The Jet-Set Glow: Your Ultimate Travel Beauty Guide

Travel might be great for your soul, but not always for your skin. Whether you’re heading to a humid island, a snowy resort, or taking a city break, your usual skincare routine might not cut it.

Fortunately, with a little planning, you can keep your skin looking great throughout your trip.

1. Pre-Travel Skincare Prep

It doesn’t matter whether you’re grabbing a flight or hopping on a last-minute cruise, a good travel skincare routine starts before you board.

Hydrate inside and out. Start upping your water intake at least a week before your trip, as this will make your skin more resilient to climate variations.
Get rid of dead skin. Gentle exfoliation once or twice a week before your trip ensures your skin will absorb your moisturisers and sunscreen better while you’re on holiday.
Stock up. Start getting products together that contain ceramides, niacinamide and squalane, as these ingredients can help keep your skin protected.
Don’t try anything new. Now is not the time to try something new. Rather stick to the essentials and pack accordingly.

2. Caring for Your Skin In Transit

While travelling to your destination, it’s best to keep things simple, soothing, and super-hydrating.

Pack a travel-friendly hydrating mist, a rich moisturiser or overnight mask, and some delicious lip balm. If you need to cleanse your face, try and stick to micellar water, and if you struggle with puffy under eyes, you may also want to pack a cooling gel or undereye patches.

3. Essential Skincare Tips By Climate

Each climate presents its own challenges while travelling, so here’s how to tweak your routine.

Tropical and Humid Destinations

If you’re heading to a destination like Bali or the Caribbean, be sure to:

Keep things lightweight. Gel or water-based moisturisers will help you avoid that annoying sticky feeling.
Go oil-free. An oil-free SPF will help prevent clogged pores.
Blott. Blotting papers will be your BFF while travelling in humid conditions, helping you keep shine under control.
Skip the heavy makeup. Heavy makeup will melt in the heat, so waterproof mascara and tinted lip balm are a better choice.

Cold and Dry Climates

If destinations like Iceland or the Alps are more your speed, you’ll want to:

Layer your hydration. Start with a hydrating serum and finish with a thick moisturiser.
Pack lip and hand balms. Windburn is real, so keep your lips and hands protected.
Avoid stripping cleansers. Creamy or balm-based cleansers are a better choice for these climates.
Opt for creamy makeup products. Creamy blush and foundation help prevent flakiness and keep your skin dewy.

Urban Settings

Heading to the city? It’s best to:

Use an antioxidant serum. Antioxidant serums like vitamin C can help fight environmental stressors.
Double cleanse. Cleansing your face twice at night removes pollution and grime more effectively.
Use a setting spray. If you’re planning to wear makeup, a setting spray can protect your skin against pollution.
Detox your skin. For extended trips, use a detox mask once a week to deep-clean your pores and keep your skin more radiant.

4. Post-Trip Skin Recovery

After your trip, your skin may need a little extra attention while you settle back into your usual routine.

Start with a deep clean to remove any lingering grime and makeup before following with a hydrating serum and soothing moisturiser. Cooling tools can also help if your skin is looking and feeling a little puffy.

Lastly, it’s best to avoid any harsh actives such as retinoids for a few days after returning home to give your skin a chance to recover fully.

5. Glowing Skin From Start to Finish

No matter where your travels take you, it is possible to keep your skin looking fresh and supple. All it takes is a little preparation, packing the right products, and a commitment to following a sound skincare routine, no matter your plans for the day.

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