Wondering how to take care of your skin while traveling? I feel you.
Traveling opens up a world of adventure, new foods, and cultures…but that doesn’t always sit so well with our skin. I’ve learned the hard way that my usual skincare routine doesn’t always stand up to the challenges of different climates, sleep cycles, and the stress of travel.
However, maintaining good skin abroad is possible!
Through trial and error, I’ve developed a simple, travel-friendly skincare routine and picked up literally every secret, hack, and tip along the way.
Here’s how to take care of your skin while traveling:
How is Traveling Bad for My Skin?
How bad is traveling for your skin? Overall, there are worse things you can do for your face, like having poor skincare habits at home and abroad.
However, when you travel, your skin faces a few challenges that can lead to problems, such as:
- Different climates. For example, if you’re used to a humid climate and travel to a dry one, you could quickly become dehydrated.
- Dehydration. Speaking of dehydration, it’s a common issue when flying. The cabin’s low humidity can dry out skin, and if you don’t hydrate well, it only gets worse. The solution is to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine at high altitudes (when possible).
- Sun and UV rays. A broad-spectrum sunscreen is your best friend here.
- Changes in diet and routine. On the road, it’s easy to indulge in foods that can cause breakouts. Do your best to eat a balanced diet and keep your skincare routine consistent.
- Pollution. Environmental pollution in new environments can clog pores, leading to breakouts.
All of this can be avoided, however. I make sure to pack the right skincare products, and I look out for my skin just like I look out for my travel itinerary! Keep reading to learn how to take care of your skin while traveling.
10 Things I Do to Protect My Skin While Traveling
In my 12+ years of travel, I’ve learned a few tips that help protect my skin from traveling. These are my tried-and-tested tips for skin care on the go:
#1 Stay hydrated. If you’re reading about how to take care of your skin while traveling, you may already know this buuuut: Make sure to drink plenty of water when you travel. Hydration is essential for keeping skin plump and refreshed. I like this water bottle because it collapses as it empties.
#2 Sunscreen forever. I never leave my hotel without applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Reapplication every two hours is key, especially if you’re spending time outdoors. Sunscreen is critical to prevent both immediate damage like sunburn and long-term damage like wrinkles or dark spots.
#3 Don’t skip the lips. Your lips need sun protection, too, so choose a lip balm with SPF, especially when flying! I like this one because it lasts forever and is very moisturizing, on top of having SPF 15.
#4 Stick to your routine. I maintain my regular skin care regimen as closely as possible. Sticking to my routine helps my skin cope with all the changes, even if I have to decant my products into travel-sized containers.
#5 Make adjustments when needed. While sticking to your baseline routine is important, you may need to make small changes to account for climate, sun exposure, and the effects of flying. More on that below!
#6 Avoid hotel products if you have sensitive skin. Since my skin is sensitive and prone to both overdrying and breakouts, I avoid using hotel soaps and moisturizers, as they can be harsh and triggering. Instead, I bring my own products.
#7 Don’t buy a travel skincare set. I prefer taking smaller quantities of my usual products rather than buying a travel-sized skincare set that might not suit my skin. Travel is the time to try new things…just not in your beauty routine.
#8 Use a good eye cream. Long flights and late nights can lead to under-eye bags and circles. I counteract this by gently applying my favorite eye cream (Cerave’s Eye Repair with hyaluronic acid) at night.
#9 Avoid Retinol. Skip retinol-based products while traveling, as they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
#10 Don’t lay your face on plane or car windows. I avoid resting my face against plane or car windows to protect against germs and bacteria. I use a silk travel pillowcase for snuggling to prevent breakouts and keep my skin clear. My chin breaks out first, so I love this silk neck pillow (bonus, memory foam).
Tip: Get the master list of all my favorite travel skincare products
How to Adapt Your Skin Care Routine for Traveling
When I travel, I make it a point to adjust my routine to tackle new challenges like climate change and the dehydrating effects of flying. Here are a few tips on how to adapt your skin care routine:
For different climates
Dry Climates:
- Hydration is key! I switch to a heavier, niacinamide nighttime moisturizer to combat dryness.
