Travel is a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful and tiring. Many people feel like they just can’t keep up with their skincare routine while they travel. Not only does it seem like there just isn’t enough time, but they also don’t want to carry all of their skincare products with them when they’re on the go. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to reset your skincare routine for travel to ensure you keep your skin healthy without overpacking. In this blog, we’ll walk through our top travel tips to keep you organized and ensure you have the essentials of skincare with you next time you travel.

The Importance of Skincare During Travel

Travel may mean time to take a break and relax or get work done. Whatever you’re traveling for, your skin still needs appropriate care. In fact, you may need to adjust your skincare routine a bit depending on the weather, altitude, your plans, and a variety of other factors. Maintaining a consistent skincare routine is essential to avoid damage from the sun, pollutants, allergens, and other environmental aggressors you may be exposed to as you travel. Keeping up with skincare during travel is especially important for those who struggle with chronic skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Failure to maintain your skincare routine during travel can lead to flare-ups in these chronic skin conditions.

Tips for an Organized Travel Skincare Routine

Before you hit the road or take to the sky, consider the following tips for organizing your travel skincare routine:

  • Keep it simple. Bring one, small item per step of your skincare routine.
  • Consider combo products. Like a moisturizing sunscreen or a toner with vitamin C. Choosing combination products can help streamline your travel skincare routine.
  • Pack well. It takes a little extra planning, but packing your daily products in travel-size containers makes it easier to bring your skincare routine with you as you travel. You can also invest in travel-size products, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.
  • Bring only enough product to get through the number of days you’ll be traveling. That way you can clean out your travel jars and bottles when you get home and have your containers ready for your next trip.
  • Take products for on and off the plane. In case any checked bags get lost or damaged, make sure you have some basics, like face wash and moisturizer, in your carry-on.
  • Bring a small bottle of lotion in your carry-on or buy one after you check in. The air in planes is extremely dry, so it’s important to have some moisturizer available to keep skin soothed, especially on long flights.

Featured Products for On-the-Go Skincare:

While you should always rely on the personalized advice of a skincare professional to choose the right products for your individual needs, the knowledgeable dermatologists on our team have compiled a list of some of our most popular products for on-the-go skincare.

Revision Brightening Facial Wash (Travel Size)

While not recommended for sensitive or very dry skin, Revision Brightening Facial Wash is an excellent product for balanced, oily, and combination skin types. It’s especially beneficial for mature skin as it promotes skin cell turnover, minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Brightening botanicals leave skin looking luscious and healthy. This 3.4 fluid-ounce bottle is TSA-friendly for easy packing even in your carry-on.

ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads (Travel Size)

For those with oily and acneic skin, an oil-reducing, acne-fighting treatment may be a must even when traveling. Maybe you used acne treatment pads growing up, and you’re looking for an updated version for grownup you. In either situation, the ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads are made with you in mind. These non-drying, acne-fighting cleansing pads are formulated to brighten skin, deep clean pores, reduce oiliness, and leave skin looking flawless. This convenient 30-count travel-size container is perfect for almost any trip, and you can easily refill from your full-size container for the next trip.

Revision Skincare D.E.J. Daily Boosting Serum (Travel Size)

Serums are an important but often overlooked or confusing step in the skincare process. There are serums available for just about every skincare need. When you’re traveling, you may want to minimize the number of products, so the travel size Revision Skincare D.E.J. Daily Boosting Serum offers numerous benefits. It strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, improves skin texture and elasticity, and keeps skin healthy and radiant.

Revision Skincare C+ Brightening Eye Complex

Lack of sleep, change in climate, and stress related to travel can all cause or exacerbate under-eye puffiness, dark circles, and droopiness. The Revision Skincare C+ Brightening Eye Complex delivers moisture to the sensitive skin around the eyes and reduces puffiness, dark circles, and droopy skin. Even the full-size product is sleek and easy to pack for travel.

Skinbetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream

Skinbetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream offers an exceptional moisture boost, which is extremely important while traveling. Safe and effective for all skin types, this rich and velvety textured moisturizing cream absorbs quickly and completely. The unique formula contains hydrating and restoring ceramides and soothing botanicals.

EltaMD UV Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

EltaMD UV Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ is a water-resistant sunscreen that is 100% mineral, making it safe for all skin types and even for young children. The travel size 1.3oz is TSA-friendly. Light and easy to apply for everyday use, EltaMD UV Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ is the go-to sun protection for travel anywhere and any time of the year.

Incorporating Products into Your Travel Routine

To use these products, you can follow the morning and evening routines outlined below.

Morning Travel Skincare Routine:

  • Cleanse – Use Revision Brightening Facial Wash to remove dirt, oil, and grime.
  • Treat – For acneic skin, gently swipe ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads over the skin to remove oil, deep clean pores, and fight acne. For all skin types, use the D.E.J. Daily Boosting Serum to hydrate and soothe skin.
  • Moisturize – Apply the Revision Skincare C+Brightening Eye Complex to the skin beneath the eyes. Then, apply skinbetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream over the whole face to keep the skin hydrated.
  • Protect – Apply EltaMD UV Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ to the face, hands, neck, and any other area that is exposed to the sun.

Evening Travel Skincare Routine:

  • Cleanse – Use Revision Brightening Facial Wash to remove dirt, oil, and grime.
  • Treat – For acneic skin, gently swipe ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads over the skin to remove oil, deep clean pores, and fight acne. For all skin types, use the D.E.J. Daily Boosting Serum to hydrate and soothe skin.
  • Moisturize – Apply the Revision Skincare C+Brightening Eye Complex to the skin beneath the eyes. Then, apply skinbetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream over the whole face to keep the skin hydrated.

Additional Skincare Tips for Different Travel Scenarios

Some other travel skincare tips to keep in mind include:

  • Be consistent – Make sure to consistently wash your face with a gentle cleanser and moisturize morning and evening. If you skip the rest, your skin may not feel perfect by the time you get home, but most skin health issues will be avoided.
  • Check the weather – In cold, dry weather, make sure to pack a lot of moisturizing products. In humid climates, make sure to pack lightweight, oil-free products.
  • Deep moisturize – The night before your trip, especially if you’re flying, apply a hydrating face mask. This will help keep skin moisturized during the flight and after.
  • Skip the makeup – On the day of travel, skip your cosmetics or use very minimal products. Travel is hard on the skin, so don’t add to the drying effects of travel with moisture-stripping cosmetics.

Visit Derm Skincare Regularly for More Skincare Tips

Whether you’re looking to keep your skin looking and feeling flawless during travel or every day, the Derm Skincare team has you covered. With a meticulously curated list of full-size and travel-size skincare products vetted by knowledgeable dermatologists, the Derm Skincare site has something for everyone. We hope you’ll explore everything we have to offer here and come back regularly to read our blog to learn more skincare tips and tricks.