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20 Best Travel Beauty Essentials Perfect for a Carry On: From Skin Care to Hair Tools and More
By Anna Traver,
5 hours ago
Summer is not just the time of year to be slathering on extra sunscreen and catching a suntan, but also the season for trips to the beach, family road trips and flights to catch. One of the most anticipating things to look forward to is a vacation you've been planning for months or even just weeks, and when it's finally here, it's hard to beat the excitement. But before you hop on that plane and leave for your much-needed break, there's a few travel beauty essentials you should make sure you have packed in your bag. Why? The downside to traveling is it can wreak havoc on your skin and hair. Plus, sometimes it's just fun to get a few new, fun products for your trip. Here, we rounded up the best travel beauty products and must-haves to avoid any beauty woes and keep you looking and feeling fabulous no matter your altitude in the sky.
What happens to our skin when we travel?
If you notice a new breakout or extra dryness when traveling, especially if flying, you're not alone. In fact, it's very common for your skin to go through some changes as climates and altitudes change. "When we travel, especially at high altitudes such as during flights, several factors can negatively impact the skin, leading to breakouts, dryness and even an increased risk of skin cancer," says Pooja Rambhia, MD , a board-certified dermatologist.
1. Lack of moisture equals dry skin
The high altitude levels that come with flying essentially "suck" the moisture right out of the air, and therefore, your skin. "When traveling at high altitudes during flights, our skin is subject to low humidity levels inside the aircraft cabin – on the order of 20-30%. This is lower than average humidity levels that we typically experience in daily life, resulting in dehydration of the skin as the dry air draws moisture away from the skin," explains Dr. Rambhia. "Low levels of humidity and dehydration can also result in dryness and cracking of the lips."
2. Stress, fatigue and bacteria can wreak havoc on skin
Traveling can be very stress and anxiety-inducing for many, which can greatly impact our skin. Stress can lead to breakouts and increased oil production, says Dr. Rambhia, along with an array of other skin concerns."Additionally, bacteria can accumulate on high-touch surfaces on the plane including in the bathrooms, tray tables and seatbelts. Avoid touching your face on flights as this may help to minimize the transfer of bacteria that can exacerbate breakouts," Dr. Rambhia advises.
"People also often do not clean makeup off their face pre-flight, particularly if on longer or overnight flights," adds Dr. Rambhia. "Sleeping in makeup on planes can further precipitate breakouts! It’s best to go in-flight with clean skin, minimal to no make-up, with moisturized skin. Throughout the flight, moisturizer can be reapplied to help maintain skin hydration given the drier in-cabin air."
3. Skin gets more exposure to UV radiation
You may not think much of sun exposure when you're on a plane since you're "indoors," but it can affect your skin more than you may think, as the windows on the airplane do not completely filter out this UV radiation, Dr. Rambhia explains.
"At higher altitudes, UV exposure is more intense because the atmosphere is thinner, allowing increased UV ray penetration and increasing photodamage over time. A 2015 JAMA Derm meta-analysis study found that pilots flying for 56 minutes at 30,000 feet receive the same amount of UVA radiation as that from a 20-minute tanning bed session, resulting in a greater incidence of melanoma in pilots and cabin crew.," she says. "As such, it’s prudent to protect the skin by applying sunscreen to exposed skin prior to boarding the flight and reapplying every 2 hours if seated next to a window on a long-flight."
Rob Melnychuk/Getty
What happens to our hair when we travel?
Similar to our skin, as we enter new climates, environments and humidity levels, you may notice changes to your hair. Perhaps you notice it is frizzier than usual (a common effect of humid weather), or your strands are looking a little parched and dry or maybe your hair texture is even different such as slightly curlier or more flat and straight.
Hint: If you're washing your hair every day you could be dealing with this
As mentioned, the levels of moisture (humidity) in the air is a huge factor in the way our hair feels and looks. This is because the water molecules in the air, aka the moisture, binds to or clings to our hairs' proteins . So if your hair has been styled, such as straightened, and then you walk outside in a humid location and notice it's back to your natural state (i.e. wavy, curly, frizzy, etc.), this is because of the water molecules attaching to the proteins. You can think of it as how your styled hair goes back to natural after taking a shower.
What else happens to our bodies when we travel?
Another common bother that can arise when traveling is swelling, whether that present as swollen legs, ankles and feet from trapped fluid, known as edema , or even puffy eyelids or a swollen complexion.
The 20 best travel beauty products to pack in your carry on
Keep reading to see our favorite travel beauty essentials that will keep the above concerns at bay so you look and feel your best wherever you're headed.
A reliable lip balm is a must to have in your bag, and for vacation, look for one with SPF included. Dr. Rambhia recommends La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Balm, a cult-favorite, and they just recently released it with SPF 50 to protect lips from a painful, itchy sunburn. You can apply this to skin too, not just the lips, for extra moisture.
