Does Your Skin Break Out When You Travel?

Finally! You’re out of the office and on your way to prepare for your much-deserved vacation. This should be fun and relaxing, right?

Unfortunately, traveling is rarely un-stressful. From packing your luggage to getting to the airport on time to passing security and checking in, stress can pile up and affect not just your mood, but also your complexion.

The process of going from one place to another exposes your skin to a lot of environmental stressors, which can then wreak havoc. As you step out of your time zone and explore your destination, your skin may rebel and react with dryness, dull skin, and new breakouts.  

Continue reading to find out why this happens and what you can do to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

Air quality on the plane 

The air on planes lacks humidity, standing at around 10 to 20%. This is then less than half of what you’re accustomed to, which can be hard on your skin. The pressurized air can suck the moisture off your skin, leaving it dry and dull. There is also recycled air that can increase oil production and worsen other skin issues. 

What to do: Board your flight with a clean, fresh, and moisturized face. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and packing a skincare product with hyaluronic acid, which can bind and attract moisture. At Cutis, we have two face moisturizers that contain said ingredients:

• Hydra Pro – hydrates, nourishes, and soothes the skin without leaving any oil residue. It can improve the skin’s overall appearance, making it look more radiant and youthful.
• Deep Hydrating Moisturizer – strengthens and rehydrates your skin without the use of oil-based ingredients. It traps and retains moisture from the air, as well as reduces the look of lines and wrinkles. 

Stress 

With a lot of things involved while traveling, stress can easily build up. Heightened levels mean more cortisol (or stress hormones), which is known to exacerbate different skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Cortisol, furthermore, leads to increased sebum production, which can clog your pores and trigger or worsen acne.

What to do: Keeping a regular skincare routine even while you’re away from home is important. Travel-size containers are ideal, like Cutis travel kit. This contains five medical-grade skin care products in smaller sizes, enclosed in a travel-friendly pouch. The kit includes: 

• Perfecting Cleanser with Rose Hip Seed – 30ml
• Refreshing Toner with Herbal Astringents – 30ml
• ELASTIfirm® Eye Repair with Persian Silk Tree Extract – 7.5ml
• Deep Hydrating Moisturizer – 10ml
• Vitamin C 20% with Ferulic Acid – 10ml

For further reading: This is How Stress Affects Your Skin

Weather changes

Going to a new or foreign place can also subject your skin to temperature changes. Depending on where you’re vacationing or staying, your skin will need to adjust from warmer climates to cooler ones (or vice versa). Temperature changes can also cause you to produce sebum, contributing to acne. 

What to do: You can protect your skin by consistently washing your face and applying moisturizer. Packing an acne spot treatment or pimple patches is advisable, especially if your skin breaks out easily. Just make sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, regardless of the weather.

Jet lag and time difference

When your place of destination has a different time zone, your internal clock gets rewired a bit. This can mess up your sleeping habits, translating to fewer hours of sleep or compromised sleep quality. This can lead to a dull and uneven complexion, making you look tired or older. 

What to do: Make sure to clean your skin and apply moisturizer before traveling. Gentle exfoliation a few days before your flight will help remove dead skin cells and optimize the skin barrier. You can also schedule a facial before your trip. Our hydra dermabrasion gently exfoliates the skin and tackles a range of issues without redness, bruising, and irritation the next day. 

Other things that can help: 

• Avoid or limit alcohol on the flight. Stick to water or fruit juice if possible.
• Consider not wearing makeup; apply a hydrating serum or moisturizer.
• Pack the right sleeping must-haves, including a cozy blanket, pillow, and sleep mask.
• Use an eye cream before sleeping to nourish and hydrate your skin, as well as reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles.

Other ways to take care of your skin

Here are a few other tips can that can help your skin clear and healthy while away from home: 

Pack some face sheet masks – Apart from being easy to pack and use, hydrating and soothing masks can help boost your skin’s moisture levels to combat dryness. These are ideal if you’re going to a place with a dry climate. 

Keep your hands away from your face – Doing so could easily transfer dirt and impurities onto your skin. This may clog your pores and cause your skin to break out. It is also important to keep your hands clean by using an alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Don’t skip sunscreen – Regardless of the weather or season, you should always apply sunscreen. Choose a formula that is broad-spectrum and right for your skin type. Dr. Sylvia’s Sunshield SPF 45 offers protection against UV rays, as well as hydrates, soothes, and nourishes the skin. 

Mind what you eat – Traveling opens you to a wide array of flavors and aromas. And while is perfectly fine to indulge once in a while, you should also eat smartly or have a few healthy meals while sampling the foods and delicacies of your destination. Don’t forget to drink lots of water or bring a spot treatment if your skin breaks out easily. 

Cutis is here to help

Our own skincare line, Dr. Sylvia Skin Care, provides a medical-grade collection that can elevate your skincare game while delivering multi-layer fortification to your skin. Our Cutis travel kit is perfect while you’re on vacation and we also offer other skin-nourishing formulations such as face cleansers, moisturizers, and treatment serums.

Cutis Medical Laser Clinics also offers a range of non-surgical treatments that can address or tackle different skin and aging concerns. These include breakouts, wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness, and mild skin laxity. Contact us to learn more or book a consultation with our aesthetic doctor in Singapore.