Okay, so let’s talk about why our skin barrier might get compromised during travel, especially on long international flights:

1. Dehydration from Dry Air

Airplanes have very low humidity, which can dehydrate your skin. The lack of moisture in the air strips your skin of its natural hydration— making it feel dry, tight, and uncomfortable. This can weaken the skin barrier and leave it more prone to irritation.

Tip: Pack a skincare savior kit in your carry-on to treat your skin during the flight. A little treatment can go a long way and keep your skin healthy while traveling. Here are a few of my personal travel skincare favorites that are quick and easy to use:

- Lipid Recovery Mask
- Total Eye® Hydrogel Treatment Mask
- Hydrating Mist

2. Environmental Changes

Traveling to different climates can trigger a shift in temperature and humidity, which your skin may not be used to.

Cold, dry climates can rob your skin of moisture, leading to flakiness and irritation.

The worst thing about cold environments isn’t just the dryness on your face, but also the chapped lips, crusty hands, and ashy legs. Let me tell you… YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Here are some of my personal travel skincare favorites that will help leave your “crusty dusties” behind:

- BIO Lip Factor - I like to call this my ‘boujee medical grade lip gloss’. It also tastes like a starburst- who doesn't love that! 
- Cell Protection Balm - For those who get extremely dry hands to the point of bleeding, this is like a medical grade Aquaphor with reparative healing benefits. 
- Lira Body Silk Souffle - A rich body butter that will protect and hydrate the entire body, all while smelling like a tropical vacation. If you prefer oils or like to layer for added moisture, I recommend the Lira Nourishing Body Oil.

Hot, humid climates can cause excess oil production and clogged pores, resulting in breakouts or congestion.

For my acne-prone skin types, if you really want to keep your skin under control, I highly recommend packing your Omnilux Clear LED Mask. Just ten minutes a day can help fight acne-causing bacteria.

Sun exposure, especially on a sunny vacation, can damage your skin’s protective barrier— causing dryness, a sunburn, and premature aging. The only sunscreen I swear by and recommend to all my clients is by Colorescience. It provides comprehensive protection against UVA/UVB, pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation— plus it can double as your makeup! Travel lighter by using Colorescience’s sunscreen for both skincare and a flawless look. 





















3. Stress and Disruption of Routine

Travel often brings changes to your sleep schedule, diet, and hydration— which can trigger stress responses in the body. This stress can manifest as increased skin sensitivity or conditions like breakouts or redness. Additionally, sticking to a consistent skincare routine might be challenging on the go- further stressing your skin.

4. Exposure to Pollutants

When traveling to bustling cities or industrial areas, your skin might get up close and personal with pollutants that can wreak havoc on your skin barrier. These pesky toxins can strip your skin’s ability to hold onto moisture and defend against environmental stressors, leaving you with dryness, irritation, and exposure. Enter Colorescience SPF—your skin’s superhero against all those nasty pollutants! Here’s the kicker: reapplying sunscreen is a must—yes, even over makeup. That’s where the Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield SPF 50 comes in. It’s travel-friendly, mess-free, and ready to keep your skin protected while you roam the world.

5. Use of Harsh Products or Lack of Skincare

Travel-friendly skincare products might not always be as hydrating or suitable for your skin type, leading to dryness. Sometimes when traveling, we switch to products that are too harsh, or the carry-on-sized versions— which don’t have the same hydrating properties as your usual products at home. This is why I always recommend the Epicutis Post-Procedure Kits to my clients, they last 2 weeks, are TSA-friendly, and provide a minimal skincare routine that is effective for all skin types. 

Additional Resources for Travelers:

Now that you have your travel skincare routine taken care of, you need the plans to follow! I’m always looking for new places to visit, and with the help of travel consultations, such as FairBreeze’s, I am able to plan a trip with ease. FairBreeze offers a travel consultation which is designed to help uncover the travel style that best suits you—whether you’re going on a girl's trip or flying solo. You'll get personalized recommendations on dream destinations, trip styles that best align with your personality, and more. Plus, I've partnered with FairBreeze to provide you with a FREE Travel Personality Assessment! Book your consultation here.

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Have you ever returned from an amazing vacation only to find that your skin is in complete disarray?  All the dedication you put into your skincare routine at home, and those monthly treatments before your trip, vanished overnight. Don’t panic! As a licensed esthetician, I’ve got you covered. Here are my favorite tips to keep your skincare game strong throughout your travels, so you can return as a glowing goddess with a healthy and happy skin barrier.

And there you have it—traveling doesn’t have to mean leaving your skincare routine in the dust. With the right tools in your arsenal and a little extra skin TLC, you can keep your glow alive— even in the midst of long flights, changing climates, and the hustle and bustle of exploring new places. So, next time you pack your bags, don’t forget to pack your skincare saviors too. Because let’s be real—who wants to come back from a vacation feeling like they’ve aged five years in five days? Not you, glowing goddess! ✨ Safe travels and keep that skin fabulous! 🌍🧴

Check out my non-makeup, "makeup" look below, created with just Colorescience sunscreen: