Whether visiting family, looking to escape the cold, or planning to ring in the New Year in a different time zone, the winter is a great time to travel. However, traveling puts additional stress on you and your skin. Regardless of whether you are traveling by car or plane, or for business or pleasure, New York & New Jersey board certified dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt’s must-know travel tips will help make your time away more relaxing and leave your skin well taken care of.
For Frequent Flyers
The re-circulated air on planes is five times drier than the desert and the lack of humidity causes loss of moisturizer. The air inside the cabin of a plane usually has a humidity level of 10 to 20 percent — much lower than a comfortable typical indoor humidity of 30 to 65 percent. All of which combines to equal skin desperately in need of moisture.
“Most people realize that flying can cause skin to dry out and breakout, but they may not know why,” says Dr. Baxt. “Whenever the environment is moisture-free such as with recirculated air in a plane cabin - the air actually draws moisture from wherever it can, including the skin. Dry skin will tend to get drier and oily skin will get even oilier to compensate for dehydration.”
Dr. Baxt recommends the following travel itinerary for your skin whether you're taking a quick weekend getaway or going for the long haul.
Un-Happy Hour: Don't Drink Alcohol on the Plane. “Alcohol is very dehydrating. While it may help to relax you if you're nervous about flying, the affect of alcohol will be dry skin,” says Dr. Baxt. “Drink water, and read a magazine or book or bring along your iPod. Having something to distract you will help you as much, if not more than a glass of wine. If you just can't pass it up, drink lots of water afterward.”
Bring a Hydrating Mist for In-Flight Treatment. A hydrating mist is perfect for in flight application. Dr. Baxt recommends spraying a couple of pumps onto your face for instant hydration. It also feels great and helps cool you down if you're on a warm airplane.
Skip the Salty Snacks. Airport food is not very skin-friendly. “While peanuts and pretzels may look delicious, salt can cause swelling,” warns Dr. Baxt. “Instead, snack on fruits and vegetables like carrots and apples, which are filled with water.”
It’s Time to Takeoff...Your Makeup! If you wear makeup, keep it to a minimum on the flight. “Airplane air is dry and can exacerbate your makeup's drying-out effects on your skin can which can lead to breakouts and your pores becoming clogged on the flight,” says Dr. Baxt. “Opt for tinted moisturizer if you cannot bear not having any make-up on; and use lip balm in lieu of lipstick as the cabin air is dry lips tends to feel a little dryer while on the flight.”
Puffy Eyes. Jet lag always shows through your skin but mostly in the eyes. Lack of sleep due to possible time changes can have you looking sleepy and puffy. Don’t forget to stash an eye cream that contains caffeine for that quick “pick-me-up” if needed. Another option? “Carry green tea bags with you on the plane,” says Dr. Baxt. “A half hour before landing, ask the flight attendant for hot water and soak a few minutes. Add ice to cool down the bags, and apply cool green tea bags to your eyelids before landing. The green tea has antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to decrease puffiness so you'll look your best when you land.”
Your Travel Beauty Bag: What to Pack
With the ever-changing airline baggage regulations and costly baggage fees, it’s important to have a checklist of the essential skincare products you need when traveling. “If you're headed on a trip, you can't bring every makeup, skincare and hair care product from your bathroom,” says Dr. Baxt. “Plan ahead and pack smart when traveling.”
Weather-Proof Your Skincare Products. Pick and pack skin products based on the climate of your destination. “For snowbirds, when going to a warm, humid destination, pay extra attention to exfoliation in order to reduce the dead skin cells trapped by excess moisture, and pack a cleanser with salicylic acid,” suggests Dr. Baxt. If Aspen or Vail is your destination this holiday, it's all about deep moisture when it comes to locations that have low temperatures and high altitudes. “To function properly, the epidermis needs to maintain a certain moisture level; in the winter, low temperatures, low humidity, and strong wind deplete skin of its natural protective barrier, allowing that level to drop,” says Dr. Baxt. And wherever you're going, remember one last tip: sunscreen should be the first thing you throw in your bag.
Hotel Beauty Products: Checking In or Out? People often breakout when they're on vacation, because hotel products are typically made for people with normal to dry skin. In lieu of using hotel toiletries while traveling, consider packing a few key essentials in your travel beauty bag. “Hotel soaps can be very drying and overly scented,” warns Dr. Baxt. “Beware if you have sensitive skin and remember to bring your own toiletries.”