Skincare
15 Travel Skincare Tips to Help You Glow on the Go
Should you change your skincare routine when you travel? What skincare should you pack, and how do you make it...
By: Dedet Panabi / December 14, 2019
Should you change your skincare routine when you travel? What skincare should you pack, and how do you make it fit? These travel skincare tips will answer all these common questions, plus give skincare hacks that use whatever you find in your hotel room and breakfast buffet.
Skincare Products to Pack on Your Trip
High-protection sunscreen
You need a broad spectrum sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection, in at least SPF 50. Apply at least 30 minutes before going outdoors or into the water, and reapply after 3 hours. And remember, there’s no such thing as completely waterproof sunscreen. Even the best brands are only water-resistant for a few hours, so you still need to keep reapplying!
Micellar Water
Makeup remover wipes are convenient, but they may not be able to remove all traces of sunscreen, dirt or waterproof and long-wear makeup. Smarter Travel editor Ashley Rossi recommends micellar water instead. “Two dabs on a cotton ball will leave your skin feeling refreshed and clean, and you can actually see the dirt and makeup removed.”
You can get a travel-sized bottle of Bioderma, or transfer some of your favourite micellar water into a small plastic bottle.
Shop it now: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water, $41.90, Watsons.
Multi-purpose beauty oil
Your skin will need extra hydration after a long flight or hours in the sun. If you have dry to normal skin, bring a beauty oil instead of moisturizer. It’s hydrating (apply right after a shower to trap moisture) and you can use it in so many ways! Massage into your scalp to revive locks that have dried out from chlorine and seawater. Smoothe down frizzy hair or keep baby hair and the hair tips in place. You can even use it on your hands, neck and other parts of your body that was over-exposed to the sun!
Try: Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil, now 30% off at Sephora for $56
Sheet masks
Sheet masks can drench your skin in much needed hydration and antioxidants (to help reverse sun damage). They can also help soothe sunburned, irritated skin. Many celebs also like to wear sheet masks on long flights, to fight puffiness and jet lag. Store in your hotel refrigerator for an extra cooling effect.
Read more: Here are the 21 most popular sheet masks in online stores and beauty forums!
Hair conditioner
Your hair needs that extra nourishment, and you can’t get it from the free hotel samples. “I’ve been noticing more hotels only provide shampoo or a terrible shampoo/conditioner hybrid these days,” says SmarterTravel’s Caroline Morse says. Transfer your favourite conditioner into a travel bottle to save on space.
Check it out: Hair conditioner reviews on Beauty Insider
Face mist
Face mists can provide cooling relief on a hot day, and can also refresh your makeup and act as an essence and toner.
To fight sun damage and irritation, look for a face mist with skin-soothing ingredients like aloe and rosewater. We recommend: Mario Badescu Facial Spray, $12, which has over 3,000 Sephora reviews!
Contact lens cases
If you’ll only be gone for the weekend, store creams in contact lens cases. You’ll have just enough to get you through your trip. If you wear contact lens anyway, you probably have tons of these lying in your drawer (they’re free in every bottle of solution). You can throw them away when you’re done!
Shampoo and conditioner bars
Not only are they less messy than liquid haircare, they can also double as a very moisturizing body soap. You can cut just enough to use on your trip.
Petroleum jelly
The tiny jar can do so many things! Use it as a lip balm, apply on your feet or elbows for extra hydration, and moisturize your cuticles.
You can also apply petroleum jelly on powder eyeshadow to make it a cream, which lasts longer when you’re outdoors. It will intensify the shade, too, and if you add a lot you get a runway-worthy eyegloss that’s great for clubbing. Try it with gold eyeshadow!
If you have dry skin, you can apply at the top of your cheekbones for a subtle luminizing effect that’s very pretty in photos. If you mix it with gold eyeshadow, you mimic the effect of a liquid bronzer.
DIY Travel Skincare Tips
Store spoons or teabags in the hotel room refrigerator
The ice-cold spoons and teabags are the best eye masks! Press against your eyes to reduce puffiness or refresh tired eyes. “I hoard the green tea bags in the hotel breakfast buffet. The green tea is really good for the skin!” says beauty editor Lisa Bengzon.
Make a sugar scrub
Other travel skincare tips you can find at the hotel buffet: sugar sachets and honey packets. Mix together, and voila — your own DIY scrub for your lips, face and body! The sugar gently exfoliates, and the honey soothes irritated skin and moisturizes too.
Plunge hotel hand towels in ice water
Ask room service for a bucket of ice. Add water, and then soak a small hand towel. Press against your face and neck. It will reduce eyebags, close pores, and soothe sunburn.
Do a Sand Dry Scrub
Sand is a natural exfoliate, and if you’re at the beach, it’s everywhere! Rub it on your feet, hands and cuticles, ankles, knees, elbows and other rough spots. However, it can be very abrasive so avoid sensitive areas like the face and neck. When you get back to the hotel, be sure to wash off all the sand and moisturize well. You’ll have the smoothest, softest skin — guaranteed!
