At home, it’s easy. You have all your favorite products within reach. On those days when your skin acts up, you can reach for that oil-absorbing mask or that deep moisturizer and nip it in the bud.
But on vacation?
It’s not so easy.
You can pack only so much, and you can never be sure how you’re skin is going to react.
Next time you get ready to go on a trip, try these seven tips. With a little extra TLC, you can keep your skin looking youthful and vibrant, no matter where you are! Improving skin radiance requires some important knowledge though.
7 Tips for Great Vacation Skin
The main thing to remember when preparing for vacation is that things will not be the same. Everything’s going to change, from the climate to your diet to your stress levels, so it’s best if you go prepared.
- Pack smart: You want to pack economically, but at the same time, you don’t want to go without what your skin really needs. No matter what, take the basics: gentle cleanser, non-alcoholic toner, best all-around moisturizer, and an exfoliator. Never subject your skin to toxin-filled hotel soaps and lotions!
- Hydrate on the way: Particularly if you’re traveling by plane, expect your skin to become dehydrated. Even if you have oily skin, you will likely notice a reaction as your skin may produce more oil to counteract the dry airplane air. Take along some oil-blotting cloths to use on the way (they’re better than tissues, but you can use a tissue in a pinch), and pack our Rescue + Relief Spray travel size (or your favorite hydrating spray) and spritz on your face at least once every hour or so. Don’t use plain water as it will simply dry your face out even more as it evaporates. If you’re lucky enough to travel first class, skip the warm cloths for the same reason.
- Watch your hands: Airports, airplanes, gas stations, restrooms-they’re all full of germs. Hopefully you’re washing your hands as often as you can, but you will still carry germs on them, so keep them away from your face. If something itches, use a tissue as a barrier between your fingers and your skin. If you touch your skin, expect to see a pimple or blackhead there the next day.
- Protect! Don’t forget the sunscreen. Even if you’re going to be inside a car or a plane all day, UV rays penetrate windows and can damage your skin within minutes. Choose zinc oxide-it’s the safest option, and doesn’t carry the risks of chemical sunscreens. It’s also a good idea to give your skin some antioxidants, as they can help neutralize any free radical damage. Try a little grapeseed, argan, marula, or chamomile before you leave. These oils will also help your skin hold onto moisture on the way. Our Calming Moisture also has turmeric, which is a powerfully protective antioxidant.
- Go lightly on makeup. Consider using as little makeup as possible on your travel days. Foundations, powders, and creams settled into pores and cling to microorganisms you encounter along the way. Plus, it’s harder to moisturize if your skin is covered in makeup. If you’re meeting someone when you arrive, take a long a small bag with some of the essential basics and spruce up in the lavatory or in the car prior to your meeting. For your best look, choose green makeup products that use natural ingredients to keep skin hydrated and glowing.
- Drink water and eat foods that are rich in water. All those sugar-laden juices and sodas (say nothing of the alcohol) they offer you on planes are not good for your skin. Choose water instead, or tea, to stay hydrated from the inside out. Take along some low-glycemic, juicy fruits to snack on like apples and berries, and think “water” when eating out for the first few days. Pineapple, watermelon, cucumbers, celery, soups, radishes, fresh greens, melons, citrus fruits, zucchinis, and cabbage are all full of water that will help keep your skin happy as you travel.
- Perform emergency care when you arrive. You’re most likely have stressed skin the first day or two of travel, until you settle into your new location. Traveling also exposes you to the most germs and toxins in the air via pollution, so when you arrive, give your skin some major TLC. Cleanse gently, and then use your exfoliating treatment to get rid of all the gunk on the surface of your skin. Follow up with hydration-a hydrating mask if you have it, or your regular moisturizer. (Our Body Repair Lotion and Calming Moisture provide deep moisture and antioxidants to help counteract free-radical damage.) If you’re at a friend’s house, you can make your own hydrating mask with ingredients like honey, yogurt, and green tea, or mash up some bananas and avocadoes. (Calming Moisture doubles as a mask-simply leave on for 15-20 minutes.)
During the second and third days of your vacation, watch how your skin behaves, and adjust accordingly. Don’t forget to work some stress-relief into your daily routine, to keep you and your skin calm and blemish free. Think yoga, tai chi, long walks, some calming music, a little art therapy, some time by the water, meditation, or a few minutes to jot down your thoughts in a journal.
How do you care for skin when traveling? Please share any tips you may have.
