How to Build the Best Travel Skin-care Routine

Going somewhere? When you’re figuring out your packing situation, it’s worth taking your travel skin-care routine into consideration, too — that goes for year-round travel, but it’s especially important during the summer. That’s because there are a number of variables that can mess with your skin when you’re traveling for summer vacation, be it pollution in a new city or a long weekend at the beach (we see you, sun damage!). Here’s what to keep in mind to ensure skin stays balanced and glowing wherever the season takes you.

Reset your skin-care routine

First order of business? Keep it simple. While you can bring your full skin-care routine if you’re planning to check a bag (or are heading on a road trip), giving your skin a break from the usual onslaught of actives can be worthwhile to help reset it. In other words, focus on your skin barrier, which can not only restore balance to skin but may even help improve other issues like acne, too.

While extended, multi-step skin-care routines had their moment in the sun a few years ago, we believe that less can be more, especially when it comes to the skin barrier — so in many cases, a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and SPF will often do the trick. Then, once you’re home, you can go back to Take It Day by Day, Skin by Skin to see what your skin needs at that moment.

Nix new-to-you products

This isn’t the time to try out new skin-care formulas. (As dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., put it in an earlier blog post on the topic: “When you travel, the random cleansers and products in the hotel or out of your home can take a toll on your skin.”). And swapping out your full-size products for the tiny samples you’ve never used before can lead to a surprise once you reach your destination.

A better way to go about it: Just stock up mini versions of your usual skin-care products, as with the Fruit Babies Bestsellers Kit. With mini versions of the Watermelon Glow BHA+PHA Pore-Tight Toner, Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask, Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, and Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer — all in TSA-approved sizes — you’ll be covered until your return flight home. (Don’t forget sunscreen, by the way; ours clocks in under the 3.4 oz limit.)

You can also pack the Soothe & Glow Treatment Duo, which features travel-size editions of Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops and Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum, as well as Plump & Brighten Treatment Duo, which offers travel-sizes of Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum and Guava C Dark Spot Serum, to get the benefits of double-seruming while you’re on the road. Seal them in with our Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream, the lightweight, hyaluronic acid-packed moisturizer that now comes in a cute, travel-friendly midi size.

Make the most of multitaskers

Hybrid skin-care products are a jetsetter’s best friend, since they mean you can pack less without skimping on your skin-care or makeup. For instance, while a hyaluronic acid serum and cream are ideal, you’ll still get the benefit of the beloved humectant if you stick with a hyaluronic acid-filled moisturizer like Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream, for instance

 On the other hand, Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 works as both a moisturizer and SPF on the pinch (so long as you don’t have dry skin), since it’s infused with hyaluronic acid and watermelon extracts. And, of course, there’s Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, which function as both a brightening serum when layered under makeup as well as a highlighter when patted over makeup. No overpacking, no problem.

Consider your in-flight routine

If you’re heading on a long-haul or red-eye flight, consider packing a moisturizing treatment with you, whether that’s the Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist (which comes in a carry-on-friendly size) or the Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream. We recommend starting with a clean, makeup-free base, which allows you to re-up the moisture both during the flight and before landing. While you might be jet-lagged, your skin will be ready to go.

Read more about caring for skin while traveling: