Hello beauties (& handsomes)!
I don’t know about you guys but I tend to have thee worst skin issues when I am traveling! I am not sure if its because of the foreign micro organisms of the water, the reaction to different plants’ pollen, the strong detergents used to clean hotel bedding, or a combination of all of that plus more. All I know is that my skin gets extra dry, develops fine bumps, and I get small patches of eczema flair ups. It’s rough! But I have stumbled upon some useful tips to keep you skin as flawless as it can get while exploring new places.
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Prep your skin from the night before
Before the big travel day, it’s recommended to exfoliate and thoroughly cleans your skin in preparation for the trip. Exfoliating is great for removing dead and dull skin that will clog your pores. Know your skin. If you have sensitive skin, use a gentle exfoliator. My favorite way to exfoliate is with my facial and body spin brushes. Following exfoliation, do a thorough cleanse to clear out all of the gunk in your pores. Then use your favorite mask and hydrating moisturizer the night before. Adequate skin hydration is very important while traveling, especially by plane. If you have oily skin, use something gel based to not kick your oil production into high gear. For dry skin, use thicker moisturizers and your favorite nighttime oils. Use the best products for your skin type, and use what your face is used to. Doing these steps the night before will make your face ready for the moisture it will receive the day of travel, and give you a more youthful, glowy look! This tip is not only for your face, but your for your whole body.
Keep hydrated
Let’s start at the beginning of many journeys, the airplane. That low humidity recycled air is no bueno for your skin! It dries it out faster than you would believe, and leaves it feeling icky. Some people even notice extra oil on their skin as their sebaceous glands work overtime to overcompensate for the lack of moisture.
One way to combat this is to drink water frequently on the flight. Yes you may end up taking a few trips to the restroom but it will be worth it. Stay hydrated.
Pack your usual products
When in a new area with unfamiliar pollens, pollutants and air quality, it is important to use your regular products! There are a plethora of environmental factors that will cause your skin to get out of whack. For me, just using the water for too many days straight results in my skin going ham. Adding additional factors like using the hotel soaps and lotions will exasterbate these issue. I also like to only use my products for sensitive skin. Sometimes I am able to use less sensitive products on my skin for short stints during my every day life, bur abroad is not the place for those. Stick to those things that make your skin happy.
One of my go-to products at home and away are from the Simple brand. What I love about these products are they don’t use dyes, harsh fragrances, or other irritating ingredients. I especially like the Water Boost line. It is perfect for my skin type, dry and sensitive. They are all fortified with minerals and plant extracts. I was luckily sent a few items from the Water Boost line for my recent trip to Italy and it was just in time as I ran out of my previous stash.
Whenever I come in from a long (or short) day out, I love to use their micellar facial gel wash to take of the grime. It’s so smooth, and silky on my skin and never leaves me feeling irritated or extra dry. It lacks artificial color and perfume, which is like death to my skin.
Their micellar cleansing water is is slowing moving into a permanent spot in my skincare routine. Many people use this product alone to remove makeup but I like to use it as a toner after removal. I am addicted to my makeup removing wipes, call me a creature of habit. But sometimes there is a little makeup and gunk left over that you may not notice. I use a cotton pad to wipe the micellar water all over my face and neck to remove whatever is left.
This line also has this cute little product called the Hydrating Booster. This little tube really packs a punch! It can be used in a number of ways, depending on your skin needs. It can be a hydrating primer under your moisturizer and make-up. You can also add a few drops of this into your moisturizer before applying for added moisture. This is especially helpful during the winter or after a long flight. Additionally, you can use it to spot treat your extremely dry areas. Just plop on a small dollop onto your problem areas to keep that persistent ash away.
Keeping your skincare routine simple and hydrating is key for a glowey look for the duration of your trip.
Shop some of the products below!
Pack your own pillowcase
Aside from focusing what we put on our skin, think about where we put our skin. Depending on where you stay, your lodging may use very strong detergents to disinfect the pillowcases as sheets between guest. You may even encounter the opposite where the bedding isn’t cleaned thoroughly enough! One way to avoid this is to pack your own bed linens. If that seems like too much of a hassle, at least pack your own pillowcase and towels. Your skin will thank you later!
Block those ugly UV rays
Last, but certainly not least, pack appropriate sunscreen! They are not all created equally so make sure you do your due diligence on which is best for your skin type and has the best protection. The sun is extremely harsh on your skin and can cause lasting health issues down the line. Apply it liberally and frequently!
Here’s a tip you don’t hear often: wear the sunscreen on the plane! Think about it, you are 10s of thousands of feet closer to the sun while up there. This is especially true if you are like me and ALWAYS request the window seat. If not, others around you may have the shades open for the entirety of the flight, so play it safe.
Those are my top tips to keep my skin as healthy as I can as I travel. What are some of your skincare travel tips? Let me know in the comments below!
With love,
CoCo
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