The Traveling Girl’s Guide to Essential Skincare
By Wander Beauty | Aug 24, 2022
Whether for work or pleasure, traveling can, amid all the excitement, be extremely stressful. From packing and long flights, to jet lag and weather changes, travel can interfere with your body's equilibrium, and your skin is one of the places this might show up.
Of course, these factors should never deter you from seeing the world, and there are ways to care for your body and help your skin adapt to new environments so that you can enjoy your travels and focus on what matters. We’re taking a look at how travel can affect your skin, as well as essential skincare tips and products to keep you looking and feeling your best – wherever you wander.
Essential skincare products
Size is a consideration when packing for travels, which is why you’ll find a travel-sized version of all your skincare essentials in our Mini Must-Haves catalog. From daily cleansing and hydration to weekly treatments, here are the most essential skincare products to use when traveling.
Cleanser:
Wash your face morning and evening to unclog pores, clear toxins, and remove makeup. The Drift Away™ Cleanser is suitable for all skin types and nourishes and revitalizes the skin in just one step.<product>1</product>
Moisturizer:
Keep your skin hydrated and balanced with a high-quality moisturizer. Our Dive In™ Moisturizer provides up to 72 hours of deep hydration, plumping, and toning the skin with its fast-absorbing formula.<product>2</product>
Sunscreen:
Mineral sunscreens provide hours of protection without any irritating chemical ingredients. The Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 is a lightweight formula that acts as a primer when worn underneath makeup and can be reapplied throughout the day.<product>3</product>
Hair and body wash:
Keep things simple with a 2-in-1 hair and body wash formula. You’ll find everything you need in Wander Beauty’s Good to Go Mini Hair & Body Kit.<product>4</product>
Masks and treatment serums:
Treat your skin once a week when traveling. This step will be specialized to your specific needs. Luckily, you’ll find everything you need in our award-winning beauty products. Reinvigorate dull skin with the berry delicious Lift Off Brightening and Purifying Mask, or de-puff and brighten the under-eye area with our easy-to-carry Baggage Claim™ Eye Mask.<product>5,6</product>
Potential effects of traveling on your skin
A summer vacation conjures up images of sun-kissed skin, wavy hair, and the radiant glow that comes from deep relaxation and having fun. However, traveling itself isn't always as glamorous, with a number of factors influencing the way we look and feel.
All travel methods, including planes, trains, and cars, involve artificial air circulation systems which expose your skin to dry heating and cooling methods that can result in a loss of moisture. Air travel has been found to be particularly dehydrating, with humidity levels dropping by 10 to 30%. This can lead to dull-looking skin, which enhances the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and may cause an overproduction of oils in an attempt to compensate for the dry environment. Low air pressure also leads to jet lag and tired-looking skin, and the lack of movement can cause water retention, leaving you looking puffy and feeling dehydrated.
Stress is another contributing factor that's to be expected when traveling, with traffic jams, delayed flights, and language barriers ramping up your stress levels. High cortisol levels have been shown to increase your body's inflammatory response, exacerbating acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
Other factors that may affect your skin when traveling include weather conditions, sleep quality, and dietary changes. How do we deal with all of this? Let's find out.
Traveling skincare tips
1. Stay hydrated
Because of the dehydrating effects of traveling, it's especially important to stay hydrated, both during travels and when on vacation, to ensure your skin is properly taken care of.
This means drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day, consuming water-rich foods such as juicy fruit, cucumber, tomatoes, and other hydrating vegetables, and being aware of the dehydrating effects of caffeine and alcohol, making sure not to over-do it, especially while flying. When traveling, we recommend packing an empty reusable water bottle that you can refill after going through security.
2. Adopt an essential skincare routine
The best skincare routine to adopt when traveling is one that is simple, quick, and easy to follow and focuses on the three essentials: cleanse, moisturize, and protect. Every morning and evening, you should wash and moisturize your face, and sunscreen should be applied throughout the day. While your normal routine may involve a few more steps, traveling could limit the time you have available, as well as how many products you’ve got with you. We recommend keeping to the basics and implementing your more specialized products once a week, dedicating some time to your skincare with a mask or treatment focused on your skin's specific needs.
