As Love Island is set to return to ITV2 next week (January 16), many of us will be excited to tune in and watch a brand new set of contestants aim to find love.
The newest islanders will all be jetting off to South Africa this weekend, and will be packing their bags in anticipation for the show. However, there will be some essentials that contestants will have to leave at home.
This is due to the fact that there are several products are banned from entering the Love Island villa for a number of reasons.
READ MORE - The new Love Island contestants and start date confirmed for ITV2 show
Experts at Vera Clinic have researched and analysed information gathered from video content and posts shared by past islanders to reveal the essentials that you didn’t realise the contestants are banned from bringing in.
Read on below to find out more about the items prohibited from the villa, and the reasons why.
Fake Tan
In a TikTok video shared by Chloe Burrows, the runner-up in 2021, she revealed that fake tan was banned in the villa.
Since the bedroom is a big part of the show, producers did not want the white bed sheets to get destroyed by unsightly fake tan stains so the Islanders are banned from topping up their glow.
Beauty Products
Since Love Island is typically sponsored by retailers specialising in health and beauty, the lucky contestants will be stocked up with a range of beauty, skincare, sun cream, and male grooming products to use.
The products tend to be on display for promotional purposes so the contestants do not need to bring any of their own personal beauty products with them.
Mobile Phones
Although this one might seem obvious, some viewers do think that the phones contestants are given are their own mobile.
However, the phone they are given is used to take photos and receive the famous ‘I’ve got a text!’ messages - their own personal phones are strictly banned from the villa.
And for the first time this year, the show has announced a drastic move banning islanders' families and friends from monitoring or posting on the contestant's phones - a real opportunity for everyone to benefit from a digital detox.
Books, Magazines and Newspapers
As well as mobile phones it is no shock that islanders are also cut off from the outside world and are not allowed access to any newspapers, magazines or books during their free time.
This is to keep the contestants unaware of outside opinions, and focus fully on the competition.
Branded Clothing
The islanders are lucky enough to be given a continuous flow of clothes to wear as part of partnerships with the show's sponsors. This means that they are not allowed to wear any of their own clothes if they contain identifiable brands, logos, or slogans.
In past years, I Saw It First has sponsored Love Island but from last year, the show works alongside eBay to promote wearing more sustainable, preloved clothing. Last season's fourth place contestant, Tasha Ghouri, is now eBay's first preloved ambassador.
Knowing what time it is
Most of us have never experienced life without the time but for the Love Islanders, they have to adapt to life with no concept of time. With no watches and clocks allowed inside, it has also been reported that the time is covered up on the oven and the hot tub.
Past islanders have said they have to use the sun to gauge the time of day and are told when to sleep and wake up by the producers.
WiFi
Although it makes sense considering that contestants are not permitted to have any form of contact with the outside world, there is no WiFi connection in the villa.
Amy Hart from season five of the show revealed that the phones they were given are “jail-broken” as everything but the camera and texting messaging are strictly off limits.
Excessive food and drink
If you’ve ever wondered why the islanders never seem to get drunk during the parties and evenings, it’s because their alcohol limit is restricted. Each islander is permitted to have two glasses of wine or two glasses of beer during a party evening.
Food is also supplied and producers are able to take shopping list requests from the contestants, with past islanders sharing that they were sometimes treated to takeaways.
Love Island returns to ITV2 on Monday, January 16 at 9pm.
READ NEXT
Janey Godley in tears as Glasgow comic confirms cancer 'incurable'
Holidayers forced to pay extra cash to fly to 30 countries in 2023 visa shakeup
Sir Rod Stewart celebrates with family as rock and roll icon turns 78
Money saving energy tips as experts issue advice as bills rise
Scottish households issued £150 Warm Home Discount Scheme warning amid rising bills
