Traveling is fun until your skin decides to protest.
Your sleep schedule is wrecked, you’re eating weird food at random hours, and the cabin air feels like it’s trying to suck every drop of moisture out of your face.
Suddenly you’re breaking out, your skin looks dull, and your under-eyes are screaming for help.
We’ve all been there.
I’ve made every skincare mistake while traveling, but after years of trial and error, I finally figured out what actually works.
Here are my top 10 skincare and beauty tips to keep your skin happy no matter where you’re headed.
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Yeah, you’re already packing a toilet kit with anything you need skincare-wise in your carry-on.
But what happens when they make you check your carry-on or you’re locked in your seat by some snoring guy and your carry-on is in the overhead compartment?
Enter my secret weapon, an “everything” balm.
It’s not going to help with anti-aging or anything, but it will soothe your dry lips, dry skin, irritation, hair frizz, or whatever you need at the moment.
True Botanicals sent me this everything balm a few years ago and it has been a total lifesaver since.
I just throw it in my pocket or bag that goes under the seat in front of me so I can grab it anytime.
Any old balm will do, but I really like this one because it melts into my skin quickly and provides instant relief without any greasy residue.
Side note, I’ve tried a bunch of stuff from True Botanicals and have exactly 0 complaints. Everything is great, Radiance Oil is my favorite though!
Salicylic acid will help keep your pores clear, and the idea is that hopefully, we’ll prevent any breakouts from forming in the first place instead of treating them after they occur.
A good BHA product will also have hydrating and antioxidant ingredients so you don’t have to use a thousand different products.
5. Fast Instead of Indulging in Junk
I wish someone would have told me this years ago, travel doesn’t make you hungry, it makes you dehydrated.
Which screws up your hunger signals and makes you eat the junk at the airport that’s packed with acne triggers.
Sugar, tons of fried foods, alcohol, etc.
Do yourself a favor, if you can’t pack your own food, just fast when you’re traveling until you get to your destination.
You can load up on water with magnesium and sea salt instead until you get somewhere you can make good food choices.
It’ll keep you healthy, prevent any digestion issues, and keep your skin clear too.
6. Prepare for Beauty Sleep
Do yourself a favor and pack a sleeping mask, earplanes, and mouth tape.
This is my secret to finally being able to sleep on planes without being afraid of snoring.
Aaand I’m technically counting it as a skincare tip because proper sleep will help more with dark circles than any eye cream.
It doesn’t just mask oil like most dry shampoos, it actually cleans your hair by absorbing oil, sweat, and odor while adding a little texture and body.
It has a light, clean scent that lasts all day and gives your hair that “just washed” feel without the time or the hotel shower drama.
The 2.4 oz size is perfect for travel and easy to throw in your carry-on.
A few small habits, like double cleansing, staying hydrated, and getting real sleep, can make a huge difference in how you look and feel when you land.
You don’t need to pack a ton of products or follow a complicated routine.
Just bring the basics that work for you and take a little time to care for yourself.
When you do, you’ll step off the plane feeling clean, calm, and ready for anything.