If you've got a long flight and layover, be sure to pack your most essential skincare products in your carry-on so that you can wash and moisturize your face, apply sunscreen, and brush your teeth and hair as necessary.
3. Don't forget the sunscreen
Whether your travels involve skiing, sunbathing, or office meetings: sunscreen is always a must. Experts suggest wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This should be applied to your body and face, making sure not to forget any exposed areas such as your hands, feet, or neck. While moisturizers and foundation makeup that contain SPF ingredients are a great option, you’ll need to carry a dedicated sunscreen with you to reapply every two hours throughout the day.
4. Consider travel restrictions
Airplane rules and regulations need to be considered when packing for your travels. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
Larger cosmetic products may be packed into your checked bag, but you should opt for travel-sized skincare products where possible. A clear cosmetics bag, such as the Wander Around Travel Bag, will prove super helpful when you need quick access to your essentials.<product>7</product>
5. Keep it healthy
They say you are what you eat, and if anything can prove that, it's your skin. While a little indulgence is part of the holiday fun, too much alcohol, greasy food, and sodium can result in puffiness and breakouts. When traveling, you’ll want to find a healthy balance. Adding fruit, vegetables, freshly pressed juices, and salads to your diet will help you look and feel your best. If possible, try to get some exercise too – sightseeing on foot, doing bicycle rides and hikes, or attending a few yoga classes will all improve blood circulation and help deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin for a glowing complexion.
Glow wherever you go with Wander Beauty
Once your skin is healthy, hydrated, and glowing with our natural skincare tips, you might not even feel the need for makeup! If you'd like to go for a natural look, however, opt for duo products such as the Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, to save on space without compromising on quality.<product>8</product>
With Wander Beauty, you don't need to choose.
The Traveling Girl’s Guide to Essential Skincare
Whether for work or pleasure, traveling can, amid all the excitement, be extremely stressful. From packing and long flights, to jet lag and weather changes, travel can interfere with your body's equilibrium, and your skin is one of the places this might show up.
Of course, these factors should never deter you from seeing the world, and there are ways to care for your body and help your skin adapt to new environments so that you can enjoy your travels and focus on what matters. We’re taking a look at how travel can affect your skin, as well as essential skincare tips and products to keep you looking and feeling your best – wherever you wander.
Essential skincare products
Size is a consideration when packing for travels, which is why you’ll find a travel-sized version of all your skincare essentials in our Mini Must-Haves catalog. From daily cleansing and hydration to weekly treatments, here are the most essential skincare products to use when traveling.
Cleanser:
Wash your face morning and evening to unclog pores, clear toxins, and remove makeup. The Drift Away™ Cleanser is suitable for all skin types and nourishes and revitalizes the skin in just one step.<product>1</product>
Moisturizer:
Keep your skin hydrated and balanced with a high-quality moisturizer. Our Dive In™ Moisturizer provides up to 72 hours of deep hydration, plumping, and toning the skin with its fast-absorbing formula.<product>2</product>
Sunscreen:
Mineral sunscreens provide hours of protection without any irritating chemical ingredients. The Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 is a lightweight formula that acts as a primer when worn underneath makeup and can be reapplied throughout the day.<product>3</product>
Hair and body wash:
Keep things simple with a 2-in-1 hair and body wash formula. You’ll find everything you need in Wander Beauty’s Good to Go Mini Hair & Body Kit.<product>4</product>
Masks and treatment serums:
Treat your skin once a week when traveling. This step will be specialized to your specific needs. Luckily, you’ll find everything you need in our award-winning beauty products. Reinvigorate dull skin with the berry delicious Lift Off Brightening and Purifying Mask, or de-puff and brighten the under-eye area with our easy-to-carry Baggage Claim™ Eye Mask.<product>5,6</product>
Potential effects of traveling on your skin
A summer vacation conjures up images of sun-kissed skin, wavy hair, and the radiant glow that comes from deep relaxation and having fun. However, traveling itself isn't always as glamorous, with a number of factors influencing the way we look and feel.
