· By Skincare Junkie Inc
Skincare Junkie Travel Advice: Tips for Glowing Skin on the Go
For many of us, summer means exciting travel plans. However, travel can be tough on your skin. Sun exposure, airplane air, changes in temperature and humidity, water quality, and stress can impact your skin’s health. Whether you are heading to a faraway paradise, planning a weekend getaway, or chilling in a staycation, what should skincare for travel look like, and how to keep your skin healthy on the go? Dr. Murphy-Rose shares her top travel skincare tips.
Is Skincare Important During Traveling?
When traveling, you expose your skin to new environments, climates, temperatures, and humidity levels. Airplane air, varying levels of sun exposure, air conditioning, water quality, and jet lag—these factors can disrupt your skin's health, leading to dryness, breakouts, and irritation. Planning for these challenges with travel-friendly skincare products and an on-the-go skincare routine can help you keep your skin healthy while traveling.
Skincare Junkie® founder and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Murphy-Rose advises bringing your usual skincare products when traveling to avoid the stress of exposure to new products. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin.
Pre-Travel Skincare Preparation
Dr. Murphy-Rose says keeping your travel skincare routine simple is key. Pack your travel bag with essential skincare products that suit your skin type. Opt for multitasking products such as Skincare Junkie® Megadose Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer, which combines a moisturizer and a serum. It comes in an airless bottle which is ideal for avoiding spills, oxidation, or contamination, and in a 50 ml volume which is perfect for bringing it on board.
Pre-travel skin hydration is very important. Start prepping your skin a few days before your trip by drinking plenty of water and using hydrating products. For example, if you apply Skincare Junkie® Megadose Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer before traveling, it should provide sufficient hydration and you shouldn’t need to reapply until arrival.
A great travel beauty hack on TikTok is to check if you can buy your travel skincare essentials online and have them delivered to an airport drugstore or collection point located after the security checks. Order travel or sample sizes which you won’t have to bring back from vacation.
Skincare Routine On Board
One of the main skin concerns on board is the sun exposure. Studies have shown that pilots and flight attendants are two times more likely to suffer from melanoma, a type of skin cancer, than the general population. Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends using a mineral broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 or higher while on board and topping it up every 2-3 hours.Another concern is hydration. Airplane air is drying. By the way, the same applies to trains as they are often air conditioned. For glowing skin while traveling, here are some ideas on how to stay hydrated throughout the flight.
Skin Hydration Tips for Traveling
- Use a Hydrating Sheet Mask: Have you seen TikTok videos of skincare junkies flying with a hydrating sheet mask on? If you’re up for it, sheet masks are a fantastic way to infuse your skin with moisture while flying. They are easy to use and provide an immediate boost of hydration. Apply the sheet mask before your sunscreen. For a hands-free application, opt for stick sunscreen.
- Use Hydrating Facial Mists: If flying with a sheet mask on does not appeal to you, a facial mist is a hands-free alternative. Choose a hydrating version and spray periodically to keep your skin moist.
- Apply a Moisturizer with SPF: Alternatively, you can use a moisturizer that includes SPF. This will require manual application. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 to ensure adequate protection and reapply every 2-3 hours.
- Don’t Forget About Your Lips: Lips can often be overlooked, leaving them dehydrated and parched. Use a nourishing lip balm to prevent chapping.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Hydration from the inside is just as important as external skincare. Drink plenty of water during your flight and avoid dehydrating alcohol and caffeine. Eating hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables also helps.
As with any new skincare product, check the ingredients to ensure it suits your skin type and concerns before using it. Patch testing in advance is always a good idea.
Travel Skincare Routine Upon Arrival
If you wonder what dermatologists do for travel skincare, watch Dr. Murphy-Rose’s vacation skincare routine on her Instagram. Generally, she advises sticking with your usual daily skincare routine and recommends the following essentials.
In the morning, protect and prevent:
- Cleanse with micellar wipes if your skin feels oily, or skip cleansing if skin feels dry or “normal.”
- Instead of bringing two products—a serum and a moisturizer—use multitasking antioxidant moisturizers like Skincare Junkie® Megadose Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer.
- Apply mineral SPF.
In the evening, hydrate and repair:
- Cleanse with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type, such as Skincare Junkie® Gently Jelly Facial Cleanser.
- Treat your skin with retinol, retinoid, AHA, or an alternative active ingredient. Keep in mind that actives do not do well outside of their original packaging, so opt for travel-sized products and check whether they need to be stored in the fridge before you travel.
- Hydrate with an effective moisturizer like Skincare Junkie® Megadose Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer. Look out for super hydrators like ceramides, squalane, and hyaluronic acid.