Traveling can be one of life’s joys, but it can also negatively affect your skin. Airplane air is extremely drying, while a humid climate can cause excess oil and breakouts. If you’ve got a trip coming up and you’re wondering how to keep your skin healthy and happy on the road, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about what skincare products to pack with you, from lip masks to bronzing drops:
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How Traveling Affects Your Skin
Adjusting to a new temperature and climate very quickly can make your skin cranky. Some people find that their skin becomes extremely dry while traveling, while others struggle with excess oiliness instead. The lack of humidity in airplane air will also exacerbate the dryness if you are flying, particularly if your flight is long or you must take multiple flights in a row. If you forget to drink water during your travels, that lack of hydration will also contribute to dry skin.
If traveling stresses you out, that can cause hormonal changes that lead to extra oil and breakouts as well. Changes in your diet, such as eating richer cuisine than normal or consuming more dairy and sugar, can upset your skin’s balance. Jet lag and disruptions to your sleep schedule can cause your skin to look dull and uneven. Forgetting to wash off your makeup after a long day can also lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Sun exposure — say, if you are lying on a beach all day or walking around outside a lot — will further dry out your skin and potentially lead to sunburn.
Clearly, travel can do a number on your skin! Thankfully, sticking to a proper skincare routine while you are traveling will help to mitigate the effects and keep your skin looking healthy and happy.
What to Include On Your Travel Skin Care Packing List
Everyone should tailor their skincare routine to their unique needs, but there are still some essentials that everyone should pack for every single trip. Here are the items that you should absolutely bring in your toiletries bag for every trip:
- Facial cleanser: Everyone needs a vegan face wash to remove the dirt and grime after a long day of travel. Some facial cleansers can be rather harsh and drying, which won’t help your skin if it’s already upset by traveling. Look for a cleanser that is free of sulfates, parabens, fragrances, and other ingredients that might potentially irritate your face.
- Hydrating serum: While not strictly a must, we find that hydrating serums are a huge boost to our stressed-out skin during travel. Look for peptides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and other nourishing ingredients that will help to counteract dry skin.
- Moisturizer: Moisturizers help to lock hydration into your skin while also protecting it from the elements. Choose a moisturizer that will absorb quickly without making your face feel sticky yet provide enough moisture that your face doesn’t feel dry or tight. Apply the moisturizer morning and night, or whenever you rinse or wash your face.
- Sunscreen: No matter where you are traveling, or what time of year, you should wear sunscreen with a protection of at least SPF 30 every day. Apply it in the morning before you go outside, and continue to reapply it throughout the day to keep your skin protected from UV radiation. We recommend choosing a mineral sunscreen, which is usually less irritating than a chemical sunscreen.
- Lip balm: Many people find that their lips get extremely dry and chapped while traveling. To prevent this from happening, pack a lip mask with you and apply it throughout the day, not just at night before you go to sleep. If you start this habit before you even get on the plane, you’ll greatly reduce your odds of developing chapped lips.
- Bronzing drops: Bronzing drops can give you an immediate tan to give you that vacation glow before you even arrive at your destination. They can also help even out your natural tan while on vacation so that you don’t have to deal with stark tan lines in photos.
How to Take Care Of Your Skin While Traveling
If you’re flying, there are some things that you can do for the plane ride specifically. Once you land, you can transition back to your regular skincare routine.
Airplane Skincare
Before hopping on a plane, pamper your skin with hydrating toners, soothing serums, and nourishing moisturizers. Skip wearing cosmetics if you can; these can clog your pores and contribute to drying out your skin. Do apply sunscreen, however, since you’re still exposed to UV radiation when you’re on a plane. Finish up your routine with a lip mask and hand balm, and reapply these during the flight as necessary. Some people like to do a face mask midflight to give their skin a boost, but this is up to you. Once you land, wash your face to get rid of any germs or bacteria and apply another layer of moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out.
Vacation Skincare
While on vacation, pay attention to how your skin is doing and don’t be afraid to change things up if you notice your face getting especially oily or dry. Pack your normal skincare products instead; a big trip isn’t the time to introduce a new product that could potentially upset your skin. Drink plenty of water so that you stay hydrated from the inside out as well as the outside in.
We hope this guide helped you feel confident about packing for your next trip! Wondering which ingredients work best for your skin concerns? Try this personalized skincare quiz to find out.