Grand Salon: 7 Proven Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy While Traveling

What to do to Care for Your Skin While You Travel

For this week’s blog post we wanted to bring on a new perspective from our friends Grand Salon. Grand Salon is a full-service beauty salon based in Denver, Colorado. They pride themselves on outstanding customer service, and offering the most fabulous cuts, color and style services in Denver. The following is written by Grand Salon and entails how to keep your skin healthy while traveling. Enjoy!

There are a myriad of details to plan when preparing for a long flight. You must consider transportation to and from the airport, your travel documents, your luggage and your complete itinerary. However, many people make the mistake of leaving a travel skin care routine out of the preparation.The combination of high altitude and the recycled air on a plane can leave your skin dry and cracked during a long flight. Your sensitive facial skin may be especially affected, and, as a result, you may arrive at your destination looking tired and stressed.There is some good news, however. You can prepare your skin for a long flight just as you prepare in other ways for your journey. Here are seven ways to keep your skin healthy while traveling.

Use a Pre-Hydrating Mask the Night Before to Keep skin Healthy

Our first travel skin care tip is to use a pre-hydrating mask on your face the night before a long flight. Actively hydrating your skin before you expose it to the drying air of an airplane cabin will prevent some of the damage caused by flying.The night before your flight, exfoliate your skin with a gentle facial scrub. By removing dead skin cells first, you allow the mask’s moisturizing ingredients to penetrate more deeply into your skin.There are several good options for pre-hydrating masks. If you have oily skin, we like the OleHenriksen Berry Nurturing Gel Mask ($36 at sephora.com). Those with dry skin can try the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask ($26 at sephora.com). Both will give your skin a moisturizing head start for your upcoming travel.You also could make your own mask by combining natural ingredients such as honey, jojoba oil, avocado, yogurt and olive oil.

Avoid Extractions Prior to Flying

Although you have the best intentions in thoroughly cleansing your skin prior to a long flight, many extractions will actually cause further drying and may even lead to breakouts.Harsh ingredients can interfere with your skin’s natural pH levels and make it more vulnerable to the drying effects of air travel. Be sure to choose a gentle, moisturizing cleanser such as Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser ($9.99 at ulta.com) or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser ($19.50 at kiehls.com).After gently cleansing your skin, use a protective moisturizer that contains natural antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental stress factors. You can also mix in some natural oils such as rose water, vanilla or cranberry seed oil into your regular moisturizer for a soothing, hydrating effect.

Avoid Foundations While Flying

Now that your face is clean, it’s time to keep it that way. The dry air on an airplane can make your makeup appear flakey. Any facial wrinkles may be highlighted as a result.Keeping your face foundation-free helps it to combat the airline cabin dryness. Bring along your makeup kit in your carry-on to apply makeup after you land. If going makeup-free horrifies you, then try a bit of light mascara as well as some moisturizing lip-gloss for your journey.One benefit of going without foundation is that you can apply facial oil during the flight.

Use Facial Oil During the Flight

Regardless of your skin type, facial oils are great for combating the drying effects of airline travel. They add moisture back into your skin, helping your skin rebalance its pH levels and making it look more soft and supple.After cleansing your face, apply the oil on your forehead, cheeks, chin, and then gently massage it into your skin. We like Clinique’s Turnaround Revitalizing Treatment Oil ($36 on ulta.com) and Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil ($52 at sephora.com)Now that we’ve suggested some ways to hydrate the outside of your skin, our fifth tip tackles hydration from the inside out. Proper hydration is essential to healthy skin, and it is particularly important when you are traveling in an airplane.

Drink Plenty of Water During the Flight

Bring along a large empty water bottle to fill after you have passed through security. Then drink all of it during the flight. Although cocktails and coffee are tempting when you fly, we encourage you to skip the alcohol and caffeine in favor of replenishing beverages such as herbal tea and water while you are in the air.Also, choose healthy hydrating snacks such as fruit and yogurt rather than salty snacks such as chips and salted pretzels and nuts. Your skin will thank you.

Avoid In-Flight Warm Towels

Before they serve a snack or a meal, flight attendants often offer you a warm towel to wash your face and hands. The warmth may be tempting, but we suggest you keep it away from your face, as it may hasten the drying effects of airline travel.Instead, ask for a cold towel. Another option is to forego the towel entirely and to rely on gentle cleansing towelettes in your carry-on bag. We like The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Gentle Cleansing Face Wipes ($9 at thebodyshop.com) and Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths ($5.59 at ulta.com)

Use a Water-Based Mask During the Flight

Finally, another great way to keep your skin moisturized during a long flight is to use a water-based mask during the flight itself. The cabin will be dark at night, and while you try to get some shut-eye, your skin can be rejuvenating.There are many sleeping masks that were designed to hydrate your skin for hours, so why not use a long flight as a way to pamper your face? We like the Dr. Jart Water Fuse Sleeping Mask ($42 on Amazon.com) and the Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Sleeping Facial ($46 at korresusa.com).Speaking of rest, getting as much as you can of that precious commodity is important for your skin’s overall health and appearance. Investing in one of those funny-looking curved travel pillows may help you get the rest you need.Airline travel can be stressful on your nerves, but it needn’t be harmful for your skin. By following these seven tips, you can arrive at your destination – be it for business or pleasure – looking great and ready to go.

For More Information

For more information on these tips contact us at Zona Medspa today for a free consultation!