Recently, I was away in Bangkok for a holiday gateway when I realised, that maintaining my regular skincare routine was a challenge while travelling. Between limited packing space and keeping up with my itinerary, I put caring for my skin on the back burner. However, since I’ve invested time and money into keeping my skin healthy, I don’t want my travels to be a barrier that throws my skin off balance.
The good news is there are ways to care for our skin, even while we’re on the go! By doing a little bit of prep beforehand, we can keep our skin hydrated and glowing in any climate. Keep reading to learn some tried-and-true travel skincare tips:
DO: Try To Keep Your Routine Consistent
When it comes to skincare, consistency is key. If your at-home skincare routine is working well for you, why change it when you travel? Plus, your skin will most likely change when you travel—so keeping your routine as close to normal as possible is one less factor you’ll have to worry about.
Now, if you’re someone who has an elaborate routine, you might be wondering how to pack all of your products with you. This is where travel-size products come in handy.
If possible, look for the travel sizes of your products: your skincare, serums, SPF, lip mask, etc. If you can’t find any or don’t want to spend the extra cash on them, another great option is to use toiletries you are comfortable with.
My personal bodycare fave: Natura and Plant Origins travel size products.
DON’T: Pack All New Products
When browsing the aisles for travel-size products, you might be tempted to try new products just because they’re available in smaller sizes. However, as mentioned, it’s best to keep your routine consistent.
If you introduce all new products into your routine, this can throw your skin off balance—especially when it’s already undergoing other changes like new country climate changes or hormonal ups and down. Plus, if your skin reacts, you won’t know exactly what product caused it, and may not have access to the products you usually use to get back to a normal state.
So use products that you’re comfortable with.
DO: Focus On The Essentials
I get it—sometimes you do have to condense your skincare routine down when you travel (especially if you’re someone with a 10-step routine). If this is the case, it’s important to ensure you bring the right products with you. Here are a few staples that you should never be without:
- Cleanser: One of the worst things you can do for your skin is to skip out on cleansing. Throughout the day, your skin collects bacteria, dirt, and grime—and failing to wash it off before you go to bed is a recipe for disaster. Plus, if you’re someone who wears makeup, you’ll want to ensure every trace of it is removed before you hop in bed. In the long run, this will help to prevent breakouts, irritation, clogged pores, and even signs of aging.
- Moisturizer: No matter your skin type, you should always take time to moisturize in the morning and at night. A good moisturizer will help to nourish and protect your skin and keep it balanced. Whether you’re travelling to a humid climate or the driest of dry, moisturizing can help to prevent your skin from becoming overly dry or oily.
- Sunscreen (with SPF 30 or higher): If there’s one product you invest in for your skin, it should be sunscreen. The sun’s rays can be incredibly damaging to the skin, causing burns, irritation, wrinkles and in more severe cases, even cancer. Applying a layer of sunscreen to your face and neck every morning is a simple step that can save your skin.
In addition to these products, if you’re using any medications for your skin (such as treatments for acne, rosacea, or eczema), you’ll want to bring those as well. These are products you won’t be able to pick up at the drugstore, so be sure to pack them with you and bring enough for the entirety of your trip.
DON’T: Skip Critical Steps
While products like toners, serums, eye creams, facial oils, and treatment masks are all great, remember to prioritize cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreen and body oil when packing for your trip.
If you have extra room after packing these products, go for it—just remember that keeping your skin clean, hydrated and protected is the most important. Your other products will be there waiting for you when you return!
DO: Prep Your Skin For The Plane Ride
Plane rides can be incredibly drying to the skin. Why? Planes have low humidity and use recycled air. This is a very unnatural environment, so it can wreak havoc on the skin. Plus, when you land and step foot into a new climate, this can throw your skin for another loop.
So, if the destination you’re travelling to requires a plane ride, there are a few critical steps you can take to protect your skin before you board.
Before leaving for the airport, make sure your skin is clean and hydrated. To take this to the next level, try using a hydrating treatment mask like the Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydrating Lifting Mask. A product like this will hydrate and brighten the skin, while also helping to protect it against environmental stressors.
Another great thing you can do is apply facial oil as the last step of your routine. This will help to really lock in moisture and provide a protective barrier for your skin while you’re on the plane. C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil is a great option.
If possible, consider going makeup-free while on the flight. This will allow your skin to breathe and reduce the chances of dryness, irritation, and breakouts occurring.
DON’T: Do Your Skincare Routine On The Plane
This might come as a surprise to you, as you’ve probably seen your favourite bloggers and influencers doing their skincare routines on plane rides.
While the intent of doing this isn’t wrong, it’s important to consider that aeroplanes are filled with germs. The problem with applying skincare products on the plane is that once you’ve boarded a plane, you’ve inevitably touched many different surfaces and collected bacteria on your hands. When you go to touch your face, you’re transferring these germs to your skin, which is likely to do more harm than good.
Instead of doing your skincare on the plane, do it at home before you leave. This will allow your skin to really soak in all of the ingredients beforehand, and while you’re on the plane, you can just sit back and relax.
DO: Consider The Climate You’ll Be In
I have mentioned this briefly, but when packing your skincare products, consider the environment you’re going into. This will allow you to plan ahead and cater your routine to what your skin will need.
For example, if you’re heading to an environment with dry air and frigid temperatures, you may benefit from packing a thicker night cream and nourishing facial oil in case you need extra hydration. On the other hand, if you’re heading to a warm, humid environment, consider packing lightweight products that won’t feel too heavy or greasy on the skin.
It’s also important to consider the activities you’ll be doing. For example, if you’re going on a beach vacation, you’ll want to pack a waterproof sunscreen with a high SPF. You’ll also want to bring enough to reapply throughout the day.
DON’T: Neglect Sleep
While this isn’t exactly a skincare tip, not getting enough sleep can make your skin more prone to flare-ups, especially when travelling. Even if your sleeping schedule is off due to a time difference, or you’re busy running around doing various activities, it’s best to prioritize sleep as much as you can.
Giving your body enough rest is critical to the way you look and feel. In the same way, it’s beneficial to keep your skincare routine as close to normal as possible, it’s best to stick to a normal sleeping schedule as well!
At the end of the day, travel skincare is all about preparation. While your skincare routine may not be perfect, and breakouts are sometimes inevitable, following these tips can help to keep your skin in check so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest!
Absolutely love reading your blogs so informative ❤️