The Ordinary's toner is festival must-have - but Boots' alternative is cheaper and just as good

As festival season makes a comeback, while outfits may seem like the top priority, your beauty bag is key to getting you through the weekend. But keeping your skin fresh, protected and glowing during a festival is a big ask during long days, heat and limited access to running water.

Before you dive into the festival chaos, prepping your skin in the lead-up is key to maintaining a fresh, radiant glow. Dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite says a little exfoliation is a great first step, and recommends The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner - retailing at just £7.70.

"A little light exfoliation is a great way to get your skin festival ready," says Dr Granite, founder of Joonbyrd. "AHAs such as glycolic acid and lactic acid are good ingredient options for a radiance boost."

According to Skinsort, Boots Ingredients Glycolic Acid Toner is a good match for The Ordinary and can save you £4. These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe toners. They both contain AHAs and are both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, dark spots and better texture.

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Dr Granite also says a calming sheet mask the day before the event can also help hydrate and soothe your skin. Using ultra-hydrating products ahead of the weekend – like swapping out your gel cleanser for a cream or balm – will help lock in hydration for the coming days.

"Give your skin a thorough cleanse with [an] effective deeply cleansing oil-to-milk cleansing balm," says holistic facialist and Weleda skincare expert, Elizabeth King.

"After your first cleanse reapply a second layer and leave on for 10 minutes," she says, as this helps plump and replenish your skin even further. The Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Cleansing Balm is a great option for getting your double cleanse on lock while at a festival.

Amidst the excitement of a festival – with limited amenities – sticking to a full skincare regimen is often not feasible. Granite suggests paring back your typical cleansing routine to "cleansing pads and micellar water" for maintaining cleanliness sans running water.

She also recommends using oil-free moisturiser and sunscreen to help avoid clogged pores, adding: "Try to avoid touching your face often with your hands. You can also carry pimple patches as needed for when you're in a pinch."

For those who prefer their regular cleanser that necessitates water, King advises bringing "a small airtight container of dampened cotton pads pre-prepared with a little boiled water", enabling a thorough cleanse even without tap access.

And certainly don't neglect hand sanitiser before applying makeup or skincare. You can score yourself some Garnier Micellar Water Facial Cleanser Sensitive Skin for only £4.49 (formerly £8.99) at Boots.

While pre-festival preparation focuses on protection and hydration, post-festival skincare is all about repair and replenishment. Granite stresses the importance of drinking plenty of clear fluids to "amp up your overall hydration levels".

The solution to dehydration is a simple fix: electrolytes. These replenish both liquid levels and salts faster than a glass of water. A daily dose of electrolyte blends in the morning is both safe and smart planning, jumping ahead of summer plans in the sun that might leave us lightheaded.

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