With long weekends in May and summer holidays approaching, you may soon find yourself heading out on the open road. While I love to travel, I really don’t enjoy packing because it forces me to make hard choices if I want to stay within the weight requirements for baggage. Yes, there has been more than one repack scenario at an airline check-in desk during my life.
While choosing clothes is hard enough, whittling down my skincare and make-up items to something approaching reasonable always makes me fear that I will leave something important at home. To deal with this, I have constructed coping mechanisms that help me get ready for a trip. Read on if you want to learn more.
Replicate skincare in mini format
While travelling seems like it would be the perfect opportunity to try the various samples I've been collecting, I know that these are best for usage at home and instead stick to my regular routine.
When we travel, our skin can become easily irritated by any one or more of a number of variables: climate, diet, sleep, schedule. With so many changes on offer, it’s best not to add skincare as a option on the list. I stick with what I know works for my skin. The last thing I want when I’m away from home is an unexpected breakout or redness and sensitivity. So I only travel with items that are tried and true.
With a desire to travel light and those pesky liquid requirements on planes, I often feel challenged when I’m looking at my 500 ml bottle of whatever. Luckily, many brands now offer smaller sizes for trial and travel. Apparently, I have inherited my mother’s love of the miniatures, particularly if the item replicates the original bottle.
If I can’t find what I need, though, reusable bottles and containers sourced online provide the answer. These empties are perfect for decanting whatever I need to take with me. And because the transfer process can be tricky, mini funnels and pipettes are invaluable. I also label my products so I don’t grab toner when I want eye make-up remover. I do love my label maker!
Keep the routine basic
On more than one occasion, I have packed “treats” in my bag such as special bath salts or pedi exfoliating cream, only to return home with it unused. I’ve learned to be more realistic about what I will actually have time to use while I’m away. And when I find myself in need of TLC, I book a treatment locally.
De-puff and hydrate
While I don’t usually suffer from puffy eyes, air travel brings it out in me. To combat this, I take time to relax with a mask for the eyes. If I don’t have these to hand, a bit of ice wrapped in a flannel or washcloth or soaked in cold water also works.
Sheet masks are ideal to easily restore much needed moisture to the skin. Just 20 minutes or so lets the pre-treated form work its magic.
Create a dedicated travel kit
In my previous life, when I travelled a lot for business, I learned to keep my toiletries pre-packed. Instead of scrambling around, trying to decant what I needed, my bag of labelled and pre-filled bottles could be popped into my suitcase at any time.
And when I unpacked after each trip, I surveyed the bag and replenished or amended as needed. I also like to keep a dedicated brush kit and make-up bag, which again helps reduce the packing decisions I need to make.
These are the steps that help keep my skin happier and me less stressed during travel. For suggestions of how to baby your skin while on a plane, keep reading.
Top tips for air travel
Pre-flight check
Before I head to bed the night before departure, I exfoliate my skin and apply a hydrating mask. This helps put my skin in optimum form before I board the plane where the oxygen is limited and the atmosphere lacks the moisture we soak up while on the ground.
Skincare en route
Because I always check my bag, when a flight lasts 3 hours or more, I like to have a mini-skincare kit on the plane stocked with:
- serum or facial oil - under moisturiser to boost hydration and doubles as eye cream
- moisturiser - under overnight mask
- overnight mask - another hydration booster and please note, I’m talking about the clear kind here, not something that will turn me bright green
- sunscreen - plane travel brings us closer to the sun and yes, UVA rays penetrate the windows – you can’t be surprised it’s on my list
- eye drops - to combat irritation due dryness and small screens
- lip balm - my lips need frequent application, however serum or facial oil can be used instead
- hand cream – my hands dry out first so I keep them lubricated in flight with a lightly scented cream that gently freshens the air around me. Moisturiser can be used on digits if you prefer your products to multi-task.
No doubt you have heard lots of love for water spritzes. I personally haven’t used them, but if you are minded, bring one with you. I have an adorable mini size to try out next time I fly.
Break-up with your make-up
I also like to remove my make-up before I fly. I generally do this once I’ve gotten on the plane. Yes, the toilets are tiny, but this is one of the select occasions where I do use a facial wipe, which saves on space and avoids me getting drenched in transit. They're also handy for doing a quick cleanse of the armrest and tray table.
Not all wipes are created equal, so if this idea appeals, check out the options from RMS Beauty, Burt’s Bees and Klorane.
Please note, this guidance is only for plane travel. It does not give you permission to use wipes as part of your regular routine.
In-flight entertainment
Once my make-up is off, I apply serum, moisturiser, mask and sunscreen. For any flights over 4 hours, I’ll top up a combination of these products halfway through and again before landing. Lip balm and hand cream are liberally reapplied throughout the trip.
I also keep a small stash of make-up with me to put some colour on my cheeks, lips and eyelashes before arriving at baggage claim. Oversize sunnies to add glamour are optional!
Upon arrival
When I’ve made it to my final destination, I find an opportunity to cleanse my face with my regular cleanser followed by an eye and sheet mask combo. Once my skin has had time to drink in this moisture, I’ll complete my skincare routine and of course, I'll be sure pay extra attention to when my skin needs any help while I’m away from home.
What are your favourite travel tips and techniques?