like home to me. I grew up spending long summer days by the ocean or pool—sun on my skin, salt in my hair, and not a care in the world. Even now, it’s still my favorite kind of getaway. Over the years, I’ve learned that having the right products can make all the difference between a relaxing beach day and one spent dealing with discomfort—especially when you have highly sensitive skin like I do.

For the longest time, I struggled to find a sunscreen that truly worked for me. I tried all the “trendy,” supposedly clean and skin-friendly options, but no matter what I used, I kept dealing with irritation, redness, and eczema breakouts. It was frustrating, to say the least. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve finally found sunscreens that protect my skin without causing any reactions—and that alone has completely changed my beach experience.

In this post, I’m sharing the products I genuinely swear by: my go-to gentle sunscreens that don’t irritate my skin, my favorite flattering and comfortable swimsuits, and the beach essentials I never leave home without. Whether you’re planning your next vacation or just heading out for a sunny afternoon, these are the items that help me feel confident, protected, and fully able to enjoy every moment by the water.

If you’ve ever struggled with sensitive skin or just want to simplify your beach bag with tried-and-true favorites, I hope this guide helps you as much as these products have helped me.

Beach essentials:

Swimsuits I own and love:

My favorite sunscreens:

Beach towels:

Mary Blom
Next

Things I Would Buy Again and Again