Whether your summer travels take you to a far-flung destination or a road trip a few towns over, exploring a new place is apt to take you out of our routine—including how you tend to your skin. Add in long days of exposure to the sun and elements and changes in the climate and water, and you’ve got a recipe for breakouts, dullness, and beyond. Follow these practical tips to keep skin healthy and radiant during all your summer adventures.
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7 Summer Travel Tips for Skin
When the siren of summer travel calls, one must answer. But don’t forget about nurturing your body’s largest organ! From defending against UV exposure to soothing stressed skin, here’s how to enjoy a radiant complexion throughout your travels.
1. Prepare Skin Before Traveling
In the same way you stretch before a workout, it’s smart to give your skin an extra boost of TLC before jetsetting or roadtripping. The day or two before leaving, gently exfoliate to buff away dead skin cells and then enjoy an at-home facial that involves deep hydration
KNESKO Black Pearl Resurfacing Serum is packed with 8 AHAs and 2 PHAs to slough off dead skin while promoting cell turnover, while the Amethyst Hydrate Face Mask features a proprietary Hydrating Complex to calm, restore, and lock in moisture.
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2. Keep Using Your Go-To Products
It’s tempting to pack that random mini-sized bottle of cleanser, serum, or moisturizer, but traveling is not the time to introduce new products to your skincare routine. There are already too many variables at play, so maintain your current routine by decanting your go-to’s into travel-sized containers.
3. Keep Skin Hydrated Before/After Flights
Airplanes are notoriously drying thanks to super low humidity levels—often sub 20%. Take care to hydrate and moisture during and after any flights with hydrating collagen face masks, facial mists, serums, and moisturizers. Make sure to bring a lip balm and an extra bottle of water onto the plane, too.
4. Re-Apply Sunscreen Throughout the Day
Sunscreen is a must year-round, but hypervigilance is especially important when traveling during summer. This is because the days are longer, you’re likely spending more time outside, and you’re more apt to sweat off your last application. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an SPF of 30+ approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Don’t forget to apply pre-flying, too, especially if you’re near a window. Because planes are closer to the Earth’s ozone layer, ultraviolet (UV) radiation can pose a greater risk for sun damage, notes Ohio State University.
5. Shield Against Pollution
If you’ve got your travel sights set on a city destination, there’s a good chance you’ll be exposed to smog and other pollutants. Antioxidants are one of your best defenses since they shield against free radical damage, a leading cause of premature signs of aging.
After cleansing in the morning, apply KNESKO's Rose Quartz Antioxidant Serum before your sunscreen and makeup. Packed with ferulic acid, resveratrol, and vitamin C, it’s scientifically formulated to protect, prevent, and defend against blue light and environmental stressors.
Related: Anti-Pollution Skincare Routine
6. Don’t Forget Body Care
We’ve talked a lot about summer skincare for your face, but don’t forget about skin from your neck down. Every day before starting your sightseeing adventures, apply a high-quality body serum and cream to moisturize and nourish your skin.
We’ve talked a lot about summer skincare for your face, but don’t forget about skin from your neck down. Every day before starting your sightseeing adventures, apply a high-quality body serum and cream to moisturize and nourish your skin.
Gold Repair Body Serum delivers touchably soft, toned, and luminous skin from the neck down and has an added bonus of creating a sculpted and toned look thanks to caffeine. Layer Gold Repair Body Cream on top, a peptide-rich, rejuvenating formula that targets signs of aging by visibly toning, brightening, and deeply moisturizing. You might just become addicted to the cashmere-soft finish it delivers, too!
7. Consider Lightweight Makeup
Wearing lighter makeup during summer travel helps your skin breathe and prevents clogged pores, which can minimize your chance of breakouts. Try tinted moisturizers or BB creams with SPF for light coverage and protection. A makeup finishing spray and waterproof mascara can also help keep your makeup in place if you don’t want to worry about disappearing acts, melting, smudging, or transferring.
Wherever you’re headed, these simple summer travel skincare tips allow you to embrace the voyage while enjoying glowing, vibrant skin. All it takes is a little preparation, some consistency in routine, and a few extra doses of TLC!
Read Next: Your Complete Guide to Skincare After Sun Exposure