Travel Skincare Essentials
Travel Skincare Essentials
It’s no secret that travel takes a toll on your skin.
It’s also no secret that I’ve been traveling quite a bit as of late. And, while I’m constantly sharing my beauty finds and travel essentials, I’ve recently added a few new steps and products to my on-the-go travel beauty routine that are really making a difference. Keep on reading, below, for the details on all my favorite travel skincare products and beauty essentials that I always have packed in my toiletry bag.
ROSEHIP OIL //
Whatever you do, don’t forget a good face oil! I always make sure to have a bottle of another favorite beauty product of mine, rosehip oil {or other mild face oil, such as jojoba or almond or a marula oil, like this one from Drunk Elephant}. It saves me from having to bring a ton of products because I can use it in so many ways- to remove makeup, to moisturize my face and body, in place of serum and/or face lotion, to condition my eyelashes and eyebrows, as an overnight deep conditioning hair mask and/or running a few drops through my hair to keep it soft and to keep flyaways tamed. I also always make sure to have a tsa approved sized bottle with me, especially on a long flight, so I can apply it frequently to really help my skin from drying out.
nuFACE //
I’ve long been a fan of jade and ice rolling for de-puffing my face, but I recently invested in a nuFace and it takes de-puffing, toning, tightening and lifting to a whole new level. I bought the full size one, but they also offer a mini size, which is easier for packing and traveling. No matter which size you use, though, the key is consistency. To truly see results you have to be using this tool every.single.day. If you do, I promise you, it’s a total game changer!
A holy grail beauty product of mine, whether I’m traveling or not, but especially if I am traveling. I’ve tried alllll the creams (and I do mean all of them), and none of them moisturize and make my skin look good the way this $18 tube of cream does! It’s truly the only thing that has saved my skin in the desert, at high altitudes, in cold climates and on airplanes.
FACE MASKS //
I always have at least three different face masks in my travel bag at all times {You just never know what you’re going to need!}. I like to have an exfoliating one such as Caudalie’s Instant Detox and I just picked up Leahlani’s Mermaid Mask while in Hawaii…it’s supposed to be purifying and clarifying and leave your skin glowing aka just what I need while traveling}, a deep cleansing one and a moisturizing one {currently obsessed with the January Labs Moisture Renew Mask}. I always use an exfoliating one as soon as I get off the plane and to my hotel/house, a deep cleansing one for breakouts and a moisturizing one on the plane as well as immediately after the exfoliating mask.
I’ve talked about this brand a few times because I’m obsessed with the tan they give me {without a weird smell or orange glow, I might add}, but wanted to specifically bring up their dropper bottle. While it’s meant for use on your face, I found that it’s the perfect size for travel. Instead of lugging around a big bottle of self-tanning lotion like I used to, I now just bring my regular body lotion and the tan drops, mix a few drops into my lotion every other day, et voila, tan skin no matter where you are!
Maybe a bit weird and excessive (I know), but I prefer to sleep on my own pillowcase, especially knowing it’s better for my skin and hair. Plus, it takes up almost no room and is perfect for holding dirty clothes once you’re packing up for your return journey.
While this product is too big to bring on a trip, I love using it as soon as I get home. It really helps clean out my pores, refresh my skin and add some much needed moisturizer back into my life after being on planes.
FACIALS //
The best way I’ve found to combat troubled travel skin is to keep up with regularly scheduled facials. This ensures my pores are getting deep cleaned, scrubbing away any dry skin from being on the plane and getting an extra dose of moisturizer that a regular skincare routine just can’t provide. One of my favorite places to go for facials is Joanna Vargas. I love that she has locations in both NYC and LA making it easy to fit facials into my schedule no matter what city I happen to be in. And I also adore the quality of her products. They never fail to deliver results. One of my go-to facials is their signature Triple Crown Facial. It’s especially great after traveling as it helps smooth and lift skin, define and firm your face, and leave your complexion ultra-moisturized and radiating.
ODACITE //
I struggle with breakouts all the time, but they have a tendency to flare up when I travel, so I’m constantly in search of something better to help keep them under control. I had long had my eye on the French LA-based clean skincare brand Odacite, so, on my last trip to The Detox Market, I finally asked for a few samples of their products, specifically the ones for acne. I got the Gr + G Grapeseed-Grapefruit Oily/Acne Prone Serum Concentrate , which you mix with your regular serum and apply all over your face, and Bl + C Black Cumin-Cajeput Pimples Serum Concentrate to put on each individual pimple. I was so impressed by how quickly and efficiently they both worked that I immediately ordered both products. While I’m still dealing with some break-outs, they’re almost non-existent compared to what they used to be, and they really do go away overnight with just a drop of.
I NEVER leave home a travel sized bottle of this. It’s my go-to makeup remover and one of my all-time favorite beauty products, but I especially love it when traveling as it’s extra gentle and extra moisturizing.
OIL CLEANSER
Love a good second cleanse situation, and no more than when traveling as I feel like there is always extra grime and dirt to get off my skin. Love an oil cleanser for this as it not only is great at cleansing skin, but it also doesn’t strip the skin and it’s moisturizing, too! I like a balm because it’s easier to travel with, but this is also a great option!
SERUMS
I don’t always bring serums, especially if I have acne treatments, masks and my oil, but, depending on the type or length of trip, I will also bring a hydrating serum or some other treatment serum depending on what I might need.
RED LIGHT LED THERAPY //
Another favorite Joanna Vargas treatment, perfect for post-traveling. Even just a 20 minute power nap helps to restore your body and mind and activate healing powers, and, personally, I find that it really helps me to calm down, relax and relieve anxiety and stress.
Another holy grail product of mine, for both traveling and not traveling. I love spritzing this on my face anytime I need a little refreshing, and I’ve found it to be especially helpful in dry, desert climates and while flying. Truly can’t live without this product! I also love this mist from Avène.
This is my go-to vitamin C formula for traveling as it comes in powder form so it’s one less liquid you have to worry about spilling in your bag and it stays stable a lot longer. Simply add a few drops to your serum of choice before applying to your face. I especially love adding it to a hyaluronic acid serum (such as this one) to give my skin cells an extra boost of hydration.
Because the hands need extra love and moisture when traveling, too. This one is one of my personal favorite options.
SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen is a must, always. This one is my go-to always, but I also love this one for my face. It’s extra thick and moisturizing, making it especially great for travel.
LIP BALM //
Another can’t live without product, no matter what kind of traveling I’m doing. I always make sure to have several options, usually one packed in each different bag I have with me, so that I always have an option. I rotate between a few favorites, but currently I love Summer Fridays, Taos AER and Nuxe Lip Balm.