Dermatologist Tina Alster says sunglasses with wide sides help guard against crow's feet. Photograph by Matthew Worden

“I never bring anything I can’t carry myself—I hate checking bags,” says DC dermatologist Tina Alster about packing for getaways to her family home in Nantucket. “My Louis Vuitton roll-on fits everything I need for one to two weeks.”

The doctor, director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, tells us what she packs for summer:

Beachwear: Eres swimsuits and Juicy Couture terry pants and hoodies.

Sunglasses: “Chanel with wide sides so that sun exposure doesn’t contribute to crow’s feet.”

Sunscreen: Lancôme Sôleil Ultra SPF 50. “Great protection for both face and body, and it has the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.” (Alster is a consulting dermatologist for Lancôme.)

Favorite self-tanners: L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Towelettes, for ease of application, and Lancôme Flash Bronzer Glow ‘N Wear.

Eres swimsuits, an Alster favorite, include the Angello, $332 at Jaryam in DC. Photograph courtesy of Eres

For dinners at Languedoc: capri pants with TSE sweater sets.

Vacation shoes: Christian Louboutin espadrilles, Jack Rogers flats, and for evenings in town, Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik kitten heels: “Higher heels are totally impractical on cobblestone streets.”

On her wrist: an Hermès watch.

On her lips: Dr. Dan’s lip balm.

Postflight pick-me-up: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water: “I spritz it on my face.”

Summer reading: Are Men Necessary? by her friend Maureen Dowd; Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro; and Mayflower by Nantucket author Nathaniel Philbrick.

Can’t leave home without: “My BlackBerry.”