The hero ingredient in this spray is hypochlorous acid, a superstar ingredient known for its ability to instantly kill off bacteria. With all the germs at airports, on planes, on buses, etc., keeping something on you that can ward off that bacteria is key. Unlike hand sanitizer, this can be applied to your face to prevent bacteria-caused breakouts, clogged pores, etc.
This spray is very similar to the one above, with the main ingredient also being hypochlorous acid, but this option is at a much lower cost if you're looking to save a few bucks. Dr. Rambhia says this helps to "reduce bacterial burden and decrease inflammation and irritation in the skin."
Another face mist, but this time for nourishing moisture. This spray is made with 100% grape water, which is antioxidant-rich and moisturizes and hydrates dry, red skin.
You'll find the best of the best in this travel skincare kit from Dermstore, including viral and beloved brands Dr. Dennis Gross, Supergoop!, iS Clinical and Sunday Riley. It's a $445 value selling for just $100.
Want to give your skin a little extra TLC on the flight while you snooze? Apply this soothing, hydrating face mask. Don't worry, it applies clear unlike many other face masks so you won't have to fear embarrassment. Made with the brand's Peony & Collagen Complex, as well as peptides, hyaluronic acid, green tea probiotic lysate and other skin-loving ingredients, you'll wake up with a firmer, more glowy complexion.
Ditch the makeup wipes which can be stripping to the skin for micellar water. The latter is much gentler, and not only effectively removes makeup, but cleanses the skin as well. If you're on a redeye flight and want to take makeup off after a long day, simply pull this out of your bag and wipe on face with a cotton pad for clean, makeup-free skin in seconds.
This moisturizer has a cult following because of its ability to intensely nourish and hydrate even the driest of skin (which may be you if you're on a long flight). It's great for sensitive skin, to relieve redness and eczema and to strengthen the skin barrier which can become compromised while traveling.
You've heard of eye patches, but did you know there are reusable eye patches? These are great for travel since you can wear them over and over — you don't need to bring multiple single-use packs. Just add your favorite serum that works for your skin, and apply. Plus, the packaging comes with a cosmetic mirror, so you can easily apply them on a plane or anywhere you don't have much access to a mirror.
Packing a travel-size leave-in will make all the difference is keeping your hair tangle-free and less frizzy. We swear by this one, as it's super moisturizing to even the most parched strands, but it doesn't feel heavy or greasy. It's made with hydrating tamarind seed extract, conditioning panthenol and vitamin E and hydrolyzed proteins to prevent damage to the hair. Even more, it smells incredible and is a heat protectant.
Did you style you hair just right for your vacation and want it to last your first few days without looking greasy? This dry shampoo is your new hero. It's talc-free, so it won't build up on the scalp and at the roots, and even though it comes out white, the powder "vanishes" once rubbed in so it can work for dark hair. It's also great if you spent a lot of time in the sun and your scalp got sweaty, as it easily absorbs any sweat or oil once applied. Bonus: We like that it comes with a brush to effortlesly blend into roots.
We already discussed how drying traveling can be for your hair, and the use of hot tools can sometimes make the problem worse. Instead, try a heatless curling rod. These are highly loved all over social media, are inexpensive and are so much healthier for your strands. Plus, it can save you time on vacation so you can catch some extra ZZZs; Wear at night or on the plane and wake up with gorgeous curls.
Razor bumps and ingrown hairs can be so painful and frustrating, and no one wants to deal with them on vacation. Prevent and treat them with this formula made with salicylic acid to unclog pores and shea butter and aloe to moisturize. Plus, it leaves with you with a glowy, bronzed finish.
A balm stick such as this one is not only so easy to bring or carry on the go, but it's oh-so-easy to apply. There's no rubbing in involved, so you don't need to worry about getting it all over your hands. You can apply it just about anywhere you have extra dry or itchy skin.
This isn't your regular sleep mask — it's a cooling sleep mask! Made with gel beads, after storing in the fridge before leaving for your trip the beads will feel cool and relaxing on. And it of course helps to block out light so you can get a more restful sleep. The cooling feature can help de-puff eyes for a more refreshed look when you wake up.
If you suffer from travel anxiety, an aromatherapy pen can help. Apply to pressure points such as the temples and wrists to reap its relaxing benefits. The scent is peppermint and lavender, the ultimate soothing combination.
You've heard of face masks, but have you ever tried a leg mask? This cooling knee-high mask stays on like a sock, and made with a mint and tea tree blend, feels ultra hydrating and relieving on legs.
Users rave over this weighted sleep mask for its ability to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. It wraps all the way around the head, securing in the back, and feels as comfy as a weighted blanket.
As explained earlier, edema is very common and happens often when traveling. To combat any swelling in the ankles, feet or legs, wear a pair of compression socks on the flight.
For more skincare secrets, click through these stories:
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