Summertime and travel season is in full swing. It’s exciting and, at the same time, stressful. Changes in your usual routine, sleep, eating, and everything else may have negative effects on your skin. So, here are a few ways you can stay on track with your skin care routine and maintain great skin even while traveling.
Pack right
While traveling, maintain your basic home skin care routine. If flying and you’re carrying on your bag, either buy small sizes of your usual products or buy the right type of transfer containers. For example, some serums need dark glass to stay safe.
Moisturize
Your moisturizer is your skin’s BFF. Use it liberally and often. Flying? Moisturize before, during and after! You’ll want to make sure you use your moisturizer before leaving home or your hotel. Then, have a small container with you to use during the flight. Use it often on board. And, then use it again when you get off your flight. Your face isn’t the only body part that needs to stay well hydrated during travel hours. Keep moisturizing your hands and lips, too.
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
No matter how you travel, remember to drink lots of water to stay hydrated inside and out!
Limit salty foods. Chips, nuts, and pretzels may seem like fun travel indulgences, but they increase dehydration, pulling water from your skin while causing bloating and swelling. If you’ve ever had your feet swell while flying or sitting in the car for a long road trip, you know what I mean. Snacking on veggies is a much better idea.
Watch the wine or any alcohol. It dehydrates. To avoid that from happening, if you’re going to drink, drink two glasses of water for every glass of wine/beer/mixed drink.
Wear sunscreen
Sun exposure ages skin, causing brown spots, wrinkles, and sagging leathery skin. It also increases your risk of skin cancer. The sun’s dangerous rays can reach you through windows – airplanes, cars, homes/hotels. Protect yourself by applying a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen of at least SPF30.
This may sound obvious, but sunscreen only works if you use it! Apply and reapply every two hours; more often if you swim or sweat.
To protect delicate reefs, many beach destinations now limit the types of sunscreen allowed. Double check before buying sunscreens you might not be able to use.
Skip hotel products
Although it may be tempting to use the soaps and lotions provided by your hotel, it’s best to skip these. Many contain fragrances, preservatives, and other ingredients that some of my patients find irritate their skin. Plus, these throw you off your usual routine, and your skin will notice that. If you have dry or sensitive skin, these products can have even greater negative effects. Instead, bring and use your regular products.
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