Travel Blog

Skin Care Tips for Travel

Whether you are embarking on a cross-country road trip or enjoying a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas, you may need to adjust your skin care regimen accordingly. Various factors affect the skin, including the destination’s climate and modes of transportation.

Continue reading for skin care tips to learn how to ensure your skin is in tip-top shape no matter where you are traveling.

All Destinations
Regardless of where you are vacationing—whether it is the hustle and bustle of Beijing or the serene moorlands of England—you need to pack the essentials: a cleanser, toner, eye cream, sunscreen for daytime, nighttime moisturizer and exfoliant. Even if you are going to be in cloudy Seattle, it is still imperative to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen; the sun’s rays are still present on rainy or overcast days. Stick with at least SPF 15, but SPF 30 is even better.

Cold Climates
If you’re heading out to a ski trip, you need to prep your skin for chilly conditions and Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. Higher altitudes on mountains will make your skin even more susceptible to sun damage. First, apply a broad spectrum of SPF 30, followed by a heavier moisturizer to prevent ski-induced red, cracked and dry skin. Hand and body cream are essential as well—even if your hands and body are encased in gloves and ski wear. Make sure the hand and body creams you choose contain rich ingredients to saturate your skin with the proper level of moisture. In case you get windburn, make sure to pack a face cream that contains soothing ingredients such as Aloe.

Beachy/Warm Climates
If you plan on basking in the sun on the sands of Belize or anything of the like, it is a no-brainer to wear a sunscreen and to re-apply after perspiration and water come into contact with the skin. The FDA recently proposed regulations on skin care companies to restrict claims that their formulations are “sweat-proof” or “waterproof” since nothing is 100% waterproof or sweat-proof. Moreover, the FDA also requires that the term “sun block” is no longer used on labels because there are no miracles in a bottle that completely shield the skin from the sun. In case you do get sunburned, pack Aloe Vera Gel and a soothing face cream to alleviate the sting from the burn. If you are a user of retinol or retinoid products, you might want to consider taking a break from them during a sunny, beach-infested vacation since the sun decreases their efficacy and causes irritation.

Arid Environments and Airplane Travel
Whether you’re traveling by airplane or arriving in the deserts of Arizona, the extremely dry air in those places can wreak havoc on the skin. Therefore, it is crucial to wear a moisturizer daily that contains humectants to attract moisture into the skin to keep it supple and moist and to prevent it from getting dehydrated and lackluster-looking. Examples of humectants are hyaluronic acid, glycerin and sodium PCA. Furthermore, spraying a hydrating mist on your face every few hours will also give your skin an extra dose of hydration. 

No matter where en route on the globe you are, traveling necessitates a skin care regimen that is compatible with your skin and your destination! 

Author Bio:
Lee Ann Buttery is a licensed Esthetician and professional makeup artist that works for Mario Badescu. She is passionate about all things beauty-related and has a particular obsession with anti-aging.