Habit Hack: Essential Skincare Tips for Holiday Travel Season

With the holiday season upon us, many of us are gearing up for travel. While it’s exciting to visit family, friends, or new destinations, travel can take a toll on your skin. Changes in climate, cabin air on flights, stress, and irregular schedules can all contribute to breakouts, dehydration, and dullness. To keep your skin looking fresh and healthy on the go, here are essential skincare hacks to protect and maintain your skin’s balance while travelling this season.

How Travel Affects Your Skin

Between the hustle of getting to the airport, adjusting to different climates, and dealing with the dry air on planes, travel can throw off your skin’s equilibrium. Long flights and cabin air, which typically has only 10-20% humidity, can lead to moisture loss, resulting in dry, flaky skin and even increased oil production. Moreover, changes in time zones and schedules can disturb your sleep, often leading to tired-looking, puffy skin.

Add to that the stress of holiday travel, and you may find your skin facing breakouts or a dull complexion. Knowing what to pack and how to adjust your routine can make all the difference in maintaining your skin’s health.

Travel-Ready Skincare Tips

Here’s how to maintain your skincare routine and give your skin the support it needs without overpacking or compromising on care:

1. Pack the Essentials and Keep It Simple

Stick to your tried-and-true products rather than experimenting with new ones on the road. Pack the basics you can’t skip—like cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF—but skip products you don’t use daily.

- Tip: Transfer products into travel-sized containers. Be mindful, however, of air exposure; active ingredients like vitamin C and retinoids are sensitive to light and air. Choose containers that are air-tight and opaque to preserve these products.

2. Prioritize Hydration

Hydration is key when travelling, especially if you’re flying. Keep your skin’s moisture levels high with hydrating serums, mists, and moisturizers.

- Hydrating Mist: Bring a small, travel-friendly mist with humectants like hyaluronic acid. Spritzing your skin mid-flight can help counteract the dry cabin air.

- Moisturizer with Ceramides: Pack a rich, ceramide-infused moisturizer to support your skin’s barrier and lock in hydration, especially if you’re headed to a colder climate.

3. SPF Is Non-Negotiable

Even though it’s the holiday season, the sun’s UV rays are still powerful, especially when flying or visiting sunny destinations. UVA rays penetrate airplane windows, increasing your exposure to damaging UV radiation.

- Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+: Apply sunscreen before you board and consider a reapplication method like a powder sunscreen if you’re flying during the day. Always pack enough SPF if you’re going to a sunny spot or skiing (snow reflects UV rays).

4. Embrace In-Flight Skincare Rituals

Flying can dry out your skin fast. Combat this with a few simple steps while you’re in the air.

- Lip and Hand Balm: Bring a hydrating balm to prevent lips and hands from getting chapped.

- Blotting Papers for Oily Skin: If your skin becomes oilier on flights, keep blotting papers handy to reduce shine without disturbing your makeup.

- Avoid Makeup: Minimize makeup during flights to let your skin breathe. If necessary, keep it lightweight and opt for a tinted moisturizer.

5. Address Skin Needs Based on Destination

Your destination’s climate can dictate the products you’ll need. For warm, humid locations, you may need a lighter moisturizer and extra SPF. For colder, drier environments, pack a richer moisturizer and a hydrating serum.

- Moisture-Layering for Dry Climates: Layer hydrating serums and a thicker moisturizer to keep skin supple and soft.

- Humidity Control: In humid climates, switch to lightweight moisturizers to avoid clogging pores, and focus on sun protection.

Post-Travel Skincare Tips

Once you arrive at your destination, give your skin some TLC to recover from the stress of travel.

- Cleanse Thoroughly: Use a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and give your skin a fresh start.

- Exfoliate Gently: If your skin looks dull or feels congested, try a mild exfoliating product to slough away dead skin cells. Avoid harsh scrubs, as your skin may be more sensitive after travel.

- Rehydrate Overnight: Use a rich night cream or overnight mask to replenish moisture and revive tired skin.

Extra Travel Skincare Reminders

Maintaining your skin’s health goes beyond just skincare products. A few mindful practices can further protect and support your skin during travel.

- Hydrate From the Inside Out: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight to stay hydrated.

- Watch Out for Hotel Products: Hotel lotions and cleansers may contain fragrances or ingredients that could irritate your skin. Bring your own products if possible.

- Prioritize Sleep: Lack of sleep can increase stress and make skin look tired and dull. Try to rest on the plane, or make sleep a priority upon arrival to combat jetlag and keep your skin fresh.