7 Skin Care Mistakes You Could Be Making While Traveling

With a serious chill in the air, it’s a prime time to take yourself on a vacation—preferably somewhere warm. And after months spent cooped up under heavy sweaters and clunky snow boots, the anticipation for sunny vacay days is real. You’ll pack that bikini you bought after eyeing for months (and having nowhere to wear it), your sandals are ready to be broken out of storage, and your passport is perpetually packed. That’s all well and good—but what about your skin care routine? Just because you’re going on vacation and escaping the daily grind for a few days doesn’t mean that you should forgo caring for your complexion while you’re jet-setting from city to city. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It turns out there are a few common skin care mistakes you could be making while traveling. Hint, hint: There’s more to it than tossing skin care products like facial cleanser and moisturizer in your carry on. Below, find out what they are and what you should do instead in order to help keep your skin looking its best while you’re away from home.

TRAVEL SKIN CARE MISTAKE #1: YOU DON’T STOCK UP ON TRAVEL-SIZE GOODIES

There’s only so much room in your suitcase, what with all the swimsuits, floral dresses, and strappy shoes you want to bring with you. And chances are, you’re going to have some souvenirs that you’ll need to find room for on the trek back. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop for travel-size skin care products. Can’t find your faves in smaller sizes? No worries! You can put your skin care products into small, reusable containers. To help prevent them from spilling, place a small piece of plastic wrap under the lid, then store them all in a clear baggie.

TRAVEL SKIN CARE MISTAKE #2: YOU DON’T PREP YOUR SKIN BEFORE A FLIGHT

Are you going to spend some quality time on an airplane anytime soon? It’s a good idea to do a little prep work before you board. First, use makeup removing towelettes, like the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ Makeup Removing Towelettes, to gently cleanse and remove dirt, oil, and makeup. The wipes are alcohol-free and won’t dry out your skin. Plus, there’s no rinsing required, so you don’t even have to leave your flight’s waiting area to use them. Even better, you can use one from the comfort of your seat on the plane, rather than cramming into the teeny tiny bathroom. Once you’re done cleansing, apply a moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen (you’re closer to the sun while you’re flying!). The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30 is formulated with glycolic acid, vitamin C, pro-retinol, and broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30.

TRAVEL SKIN CARE MISTAKE #3: YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT YOUR SKIN WHILE YOU’RE FLYING

Sure, you’re going to slip on a pair of headphones and listen to some tunes or watch a movie while you’re on a plane—but show your skin some attention, too. If you’re traveling somewhere far and know you’re going to experience jet lag, consider applying an eye cream to help address the look of dark circles and puffiness—telltale signs that you didn’t get enough sleep. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power™ Eye Treatment has an instantly cooling applicator that can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags.

TRAVEL SKIN CARE MISTAKE #4: YOU DON’T refresh YOUR COMPLEXION POST-FLIGHT

Now you know what to do both before and during a ride in the sky—but what about after you land? Your complexion could look a little lackluster after being cooped up in dry air, so turn to brightening makeup products. Dab on the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer to the highpoints of your face, including your cheekbones and brow bones, to help make yourself look more awake. Then, follow up by applying the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Foundation, which has a radiant finish. Next, line your waterline with a nude eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Nude, to help make your eyes look brighter. Finally, cover up dark circles under eyes with the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Super-Blendable Multi-Use Concealer.

TRAVEL SKIN CARE MISTAKE #5: YOU DON’T TAILOR YOUR ROUTINE TO YOUR DESTINATION

When you book a trip, you likely pick somewhere with a different climate than what you live in for a new experience. That means you may want to think about tailoring your skin care routine based on where you’re going. For example, if you tend to use a rich moisturizer but you’re vacationing somewhere hot and humid, it could be a good idea to switch to a lightweight moisturizer with a matte finish to help prevent your skin from becoming overly greasy.

If you’re visiting somewhere tropical…Cleanse your skin with a micellar water, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, morning and night to help rid the surface of your skin of dirt, oil, and makeup. Micellar water is a no-rinse cleansing option that’s powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin. Make sure you bring a pack of cotton rounds with you as well. Just pour some micellar water onto the pad and wipe it across your face.

Then, use an oil-free matte finish moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin. Follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher in the morning—look for one with a matte finish as well. Going to put on makeup? Apply a primer first to help create a smooth canvas and keep your look in place. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Lock Makeup Primer before applying foundation. When it comes to face makeup, also look for a matte formula, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation.

If you’re visiting a desert locale…With little to no moisture in the air, you may find your skin feeling dry. So, opt for a gentle, no-rinse cleansing option, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin and follow up with a hydrating moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration and comfort to extra dry skin. And of course, broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must!

If you’re visiting a cold climate…Jet-setting to a ski resort? You may experience dry skin, thanks to the low moisture in the air. And dryness can cause your skin to look dull. Pack a cream facial cleanser, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser, which helps to remove all traces of makeup and impurities. It gently exfoliates dead skin cells and helps enhance smoothness and radiance. Follow up with the L’Oréal Paris Cicacream Face Moisturizer Pro Retinol & Centella Asiatica, a lightweight protective cream that can help repair skin barrier for softer, smoother skin.

TRAVEL SKIN CARE MISTAKE #6: YOU FORGET ABOUT YOUR HANDS AND LIPS

So, your face deserves the moisturizing TLC, but no other part of your body does? Think again! Your hands are out in the elements—and frequent hand-washing can cause them to become dry. Be sure to toss a hand cream into your purse so that you can moisturize on the go—bonus point if it has SPF! Your lips also deserve some extra love. Keep a hydrating lip balm (better if it has SPF!) in your tote so that you can reapply on the go. After all, applying lipstick over dry lips is never a fun experience, right?

TRAVEL SKIN CARE MISTAKE #7: YOU SKIP THE BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN—OR YOU DON’T USE ENOUGH OF IT

We’ve told you this before, and we’ll tell you again: Broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must year-round, rain or shine. When you spend time in the sun without wearing protection, this can lead to damage, which can show up as visible signs of aging down the road, like dark spots and wrinkles. The Food and Drug Administration recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, being sure to reapply at least every two hours, or immediately after sweating or swimming.

As for how much you should apply, the Skin Cancer Foundation suggests an ounce for your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Think of a shot glass—that’s about the size of an ounce. What’s more, you should reapply every two hours—but if you’re swimming or sweating a lot, you should reapply immediately. Always keep a bottle on hand for easy reapplication wherever you are.

There are other sun protection measures you can take, too. For starters, wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat. And seek shade, especially during the sun’s peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Now that you know the mistakes to avoid, you can go about your vacation with that much-needed stress-free mindset you’ve been craving (and deserving). And if you need a little in flight reading material, check out our article on The 5 Best Hairstyles to Wear When You’re On Vacation. Bon voyage!