What Does a Dermatologist Take When Travelling?
Expert Tips for Keeping Your Skin Healthy and Radiant on the Go
Q: Why is it important to bring your own skincare products when travelling?
A: Hotel-provided body cleansers and hair care products are often highly fragranced and harsh. This can be particularly problematic when travelling, as both you and your skin are more likely to be dehydrated due to changes in climate, air travel, and environmental exposure. Using products with harsh chemicals can strip away moisture and compromise your skin’s protective barrier, leading to irritation and sensitivity.
Q: What type of cleanser do you recommend for travel?
A: I always travel with a cream cleanser that not only cleans effectively but also helps replace lost moisture and supports skin repair and recovery. Look for one containing:
- Ceramides: To strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture.
- Glycerin: A humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated.
- Gentle emulsifying agents: These cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils, ensuring effective removal of surface build-up and dirt.
This type of cleanser is ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin and helps maintain a healthy and balanced skin barrier while on the go.
Q: How do you protect your skin from UV exposure and environmental stress when traveling?
A: When traveling, your skin is exposed to more than just UV rays. Pollution and even cosmic radiation from flying at high altitudes can damage the skin. To protect against these harmful effects, I use:
- An antioxidant serum with Vitamin C: This neutralizes free radicals caused by UV exposure and pollution while brightening and evening out skin tone.
- A UV protective day cream with Niacinamide: This not only offers broad-spectrum sun protection but also enhances the skin’s barrier function, reduces skin irritation, and improves overall skin texture.
Applying a tested and proven antioxidant serum under a UV-protective day cream creates a powerful defense against environmental damage.
Q: Do you recommend any specific products for tired-looking eyes?
A: Absolutely! Traveling can lead to puffiness and dark circles due to lack of sleep, changes in time zones, or dehydration. I always pack:
- An eye cream with caffeine: Caffeine helps constrict blood vessels, reducing puffiness and dark circles.
- Proxylane: This ingredient is effective for minimizing the appearance of fine lines and improving skin elasticity.
This combination revitalizes tired-looking eyes and keeps them looking fresh, even after long flights.
Q: Can you still use active skincare ingredients while travelling?
A: Yes! Just because you’re travelling doesn’t mean you should skip your active ingredients. I continue to use:
- A retinoid: To promote cell turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation.
- A correcting serum with a mix of fruit acids: These work synergistically to gently exfoliate, brighten, and smooth the skin.
However, I pair these with skin-repairing and restoring ingredients that provide essential fatty acids, ceramides and other beneficial agents to protect against irritation and support the skin’s barrier function. This combination maintains a balanced approach, allowing for effective treatment without over-exfoliation or irritation while travelling.
Q: What about sun protection?
A: Never travel without both a day cream with UV protection and a waterproof sunscreen. You don’t want to be caught out in the sun unprotected! Make sure to:
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when exposed to the sun.
- Choose a waterproof sunscreen if you plan on swimming or sweating.
- Opt for a broad-spectrum SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
This will prevent sunburn, premature aging, and long-term skin damage, ensuring your skin stays healthy and radiant throughout your travels.
Travel Tip: Remember to pack travel-sized versions of your products to save space and comply with airline liquid restrictions.
Final Thoughts:
Traveling can be harsh on your skin, but with the right products and routine, you can maintain healthy, radiant skin wherever you go. By choosing gentle, hydrating cleansers, antioxidant protection, active ingredients for repair, and always staying sun-safe, you can keep your skin looking its best, even on the road.
Ready to get your travel skincare essentials? Contact us today for a personalized skincare consultation and product recommendations tailored to your skin type and travel needs.
