Packing your skincare for travel can be frustrating.
What do you take; What do you leave at home?
You know your skin doesn’t like it when you change things up. Whether it’s a long road trip or a flight to somewhere new, your skin is likely to react.
In the past, you may have suffered from increased breakouts, dryness, dullness, more visible fine lines and wrinkles, eczema flare-ups and more.
It might be enough to make you dread this holiday!
We’ve got some tips below that might help you next time you’re hauling that suitcase.
Skin care tips for travel: Why does my skin react?
Traveling often creates a lot of changes that your skin needs to adjust to. You might be going from one climate to another, for example. If you’re going to a hotter, more humid environment than you’re used to, you may break out more than usual because your skin isn’t used to that extra moisture in the air.
If, on the other hand, you go from a humid to a dry climate, you may find that your skin seems to dry out like a prune and that you need to apply moisturizer much more often.
Wherever you end up, the air is likely to change. If you are on an airplane, you are exposed to recirculated air, which is very drying to the skin. If you change altitudes—from low to high, for example—the sunlight may be more intense and you may be more vulnerable to sunburn. Harsh weather can dry out your skin, especially if you are exposed to strong winds.
Traveling is often stressful, and this can easily show on your skin. Stress causes your body to release hormones that can cause acne to flare up. It can also make your skin more sensitive than usual, to the point where you notice redness or even rashes.
Finally, your diet is likely to change. Not only when you eat, but also what you eat. Trying new foods and eating at different times can throw your skin off its normal routine, causing unexpected breakouts or dryness.
Skin Care Tips for Travel: Keep Your Skin Happy on the Road!
Making a few easy adjustments to your skincare routine while traveling can help your skin better adjust to the changes.
To prevent spasms
- Always take your own products with you. Do not use hotel products. Buy travel size bottles of your favorite products or put some in travel size bottles. CV Skinlabs has a handy travel size kit that you can use.
- Stick to your regular routine. Cleanse, tone and moisturize twice a day. You may be more tired than usual, but that makes sticking to your routine even more important.
- Use a misting spray. We recommend taking a small bottle of Rescue + Relief Spray with you, especially if you are flying. Then mist your skin when it starts to feel dry. Even if you have acne-prone skin, adding some moisture can help prevent overactive oil glands and keep you looking radiant and refreshed.
- Try to relax. Stress plays a big role in acne. It stresses hormones and can cause inflammation. Bring along some noise-canceling headphones or download a meditation app to help you relax. Try sprinkling lavender on your neck pillow if it’s relaxing for you.
- Eat carefully. You might want to enjoy some special cuisine while on your trip. Remember that a change in diet can show up on your skin. Don’t completely deprive yourself, but keep any new food portions small. Go easy on the sugar and alcohol and try to make healthy choices most of the time.
- Minimize makeup. Avoid heavy foundations and colored products while traveling. Opt for a tinted moisturizer or hydrating foundation instead, then add just a little eyeshadow and mascara for a fresh yet airy look. Tip: Makeup artists recommend mixing Calming Moisture with your foundation to keep skin protected and hydrated for a youthful glow.
- Choose a non-clogging moisturizer. It’s important to keep the skin balanced, so don’t skip the moisturizer! This can cause your skin to overproduce skin oils that cause acne. CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture is a great choice. Whatever you use, make sure it’s light and clean so it doesn’t clog your pores.
To avoid dryness
- Get your own products. This is always true!
- Exfoliate your skin regularly. You may need more moisture than usual when you travel, so take the Rescue + Relief Spray with you in a travel size and use it whenever your skin feels tight. It also helps tame redness and irritation.
- They drink water. Take a bottle of water with you and drink regularly. Hydration from the inside out helps prevent excessive dryness in the skin.
- Moderate your alcohol consumption. Avoid alcohol on the flight or on vacation, or at least limit it to small amounts. Alcohol dries out the skin.
- Eat more water-rich fruits and vegetables. These can help hydrate your skin.
- Exfoliate gently. If your skin feels dry and dull, gently exfoliate with some mild acids like glycolic, saliconic, and malic. It can be enough to refresh your look.
- Hydration hydrates! The good thing about CV Skinlabs moisturizers is that you can apply them as often as you like without worrying about clogging your pores. Keeping skin well hydrated, balanced and calm can help prevent eczema and rosacea or other irritations. Apply Calming Moisture to your face as often as needed and Body Repair Lotion to the rest of your body after showering or bathing.
- Take a disposable moisturizing mask with you. If you’re traveling in a dry climate and your skin is suffering, try a single-use hydrating mask. These usually come in foil containers and can help give your skin the extra moisturizing boost it needs.
- Don’t forget your lips! Lips can easily get chapped during travel. Take our Restorative Skin Balm with us to keep them soft and hydrated. It is a comprehensive treatment ideal for dry patches, cuts, scrapes and more. Use on cuticles, rough heels, brows and anywhere you need a little TLC.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.
To limit sensitivity and reactions
- Get your own products. Sensitive skin, in particular, needs to stick with products it knows. Any new ingredients can cause a reaction. All CV Skinlabs products are specially formulated for sensitive skin concerns.
- Practice stress relief. Try to take a walk most days to help flush out any stress that may have built up in your system. Use meditation apps, relaxing teas, and aromatherapy scents to help promote deep breathing and calmness.
- Avoid any harsh treatment. For sensitive skin, you want to keep everything calm. Avoid retinoids or acids for the most part and follow a very basic skin care routine that includes a gentle cleanser, toner and moisturizer.
- Protect the skin barrier. That means moisturizing regularly with our Soothing Moisture. Not only does it provide moisture to the deeper layers of the skin, it also tames inflammation. Then use sunscreen to make sure your outer barrier stays strong.
- Limit unusual foods in your diet. Take snacks and small meals with you if you can. The closer you can stick to your normal diet, the calmer your skin will be.
Skincare Tips for Travel: Pack for Emergency
Here are some extras you may want to pack in case your skin reacts negatively.
- Zit patches: These cover new pimples that may be developing while helping to get rid of them faster.
- Beauty masks: Depending on where you’re going and your skin type, choose either a moisturizer or a disposable oil-absorbing mask. If you have combination skin, you may benefit from both.
- Lavender anti-stress spray: You can put it on your pillow or on your clothes to help you stay calm throughout the journey.
- Earplugs: They can help reduce stress and encourage rest.
- Face wipes: They are not eco-friendly, but they can work great when you travel. Use them to remove makeup, but always follow up with a thorough cleanse.
How do you prepare your skincare for travel?
Featured image by Madjid Atmania via Pexels.