- Use a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid to retain moisture.
Humid Climates:
- Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to avoid clogging your pores.
- Blotting papers are a must to keep oiliness at bay.
Cold Climates:
- Protect your skin barrier with a richer, more emollient cream.
- A good overnight face mask every 5-7 days keeps flakiness in check.
- Don’t forget an overnight lip mask, especially if you’ll be battling cold wind.
For flights
Focus on hydration:
- I drink plenty of water before and during the flight to stay hydrated, using Propel packets to add extra electrolytes.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine as they can dehydrate the skin.
Do a mini facial:
- A travel-sized hydrating mist refreshes my skin in the dry cabin air.
- Apply a rich moisturizer or a hydrating mask for longer flights, and let it work its magic during the flight.
What do after landing:
- Once I land, I gently cleanse my face to remove any grime and general airplane-ness. Even if you can only manage a face wipe, this will help to reduce breakouts.
- Always follow with a good sunscreen.
The Best Travel Containers for Skincare
So, you definitely want to bring your own skincare products from home on your next trip. Wise move!
These are my top picks for travel skincare containers:
- Travel bottles for most liquids, with a 3-layer leak-proof design
- My fav refillable cream jars
- Leak-proof pouches for thin liquids
Best travel skincare container sets on Amazon
- $ This inexpensive, cute, neutral set of 16 travel bottles comes with little brush cleaners.
- $$ These magnetic skincare capsules are chic and unique, so worth the splurge.
Skin Emergency Quick Fixes
Check out my tried and true emergency solutions for all your travel skincare issues:
- Breakouts: Treat active pimples with a spot treatment that has hydrocolloids. For huge, trip-sabotaging zits from hell, use tea tree oil diluted in 70% water. This is my secret weapon I’ve used against breakouts for years, it’s never failed.
- Oily skin: Blotting papers are a discreet way to manage shine.
- Dry skin: Packing a hydrating mask can be a life/face saver.
- Puffy eyes: Use this groundbreaking under-eye mask to help reduce swelling.
- Sunburn: Use freshly cut aloe vera for fast results.
Remember, the key is to be prepared! The last thing you want to do is hunt for pimple patches on your vacay.
Skin Care After Traveling
Traveling can really mess with your skin because of all the different climates and environmental stuff, throwing your skincare routine out of alignment.
Been there, done that, wrote the blog post…Here are a few simple tips to get your skin feeling fresh after travel:
#1 Get hydrated AF. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate from within, and look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to attract and retain moisture.
#2 Moisturize. Use a nourishing moisturizer with ingredients like ceramides and shea butter to help restore your skin’s barrier.
#3 Use SPF. If it sounds like this is the millionth time I’ve mentioned sunscreen, it’s because it is. Wearing it is one of the best things you can do for your face before and after travel.
#4 Pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a facial or use a hydrating sheet mask. Use serums or treatments containing antioxidants like vitamin C or niacinamide.
Taking care of your skin after a flight is that easy.
Read: How to beat post-vacation blues
Frequently asked questions
What’s the secret to keeping skin hydrated on long flights?
On long flights, you want to stay hydrated from the inside out. Drink plenty of water, and limit alcohol, caffeine, and salty snacks. Using a hyaluronic acid serum under a moisturizer can lock in moisture, and you can also carry a small mist to refresh your skin during the flight.
How do you travel with lots of skincare?
To travel with multiple skincare items, I use travel-sized containers and focus on multipurpose products to save space. I always carry travel-sized containers of my favorite moisturizer and sunscreen for quick reapplication.
How do you look fresh on a plane?
I always use a nourishing overnight mask before flights to help my skin stay moisturized. Applying a tinted moisturizer with SPF during the flight gives me a fresh, even complexion. Always keep lip balm with SPF on you.
Does traveling make your skin dry?
Traveling can dehydrate your skin due to changes in climate and humidity levels, especially in airplane cabins. You can counteract this by increasing your water intake and using a good quality, deeply hydrating moisturizer before, during, and after your trip.
