✈️ The Ultimate Travel Skincare Guide: What to Pack, Prep, and Leave Behind
Sherry LittleShare
Whether you're heading to a tropical paradise or planning a weekend road trip, travel can do a number on your skin. From recycled airplane air to climate changes, your skin needs a little extra love while you're away from home. But don’t worry—you don’t have to pack your entire skincare shelf to stay glowing on the go.
Here’s how to prep your skin before takeoff, what to take with you, and what you can safely leave at home for your return.
✨ Pre-Trip Skin Prep: Set Yourself Up for a Smooth Journey
Before you zip up that suitcase, take time to give your skin some extra TLC. A little prep goes a long way:
- Exfoliate a day or two before travel using a gentle scrub like our Facial Coffee Scrub. Removing dead skin helps your serums and moisturizers absorb better, and creates a fresh base for travel days.
- Hydrate deeply. Use a hydrating mask or nourishing serum to load your skin with moisture. Air travel and hotel air conditioning can be very drying.
- Trim down your routine in the days leading up to travel so your skin isn’t overloaded. Simplicity is key when you’re about to experience stress, jet lag, or a different climate.
🧳 What to Pack: Your Skincare Essentials on the Road
You don’t need to take every product you own. These are your must-haves:
1. Cleanser (Travel Size)
A gentle cleanser removes makeup, sunscreen, and grime without stripping your skin. Look for a non-foaming, hydrating option in a leak-proof bottle.
2. Facial Toner
Our Calm & Clear Facial Toner is the perfect travel companion. With soothing ingredients like rose water, witch hazel, and tea tree oil, it helps calm skin irritation from environmental changes and keeps breakouts at bay.
3. Hydrating Serum or Oil
Stick with one multitasking serum or oil. For travel, choose something rich in antioxidants like marula oil or jojoba oil—both nourish and protect the skin barrier in new climates.
4. Moisturizer
Choose a versatile, medium-weight moisturizer. If your destination is dry, layer it with an oil for extra hydration.
5. Sunscreen
Even on cloudy days or inside an airplane, UV exposure is real. A good mineral sunscreen protects your skin without clogging pores.
6. Lip Balm & Cuticle Oil
Don’t forget the details—our Luxe Lip Balm and Nail Nectar Cuticle Oil Pen are small but mighty. They prevent dry, cracked lips and hangnails from dry cabin air or salty breezes.
7. One Treat Product
Bring one item that feels like a mini-spa moment—maybe a travel jar of our sugar scrub, or a facial mist to refresh during long travel days.
🧴 What to Leave at Home
You can safely skip:
- Clay masks or exfoliating peels
- Heavy-duty night treatments
- Large full-size bottles (opt for travel containers instead)
- Anything new—vacation isn’t the time to test unfamiliar products
🌍 Skincare Tips While Traveling
- Stick to your core routine. Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and protect. Keep it simple.
- Hydrate from within. Drink plenty of water, especially during flights or beach days.
- Avoid over-cleansing. Twice a day is enough—even if your skin feels “gross” from travel, resist the urge to over-wash.
- Wash your hands before touching your face. Travel exposes you to tons of germs!
💼 Bonus Tip: Pack Smart
Use travel containers and label them clearly. Keep your liquids in a clear bag for TSA, and store everything in a waterproof pouch to prevent spills. Our Mini Skincare Travel Kit (coming soon!) will make this even easier.
Whether you're traveling for work or play, your skin doesn’t have to take a backseat. With a little prep and the right essentials, you can look and feel radiant no matter where the journey takes you.