It’s that time of year again: holiday season! As millions of us jet off to warmer seas, we offer our advice on how to adapt your skincare routine for your travels. We’re all aware of the need to protect our skin from the sun, but how much do you know about the stress travel can cause to your skin?
This step by step guide explains the actions to take before, during and after your holiday, to ensure your skin remains nourished, healthy and sun-kissed!
BEFORE YOU GO
You may not have realized this, but preparation, before you leave, can actually determine the state of your skin whilst you’re on holiday. What you pack is crucial to keeping your skin healthy.
SAVE ON SPACE
To save on space, it’s best to opt for multipurpose products. So, look for facial cleansers that cleanse the pores, reduces red areas and rid your skin of excess oil. When selecting a moisturiser, opt for one that will be suitable both during the day and night.
If you’re packing lightly and opting for hand luggage, make sure that all your liquids are on or below the 100ml requirement.
If your special lotions and potions are not available in this format, you can always decant a section of them into smaller 100ml bottles that can be easily bought at supermarkets.
YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Traveling by plane can severely dehydrate your skin, so make sure you apply a rich moisturiser both the night before and the morning of your journey.
It’s also important to exfoliate and cleanse your face to ensure that your skin is as clean as possible before you travel.
Exfoliating will help to clear any excess oil from your sebaceous glands. This unclogs your pores and significantly reduces the chances of developing spots throughout the journey!
Avoid Sunbeds
We know it may be tempting to get started on that base tan before you jet off, but sunbeds should be avoided! The UV rays emitted from sunbeds can severely damage the collagen and elastic tissue in your skin cells.
Collagen and elastin work together as the structural support for your skin. Damaging this support can increase your pore sizes and the development of wrinkles. Not to mention, that using sunbeds can increase your risk of developing skin cancer!
Instead, opt for gently tinting moisturisers that gradually tan your skin
FOR THE PLANE JOURNEY
So you’ve made it to the airport and are about to step onto the plane. But how can you keep your skin looking fresh throughout the journey?
Source: Teppo Kotirinta
Wear Simple Make-Up
If you can avoid it, try to go foundation-free during the plane journey. Instead you should stick to a simple moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated throughout the flight.
However, if you really can’t go without, try either a tinted moisturiser which still maximises skin hydration, or use a silicon-based primer.
Primers work by creating a seal between the moisturised skin and the layer of foundation, keeping your face as hydrated as possible. Primers will also preserve your foundation for longer!
Using a water spray helps to keep your face looking fresh and healthy. On the hydration theme, drink plenty of water throughout the flight to hydrate your skin from within.
Blotting Papers
Blotting papers are a fantastic way of removing any excess oil that you may have produced due to the travelling environment. They target oil prone areas, such as the T-zone. By gently dabbing these on the affected areas, you can remove any oil, whilst preserving your skin’s natural moisture levels.
Don’t Ignore Your Body
While your face may be the most visible and susceptible to dry skin during the flight, you should also pay attention to the rest of your body. This is particularly true for your hands. During public journeys, your hands come across a multitude chemicals and bacteria that they have to deal with
Even washing your hands with mass produced chemical soaps at airports and on the plane can be harsh for your skin. To avoid this, make sure you keep them fully moisturised and protected. Bringing your own mini hand sanitiser can also help to counteract this.
Food
Airport and especially flight food can be excessively greasy and bad for your overall skin health. So keep an eye out when you’re on the flight. Opt for lighter meals like salads and low oil foods to avoid prompting any potential breakouts during the flight.
Taking healthy snacks with you, such as almonds and nuts, can also help to keep your skin looking and feeling fresh.
Source: HealthAliciousNess
WHILST ON HOLIDAY
So you’ve finally made it, and your skin is glowing, despite the long journey. Now for the essential tips on what to do while you’re out there enjoying yourself.
Humid, hot climates can wreak havoc on your skin. Whilst the sun can give you a much-desired tan, it can also dry your skin and increase oil production all at the same time!
Exfoliate
In these hotter conditions, it’s vital to exfoliate daily. Hotter climates prompt our sebaceous glands to produce more oil in order to combat the heat and cool us down.
If we don’t use an exfoliator daily to combat this, the oil can clump together and block your pores, creating pimples. Exfoliators allow you to gently rub away any excess oil and thus prevent the development of blemishes!
Avoid Thick Lotions
Similarly, applying foundation in these hot climates can also block your pores and dry out your skin. So try to use a light tinted moisturiser if you really need to, or an oil-free foundation.
On a similar note, apply a light moisturiser to your face at night time. This prevents the pores from clogging but effectively hydrates your skin throughout the night.
Regularly Apply Sun Cream
It goes without saying that applying sun cream whilst you’re in the sun is an absolute must! To avoid burning to a crisp in the strong heat of the sun, try to apply this about 30 minutes prior to hitting the sunbeds.
Reapplying at least every two hours is also highly recommended. You can never put on too much sun cream, but you can damage your skin by not putting on enough!
Use After Sun
If despite this, you still manage to burn, after sun is an effective way to soothe your damaged skin. It’s incredibly effective at cooling down any UV affected skin and also rehydrates your skin after a day spent in the dry heat of the sun. Look for an after sun that contains Aloe Vera as this is particularly effective in cooling and replenishing your skin.
If you’re still suffering, taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to relieve your pain!
Source: Pexels
ON YOUR RETURN
The post-holidays blues may have well and truly kicked in, but your post-holiday skincare routine should not be neglected! Despite taking precautions, most of us often return with some burnt patches on our holidayed skin! To prevent further damage and encourage a speedy recovery, keep applying after sun both morning and evening.
Moisturise
It’s important to keep moisturising daily upon your return. As mentioned above, the changing climate and moisture-sapping plane journeys can take their toll on your skin. Moisturising your face and body twice daily will help to nourish the skin, balance moisture levels and also prolong your tan!
Maintaining moisture levels helps to delay any natural skin peeling, meaning your tan lasts longer.
Exfoliating
If your skin is particularly sensitive or damaged after your holiday, avoid exfoliating too much and instead opt for simple cleansers.
Exfoliating damaged skin can irritate this sensitive area. It can also accelerate the natural peeling process. So feel free to take a break from exfoliators if needs be!
Source: Tom Hanny
So there you have it, our essential guide to caring for your skin before, during and after your holiday. Most importantly, remember to protect your skin from the sun, and of course, have a great time!
Article by: bioeffect.
https://bioeffect.co.uk/thebuzz/%C2%ACtravel-skincare-tips-caring-for-your-skin-on-holiday/#
