Although travelling is supposed to be rejuvenating, it probably comes as no surprise that it can really ruin your skin.
The confined, false environment on a plane, not being able to rinse your face in the bathroom, dehydration, recycled air, no sun and no fresh food means your complexion cops a hiding.
But that’s not all that’s working against you.
Your travel schedule, crossing datelines and time changes mean that your usual skincare routine goes out of whack.
Often you’ll travel to a climate that your skin isn’t used to, such as moving from cold to humid, or wet to dry, and a variety of vastly different temperatures – all of which can wreak havoc on your skin.
Air conditioning and temperature control systems can dry your skin out. You may not be able to pack all your usual skincare products and your diet may be a little less healthy. You may even drink a bit more than usual.
Oh, and as if you didn’t need one more thing on top of all these skin-wreckers, we can add stress to the mix.
However, there are some simple steps to staying fresh and saving your skin when you travel:
1. Preparation
If you know you’re going on holiday, prepare your skin for the shift in routine. Try exfoliating and using a hydrating mask a few days before you leave. Use moisturiser and ensure your skin is in tip top shape before embarking on your journey.
2. Pack the necessities
Pop in a gentle cleanser, regular moisturiser, and something to help you address dryness, such as a herbal facial oil, something to remove impurities, such as a mud mask or scrub, eye cream and a hydrating mask.
3. Go nude
The less make-up you wear, the better. Make-up can attract harmful micro-organisms that settle in the pores of your skin. So, when you go on holiday, give your face a holiday from the foundation, shades and shimmers you usually apply.
4. On-the-go cleansers
As soon as you step on a plane, your face becomes susceptible to bacteria. Bring along some facial cleaning cloths for extra protection from pollutants.
5. Keep it moist
Dry skin becomes drier when you’re on a plane or in drier weather. Dry skin fractures, leaving you vulnerable to chaffing and other irritation. An oil-based moisturiser or rose-oil spray will go a long way to keeping your skin moist and protected by antioxidants.
6. Go easy on the grog
Alcohol will dehydrate your skin, leaving you with dry skin and enhanced wrinkles. If looking fresh is important to you, try sleeping with a treatment sheet or gel-based skin mask on the plane, or just ease up on the booze.
7. Blotting cloths for oily skin
If you have oily skin, pack some blotting cloths to counteract that greasy skin feeling – or you could simply use a tissue, although they don’t do as good a job (but they are cheaper!).
8. Hands off!
Keeping your hands away from your face means you’re less likely to transfer germs from nasty surfaces that have been touched by so many travellers before you. Clean skin means fewer skin problems.
9. Drink water
You’ve heard it before – drink plenty of water and stay hydrated from the inside out.
10. Watch what you eat
Steer clear of sodium-filled foods and look for juicy fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, radishes, celery and fresh greens. And if cucumbers, watermelon, pineapple, celery, radishes, tomatoes, green peppers, strawberries, grapefruit, cantaloupe, oranges, lettuce, zucchinis, and cabbage are on the menu, go for those. Soup is also a good option.
Bonus tip: Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Do you have any good skincare tips for travellers? Why not share them with our members?
