The holidays bring out a certain kind of glow. Our hearts are full of love from friends, family, and giving, leaving a warmth only happiness can bring. But unfortunately, the stress of traveling this time of year can dampen your natural radiance and take a toll on your skin.
First off, the air in planes is dry and lacks oxygen, leaving skin dull, dehydrated, and sometimes irritated. Second, long security lines and flight delays can raise your stress hormones, resulting in acne, psoriasis, and eczema flare-ups.
With parties and family dinners, it's certainly not the best time to have skin issues. So, what can you do?
The beauty experts at YUNI share their top tips for maintaining glowing skin, even when traveling for the holidays.
Do this before you go
Caring for your skin and body before you travel can make a huge difference in your complexion throughout your trip. So if you do a little prep, you'll look and feel your best once you land at your destination.
The humidity levels in the cabin of an airplane are around 20%, which is even less than in some desert climates. This happens because half of the air circulating is pulled from outside, where the high altitudes hold air devoid of moisture.
Stay hydrated.
Prep for these arid conditions by drinking lots of water starting 24 hours before travel. You should also avoid eating overly salty foods before and during your flight because, in the end, no amount of moisturizer will help your skin if your body is dehydrated.
Exfoliate.
The night before your flight, make time for a pampering skincare routine. Begin with a natural exfoliating treatment like YUNI's Glow With The Flow Face and Body Scrub. Clearing your pores will allow all of your other products to penetrate (and hydrate) on a deeper level.
Mask up.
After your cleansing scrub, apply a rejuvenating facial mask. Our Yunicorn Celestial Jelly Mask strengthens and protects your skin barrier while also calming and moisturizing. The perfect prep before demanding travels.
Double moisturize.
Once your mask is rinsed off and while your face is still damp, apply a moisturizing cream filled with fatty acid-rich oils and natural hydrators. YUNI's Active Calm Firming Facial Moisturizer absorbs quickly while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Next, maximize hydration with a top layer of Zenicure Rejuvenating Facial Oil. This step will help lock in moisture and prevent dehydration the following day.
Keep skin hydrated
Your moisturizing routine doesn't end the night before. Keeping your skin hydrated throughout your travels will protect the skin barrier against irritation. Before going on board, splash your skin with water or a hydrating facial mist followed by creamy moisturizer from your travel kit. Damp skin acts like a sponge, reinforcing longer-lasting hydration. Reapply as needed throughout the flight, and don't forget to pack a travel-sized hand cream to help out dry skin on your hands and arms.
Continue to keep your skin hydrated throughout the rest of your travels to keep it healthy and happy. Moisturized skin has a stronger protective barrier, helping you avoid irritation, dryness, and acne. For your daily dose of radiance and moisture, try our Light Seeker Glow Face Oil.
Bring a travel friendly skincare routine
We don't want to jinx it, but sometimes luggage gets lost. It may be tempting to just throw your full sized products into your checked luggage, but it could be risky. And missing several days of skincare can quickly throw off your glow, especially with the additional stressors that traveling brings. While you're away from home, it's important to maintain a consistent routine to keep your skin looking it's best.
Opt for travel sized products that you can keep in your carry on. With your best skincare handy, you can freshen up before, after, and during your flight with ease. Plus, now you'll have space to pack all the goodies you'll find at your destination.
Start with a reusable pouch to store all your travel sized skincare products. Anything under 3.4 ounces is TSA-approved. Another option is transferring a small portion of your full-size products into reusable containers that fit 3.4 ounces or less and packing them in your carry on.
Check the weather, and pack accordingly
Humidity levels and proximity to the sun all affect what skin care you should pack for your holiday travel.
Going tropical? Or headed to the ski slopes? If you're vacationing in the southern hemisphere, it's clear you can't forget your travel-size sunscreen. However, ski trips are a popular holiday travel destination too, but because it's so cold, many overlook the UV damage that can happen on the slopes.
Once you reach 10,000 feet elevation, you are 70% more susceptible to UV rays than at sea level. Plus, the bright white snow reflects the harmful rays up toward your face. Neither a ski goggle tan nor sun damage is a chic look once you're home, so remember to pack your SPF.
Bring a creamy moisturizer to combat the dry air if you're headed to cold, wintery climates. The same protocol goes for desert environments like Arizona or Nevada. However, if your destination lies in a humid region, you'll want to bring a lightweight facial oil to keep your skin balanced and fresh.
Destress when you can
The holidays and traveling can be stressful on their own, but when you combine the two, you may need a little extra help to make it through.
We've talked all about the benefits of aromatherapy for travel. Essential oils can help with several issues along your journey, like calming your nerves, easing jet lag, relieving motion sickness, and refreshing your space.
But the real power of aromatherapy lies in its ability to relieve stress. Studies show that inhaling essential oils decreases cortisol levels, also known as "the stress hormone." And when you keep stress at bay, your skin will stay calm too.
You can lower the stress dial with YUNI's 100% natural essential oil aromatherapy blends. Pop the ultra-convenient Carry Om Stress-Relieving Aromatherapy Essence into your travel kit and inhale during stressful moments. Or pack an Aromatherapy Mist to spray on fabrics, within spaces, or yourself (of course). The calming scent of geranium, bergamot, neroli, and sage will stay with you for hours.
Prioritize sleep
The phrase "beauty sleep" has stuck around for a reason. Anyone who's woken up after a poor night's sleep knows that the first place it shows is on your skin. A restful slumber is critical to skin health because our body regenerates cells and produces collagen during sleep.
But sleeping in a new bed in a different time zone can throw off even the most steadfast sleepers. This is when YUNI's Wind Down Wonders nighttime routine comes in handy. This travel-ready kit features an aromatherapy pillow spray and a calming oral spray that help you relax and drift off to sleep. A soothing body lotion and renewing facial serum complete a restful self-care routine. You'll wake up looking and feeling refreshed.
Use a highlighter for an extra glow
Tried everything but still looking for a bit more glimmer? Try a naturally derived skin illuminator like YUNI's Gliding Light Illuminating Body Balm. The luxurious formula targets extra dry areas from head to toe, all while accentuating your natural glow using ethically sourced mica.
Beautiful skin doesn't end with your face. Take care of the skin on your body and amp up the radiance by applying a highlighter to the shoulders, legs, chest, and cheekbones. The travel-friendly packaging is ready to glow up any of your holiday looks.
With these tips, we hope you're prepared to travel during the holidays with a little less stress and a little more glow.
Resources:
https://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/news/2018/02/be-sun-safe-on-the-slopes.php#
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-moisturize-face