While packing bags for a long-awaited vacation or any sort of traveling, usually anyone would focus on his/her clothing, footwear, or other accessories and forget to take along his/her routine skincare products. Skin experts recommend every traveler have essential skincare products in their toiletry bag so that there is no break in their skincare routine. This way, the travelers would maintain their healthy, glowing skin even after their traveling has resulted in the skin being more susceptible to dryness, irritation, acne breakouts, or flare-ups brought up by harsh weather or stress. [1, 2]
So, what essential skincare products should not be left out while packing? Here’s exactly what travel editors and skin experts recommend the travelers on their beauty packing lists.
1. Multi-Tasking Cleansers
While considering cleansers for travel purposes, look for those that can be used to remove make-up in addition to getting rid of dirt and excess oils from the skin. The cleansers must be able to keep the skin soft and clean without letting it lose its moisture. They must be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Such cleansers can contain ingredients such as:
- Ceramides- that strengthen the skin’s barrier and shield it from loss of moisture and water
- Hyaluronic acid- a gel-like substance that naturally is present in the skin and helps in retaining the skin’s moisture
- Alpha and beta hydroxy acids- chemical exfoliators to unclog the pores and get clear, smooth, bright, balanced skin and immediate radiance
- Vitamin E- an oxidant that is mostly known for fighting dark circles, giving glowing skin, and providing overall redevelopment of healthy skin
- Natural ingredients- such as meadowfoam seed oil, apricot kernel oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, aqua sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, green tea, extracts of witch hazel, carrot seed oil, vegetable surfactants, palmarosa oil, rosemary oleoresin, chamomile oil, grape seed oil, grapefruit peel oil, etc. [1]
2. Face and Body Moisturizers
As far as moisturizers go, it’s important to use them for the skin to lock in moisture to avoid dullness and dryness which is often noticed when traveling. One can choose the hydration concentrate or pre-dosed ampoules as they are easy to pack and are like a big gulp of water for the skin.
Usually, the moisturizers must have key ingredients such as:
- Petrolatum- occlusive acting as the skin’s protective barrier
- Hyaluronic acid- a humectant that helps skin to retain water
- Shea butter- an emollient that retains moisture, fills the skin cracks and heals them, and soothes inflammation
- Glycerin- a water attractant that draws moisture into the skin and keeps it hydrated to avoid dryness and flakes. It is even a barrier against skin irritants and bacteria
- Zero perfume/fragrance/essential oils- As fragrances or essential oils can irritate the skin, avoid them in moisturizers. [1, 2, 5]
3. Face Masks and Serums
For those who wish to keep their skin radiance, there are skin renewal creams packed with ceramide and Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant capable of getting rid of free radicals and preventing oxidative damage to the skin. It is an essential ingredient, especially to battle dark spots, and must be applied when going out in sunny places.
4. Eye Care Products
Eye patches or eye creams that contain caffeine and hydrogels can be super hydrating. These could help in eliminating puffiness and bags of the eyes. When investing in any eye cream, one must look for its composition having key ingredients such as:
- Retinol- It is a Vitamin A derivative that can improve cell turnover and encourage collagen production. It’s the best anti-aging ingredient.
- Hyaluronic acid- It has moisture-retaining properties, hence it can make the eyes appear even-toned and brighter by boosting the hydration and plumping the under-eye skin.
- Vitamin C- In eye creams, this ingredient can help in minimizing the age spots and hyperpigmentation under the eyes as well as get rid of aging signs around the eyes by boosting collagen production.
- Neuropeptides- These are gentler than retinol, promote collagen and elastin production, and make the skin firmer and youthful.
- Caffeine- It is a vasoconstrictor that can reduce puffiness around the eye and dark circles. [2, 4]
5. Best Sunscreens
Everyone is recommended to daily apply water-proof, broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 30 or above. It is best to go for sunscreens that also have hydrating properties and when applied leave a flattery dewy finish. This way, travelers would be able to have an all-in-one product as it acts as a sun-protective makeup primer. Sunscreen sticks are best to throw into travel bags as these do not take much space and can be swiped with ease on sun-exposed areas whenever going outside. [1, 2]
6. Lip Moisturizers
While traveling, there is a high possibility of having dry, chapped lips. To keep the lips soft and well-hydrated, travelers can look for ingredients in lip balms:
- Lanolin- a natural moisturizing wax extracted from wool
- Berry fruit complex- add flavor and natural color to the lip balm and have anti-aging as well as moisturizing abilities
- Coconut oil- has lauric acid that provides moisturizing effects
- Vitamin C
- Shea or Cocoa butter- emollients that are a great source of natural antioxidants. These protect the lips from extreme temperatures that can leave the lips dried out by adding a protective hydrating layer to the lip skin.[2]
7. Multi-Purpose Salves
Most travelers are obsessed with multi-purpose salves for a few reasons. They are incredibly portable and lightweight. The best part is that the travelers won’t have to pack separate skincare products for different purposes as they can be used for lot many purposes. Anyone can use it as a hand moisturizer, a lip balm, or even as a moisturizer for bone-dry body parts like elbows and knees. It contains all-natural ingredients and can be used for protecting the skin’s natural moisture barrier, and for healing, replenishing, and repairing dry skin. [3]
Advice for Post-Travel Skincare
1. Concentrate on Restoring
The skin will inevitably lose moisture while traveling. This is due to altitude changes, stress, and other environmental factors. When one returns from traveling, use gentle products that restore the skin’s moisture as well as collagen, elasticity, brightness, firmness, and evenness.
To replenish, look for botanical oils, aloe leaves, ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic Acid.
2. Maintain Hydration and Protection
The harsh elements present in the air make it easy for skin to become dehydrated, and when one goes traveling, the difficulty doubles.
Hydration should always come first. Stick to hydrating cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and masks instead of products that strip the skin of moisture (such as foam cleansers and harsh ingredients).
SPF should always be the final skincare step. SPF, in conjunction with antioxidants, is the ultimate way to protect the skin and maintain its long term health. [6]
References:
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/ style/shopping/travel-editor-favorite-skincare-products
- https://edition.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty/travel-beauty-products
- https://www.cntraveler.com/story/ the-best-travel-skincare-tips-from-our-editors
- https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-skin/products/ingredients-to-look-for-in-eye-cream
- https://www.timesnownews.com/ life-style/article/ingredients-you-must-find-in-your-body-moisturiser/813420
- https://thegoodfaceproject.com/ articles/skincare-products-for-airplane-and-vacation
