Ever noticed how you tend to break out or have more skincare-related issues while jet-setting? Here are elements of traveling that can wreak havoc on your skin.
Chlorine
If you’re at the pool several hours a day for a weekend or more, chances are your skin and hair are dryer than usual. While chlorine is used to disinfect the water in swimming pools, it’s a chemical that can make your skin itchy, your eyes red, and your hair, brittle. According to Live Strong, constant chlorine exposure can also contribute to premature wrinkles.
Solution: Wash your hair, face, and body thoroughly after swimming and apply lots of hair serum, hydrating body lotion, and facial moisturizer after.
Wrong SPF
Your daily moisturizer’s built-in SPF of 10 to 15 may be okay for your regular office life, but once you hit the beach or the great outdoors, you need a higher SPF. If your skin is suffering from sunburn and uneven blotches after a day at the beach, then your sunscreen may not be enough to block the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Solution: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every two hours. For those with sensitive skin and early signs of melasma, wear a wide-brimmed hat as additional protection when outside.
Change of Weather
If you grew up in the Philippines’ tropical weather, expect your skin to react in a cold-climate or winter country. According to Prevention.com, cold air holds less moisture than warm air, and can make your skin dry, rough, and flaky.
Solution: When traveling to cold places, quench your skin by using a hydrating body lotion and facial moisturizer daily. Apply hand cream regularly throughout the day, and keep your lip area hydrated with lip balm.
Airplane Hazards
Dermalogica lists the following ways being in a plane takes its toll on your skin: zero humidity that leaves your skin and lips dehydrated; recycled air that helps bacteria and other chemicals circulate in the cabin; fluctuating temperatures that can cause breakouts and other skin reactions; and lack of moving space that contributes to fluid retention in the ankles and joints.
Solution: “Nothing sucks the dewy goodness out of your skin like air travel,” Alessandra Codinha wrote in Into The Gloss. She emphasized the importance of in-flight grooming by packing a stash of travel-sized beauty essentials in your carry-on, such as hand cream, lip balm, and cleansing wipes.
Stress
Following a tight itinerary can cause lack of sleep, anxiety while navigating a foreign territory, change in eating habits, and many other stress inducers. According to a health report by Daily Mail, if you have a genetic tendency to suffer from skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema, then stress will definitely make them worse.
Solution: If your trip is starting to take its toll on your mood and health, then it’s time to reconsider your vacation agenda. Narrow it down to spots that you really want, and not just a long list of items you feel pressured to tick. Samantha Brown of Travel Channel suggests you incorporate some R&R and daily rituals such as coffee breaks or walks in the park into your itinerary to make your vacation less stressful.
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