Everyone wants to look and feel their best while traveling, and nobody wants to battle breakouts and irritation on a trip they’ve been looking forward to for weeks. Here are 11 ways to keep your skin healthy while on vacation, from wearing sunscreen to drinking enough water:
Wear sunscreen every day, all day.
Even on travel days, you should still be applying an anti-aging sunscreen to all areas of uncovered skin. That’s because you’re still exposed to the sun through the windows of planes, trains and automobiles. Not only does sunscreen protect you from sunburn, it’s also one of the most important products in a skincare for wrinkle prevention routine, so don’t skip out on it!
Research your destination’s climate.
If you are currently experiencing a dry winter, but you are about to travel somewhere humid and summery, then your current skincare routine might not be the best choice. Before you finalize your packing list, research the general climate for the area and time frame you are traveling and start to curate your travel skincare kit based on that. Look up the forecast closer to your departure to fine tune your final selection before you leave.
Use your typical skincare products.
That being said, travel is not the time to introduce brand new skincare products. Your skin already has to contend with enough changes, including a new climate, diet and environment. Instead, stick to products that you know already work for your skin. If you do intend to do some skincare tourism and pick up new products on your trip, wait to try them out until after you arrive back home.
Bring only the essentials.
If you are taking only a carry-on, or your checked bag is already packed full, you might need to pare down the toiletries that you take. With that in mind, pare back your skincare routine to only the essentials: cleanser, serums, moisturizer and sunscreen, plus makeup remover if you wear cosmetic products. Use leak-proof travel containers, or buy a skincare travel kit from your favorite brand if you don’t want to hassle with filling them on your own.
Avoid hotel toiletries.
Hotel toiletries may be free and convenient, but they often come packed full of harsh ingredients that will irritate your skin, resulting in dryness, breakouts and even rashes. Instead of relying on hotel toiletries, pack your own if you can — and, yes, we’re talking about body and hair products in addition to face products. It may take up some extra room in your bag but it will be so worth it to feel like yourself after a shower.
Be prepared to treat breakouts and irritation.
Like we said earlier, your skin is exposed to lots of irritants during travel. On vacation, most of us also indulge in behaviors that stress out our skin, including eating lots of rich foods, drinking more alcohol than normal and not taking off our makeup at night. Be prepared to deal with breakouts and irritation ahead of time and pack skincare products that will help to treat these issues so you don’t have to make an emergency drugstore run.
Protect your lips and hands.
Between the frequent hand washing and all the eating and drinking, our skin and hands go through a lot during travel, which is why many people find themselves struggling with chapped skin in these areas. To prevent this from happening, bring along a nourishing lip balm and hand cream and apply them all throughout the day, not only at night. This will create a protective balm on your skin and help to prevent moisture loss during the day to keep them from drying out so quickly.
Try to stop touching your face.
We know this is easier said than done, but our hands are covered with all kinds of germs, bacteria and other contaminants — even more so when we travel. Touching your face introduces these germs to your skin and can contribute to breakouts and irritation. Try to stop touching your face as much as possible and regularly sanitize and wash your hands during travel to cut down on the number of germs you might be carrying around.
Minimize your makeup routine.
It’s hard to keep your makeup looking perfect all day while traveling, especially if you wear a full beat. Try to minimize the number of products that you wear, which will cut down on the layers you have on your face and make packing go a bit easier. Also consider switching from heavier products to lighter ones: For instance, you can swap out a full foundation for a tinted moisturizer that also does double duty as a sunscreen.
Keep your skin hydrated.
We know it’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re traveling, but it’s essential for preventing dehydration and keeping your skin looking plump and healthy. Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go and keep track of how much you are drinking each day. If you are traveling somewhere extremely dry, you might also want to consider packing your own personal humidifier, which will help to put moisture back in the air and ease your skin’s adjustment period.
Get plenty of sleep.
Our entire body, including our skin, repairs itself when we sleep — which means that getting enough shute
ye is crucial for keeping your skin healthy and strong while traveling. Being well-rested will also ensure that you can make the most of your vacation instead of being in a half-asleep haze the whole time. Plan your whole itinerary so you can get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and you won’t regret it.
What are your other favorite tips for keeping your skin hydrated, happy and healthy while you travel? Let us know in the comments below!
