Tips for the Best Travel Skincare Routine

Whether you are going on a long-awaited vacation or to a work conference, traveling itself can be stressful. All the stress that comes with any type of travel can wreak havoc on our bodies, including our skin. From the low humidity to the different climate, and all the carry-on restrictions, there is a lot to consider if we want our skin to be happy and healthy while we are away.

What To Do The Night Before You Leave To Travel?

The key to keeping your skin in good condition while you travel is to prepare before you leave. It's essential to be consistent with your regular nighttime routine but here are a few extra steps you can take to get your skin travel-ready.

Exfoliate: Exfoliation should be part of your weekly routine, but make sure you time your gentle exfoliation day for the night before you travel. Removing dead skin cells allows your skin to better absorb moisturizers and serums (avoid over-exfoliation or use of a harsh exfoliator).

Apply a hydrating mask: Apply a hydrating mask to help your skin retain moisture and provide a boost of hydration. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off with warm water or use an overnight hydrating sleep mask. Two of our favorite masks are a hyaluronic acid and peptide-rich Dual Hydration sheet mask from Exquisite and the Hydra-Intensive Cooling Masque from Is Clinical which can also be used as a sleep mask. This professional strength mask includes hyaluronic acid for hydration, aloe vera for healing, and rosemary for calming inflammation. 

Apply an antioxidant-rich nourishing serum: Apply a nourishing serum to help hydrate, repair, and protect your skin from environmental damage. Serums are lightweight and penetrate deep into the skin to provide nutrients and antioxidants.

Apply lip care: Preparing your lip is just as important as getting your skin ready. Exfoliate your lips and apply a hydrating lip moisturizer or balm to keep them moisturized and protected. We recommend Lip Duo from Is Clinical.

Avoid trying new products: The night before you travel is not the time to experiment with new skincare products. Stick to products that you know work well for your skin to avoid any adverse reactions.

By taking these steps the night before you leave, you can help ensure that you’re well-prepared for the stresses of travel and keep healthy and glowing skin throughout your trip.

Tips For The Day Of Travel

Whether you are flying during the day or at night ideally you should complete your daily routine according to the time of the day focusing on extra hydration. 

1. Consider Skipping Out On The Makeup.

Wearing makeup for an extended time, especially during travel, can cause clogged pores and breakouts. If you feel the need to wear makeup, opt for a tinted moisturizer instead, this way you can protect your skin while having a bit of a tint.

2. Use A Moisturizing SPF To Protect And Hydrate Your Skin 

A moisturizing SPF combines the benefits of both a moisturizer and sunscreen. It hydrates your skin while providing broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Look for a moisturizing SPF with an SPF of at least 30, like Extreme Protect from Is Clinical.

Remember that the sun's rays can still penetrate through airplane windows, so it's important to wear sunscreen even during the flight. A moisturizing SPF can also help combat the dry air in the airplane cabin, which can cause dehydration and make your skin feel tight and uncomfortable.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

The low humidity level on the plane can leave the skin very dehydrated, and even oily as the skin may produce more oil to compensate for the dryness. Start hydrating by drinking water or coconut water before your trip. You can also experience water retention while sitting for a long period which can make you appear puffy, especially under the eyes. It might seem counteractive but drinking lots of water will help mobilize fluids around your body reducing retention and puffiness.

4. Avoid Alcohol On The Plane

There are many reasons why you should avoid alcohol while you’re on a plane, but we’ll keep it simple and address the negative impacts it’ll have on your skin.

Dehydration: Consuming alcohol can lead to dehydration, which can cause your skin to look dull and tired. This is because dehydration can decrease blood flow to the skin, making it appear less plump and healthy.

Increased inflammation: Alcohol consumption can also increase inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate skin conditions like acne or rosacea. 

Disruption of sleep: Alcohol can disrupt your sleep, which is crucial for skin health. During sleep, the skin repairs itself and produces collagen, which helps keep it looking firm and youthful. Interrupted sleep can lead to dark circles, puffiness, and an overall tired appearance.

Poor decision-making: Drinking alcohol can impair judgment and decision-making, which can lead to forgetting to remove makeup before sleeping or skipping your skincare routine altogether. This can cause skin issues like clogged pores, breakouts, and uneven skin tone.

Overall, it's best to avoid excessive alcohol consumption while traveling, especially on long flights. Instead, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and consider bringing hydrating skincare products to use during the flight to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.

What To Do While You’re Away From Home?

Generally speaking, you would want to stick to your routine as much as possible while you are away. But we understand that that is not always possible. If you can only take a few products, stick to the essentials, like your cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. And don’t forget your “emergencies,” which mostly mean a spot treatment in case you get a breakout.

And don’t underestimate lifestyle factors. It is easy to think that how your skin looks and feels is only the result of your skincare routine, but many other variables can enter the equation while you travel. Keep the following in mind:

• Diet: Trying to eat healthy while you are traveling can be challenging and you have to do what you have to do but whenever you can remember to have some greens and antioxidant-rich food.  

• Wear sunscreen: Even if you're not going to a sunny destination, it's important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Pack a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 and apply it every two hours, especially if you're spending time outside.

• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Make sure to drink plenty of water, especially if you're traveling to a hot or dry destination since this will have a greater impact on your body and your skin.

• Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can cause your skin to look dull and tired. Getting enough sleep will help your skin look its best.

• Take changes in climate into account: Going from hot to cold or vice versa can affect your skin. Hot climates can increase oil production and increase the chance of sunburn and inflammation, while cold climates can dehydrate and sensitize the skin. Adjust your skincare routine according to what you’ll be experiencing. 

• Stay consistent with your routine: The most important thing is that you do not skip your skincare products to not disrupt your skin routine. On the contrary, if you can bring additional products that will help you support your existing at-home routine.

• Don't forget a lip treatment: Your lips can also become dehydrated during travel. Pack a hydrating lip balm to keep your lips moisturized and protected.

• Use a facial mist: A facial mist can be a lifesaver during travel, especially on long flights or road trips. A mist can refresh and hydrate your skin and provide a burst of antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental effects.

Remember that everyone's skin is unique, so it's important to listen to your skin and adjust your skincare routine as needed to meet its changing needs.

For Skincare Expertise And Treatments: Visit JE’DERM Skin Atelier.

While hotel spas can be fun and may sound relaxing, we recommend you skip a facial while you are on vacation. Developing a relationship with an esthetician who can get to know your skin and you will provide much better results.

Our Signature Bespoke Facial is an all-inclusive treatment that is always tailored to your skin whether we are preparing you for vacation or repairing your skin after vacation!