The best skin care tips for traveling this holiday season

Packing your skin care for travel can be frustrating.

What are you taking? What do you leave at home?

You know your skin doesn’t like it when you change things. Whether it’s a long car ride or a flight to a new destination, your skin is likely to react.

In the past, you may have experienced increased breakouts, dryness, dullness, more noticeable fine lines and wrinkles, eczema flare-ups, and more.

It may be enough to make you dread that vacation!

Below are some tips that may help you the next time you take out the suitcase.

Skin care tips for traveling: why does my skin react?

Traveling often brings many changes that your skin has to adapt to. For example, you may be moving from one climate to another. If you are in a warmer, more humid environment than you are used to, you may experience discomfort more often than usual because your skin is not used to that extra moisture in the air.

On the other hand, if you move from a humid to a dry climate, you will find that your skin dries out like a plum and you will need to apply moisturizer much more often.

Wherever you go, the air will likely change. When you’re on an airplane, you’re exposed to recirculated air, which is very drying to the skin. If you change altitude, for example from low to high, the sunlight may be more intense and you may be more vulnerable to sunburn. Harsh weather conditions can dry out your skin, especially if you are exposed to strong winds.

Traveling is also often stressful, and that is easy to notice on your skin. Stress causes your body to release hormones that can trigger an acne flare-up. It can also make your skin more sensitive than normal, to the point that you notice redness or even a rash.

Finally, your diet will likely change. Not just when you eat, but also what you eat. Indulging in new foods and eating at different times can throw your skin out of its normal routine, causing unexpected breakouts or dryness.

Skincare Tips for Travel: Keep Your Skin Happy on the Go!

Making some simple adjustments to your skin care routine while you’re traveling can help your skin adapt to the changes.

To prevent pimples

• Always bring your own products. Do not use hotel products. Buy travel size bottles of your favorite products, or put some in travel size bottles. CV Skinlabs has a handy travel kit that you can use.
• Stick to your normal routine. Cleanse, tone and moisturize twice a day. You may be more tired than usual, but that makes sticking to your routine even more important.
• Use a misting spray. We recommend that you take a small bottle of our Rescue + Relief Spray with you, especially if you are flying on an airplane. Then mist your skin when it starts to feel dry. Even if you have acne-prone skin, adding a little moisture can help prevent your sebaceous glands from working overtime so you leave the plane feeling radiant and refreshed.
• Try to relax. Stress plays a major role in acne. It charges hormones and can cause inflammation. Bring noise-cancelling headphones or download a meditation app to help you relax. Try sprinkling lavender on your neck pillow if you find it relaxing.
• Eat carefully. You may want to enjoy some special dishes during your trip. Please note that a change in diet may be visible on your skin. Don’t deprive yourself completely, but keep any portions of new food small. Go easy on sugar and alcohol and try to make healthy choices most of the time.
• Minimize makeup. Avoid heavy foundations and color products when traveling. Instead, choose a tinted moisturizer or moisturizing foundation and then add a little bit of eyeshadow and mascara for a fresh but airy look. Tip: Makeup artists recommend mixing Calming Moisture with your foundation to keep skin protected and hydrated for a youthful-looking appearance.
• Choose a moisturizer that won’t clog. It’s important to keep the skin balanced, so don’t skip moisturizer! That can cause your skin to overproduce skin oils that cause acne. Our CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture is a good choice. Whatever you use, make sure it’s light and clean so it doesn’t clog your pores.

To prevent dryness

• Bring your own products. This always applies!
• Mist your skin regularly. You may need more moisture than usual while traveling, so bring your travel-sized Rescue + Relief Spray and use it whenever your skin feels tight. It also helps tame redness and irritation.
• Drinking water. Take a bottle of water with you and drink regularly. Hydration from within helps prevent skin dehydration.
• Moderate your alcohol intake. Avoid alcohol during the flight or on holiday, or at least limit it to small amounts. Alcohol dries out the skin.
• Eat more water-rich fruits and vegetables. These can help moisturize your skin.
• Exfoliate gently. If your skin looks dry and dull, gently exfoliate with mild acids such as glycolic, salicate and malic acid. It can be just enough to freshen up your look.
• Hydrate hydrate! The good thing about CV Skinlabs moisturizers is that you can apply them as often as you want without worrying about clogged pores. Keeping the skin well hydrated, balanced and calm can help prevent eczema and rosacea rashes or other irritations. Apply our Calming Moisture to your face as often as necessary and our Body Repair Lotion to the rest of the body after showering or bathing.
• Bring a single-use moisturizing mask. If you’re traveling to a dry climate and your skin is suffering, try a single-use moisturizing mask. These usually come in foil packs and can help give your skin that extra hydrating boost it needs.
• Don’t forget your lips! Lips can easily become chapped while traveling. Bring our Restorative Skin Balm to keep them soft and hydrated. It’s an all-round healer, perfect for dry spots, cuts, scrapes and more. Use on cuticles, rough heels, eyebrows and anywhere you need a little TLC.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.

To limit sensitivity and reactions

• Bring your own products. Sensitive skin in particular should stick to products it is familiar with. Any new ingredients may cause a reaction. All CV Skinlabs products are specially made for sensitive skin problems.
• Practice stress relief. Try to take a walk most days to release any stress that may have built up in your system. Use meditation apps, calming teas, and aromatherapy scents to promote deep breathing and calmness.
• Avoid harsh treatments. For sensitive skin, you want to keep everything calm. For the most part, avoid retinoids or acids and stick to a very simple skincare routine with a gentle cleanser, toner and moisturizer.
• Protect the skin barrier. This means regularly moisturizing with our Calming Moisture. It not only supplies moisture to the deeper layers of the skin, but also tames inflammation. Then use sunscreen to ensure your outer barrier stays strong.
• Limit unusual foods in your diet. If possible, bring snacks and small meals. The closer you stick to your regular diet, the calmer your skin will be.

Skin care tips for travel: emergency kit

Here are a few extras you may want to bring along in case your skin reacts negatively.

• Zit patches: These cover any new pimples that may develop and help clear them faster.
• Beauty Masks: Depending on where you’re going and the type of skin you have, opt for a hydrating or oil-absorbing single-use mask. If you have combination skin, you may benefit from both.
• Lavender anti-stress spray: You can put this on your pillow or clothes to keep you calm throughout the journey.
• Earbuds: They can help reduce stress and promote rest.
• Facial wipes: They are not environmentally friendly, but they can work great when you are traveling. Use them to remove makeup, but always follow with a thorough cleansing.

How do you pack your skin care for travel?

_{Featured image by Madjid Atmania via Pexels.}