If you love to travel and feel very proud of your travel record, you know that this hobby is not all roses. Firstly, it can be physically exhausting, sometimes even dangerous and always damaging to your skin. While you travel, you change air quality and climate, disturb your daily skincare routine, have to resort to using new products and experience a change in your lifestyle – all of these can affect the look and feel of your skin and often cause breakouts and blemishes.
If you want to continue exploring the world but also always be ready for a photoshoot, here are a few ways to maintain your skin’s health while traveling:
Bring your own products
Travel can be quite stressful for your body, so don’t put additional stress on your skin by forcing it to adjust to new products while you’re on the road. If you have a foolproof skincare routine you follow at home, try to stick with it as much as you can while traveling.
Many of our essential products come in not-so-travel-friendly packaging, but you can solve that issue with sample-size versions. This is a much better solution than pouring out products from their original packaging into plastic containers because most products need to be stored the right way to retain their skincare properties. For instance, serums need to be kept in cool and dark places, which is why manufacturers opt for dark packaging. If you pour your serum into a see-through container, it might lose its effectiveness. The same goes for other products, so seek out samples to pack for your trip.
Always wear sunscreen
When traveling to warm countries or tropical islands, you’re probably bringing a ton of sunscreen and protective wear. Well, this should be your standard practice for all destinations, regardless of temperature.
Also, make sure to apply sunscreen every day, no matter if you’re spending your day in transit, bathing or exploring the destination. Traveling by plane? Don’t forget the sunscreen. According to research, pilots and flight attendants have a higher possibility of developing melanoma (potentially lethal skin cancer). Why is that? When you’re on a plane, you’re very close to the sun’s UV rays, so make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before taking off and enjoy open window shutters and beautiful views.
A product that’s lightweight and hydrating is perfect for any occasion because it will make you feel comfortable even when you’re swimming and sweating. And make sure to aim for at least SPF 30 sunscreen and have it handy at all times so you can reapply it every couple of hours.
Hydrate your face
If you’re only planning to pack one skincare product for your trip, make this your trusted face moisturizer. This product can do wonders for your skin that’s tortured by extreme weather, sun exposure, improper diet and exhaustion. Remember to moisturize before and after bed and before your flight to battle the effects of dry air, wind and sun.
Pack a mask for the road
If you’re bored while traveling, it’s the best time to show your skin some love and care. Pack a hydrating mask into your travel bag, especially when you have to spend hours in dry airplane air. A long flight, car or bus ride will be much more enjoyable when pampering yourself. And if you don’t like face masks (or you’re embarrassed to use them in front of everyone), a hydrating skin mist will keep your skin plump and healthy. When you touch down and arrive at your destination, you will look fresh, hydrated and smooth while other passengers look quite drained and crusty.
Bring your supplements
When traveling, it’s hard to keep up with your regular diet of fresh fruit and veggies. Some destinations are especially limited with food, so it’s best to provide your skin with plenty of nutrients through supplements. Bringing your quality beauty collagen supplement with you wherever you go is very easy because they come in practical and sturdy packaging. And your supplement will work by encouraging your skin’s natural collagen and elastin production while feeding it with various ingredients that promote the health of your skin.
Stay hydrated on the inside
How can you battle the change of climate, low humidity levels and improper diet? Well, with proper hydration of course, but on the inside. Drink plenty of water when traveling and you will leave enough moisture for your skin to use for its needs and processes. Increasing your water intake can lead to better skin hydration and a fresh-looking face. Up your water levels while preparing for your trip, during your travel and when you return, as long as your body is returning to its normal schedule.
Treat your lips to an ointment
When you’re busy with exploration, beach and ocean, it can be easy to forget about your lip health. However, that mistake can cost you a lot of nerve. Travel can wreak havoc on your lips, so treating them with a gentle ointment is a great practice. Products like Vaseline and Aquaphor are very simple, gentle, effective, cheap and moisturizing.
Don’t touch your face
To minimize breakouts and various infections, make sure to keep your hands off your face, especially when you don’t have access to clean water or wet wipes. While traveling, you can pick up various germs that can cause serious skin conditions, so don’t risk it.
Stay prepared for a breakout
Even if you do all the right steps, sometimes your skin just doesn’t agree with your trip and decides to be dramatic with a breakout. Different water pH levels, hardness and bacteria, mixed with stress and exhaustion can cause a flare-up. But if you prepare for this scenario, you can calm your skin quickly and still look amazing in your photos without Photoshop. For instance, you can always carry a small container or bottle of 10% benzoyl peroxide, a known breakout remover. This substance comes in many products you can get over the counter, so arm yourself with at least one.
With these skincare tips, you’ll enjoy your travel adventure and look perfect and effortless doing it. Keep these tips in mind for your next trip and you’ll return home fresh mentally, emotionally and physically.