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Masks are starting to come off, places are opening back up, and summertime is in session– that means one thing: it’s time for vacation! But for those of us with a face full of pimples, we may not know how to properly care for our skin while on the go.
Traveling in and of itself is stressful, and during the warm summer months, it’s even more so with heat, humidity, and sweat. If you suffer from acne, the thought of traveling and going on vacation can seem even more daunting.
With acne, the skin is already inflamed and prone to irritation. Unfortunately, being in different climates can only exacerbate it. Many of us will experience irritated skin, eczema, and pimples long after our trip is over.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be as difficult as it may seem if you already have the right skincare routine in place. With a couple of travel tips and tricks in your repertoire, you can go on vacation and actually relax.
Taking care of your skin while you're traveling isn’t as difficult as you may think. For the most part, you should be able to follow your normal skin care routine.
If you use a lot of products, keep it simple. Don’t fall into the trap of taking too many products when you travel. Stick to the essentials: cleanser, spot treatment or serum, and a moisturizer.
Only bring along products that you’ve already used on your skin. There’s nothing worse than having an allergic reaction to a new product while you’re away from home!
Before packing your bag, ask yourself this: how will you be traveling? Will you be going by plane, or taking a long voyage in a car? Either way, traveling can put undue stress on your skin. Depending on how you’ll be traveling there are some small changes you may want to make.
Taking a trip in an airplane can be fun, but it can also wreak havoc on our face. High altitudes and cabin pressure create a dry environment that leads to dehydration. Pair this with dirty cabin air and you have the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that causes acne. Before flying, prep your skin with a good moisturizer that’s acne-friendly, and be sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
If you’re traveling by car for long periods, your skin will be prone to UV exposure and environmental stressors. Be sure to wear sunscreen and reapply throughout your trip. Riding in a car can also make you feel like you're trapped inside of a stale bubble, so it’s important to thoroughly cleanse your face when the ride is over.
Will you be traveling to the beach where it’s humid and hot? Be prepared to use lighter products that won’t weigh your skin down. The humid environment can lead to buildup and congestion in the pores, creating breakouts and blackheads.
Prepare for your beach trip by bringing non-comedogenic skincare products. Products that are labeled non-comedogenic simply mean they don’t have ingredients known to clog the pores. Avoid heavy serums and oils, as these are commonly known to cause buildup and make the skin feel heavy.
For a cleanser, opt for something that says purifying. This will properly cleanse your face of any dirt, oil, and buildup that collects in hot climates. Follow up with your regular acne spot treatment or serum, and then finish with a light moisturizing gel or lotion.
If you’re traveling to a colder climate like the mountains or somewhere north, you’ll want to bring along skincare products that offer moisture. Chances are your skin will need some extra hydration, so take a gentle cleanser and a moisturizing cream marketed for acne-prone skin.
If you’re flying and unable to check a bag, then you’ll have to be sure to pack everything in a carry-on that’s TSA-approved. The TSA rules allow you to take bottles of 3oz or less of liquids and gels that can fit into one quart-sized ziplock bag, with one bag allowed per passenger.
It can be tough to fit everything into a TSA-approved bag. The easiest way to stay TSA compliant and still have all your favorites is to buy travel-sized versions of your skin care products. If you can’t find them, you can always make your own by putting some of the product into smaller containers to bring with you.
If you’re driving, the same principles as flying apply– pack light! Make things easier on yourself by bringing smaller sizes of your skin care products.
Wearing sunscreen should go without saying, and just about everyone knows to wear sun protection while they’re outside. But did you know your skin can still suffer from sun damage while traveling inside of a car or plane?
Wearing sunscreen when you suffer from acne is just as important as using an acne treatment itself. When your skin isn’t properly protected against the sun’s UV rays, inflammation resulting in further acne and scarring can occur.
Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50, and make sure to reapply every 90 minutes that you’re exposed to the sun for adequate protection.
You may have a collection of face masks, serums, and spot treatments at home, but you can leave those skin care products you use on an as-needed basis behind. This includes weekly treatments as well. While they’re beneficial to clearing acne, you don’t want to overcomplicate your trip. Don’t worry, that fancy sheet mask will be waiting for you when you get home!
Face scrubs, cleansing brushes, and other facial devices can stay at home, too. If you’re in dire need of exfoliation, a soft washcloth works wonders to slough off the dead skin cells and gently scrub the face of buildup.
If you have acne, you’re most likely already using products that target breakouts and pimples. This can be face washes, toners, serums and treatments, and moisturizers. But what about using a product that fights acne where it starts?
Breakouts are largely caused by a hormonal imbalance, which means they start from within the body. When our hormones are off track, the sebaceous glands are impacted, leading to an overproduction of oil that shows up on the surface of our skin, forming pimples.
AcnEase is a daily supplement that treats current outbreaks and prevents new ones from forming. Its highly effective acne-fighting formula works to counter this imbalance and keep the sebaceous glands that get clogged in check.
For travel, AcnEase is the ideal acne treatment to pack in your overnight bag. It’s a small tablet, much like a vitamin. Pack as many as you’ll need for however long you’ll be traveling and be at ease your body will be fighting against the formation of acne.