The end of the year and holidays mean travel, travel, travel. Oftentimes, regular routines take a backseat, and we forget to take care of our skin. (Who can bring every item in their 10-step routine on a plane, anyway?)
Whether you’re flying cross-country for a Q4 work trip or back to your hometown for a family visit, the hours in a plane do a number on your skin. Even if you’re just driving a few hours for a long weekend, the recycled air in your car and less-than-healthy gas station snacks mean breakouts galore.
Fear not, traveler! We’ve got all the best tips from the experts on how to take care of your skin during travel.
Think Inside Out
Any skincare expert will tell you that healthy skin starts with what you put in your body, not on it. This is especially true for traveling, when you’ll most likely have a pared-down routine and more stress on your skin.
First, drink lots and lots of water, starting a day or two before your trip. Keep drinking water on your flight or drive, even though the bathroom situation is inconvenient. If you get sick of flat water, switch it up to coconut or sparkling water. You can also get hydrated from your food intake—lettuce, cucumbers, celery, watermelon, and strawberries all have a high water content.
As hard as it is when you’re celebrating with (or tolerating) family, try to steer clear of drinking copious amounts of alcohol. If you do drink, have a glass of water in between each adult beverage.
Get Enough Sleep
When you’re at an all-inclusive resort with your BFFs for the holidays, sleep is the last thing you want to do. There’s no need to demand you get 10 hours every night, but strive for 7 hours so your skin (and body and mind) has time to recharge.
If you’re on a super-long flight, come prepared with a neck pillow & eye masque (silk will be great for your skin), blanket, earplugs, and mild sleeping aids if you have difficulty sleeping on flights.
Moisturize
Since you’re hydrated from the inside, now you can think about your topical moisturizer. Use whatever moisturizer or serum you usually do to avoid unforeseen breakouts. If you’re traveling to a warmer climate, make sure you bring an SPF moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. If you’re heading to the slopes, bring a thick cream that will shield your face from harsh winter winds.
Before you get on your flight or hop in the car, put on a uber-hydrating face mask that you leave on your skin. It’ll serve as a barrier to the dry air longer than your regular moisturizer. Once you get to your destination, rehydrate a skin with a sheet mask or a super hydrating mask.
Cleanse
Whether you’re on a twelve-hour flight or your parent’s house, you’ll probably be tempted to not wash your face. Of course, fully cleansing your face is always the best option, but at the very least remove your makeup and rinse your face with micellar water. Always keep micellar face wipes handy for the moments when face washing seems impossible, but you still need to remove makeup and dirt from the day.
Massage
Jade rollers and other gua sha tools are all over Instagram. While rollers and facial lifting tools serve different purposes, both can be used during your travels. Use a roller to reduce puffiness all over your face, especially around your eyes, which are usually the first signs of sleep deprivation and exhaustion. A gua sha facial lifting tool will relieve any tension and toxins you have stored in your jaw or face, as well as provide a nice facial massage.
Avoid Makeup
You always see someone from high school wherever you go anywhere in your hometown, but is it worth sacrificing your skin just to have some dude barely remember you? If you’re just hanging around the house, running to Wal-Mart, or traveling, let your skin breathe for a little bit. Save the glam look for your Christmas party or going out with old friends!
The most important part of taking care of your skin during travel is to hydrate and try to stick as close to your normal skincare routine while traveling. Whether you’re going to the tropics, the slopes, or the Midwest, take care of your skin during your travels.