Depending on where your travels take you, you might need to make a few subtle tweaks to the list we’ve shared or get a little bit more specific when choosing your products to ensure your skin stays happy all day, every day. And these suggestions aren’t destination restricted—you might find some that will work no matter where your travels take you!
Before we dip our toes into the pool of vacation destinations, here are some of our top tips to get you going:
- Wondering what the TSA rules and regulations are for packing skincare products? Click here to read our top packing tips and products to pack (including our best-selling travel essentials kit).
- Did you know that your pre-flight skincare is just as important as what you put on during your vacation? Click here to read more about our pre-flight skincare routine.
- Looking for a packing checklist that keeps your skin glowing? We got you! Click here.
Traveling to the beach?
Since spending time at the beach often means higher humidity, water activities, saltwater, sand, and increased sun exposure, here are a few changes to make to your skincare routine:
- Moisturizer: Choosing a moisturizer that is lightweight and oil-free is the key to keeping your skin feeling hydrated without that greasy feeling we all try to avoid.
- Sunscreen: Make sure your sunscreen is water-resistant to protect your skin from all those UV rays both in and out of the water, and reapply every two hours or even more frequently if you’re spending a lot of time in the water.
- Sunglasses: When possible, opt for polarized lenses to reduce the glare from the sun reflecting off the water and the sand.
- Hydrating face mask: When at the beach, a face mask with aloe vera or cucumber can be especially soothing for your sun-kissed skin.
Headed to the mountains?
Adventuring in the mountains can be a bit different skincare-wise due to the higher altitudes, possibly drier air, and often cooler temperatures. Here are some ideas for a mountain-destination skincare packing list:
- Cleanser: When traveling in the mountains, look for a product that’s non-drying to protect your skin from additional moisture loss due to the mountainous climate.
- Sunscreen: Even though it might not “feel” as warm as in other environments, the sun and sun damage are still a factor in the mountains, so make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply more often than you think you should.
- Sunglasses: While it might be tempting to leave those sunglasses behind, don’t do it. Make sure your shades offer that 100% UV protection we’ve recommended so you can protect your eyes and that delicate skin around your eyes from both the sun and the drier mountain air.
- Facial cleansing wipes: Need a quick and convenient cleansing-on-the-go, especially if you’re doing some mountain hiking or camping? Facial cleansing wipes can be an awesome go-to to keep your skin feeling clean in the mountains or whenever you need a speedy clean.
Getting heated in the desert?
Spending time in the desert can expose your skin to a drier climate, lower humidity, hotter temps, and some pretty intense sun, all of which can result in much drier-than-normal skin. To protect your skin during your desert adventures, here are some small changes to make to your skincare packing list:
- Moisturizer: To combat the dry desert environment, use a moisturizer that is especially rich and nourishing, and ingredients like ceramides and shea butter can help to lock in moisture even more.
- Sunscreen: Make sure your sunscreen is at least SPF 30, and reapply every two hours whether you think you need to or not. If you’re sweatier than normal, apply even more often and opt for a water-resistant sunscreen.
Click here to read more about how city water can impact your skincare routine.
Big trip to the big city?
Big city travel brings with it a whole different environment for skincare as your skin is faced with pollution and often varying weather conditions. Here are some things to add to your big city packing list:
- Cleansing oil or balm: Removing the effects of the day is especially important in the big city, so using a cleansing oil or balm can help remove the pollution and other environmental factors as well as prevent clogged pores.
- Pollution-defending mask: This is a bonus step you can take to help protect your skin in a big city environment.
- Oil-absorbing sheets: If you tend to have oilier skin or you find that the big city brings out more oil on your skin, oil-absorbing sheets can help to keep your skin feeling fresh and clean throughout the day.
- Antioxidant serum: Again, the key to skincare in the big city is protection from pollution, so use a serum with ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) to help protect against free radicals and dull-looking skin.
- Eye cream: The big city can wreak havoc on your eyes via puffiness and under-eye circles, so use a hydrating eye cream with peptides or caffeine to help lessen the chance of looking tired on your big city vacation.
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer: The big city also means an almost infinite possibility of exposure to germs, so be sure to pack hand sanitizer for your adventures every single day.
When creating your summer travel packing list, make “take care of my skin” a priority so you and your skin can make the most of all of your summertime adventures. After all, your warm weather adventures will last for a week or so, but you and your skin will be together for decades to come, so do all you can to protect and give your skin the love it needs, no matter what.
At Zents, we have the perfect summer travel products to keep your skin looking healthy and happy no matter the season. From our complete line of gentle cleansers and soaps to our vast options for finding your favorite lotions, body oils, and body polishes—and don’t forget about our one-of-a-kind Concreta products, checking your summertime travel skincare essentials off of your packing list can be easy peasy.
Not sure where to start? Our Discovery Kits can help you find your new favorites and they’re packing-friendly size-wise too. That’s a win-win!
