Kat’s Skin Travel Tips

I love traveling, I consider myself well traveled! Of course, you can't pack everything that is in your beauty cabinet, unfortunately, so we have to scale down when we travel. There’s only so much we can take with us! 

Traveling can cause havoc on the skin. The air humidity levels on an airplane are lower and this can be very dehydrating for the skin. Lines are more prominent and skin looks duller. Stress during travel can trigger inflammatory responses in the body and can trigger acne, rosacea etc. 

So, what are my tricks for a travel-friendly skincare routine? Bring products that will make a difference to your skin and that are not heavy like sheet masks, travel-size products, and samples. 

Here are my top products I can't leave the country without! 

On-the-go hydration

When I travel, I always pack a sheet mask. This will reduce the redness if I have spent too much time in the sun or if I need hydration after the dry airplane air. I sometimes apply before or during the flight the Nimue Anti Ageing Leave-On Mask, which is a nourishing overnight face mask treatment that moisturizes and recharges my skin during the flight, resulting in radiant skin when I arrive. 

I also pack a Spritzer to rehydrate my skin mid-flight, and I can use this after cleansing during my trip. Water in other countries have a different pH and hardness, which can dry your skin after cleansing. 

Or, if you are going for dinner and you want to set your makeup, this is a good product!

Exfoliation

I have a thing for taking a shower as soon as I arrive at my destination! I want to wash off all the airplane yuckiness. 

I use Nimue Thermo Flash Peel, a deep cleansing exfoliant, for my face after the plane journey, which gives me firmer and immediately smoother skin. I use this peel once a week at home too!

Dry skin brush

Instead of a heavy jar of exfoliant, pack your body brush to do a full body exfoliation before your daily shower. 

A lot of my clients get watery tension after traveling because of the change in cabin pressure and prolonged sitting, which decrease the movement of lymph fluid. Dry brushing can get that fluid moving again!

Finally, dry brushing also improves skin elasticity and stimulates your blood circulation and lymphatic system, which enhances the elimination of toxins as well as the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells. This helps reduce watery tension and removing toxins. 

Multipurpose cleanser

You want to pack a cleanser that works well for traveling,  takes off your makeup, and melts away the dirt and sunscreen from the day. 

This cleanser also acts as an eye makeup remover. Just put it on some damp cotton pads to take off stubborn eye makeup, so no need to pack an extra eye makeup remover!

Essential oils

I never travel without my essential oils! 

You can develop spots from traveling due to stress, touching your skin with dirty hands, the change in water, and eating unhealthy foods. 

I always pack tea tree essential oil which I can use as a spot treatment, and my Organic Face Oil, which I use at night. It gives me a calming feeling and a sense of home due to its familiar smell. But it regenerates and boosts my skin overnight, which is great to soothe and nourish my skin after traveling or being in the sun all day.

Baobab oil is another essential item that I take with me! Packed with vitamins and essential fatty acids, I use this on my body after being in the sun to regenerate and nourish my skin. I found baobab is one of those oils that help calm the skin if you have a skin irritation or severe dryness, so definitely a must take on your trip! 

Sun protection

If you are packing one product, it must be sunscreen!

Pack a beach hat and Nimue SPF 40 Sunscreen, which gives you a high broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and anti-aging benefits to assist in reducing and preventing the visible signs of photoaging. Get into the habit of applying sun protection, even and especially on your travel day, before you get on the plane, because you will be closer to the sun's ultraviolet rays!

Antioxidants

Feed your skin with antioxidants and hydrate your skin!

The best way to counter the drying air during a flight is to drink plenty of water, at least 2 liters a day. If you stay hydrated internally, you will retain hydration externally! Snacking on nuts like almonds or avocado will also combat dryness. 

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables while traveling. These contain powerful antioxidants that help protect your skin from cellular damage caused by free radicals. A green powder that contains spirulina will also feed you with essential nutrients and amino acids and aid in removal of toxins from the body.  

I recommend using an Antioxidant Serum or a Vitamin Rich Cream  while traveling to replenish and protect your skin. 

Flying depletes your body of zinc which is vital for collagen production, so you could snack on pumpkin seeds during your flight.

You can still take great care of your skin while traveling!

Make yourself a packing list and think which products you will realistically use and whether it will make a difference to your skin. Remember, you can pack some samples or travel size products.

If you won’t use it and it won’t help you, leave it at home!