I love traveling. Whether that’s exploring a new city or hopping back and forth between LA and NYC where I live, I’m always up for a change of scenery, people, and food. However, traveling can really take a toll on your skin. Changes in location, climate, and even your daily routine can contribute to dull, dry skin, and even breakouts.
In this blog post I’m sharing with you my post-travel skincare routine and my favorite products rejuvenate your skin and make it look glowing and healthy again after travel, regardless of your skin type.
My Post Travel Skincare Routine
As I mentioned above, I live Los Angeles and New York City, so I spend a lot of my time hopping from coast to coast. Every time I get off the plane, I run into the same issues with my skin. First, my skin gets congested and breaks out. Then, it experiences waves of dryness and dullness.
Most skin types experience these same issues of dryness and breakouts, which is why post travel skin care is important for everyone. With some research and trial, here are the tips I swear by to keep my skin in check after getting off the plane.
Hydrate
Dry airplane air can really wreak havoc on your skin, so drinking plenty of water is an important part of post travel skin care. I don’t always stay as hydrated as I should while I’m in the air, but I always get a large bottle of water to drink immediately once I land. During longer international flights, I pack a travel size face mist to spray on my face in between naps and movies.
Using a hyaluronic acid serum is another way to keep your skin hydrated. Because it holds 1,000 times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid is a great travel skincare product to help re-hydrate dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid moisturizes, but it also attracts water to the surface of your skin, making it even extra hydrated. This helps to reduce the appearance of those fine lines that may creep up the morning after your flight or after a long day of sightseeing.
I love this serum from Tatcha. Not only does it have hyaluronic acid, it also has lactic acid to help exfoliate congested skin for a smoother appearance. Read more about the importance of exfoliating after a flight here.
For an overnight mask, this hydrating mask has been a personal favorite of mine for years.
Don’t forget about hydrating the rest of yourself, too! Most hotels include body lotion with their amenities, but if you’re staying somewhere else be sure to pack some of your own. This body lotion has become a recent favorite.
De-Puff
Jet lag and dehydration can lead to puffiness. I keep an ice roller in my freezer and grab it immediately once I’m home. If you’re prone to puffiness, you can also always pack an ice roller with you and stick it in your hotel mini fridge.
Using an ice facial roller helps to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling and puffiness, and brighten dark under eye circles. I always feel the puffiest around my eyes after travel, so that’s where I like to focus my attention.
Use it after you cleanse your skin in the morning for the perfect pick-me-up.
Detox
Breakouts and congestion while traveling can happen for a variety of reasons: poor plane air quality, a change in climate or weather, stress, and even new cuisine.
The first day or two after arrival, throw on a clay mask in the morning or night to help expedite drawing out toxins from the airport and recycled plane air.
For other breakouts that may appear, you can use a spot treatment.
Exfoliate
Along with a detoxing mask, exfoliation is also key to help slough away dead skin cells. Exfoliate daily (or as needed for your skin type) in conjunction with a detoxing mask to help rid any skin congestion.
These are my favorite exfoliating peel pads, and since they’re individually wrapped they are ideal for travel.
Replenish
If you’re looking for an extra boost to replenish tired, post travel skin, try a sheet mask. I love sheet masks because they’re soaked with serums and vitamins and they’re an effective, quick, and convenient way to replenish skin of nutrients. For post travel skin care, use a hydrating mask or one that contains caffeine to help re-energize jet-lagged skin.
Just like the peel pads, sheet masks come individually wrapped and so they’re another great travel skincare product.
Protect
Sun protection should be part of your everyday skincare routine, not just when you’re on vacation. But, here’s your friendly reminder to not skip out on your SPF, especially if you’re seated in a window seat, heading somewhere sunny, or plan to be out sightseeing all day. Even on a cloudy day, there are still UV rays present!
Book a Facial
If you’re traveling for a special event or already have a massage planned, consider booking a facial at your destination to help with any concerns you may have. Alternatively, you can always book a facial upon your return home as a nice welcome home treat to yourself before you dive back into your everyday routine.
My 8 Favorite Travel Skincare Products
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Made with Amazonian clay, this Kiehl’s mask helps to absorb oil while also drawing out impurities from your skin. A little goes a long way, so the mini travel size still provides several applications.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads are a great travel friendly item; they come individually wrapped and don’t take up a ton of space in your makeup bag.
Sephora Sheet Masks
Sephora makes great, individually wrapped and affordable sheet masks that are easy to pack in your toiletry bag. My favorites include Coconut, Lychee, and Spirulina.
Tatcha The Dewy Serum
This hyaluronic acid serum from Tatcha feels so nice on the skin. It’s super gentle so works on all skin types. I love that even though it’s extremely lightweight it still packs a serious punch of hydration without and sticky residue.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
I always loving finding and sharing multi-tasking products, and so I couldn’t not include Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask.
You can use it as a traditional hydrating mask, but also apply a thin layer under your eyes as an eye cream or on your entire face as an actual moisturizer.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF40
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF40 is my all-time favorite facial sunscreen because it’s clear, goes on silky instead of tacky, and doubles as a makeup primer. Plus, none of that traditional sunscreen smell.
Cadence Capsules
Not all skincare products are available in travel sizes, so when I can’t find what I need in a smaller version, I decant my stuff into these travel friendly Cadence capsules. They’re compact but also fit a lot, and thanks to magnets they stick together to keep your makeup bag free of clutter.
Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller
Aside from the cute pink colors, this ice roller is really ergonomic and stays cold longer than other ice rollers I’ve tried over the years. Don’t. forget the hot pink travel case. See all the benefits of ice rolling here.
