It’s finally summer, and for many of us, that means it’s time to get away. But just because you need a respite from everyday life doesn’t mean you can take a break from your skincare routine. After all, the last thing you want to deal with while relaxing is a new skin problem. Luckily, taking care of your skin on the go doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re jetting off to Europe, cruising to the Caribbean, or just flying to another state, these travel beauty tips will keep your skin happy all summer long.
How Air Travel Affects Your Skin
When thinking about summer skin hazards, airplanes might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But according to one dermatologist, spending time on a plane is akin to spending time in a desert. Plane cabins are extremely dry, so your skin quickly becomes dehydrated, especially on a long-haul flight. Plus, you’re flying at high altitudes—often with the windows open—meaning you’re more vulnerable to UV rays. Add to that the stress of travel, and there’s a good chance you will experience the following:
- Dryness
- Redness
- Irritation
That’s why learning how to take care of your skin while traveling is critical.
The good news is there are some simple steps you can take to minimize the effect of traveling, particularly flying.
7 Helpful Travel Beauty Tips
If you’re concerned about how to take care of your skin while traveling, don’t be. With a bit of preparation and some healthy habits, you can keep most skin problems at bay. Here are some of our favorite travel beauty tips…
- Layer on the SPF
It’s almost impossible to wear too much sunscreen. Whether it’s a travel day or a beach day, you should never go out without an SPF product on your face. Remember that no tan is worth the risks of sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. For UV protection without the oiliness, consider Ethos Skincare’s Essential Mattifying SPF, which features a light and grease-free formula.
Don’t forget the aloe vera, just in case, but your goal should be not to use any of it.
- Pack Light, but Pack Right
Unless you have a truly minimalist routine, you’re probably not going to take every bottle from your medicine cabinet on vacation. Make the most out of your limited luggage space by bringing hydrating, multipurpose treatments that align with your travel plans. For instance, if you’re going somewhere tropical, you might want light moisturizers and oil-control products. If you want to look your best after a long travel day, consider bringing products that soothe tired or puffy skin, such as Ethos Skincare’s HA Blue Serum.
- Watch What You Drink
This is one of the most important travel beauty tips. You’re going on vacation, and no one will fault you for a few cocktails on the beach or cappuccinos in an Italian café. But if you want your skin to stay healthy, consider limiting both caffeine and alcohol intake as much as you can. Both are dehydrating and can worsen dryness from the trip.
Remember to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. And to cover your bases, apply a hydrating product such as Ethos Skincare’s Intensive Restoring Moisturizer, which can help combat dryness even more!
- Prepare Your Skin
To avoid irritation, make sure your skin is as healthy as possible before you travel. One option is to start your vacation a little early by treating yourself to a facial. Rather than getting on an arid airplane with stressed skin, you can start the trip with a healthy, glowing complexion. Similarly, try to resist the pre-trip jitters and get some rest before you go. If you’re already puffy before you leave, you’ll have a harder time managing irritation.
- Keep Your Hands Off
Another one of the most important travel beauty tips is keeping your hands off your face. The same advice that keeps you from getting sick far from home can also protect your skin. Unless you’re actively reapplying sunscreen, you should be touching your face as little as possible (and even then, be sure to wash your hands first). Every time you transfer oil or dust to the skin, you increase the chance of irritation or breakouts. Oil blotting wipes may be helpful if you find yourself constantly swiping at sweat.
- Forgo the Full Face
We all want to look our best in vacation photos. But even well-formulated products can clog pores and exacerbate existing irritation, so it’s better to let your natural beauty shine. Even if you’re used to heavy makeup, your skin is likely to be stressed from traveling and entering a new climate, so it’s best to use a lighter hand when applying makeup.
- Opt for a tinted moisturizer rather than a heavy foundation.
- Apply a lip balm with a pop of color instead of long-lasting lipstick.
- Consider spritzing your face with a hydrating mist.
- Get Moving
Water retention is a common problem when traveling, especially if you’re going by air. To avoid the puffy appearance, make sure you occasionally get up from your seat. Finding ways to move your body is one of the healthiest habits you can build, and as a bonus, it helps move extra water out of your system.
These simple travel beauty tips should keep you looking and feeling your best no matter what’s on your itinerary!
How to Pack Skincare for Travel
Fitting your entire summer skin care regimen into a carry-on bag can be challenging. It’s even harder if you’re flying, in which case your luggage must comply with strict TSA guidelines. If you aren’t checking a bag, you must follow the TSA’s liquids rule:
- One quart-sized bag
- 3.4 ounces (100 ml) per container
This means you must be able to fit all your liquids, creams, gels, and pastes into a single quart-sized bag. Also, each container can hold no more than 3.4 ounces (or 100 ml). It doesn’t matter how much liquid is actually inside, so your half-empty 5-oz moisturizer is a no-go. The best option is to buy reusable travel bottles and fill them with your essentials.
If you are checking a bag, or if you aren’t going by plane at all, you can bring larger bottles. Still, it’s never a bad idea to transfer products into smaller containers. It not only saves space but also prevents you from losing your entire bottle if your luggage gets lost or stolen.
There is one exception: sunscreen. If you have room to bring a few full bottles, do it. If you don’t bring enough, you might be stingier than you should be during the application, which puts you at risk of sunburn and permanent damage. Alternatively, you can plan to buy sunscreen at your destination, so long as you follow through.
Ethos Skincare Gets You Travel Ready
Although traveling to faraway destinations can wreak havoc on your skin, there are ways to prevent your complexion from suffering while you take a much-needed break. So, follow the travel beauty tips provided above for your next trip. Simply wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated will put you miles ahead!
If you’re looking for high-quality skincare products to take with you, check out the brand-new Ethos Skincare line. Our moisturizers, cleansers, and serums offer light but effective formulas ideal for your next getaway.
