Summer is in full swing, and the peak time to vacation is upon us. Travelling is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, studies show. But let’s be real: it can wreak havoc on your hygiene. Whether you’re packing for a vacation now, or finalizing plans to jet off in a few weeks, it’s important to think about how you’ll care for your skin while on-the-go.
The amount of product you’re able to bring with you will be limited by your suitcase size and the restrictions imposed by your mode of transport, meaning you may have to ditch specific products during your time away. This can throw your skin for a loop – if your face is used to a daily cleanser, moisturizer, and toner routine, then skipping one of these ingredients suddenly while abroad may confuse it.
Even if you do find a way to bring every product you need, there are external factors beyond your control that can give your skin a hard time. If the climate of your destination is drastically different from what you’re used to at home, this may bring out symptoms you don’t expect –anything from humidity to temperature to levels of pollution in the air can all cause breakouts. You’re probably eating differently than you would at home, based on local cuisine and what’s available around you, and the change in your diet could prompt breakouts, especially if you’re consuming more refined sugars than you normally do. Finally, if you’re travelling to a different time zone, losing sleep can lead to major epidermal pain. Sleep is essential to the functioning of every system and organ in your body, including your epidermis; if your regular sleep patterns are interrupted by, say, jetlag, your skin cells miss the chance to regenerate and your body will release higher levels of stress hormones just to survive. This can lead to major breakouts.
While all of this may sound scary, protecting your skin from travel-related stresses can be easy with a few of Bartholomew Sisters’ tried-and-true tricks. Combat jet lag and its effects by orienting yourself to your new time zone; ignore the impulse to nap mid-day, and try to get yourself on a regular sleep schedule as soon as possible, so you can sleep through the night and give your skin the time it needs to refresh. Stay hydrated throughout your trip to allow your body to cleanse the skin of toxins (this is especially easy to forget if you’re somewhere with tap water that’s unsafe to drink, so stock up on bottles, you’ll thank yourself later.)
Most importantly, pick the products you’re packing wisely. If you’re going somewhere sunny, you may want to prioritize an SPF moisturizer over a toner or exfoliating scrub that may dry out your skin. If you’re going somewhere humid, your skin may excrete more sebum than normal, so bring a good cleanser and an oil-free moisturizer.
With a bit of planning, you can protect your skin from whatever your next big trip throws at it. Happy travels!
