How to Manage Your Skin Care Routine on the Road

Traveling can be tough on skin. Long days, foreign climates, and close quarters can throw your body’s largest organ for a loop, which makes it even more imperative to have the right arsenal in tow. If your morning and nightly ritual has no less than 15 steps each, you’ll likely be paring it down a bit while traveling. But don’t disregard your skin care all together! Ahead, we’re sharing helpful tips on how to manage your skin routine while on the road—plus, the products you should never leave home without. Because being on-the-move is no excuse for lousy skin.

PACK LIGHT BUT RIGHT

Whether it’s for work or pleasure, stepping out of your usual routine—and into a packed car or SUV—can make your skin act out. But if you’re prepared for the worst, even the worst case scenario won’t be too bad. It’s simple: Be smart about what you pack. Nobody wants to travel with the girl who stuffed her entire beauty arsenal into a knapsack that weighs as much as bricks. To cut down on space and weight, opt for multi-purpose skin care products. If you’re packing moisturizer (P.S.—you should!), make sure it is formulated with SPF (a daily must!) so it’s one less essential to bring along. Pick a cleanser that can remove makeup and tone skin at the same time, a facial serum that hydrates lips, a BB cream that conceals and perfects, and so forth.

SAVE SPACE WITH TRAVEL-SIZED ITEMS

One of the more obvious things to consider ahead of a trip is space—or lack thereof—so it’s a smart idea to size down. You likely won’t need every last drop of your oversized cleanser or bulky moisturizer, so there’s two options to consider. Option #1: Buy small 3 oz. bottles and transfer a bit of cleanser, moisturizer, SPF, etc. into each. This way, you’ll only travel with the amount of product you need for the duration of the trip. Option #2: There are no TSA regulations for carry-on beauty items while in a car, but why not pretend like there are? Only pack travel-sized items that would pass through the (imaginary) checkpoint. If you don’t want to spend money on itty bitty beauty items you already own, option #1 might be your best bet. Either way, you’ll be grateful not to share your limited leg room with a boatload of products—trust us. 

Not sure what skin care items to pack along with you? Don’t fret. We’re sharing the pint-sized beauty essentials that should certainly make the cut, below!

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…

Moisturizer/Serum With SPF: All skin needs hydration daily as well as SPF protection, so why not kill two birds with one stone? La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX hydrates skin and protects it thanks to broad-spectrum SPF 50 and a potent complex of antioxidants.

Micellar Water: Not only is micellar water the ultimate multi-tasker, it requires 0 rinsing making it one of the most practical options for cleansing on-the-go. La Roche-Posay Micellar Water (100ML) features dirt-encapsulating micelles that help trap and lift off dirt, oil, makeup, and pollution. All it takes is a few sweeps of a cotton pad!

Lip Balm: You can’t achieve complexion perfection with dry, flaky lips. Stow Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 in your purse (for easy access) to help hydrate lips. It takes up virtually no room and works like a charm.

Facial Mist: Face mist is a non-essential essential that makes all the difference when your skin is in need of a refreshing boost. Vichy Thermal Spa Water (50G) is formulated with 15 nourishing minerals and antioxidants that can help soothe and hydrate skin, reinforce its barrier function, and protect it against environmental assaults.

BB Cream: Take multi-tasking to the next level with Garnier 5-in-1 Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream. The moisturizing formula—infused with caffeine and vitamin C—renews, brightens, evens skin tone, hydrates, and protects skin with SPF 15. 

Sheet Mask: Ok ok, sheet masks are not essential per say, but they can revive your complexion while in a hot, stuffy car. Plus, unlike other face masks, they don’t require access to a sink. If you’re a passenger in the vehicle (do not sheet mask and drive, people!), apply Decleor Aurabsolu Instant Glow Hydrogel Mask and leave it on for 10 minutes. The result? Skin that looks even, radiant, plumped and well rested. Side note: It’ll make for a great selfie. 

Bon voyage!