There’s nothing quite like the excitement of planning a vacation. But frequent flying can wreak havoc on your skin. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to combat skin problems before heading on your dream vacation. We have some travel skincare tips to help make your skin travel-ready and give you a vacation-worthy glow.
Before getting on any flight, prep your skin beforehand and pack your travel essentials in your carry-on. Make sure to keep it simple and avoid potentially irritating ingredients such as retinol and alpha hydroxy acids.
Stay Hydrated
On longer flights, it is essential to drink plenty of fluids as the stale, airplane cabin air can leave your skin feeling parched. If you are not used to drinking a lot of water, order drinks such as cranberry juice or green tea from the drinks cart. Also, close the air vent above your seat to stop the air from rushing directly at you. During bathroom breaks, avoid wetting your face as moisture can get pulled out of the skin in a low humidity environment. Instead, tone and moisturize skin regularly. Staying adequately hydrated is the best way to protect your skin on a flight.
Use Facial Oils
Facial oils are an excellent way to protect your skin when traveling. They create a protective seal on the skin to keep moisture in. No matter if your skin is oily, dry, or sensitive, you can find a facial oil that is right for you. Oils are excellent at injecting moisture into your skin when you need it the most. They penetrate the top two layers of the dermis and deliver nutrients to the skin. If you have oily skin, apply a few drops every few hours. If you have dry skin, up the amount to 4-5 drops.
Protect Your Lips
The skin on your lips is much thinner than the rest of your body and has the tendency to get cracked and dry. Always keep a lip balm within reach when on a flight. Avoid chapped lips by drinking plenty of water and applying lip balm whenever lips start to feel dry. Try not to lick your lips as this can cause water to evaporate faster, making the condition worse.
Choose a lip balm made with natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. You can also try tinted lip balms which add a hint of color without drying out your lips.
Expect the Unexpected
When traveling, it is important to prepare for the worst. Your skincare products could end up leaking in transit, or even worse, exploding all over your clothes. To avoid mishaps such as these, place each skincare item in a Ziploc bag organized into various categories (teeth, makeup, hair, etc.). Place these in a makeup bag and pack them along with your shoes. Also carry travel sizes of the products you need, since in most cases you will be able to pick up larger sizes at your destination.
Final Thoughts
Travel can expose your skin to external aggressors like UV rays, dust, humidity, salt water, dry winds, and dehydration. But by planning ahead and following the tips mentioned above, you can avoid the breakouts and frustrating burns that come with traveling to a new destination.
Simply upgrade your skincare routine to keep your skin radiant and protected at all times.
