Holidays! Who doesn't love a getaway, whether it's a weekend trip to break the winter blues, a much-needed family get-together, or even a work trip to a new destination, or a long-awaited journey to some faraway destination, the sudden change in location, weather and routine can turn your skincare ritual and other lifestyle habits upside down.
When we travel, we're often tempted to keep things simple, including our skincare routine, only to find a few days into our trip, our skin isn't coping as well as we expected. Before you know it, that fresh, dewy glow has been replaced with dryness, dullness, sensitivity or the odd breakout.
So, how do we manage the various stressors of travel, both positive and negative, while ensuring our skin remains healthy and radiant? The key lies in striking a balance between enjoying the journey and caring for ourselves, including our skin.
Being on holiday or travelling doesn't mean a break from our usual skincare routine. Does it? We think not, but we also want to keep things simple.
So how do we find the sweet spot between simplicity and keeping our glow going, no matter where in the world we are?
Travelling can disrupt your skin's natural balance, leading to dryness, dullness, and even breakouts, but with the right approach, you can maintain a healthy glow. The key is understanding the unique challenges travel presents and adapting your skincare routine to meet those needs.
If we first look at why our skin loses its lustre while travelling, we can address the issues and take steps to prepare our skin to maintain its radiant vitality.
Why travel can throw your skin and health off course.
Low humidity conditions, such as the dry air on planes, are notorious for sucking moisture right out of your skin. Low humidity leaves your skin feeling tight, dry and irritated. When your skin barrier is compromised like this, it becomes more prone to sensitivity and redness, making your complexion look less than glowing.
A lack of movement on long flights means hours of sitting and slows down circulation. This can lead to puffiness in the legs, feet, and face, as well as tight, dehydrated skin. Not only will you look and feel puffy, but when your blood flow is sluggish, your skin isn’t getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay looking healthy, vibrant and hydrated.
Dry cabin air and pressure changes can lead to fluid retention as your body tries to maintain its water balance. Cabin pressure fluctuations can also cause blood vessels to expand, making it harder for your body to circulate fluids effectively. This can lead to puffiness, especially around your eyes and face, where the skin is more delicate. While your body struggles with these changes, the puffiness isn't the look most of us are after!
If you're travelling to a sunny destination, all that extra sun exposure can increase your risk of sunburn and accelerate skin ageing. While opting for a holiday tan might be tempting, even a few hours outside without proper sun protection can lead to unexpected sunburn and long-term damage to the skin, which can show up as red, rough, uneven skin texture and dark patches of pigment.
Heading to a winter wonderland? Cold air can strip your skin of natural oils, leading to dry, flaky patches and increased redness. Combine this with increased indoor heating, and your skin's moisture levels can plummet even more, leaving it dehydrated, sensitive and less radiant.
Travel can be stressful, and while holidays are exciting, they can also be overwhelming at times—think flight delays, navigating new environments, or just the change in routine. Stress can trigger an increase in the hormone cortisol, weakening the skin's barrier and leaving it more prone to breakouts, dehydration, irritation, and sensitivity. It's a cascade of skin issues that leaves your skin tired and dull when you want to feel refreshed and radiant.
A disrupted routine during travel also means a break in your usual skincare routine. Between time zone changes, busy schedules, and limited packing space, it's easy to skip essential steps. This inconsistency can throw your skin off balance, leading to breakouts, dryness, or a general lack of lustre.
Together, all these challenges can make your skin look tired and stressed, but with a bit of planning, you can stay ahead of the game, keep your glow intact and breeze through your next trip away!
Top tips for a travel-ready glow
Packing skin smart means not letting travel disrupt your skincare routine. Packing travel-sized skincare essentials, such as a gentle cleanser, hydrating serums and moisturisers, and broad-spectrum sun protection, ensures you're not skipping essential steps, even when packing light. At Aesthetics Rx®, we offer travel-friendly sets perfect for maintaining your glow while on the go.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate because flights and seasonal changes can dehydrate your skin, so hydration should be a top priority. It's more than just drinking water—consider adding electrolytes to your water to help your body absorb fluids more effectively. You might also like to incorporate water-rich foods like cucumbers or oranges to boost your hydration levels.
Don't forget your sun protection no matter your destination—whether it's a sunny beach or a snowy mountain. UV rays can damage your skin even in colder climates or overcast days, so pack a high-performing broad-spectrum sunscreen like our Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 50+ to protect your skin from sunburn and long term sun damage.
Keep your microbiome healthy, as travel can disrupt your skin's natural balance, especially with exposure to different climates and environments. Keeping your skin's microbiome healthy is essential to maintaining its resilience and glow. Products like our Microbiome Balancing Mist can help protect your skin's natural defences, reduce irritation, and keep your skin calm and comfortable, particularly during long-haul flights.
Support your immune system by preparing your body before you travel. Boost your immune system with a diet rich in colourful fruits and vegetables. Consider taking a multivitamin to help ward off any illnesses that can sneak up when you're on the move. Starting this routine before your trip will give your body the support it needs to stay strong and resilient.
Get travel ready by adding magnesium-rich foods into your daily routine. Magnesium helps regulate hydration, reduce fluid retention, and combat stress, which can contribute to breakouts, dull skin, and facial puffiness.
You can include magnesium in your diet with leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, and nuts, or consult a healthcare professional about taking a magnesium supplement. By supporting circulation and reducing fluid retention, magnesium helps maintain healthy-looking, glowing skin throughout your travels.
Stay committed to your skincare routine when travelling. Wherever you are, sticking to a simple but effective skincare routine will help you maintain that enviable "holiday glow." Whether you pack individual products or opt for one of our curated Aesthetic Rx® Travel Sets, keeping your skincare routine ensures your skin stays radiant no matter where your adventures take you.
The Glow You Give - Travel Set Box
Travel-approved for your glowiest complexion! We’ve got you covered with cleanser, exfoliation, boosting serums and moisturisation in handy travel sizes when you’re on the go.
Our Travel Set Box is complete with our best sellers and includes:
Revitalising Foaming Cleanser 30ml: Gentle enough to use twice daily on even the most sensitive skin, this gel-type foaming cleanser removes makeup, oil and pollution while soothing and moisturising the skin. With Aloe vera to calm redness, grapefruit and spearmint reinvigorate tight, dehydrated skin.
Biofermented Triple Action Scrub 30ml: A triple treat for dull skin. With three different exfoliating actions, each working at various epidermal depths. Be prepared for a radiant skin glow-up.
Daily Moisturiser Hydration 30ml: A light moisturising lotion with antioxidants that helps to shield against environmental stressors. Suitable for normal to dry skin types and dehydrated skin.
Vitamin B serum 15ml: Offers outstanding skin support and antioxidant protection. Our B Serum is a multi-action powerhouse. A blend of niacinamide (vitamin B3) and Panthenol (vitamin B5) visibly brightens, fortifying the skin barrier to protect and enhance skin hydration.
Vitamin A Serum 15ml: Formulated with the highest retinol (Vitamin A) concentration available without a prescription. This intensive treatment minimises the visibility of fine lines and dark spots to reveal a more clarified, vibrant, and youthful complexion.
The Glow You Give - Cosmetic Bag Set
Our Cosmetic Bag Set offers a simple 3-step routine featuring our best-selling products. This daytime routine is perfect for dry, dull, or dehydrated skin and is ideal when pigmentation is a concern. Suitable for all skin types, including combination skin, it’s not recommended for skin experiencing persistent breakouts.
Our Cosmetic Bag Set includes:
Revitalising Foaming Cleanser 125ml: Gentle enough to use twice daily on even the most sensitive skin, this gel-type foaming cleanser removes makeup, oil and pollution while soothing and moisturising the skin. With Aloe vera to calm redness, grapefruit and spearmint reinvigorate tight, dehydrated skin.
Vitamin C Serum 30ml: Eliminate and repair the visible signs of ageing caused by the sun and harsh environmental factors with our C Serum. Our Vitamin C Serum utilises a unique combination of three potent antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid, to help visibly brighten skin and fight the appearance of signs of ageing.
Daily Moisturiser hydration 50ml: A light moisturising lotion with antioxidants that helps to shield against environmental stressors. Suitable for normal to dry skin types and dehydrated skin.
Ready to Glow?
Wherever your travels take you, ensuring that your skin remains healthy and glowing doesn't have to be complicated. By packing skin smart, staying hydrated, and supporting your body with the right nutrients, you can enjoy your adventures while looking and feeling your best.
Give your skin the care it deserves on your next getaway with our Travel Set Box and Cosmetic Bag Set, your perfect companions to keep your glow going no matter where you are.
*These carefully curated sets are available for a limited time—don’t miss out while they’re still available in our online store.