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Traveling is all fun and games until it starts to wreak havoc on your skin. From dry, flaky skin that feels tight to random breakouts that don’t seem to go away, we’ve all dealt with post-travel skin freak outs at one point.
To understand why this happens, we spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. She explains why your skin may go haywire when you travel and what skincare you should pack to combat travel-induced skin conditions. Plus, many of her product recommendations are on sale for Amazon Prime Day.
- Skin barrier-strengthening moisturizer deal: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream (now $17.49, was $28.99)
- Trending K-beauty deal: Anua PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray (now $14.70, was $25)
- Rare luxe skincare deal: Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Facial Cleanser (now $24.50, was $35)
Why does my skin break out after flying on an airplane?
“Airplane cabins have very low humidity levels, which can increase transepidermal water loss and leave skin feeling dehydrated, tight, and dull,” says Dr. King.
Additionally, “Changes in climate, water quality, sleep schedules, diet, and stress can also disrupt the skin barrier and trigger breakouts, sensitivity, redness, or flare-ups of conditions like eczema and rosacea.”
Due to these factors, Dr. King suggests post-travel skincare should focus on hydration and barrier repair.
How can I reset my skin after a long travel day?
“After a long day of travel, I focus on cleansing away sunscreen, oil, sweat, and environmental debris while replenishing moisture,” Dr. King says. This is the post-travel routine she uses to reset her skin:
- Cleanse thoroughly with a gentle cleanser
- Apply an antioxidant or hydrating serum
- Follow with a moisturizer that supports the skin barrier
- Get a good night’s sleep and rehydrate with plenty of water
According to Dr. King, those with dry skin should also incorporate ceramide-rich moisturizers and hyaluronic acid serums to replenish any moisture lost during travel.
If you have acne-prone skin or are dealing with breakouts, she suggests adding a salicylic acid treatment and pimple patches to your routine. And while you may be tempted to avoid heavy moisturizers, Dr. King explains, “Over-drying the skin can actually worsen breakouts, so hydration is still important.”
Ultimately, “This combination helps address the dehydration, dullness, and barrier disruption that often accompany travel and leaves skin looking more refreshed the next morning.“
Shop these dermatologist-approved and on-sale skincare products you need to pack on your next trip.
The Best Prime Day Sale On A Gentle Cleanser
Dr. King suggest washing your face before boarding your flight and once you get to the hotel. A gentle cleanser is key here, as it will “remove excess oil and impurities without over-drying the skin.”
Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Facial Cleanser
This gel cleanser is formulated with pH-balanced ingredients that promise to cleanse and remove stubborn makeup without drying out your skin.
A Salicylic Acid Treatment On Prime Day Sale
If you have acne-prone skin or deal with travel-induced breakouts, a salicylic acid treatment can help calm and shrink pimples.
CeraVe Acne Control Gel, 2% Salicylic Acid Treatment
This affordable acne spot treatment by CeraVe has 2% salicylic acid and a blend of glycolic and lactic acid to help clear acne and prevent new breakouts.
Invest In A Peptide-Rich Toner, For Less
“Toner can help keep pores clear,” Dr. King say. She suggests opting for one formulated with peptides to for hydration and skin-plumping benefits.
COSRX 6X Peptide Collagen Skin Booster Toner
The COSRX Peptide Collagen Boosting Toner Serum is a powerful skin booster featuring six peptides that enhance elasticity, diminish fine lines, minimize pores, and restore radiance. In other words, it’s your secret skincare weapon for healthier, more youthful-looking skin!
Hyaluronic Acid or Humectant-Rich Serums On Prime Sale
“If your skin tends to become dry while traveling, prioritize products that attract and seal in moisture.” For that reason, she suggests including hyaluronic acid or humectant-rich serums into your routine.
Anua PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray
This serum capsule spray is infused with PDRN 2,000ppm, hyaluronic acid, and collagen to leave your skin hydrated, dewy, radiant, firmer, and refreshed from the hot weather.
Amazon Prime Day Lightweight Moisturizer Deal
“A lightweight moisturizer helps maintain the skin barrier, lock in moisture and help prevent that tight, dry feeling that often develops during long flights.”
Pro tip: “Applying moisturizer immediately after cleansing can help maximize hydration and support the skin barrier.”
Bioelements Absolute Moisture
Ideal for oily, acne-prone, or combination skin, this derm-approved cream provides lightweight moisture that helps maintain the skin barrier and delivers long-lasting hydration.
A Ceramide-Based Moisturizer
To “provide long-lasting hydration and help replenish moisture lost during flights and travel,” Dr. King suggests packing a ceramide-rich moisturizer like this one from popular K-beauty brand Illiyoon.
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
This cream from viral K-beauty brand Illiyoon soothes irritation and sensitivity, strengthens the skin barrier, deeply hydrates, and helps retain crucial moisture.
A Rich, Overnight Moisturizer On Sale
If you struggle with extra dry skin, using a rich overnight moisturizer can “provide long-lasting hydration and help replenish moisture lost during flights and travel.”
Bioelements Crucial Moisture
Dr. King recommends this super emolient moisturizer, “if your skin is very dry or you’re traveling to a cold or arid climate.” It aids in fading fine lines and plumping wrinkles in addition to hydrating.
Pimple Patches for Spot Treatments On Prime Day Sale
Some fan-favorite pimple patches are an easy way to help shrink angry breakouts.
Mighty Patch Variety Pack from Hero Cosmetics
With pure medical-grade hydrocolloid, these fan-favorite Mighty Patch dots help extract pus out of whiteheads and speed up healing. They perfectly adhere to the skin, so you’ll forget you’re wearing them! This variety pack contains three types for every situation.
Best Amazon Deal On A Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Traveling during daylight hours? Don’t forget to apply (and reapply) SPF.
EltaMD UV Daily Face Sunscreen
This celebrity-loved SPF is an oil-free sunscreen made with Zinc Oxide. The lightweight and silky formula is designed to help calm and protect sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea and discoloration. Plus, it won’t clog pores.
A Trusty Lip Balm On Prime Day Sale
Just like your skin, your lips may also become incredibly dry after a day of travel. A lip balm will help return them to a plump, hydrated state.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
This vegan lip balm conditions and softens dry lips with a touch of color, providing a boost of instant moisture and shine. Choose from multiple shades.
Curious about Vital Proteins Collagen Powder? Score the Jennifer Aniston-loved wellness hack for less now during Amazon Prime Day.
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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