Taking care of your skin while traveling is crucial to maintain its health and appearance. External factors like pollution, UV rays, and temperature can cause your skin to react differently. It’s important to have the right skincare solutions customized to your travel destination. Doing so can help you:
- Keep your skin clear and healthy.
- Avoid discomfort caused by skin irritation during your trip.
- Minimize long-term adverse effects of harsh weather and environmental factors.
- Enjoy your travels more without worrying about any skin concerns.
Skincare Do’s and Don’ts When Traveling to Different Climates
Traveling exposes your skin to various environmental factors. If you’re not prepared, harsh weather conditions can cause discomfort and even skin damage. Here are some quick do’s and don’ts to consider when preparing for your next trip.
DO Research the Climate of Your Travel Destination
A quick online search on the climate of your travel destination can prove to be extremely helpful. The information you get can aid you in your preparation and packing process.
Knowing the weather conditions during your trip can help you decide on the clothing you should pack or whether or not a raincoat or umbrella is necessary. Additionally, it also plays a vital role in determining which skincare essentials to bring. For example, tropical destinations with warm, humid weather call for lighter, oil-free skincare products. In contrast, a dry and cold climate may require you to pack on heavy-duty moisturizers to prevent cracked lips and dry skin.
DO Use Travel-Sized Containers
Traveling while caring for your skin doesn’t mean lugging around all your full-sized skincare products. Doing so can take up space in your luggage. And if you’re traveling light or without any check-in baggage, you should definitely check your airline’s policies about fluids (including lotion, cleansing water, etc.) in your carry-on.
Using travel-sized containers is a great option to keep up with your skincare routine without taking up too much space in your luggage. Most skincare brands offer trial or travel-sized versions of their products. You can opt to buy those to save you time. Another option is purchasing travel-sized containers. All you need to do is transfer your skincare products from their big packaging to these smaller ones.
Sometimes, you don’t even have to buy new containers. You can repurpose old contact lens containers for your moisturizers and creams. You can use reusable sealable bags instead for skincare accessories like cotton pads and brushes.
DO Carry Facial Cleansing Wipes
Facial cleansing wipes can be used in many ways. They’re an easy and hassle-free way to clean your face during trips. Whether you’ve just had something messy to eat during a road trip or want to refresh your skin during a long flight, facial cleansing wipes can be your go-to multi-purpose product. Just make sure to purchase cleansing wipes that are gentle and have moisturizing properties.
DON’T Forget to Hydrate
No matter where you are, hydrating yourself is important. Remember to take generous sips of water when traveling. Sweating a lot in a place with a warm climate can be dehydrating. On the other hand, cold weather can also be dehydrating. It can cause dry skin and other skin issues. To combat these two types of weather, you should never forget to keep your entire body hydrated. You can bring a reusable flask that you can just fill up whenever you’re at a restaurant or at your hotel.
An additional reminder, though, is to make sure to check the water quality of the place you’re staying in. It can save you from not just dehydration but other health issues as well.
DON’T Skip Sunscreen
UV rays can still affect us even in cool climates with overcast clouds. These harmful rays can cause skin damage like sunburn or long-term effects like skin cancer. This is why it’s essential to use sunscreen regardless of the climate.
But make sure to use the most apt type of sunscreen depending on the location and climate. If you plan on going to a sunny destination where you’ll be swimming or sweating a lot, look for waterproof sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. For cooler climates, you can opt for more sunscreen that has the same protective capabilities but has moisturizing ingredients. This way, you’re protected from both the harmful sun rays and the dry climate.
If you plan on going to a sunny destination where you’ll be swimming or sweating a lot, look for waterproof sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
DON’T Forego Sleep
A good sleep routine is beneficial not just for the skin but for one’s overall health. Even when traveling, don’t forget to prioritize sleep so your body can have time to recover and rest. Doing so will make you feel more energized and in a better mood throughout your travels.
On the other hand, lack of sleep can have visible effects like dark circles and dull skin. The not-so-visible effects include mood changes, lack of energy, and inability to focus. These are not the best ingredients for an enjoyable and safe trip.
Even when it’s tempting to sleep to “make the most” out of your travels, giving yourself time to rest and recover is important. It seems counterproductive, but getting enough sleep can actually make your trip even better.
Good skincare practices while traveling may require some extra effort on your part. But in the end, it’s going to be worth it. You’re protecting yourself from potential long-term effects on your skin. Taking care of your health (including your skin) makes for more memorable and comfortable travels.