It has happened to most of us here at Costhetics and it’s probably happened to you too.
You travel to a celebration, you take the trip of a lifetime, you fly to an exotic destination, and… your skin goes rogue. Your complexion is in an uproar just when you want it to look its Instagram-y best. Talk about bad timing!
Costhetics was certain that solutions to this problem exist. We scoured the Internet and beyond for the latest news and information from the world of skin beauty, cosmetic surgery, and all types of aesthetic enhancement. It turns out we were right! Here’s what we found…
How Good is the Air on Jet Aeroplanes?
Approximately 50% of cabin air is recirculated through hospital-quality filters that remove some 99% of impurities. Contrary to popular belief, those pesky upper-respiratory infections don’t come from breathing other people’s air but from touching common surfaces such as tray tables, armrests, restroom fixtures and the like. In fact, studies have shown that aeroplane air is some of the best you can breathe. We strongly recommend regular use of good hand sanitiser containing a quality moisturising agent. Cabin air is also temperature-controlled to around 24 degrees, but the air is extremely dry, at between 5% and 20% relative humidity, compared to our normal earth-bound 60-85%. This seriously dehydrates you and really dries out your skin. What to do about it? Drinking lots of water and supercharging your pre-flight beauty regimen with a ceramide-based moisturiser are good options. Ceramide helps skin cells bind to water, helping to counteract the negative effects of dry cabin air.
Climate Change Hurts Skin
You may not have a problem crossing time zones, but your skin does. When you travel to a different geographic region, you arrive in a matter of hours, but it takes your skin longer than that to adapt to its new environment. Cold air chaps the skin, while warm air causes sweat and clogged pores. For cold weather activities, pack a good moisturising serum to keep skin supple and moisture locked in. If you’re heading to hot weather, especially if you are prone to acne, bring along a good, gentle cleanser and use it often.
Your Beauty Routine Goes Sideways
It’s great to relax when you’re on holiday, but you must remain diligent about skin care. If possible, and appropriate to your destination, try to stay as close as possible to your normal routine using your normal products. “There are a number of reasons for fluctuations in skin while traveling,” says a member of the Acne Procedure Clinic at UCLA … one of them may be deviating from your normal skincare routine, therefore I like to try and minimize this factor by sticking to my home routine.” That means cleanser, moisturiser, serum, and especially sunscreen.
Your Fear of Flying Causes Stress
Millions of people travel around the globe every day, but it isn’t a picnic for all of them. Some people find traveling stressful and it shows. In a stressful situation, your sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones like cortisol, this causes increased oil production in your skin glands, creating a breeding ground for breakouts and acne flare-ups. You can help tame stress with deep breathing, meditation, and a 10-minute walk to release mood-boosting endorphins.
Hotel Soap Can Trigger Skin Problems
No matter how attractive they may appear, complimentary bath products provided by hotels are not generally top quality. They can be extremely drying, and can trigger acne, eczema and allergic reactions. Experts recommend you avoid them and bring soap and shampoo from home.
Are your bags packed? Costhetics is looking forward to hoisting anchor and traveling soon when things are safe again. We look forward to seeing you on the road, beautiful as always!