With the UK seeing record temperatures this year, summer arrived early, meaning so did thinking about your summer skincare. Now the packing for the holidays has begun and skincare is just as important on holiday as it is in your everyday life, if not more.
Travel can take its toll on your skin. Long-haul flights, air conditioning, changing climates, sun exposure and disrupted routines can all leave your complexion feeling dehydrated, congested and stressed. A carefully chosen travel skincare routine can keep your skin healthy, glowing and protected from take-off to touchdown.
At Skin Studio 8, we believe you don't need to pack your entire bathroom cabinet. Instead, focus on a few hardworking essentials that will keep your skin looking its best wherever your travels take you.
1. Start with a gentle cleanser
Whether you've spent the day sightseeing, relaxing by the pool or wearing SPF all day, cleansing is essential. A gentle cleanser removes sunscreen, makeup, sweat and pollution build up.
The iS Clinical Cleansing Complex:
lightweight cleansing gel is powerful, yet gentle enough for sensitive skin. Cleansing Complex incorporates a balance of bionutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients that thoroughly cleanse the surface and pores of the skin without stripping essential natural oils, leaving skin soft and smooth. Excellent for all skin types but especially great for blemish/congestion prone skin types that need a deeper cleanse, whilst still being gentle on the skin.
Aircraft cabins have extremely low humidity levels, which can leave skin dehydrated before you've even reached your destination. Add sun, sea and warmer temperatures into the mix, and your skin needs even more support.
2. Hydration is key:
A lightweight hydrating serum followed by a moisturiser helps replenish lost moisture and keeps your skin barrier healthy throughout your trip.
One of our favourite travel moisturisers is the Obagi Hydrate Light Weightless Gel Cream. This bestselling moisturiser provides long-lasting hydration without feeling heavy, making it perfect for both flights and hot climates. Contains both humectants (attracts moisture to the skin) and occlusives (helps to seal in that moisture). Together, these ingredients work to hydrate the skin, replenish the skin’s moisture barrier, and keep the skin looking plump and smooth without clogging pores.
Travelling, low humidity in planes, sun exposure, air conditioning can all lead to skin dehydration which can trigger breakouts, redness & inflammation and imbalanced oil production. Hydrate Throughout the day with the ZO Skin Health Soothing Hydro Mist A soothing facial mist that restores hydration, immediately calms visible redness and supports skin’s protective barrier. Lightweight formula provides ongoing relief + comfort to skin.
3. Never travel without SPF
If there's one product that deserves a permanent place in your suitcase, it's sunscreen.
Even if you're not heading somewhere tropical, UV rays are present every day, and sun exposure is the biggest contributor to premature skin ageing.
Choose a broad-spectrum SPF and remember to reapply every two hours when outdoors.
Our favourite is the ZO Skin Health | Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50; it gives skin a healthy glow and helps to protect skin from free radical damage and the appearance of photo damage.
4. Keep active ingredients simple
Holidays are not the time to introduce a completely new skincare routine. If you're using retinol or exfoliating acids, you may want to reduce how frequently you use them if you'll be spending long periods in the sun. Instead, focus on cleansing, hydration, antioxidants and daily SPF to support your skin barrier.
Treat your skin after a day in the sun
Even with sunscreen, your skin has worked hard throughout the day.
In the evening:
Keeping your skin hydrated overnight helps maintain a healthy glow throughout your holiday.
Whether you're jetting off to the Mediterranean, exploring a city break or enjoying a staycation closer to home, Skin Studio 8 stocks a carefully curated collection of medical-grade skincare from trusted brands including Obagi, ZO Skin Health and iSClinical to keep your skin protected all summer long.
