We all love to travel, and now that it’s becoming a popular thing to do again (cue packed airports), we thought it would be great timing to talk about it a little! When travelling, it’s easy to get caught up in the adventure and sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of our skincare routine. When you’re away from home, it’s easy for your skincare habits to go out the window. But travelling is one of the times when your skin might need even more attention. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top 5 ways dermatologists keep their skin healthy during travel! So whether you’re hitting the beach or exploring a new city, follow these skin tips so your skin can stay happy throughout your travels!
1. Hydrate internally just as much as you would externally
Your body needs to be treated like a "well-oiled machine", in this case, the oil is water and well... you are the machine 😝 It’s important to drink plenty of water when you’re traveling, especially when you’re in a dry environment like an airplane. The low humidity levels in planes can really dry out your skin, so it’s important to drink lots of water to counteract that (trust us, your skin will thank you). Not only will this help keep your skin hydrated, but it will also help to keep your body hydrated. Treat the inside just like the outside, especially before and during lengthy airplane rides.
Start preparing well before your flight. Try to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day in the days leading up to your trip and continue that during your travels. This will help keep your skin hydrated and looking its best. To take it one step further, you don't want to JUST drink water when you're feeling thirsty. Make sure you're adding consistent amounts in small sips that are evenly split throughout the day!
2. Increase your intake of skin-hydrating foods
In addition to drinking plenty of water, it’s also important to increase your intake of skin-hydrating foods. Some great options include fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as salmon, nuts and seeds. These foods will help to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out, which is essential for keeping it healthy during travel. Here are a couple of examples:
1. Eating watermelon can help improve your skin's water retention levels, leading to a more hydrated and plump complexion.
2. Cucumbers are high in silica, which helps to strengthen the collagen in your skin and keep it looking youthful and elastic.
3. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, an antioxidant that can help protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays. So if you’re looking to hit the beach during your travels, make sure to add some tomatoes to your diet!
4. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for keeping your skin healthy and hydrated. So make sure to add some salmon to your travel diet!
5. Nuts and seeds are a great way to get essential vitamins and minerals for your skin. They’re also high in antioxidants, which can help protect your skin from free radicals. So make sure to pack some nuts and seeds for your next trip!
3. Bring your regular skincare products with you
If you bring what you know works on your skin, then you won’t be asking your skin to adjust to all-new products on top of the other stressors associated with travel. This is especially important if you’re travelling to a different climate than what your skin is used to. The last thing you want is for your skin to feel dry and irritated from all the new environmental factors it’s being exposed to. So make sure to pack your favourite skincare products, including moisturizers, sunscreens and cleansers, so that you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
If you know your skin-care routine works, you should stick with it, even when traveling. It would be best to look for sample-size versions of your essentials (coming in the future) but if they don't exist you could always use sustainable non-plastic travel-friendly containers! You know the ones we're talking about right? They're recycled and can store your products safely on the move without contamination.
4. Use a Sunscreen with SPF 30 or Higher
Even if you’re not going on an outdoor adventure, it’s important to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when travelling. The sun can be incredibly damaging to your skin, especially when you’re in a new environment with different UV levels. So make sure to lather up before heading out!
IF you’re going to be in the sun for extended periods of time... Hopefully we need not mention this but, sunscreen is ESSENTIAL for protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It is one of the easiest ways to accelerate premature aging. There are a lot of different sunscreens on the market these days, so it can be tough to know which one to choose. When looking for sunscreen, make sure to look for one with the most natural ingredients you can find. Stay away from artificial scents and do a bit of research on which ingredients actually matter in an SPF (more on that in another article). And don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours!
5. Prepare for acne breakouts ahead of time
If you know you’re prone to acne breakouts, then you’ll want to pack a few acne-treatment products with you on your trip. There are a lot of different acne-treatment options out there, so it can be tough to know which one to choose. But we have a few recommendations that might help:
1. If you’re looking for an all-in-one treatment option, then we recommend using a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment. Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful ingredient that can help to get rid of breakouts quickly.
2. If you’re looking for something a bit more gentle, then we recommend using an acne cleansing ingredient like tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural ingredient that can help to reduce inflammation and treat blemishes.
3. If you’re looking for an overnight treatment option, then we recommend using an acne ingredient like salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a powerful ingredient that can help to draw out impurities from the skin and reduce inflammation.
Factors such as stress, different water pH and hardness, and new surfaces our head and face touch can cause even the "best" skin to have a reaction.
So, if you want to make sure your skin stays healthy during travel, remember to: pack some hydrating foods like nuts and seeds to protect from free radicals, bring your regular skincare products with you, use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, prepare for acne breakouts ahead of time, and drink plenty of water (to name a few 🤣). These are the five most important ways to keep your skin healthy while travelling. We hope this article helps a bit! Here's to the stress-free and fun travels ahead!