Like a toddler or an earth sign, our skin craves routine.
Holiday travel is the opposite of routine.

On a plane, the air is recycled and DRY. In a car or on a train or bus, there’s forced air. Let’s not even get started on the germs AND environmental stressors that can aggravate our skin and bodies.

I want you to show up to your holiday event looking hydrated and fresh. Follow these tips if you’re traveling this holiday.

Stay TSA-friendly

If you’re flying, make sure your products must follow Transportation Security Administration guidelines. Liquids must be 3.4 ounces or smaller. Grab travel sizes or snag travel-sized empty bottles and fill them up with your products. You also can hit Sephora or Ulta and ask for free samples.

 

Keep dry hands at bay

Our hands tend to dry out faster than any other place on our bodies. Traveling and its need for frequent hand washing or exposure to forced or recycled air don’t help. If you can, bring along a hydrating hand sanitizer such as Minnie by OLIKA to cut back on sandpaper palms. The non-negotiable here is hand cream. It’s not chic, but something heavy duty such as O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream will be your savior.

 

Public displays of skin care

Two main skin care concerns during travel are dryness and breakouts.
Some people may feel shy about slathering on serums in public. First off, no one is judging you. Second, if they do stare, you can politely ask them if they’d like to pay for you to get a facial as soon as you land. If (and when) they say no, go about your life.
Dry air, especially on airplanes, will suck up water content anywhere it can get it, including your skin. To compensate, your skin can produce more oil than usual. Bring along peel pads with hydroxy acids (Pixi Glow Peel Pads are nice and budget-friendly) to help unclog pores. Then, tackle dryness by applying a hyaluronic acid serum. You can use a face mist and/or a facial roller to help the serum absorb deeper. You know my picks: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist.  Finally, seal it in with a thick night cream. My pick for a long flight or car ride? Weleda Skin Food.

 

Protect from sickness

People tend to get sick after flying thanks to all the germs in that recycled air. Using a bit of Neosporin Antibiotic Ointment on the inside of your nose creates a barrier to keep germs out thanks to its occlusive properties. It’s a one-two punch since it also contains medicine to help stop it from becoming a breeding ground for sickness. When traveling, you’re also touching random surfaces that have God only knows what living on them. Bring along antibacterial wipes and disinfect every surface you may touch.

 

All-over hydration

We’re concerned about our faces and hands, but the rest of our bodies need just as much hydration. Before boarding the plane or hopping in the car, bus or train, prep your skin. Take a cool shower with a oil cleanser or moisturizing body wash. Seal it up with a thick body cream (you know I love that CeraVe Moisturizing Cream in the jar). Don’t forget eye drops, and pack some dry mouth lozenges to keep your mouth from feeling like you just ate sand. And, for the love of baby Jesus, DRINK TONS OF WATER.

 

Prepare for the worst

Sometimes you can follow all of these steps and still end up with flaky skin, breakouts or a cold. Pack the essentials to tackle these issues should they arise.
A good moisturizing mask such as Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask, plus a rich facial oil (I love Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Oil) will help replenish any hydration lost in translation.
Stash a pack of pimple patches such as Peace Out Overnight Acne Treatment Dots to shrink your blemishes fast. Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil is a facial oil made with CBD and hemp seed oil that can help both soothe stressed out skin, breakouts and redness. As far as wellness, when I feel a cold coming on, I swear by Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs to stop it in its tracks. I also keep elderberry supplements handy.