All travel methods, including planes, trains, and cars, involve artificial air circulation systems which expose your skin to dry heating and cooling methods that can result in a loss of moisture. Air travel has been found to be particularly dehydrating, with humidity levels dropping by 10 to 30%. This can lead to dull-looking skin, which enhances the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and may cause an overproduction of oils in an attempt to compensate for the dry environment. Low air pressure also leads to jet lag and tired-looking skin, and the lack of movement can cause water retention, leaving you looking puffy and feeling dehydrated.
Stress is another contributing factor that's to be expected when traveling, with traffic jams, delayed flights, and language barriers ramping up your stress levels. High cortisol levels have been shown to increase your body's inflammatory response, exacerbating acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
Other factors that may affect your skin when traveling include weather conditions, sleep quality, and dietary changes. How do we deal with all of this? Let's find out.
Traveling skincare tips
1. Stay hydrated
Because of the dehydrating effects of traveling, it's especially important to stay hydrated, both during travels and when on vacation, to ensure your skin is properly taken care of.
This means drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day, consuming water-rich foods such as juicy fruit, cucumber, tomatoes, and other hydrating vegetables, and being aware of the dehydrating effects of caffeine and alcohol, making sure not to over-do it, especially while flying. When traveling, we recommend packing an empty reusable water bottle that you can refill after going through security.
2. Adopt an essential skincare routine
The best skincare routine to adopt when traveling is one that is simple, quick, and easy to follow and focuses on the three essentials: cleanse, moisturize, and protect. Every morning and evening, you should wash and moisturize your face, and sunscreen should be applied throughout the day. While your normal routine may involve a few more steps, traveling could limit the time you have available, as well as how many products you’ve got with you. We recommend keeping to the basics and implementing your more specialized products once a week, dedicating some time to your skincare with a mask or treatment focused on your skin's specific needs.
If you've got a long flight and layover, be sure to pack your most essential skincare products in your carry-on so that you can wash and moisturize your face, apply sunscreen, and brush your teeth and hair as necessary.
3. Don't forget the sunscreen
Whether your travels involve skiing, sunbathing, or office meetings: sunscreen is always a must. Experts suggest wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This should be applied to your body and face, making sure not to forget any exposed areas such as your hands, feet, or neck. While moisturizers and foundation makeup that contain SPF ingredients are a great option, you’ll need to carry a dedicated sunscreen with you to reapply every two hours throughout the day.
4. Consider travel restrictions
Airplane rules and regulations need to be considered when packing for your travels. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
Larger cosmetic products may be packed into your checked bag, but you should opt for travel-sized skincare products where possible. A clear cosmetics bag, such as the Wander Around Travel Bag, will prove super helpful when you need quick access to your essentials.<product>7</product>
5. Keep it healthy
They say you are what you eat, and if anything can prove that, it's your skin. While a little indulgence is part of the holiday fun, too much alcohol, greasy food, and sodium can result in puffiness and breakouts. When traveling, you’ll want to find a healthy balance. Adding fruit, vegetables, freshly pressed juices, and salads to your diet will help you look and feel your best. If possible, try to get some exercise too – sightseeing on foot, doing bicycle rides and hikes, or attending a few yoga classes will all improve blood circulation and help deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin for a glowing complexion.
Glow wherever you go with Wander Beauty
Once your skin is healthy, hydrated, and glowing with our natural skincare tips, you might not even feel the need for makeup! If you'd like to go for a natural look, however, opt for duo products such as the Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, to save on space without compromising on quality.<product>8</product>
With Wander Beauty, you don't need to choose.
