Favorite 5: Skincare Travel Essentials

Travel can be very rough on your skin…not to mention the lack of space you have to pack things. Traveling can really dehydrate your skin, especially if you’re flying. The items I picked focus on moisturizing the skin and smoothing out the texture. Here are the top five items I would bring to take care of my skin when traveling:

1. Face Wash: A creamy face wash is a real multitasker. Not only can it cleanse your skin, but it can also remove face and eye makeup and not totally strip your skin of moisture. I’m currently using Simple Moisturizing Face Wash. It is very creamy and my face does not feel dry after using it. I also find that it really does remove my makeup (with some mascara rings leftover, but to solve that problem see #4). You can find this face wash at the drugstore (use those coupons!!) or Target.

2. Chemical Exfoliator: There are two different types of exfoliation: Chemical and physical. Physical exfoliators are probably what most people think of when they think of an exfoliator. A physical exfoliator has beads in it that rub on the skin and loosen up the dead skin cells. I find these to be too harsh on my skin, so I use a chemical exfoliator. Having “chemical” in the name can sound scary, but chemical exfoliators can be quite gentle. My absolute HOLY GRAIL exfoliator is the boscia (they don’t capitalize their name) Tsubaki Oil-Infused Exfoliating Powder. This is a powder that you pour (a tiny bit) in your hand a mix with a hint of water and then apply to your face. This makes my skin so smooth and bright! I cannot be without this exfoliator, I notice a real difference when I don’t use it. It’s also gentle enough to use every day. I get this at Sephora.

3. Face Mask: Travel can throw your skin out of whack. Whenever my skin is doing anything I don’t want it to, I reach for the Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin. Whether I need moisture, calming or to nip blemishes in the bud, this mask does it. It’s also got camphor in it so it is relaxing as well. It leaves my skin smooth and bright. This mask + the boscia exfoliator = happy skin for me! I get this at Sephora as well.

4. Moisturizer: You can choose your favorite moisturizer. Right now I’m using the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet. I got this for Christmas in a gift set and love it. A lot of moisturizers irritate my skin and make it red (it comes with the territory of having pale, sensitive skin), but this one does not. I’ve also been loving the moisturizer that came in my January 2015 ipsy bag (La Fresh Eco-Beauty Be Good. Good Day. Day Moisturizer). Both are very moisturizing, but do not affect make-up application. If I have mascara rings under my eyes after I wash my face, I put the tiniest bit of moisturizer over the rings and wipe it off with a tissue. You guessed it, I get Caudalie at Sephora.

5 Eye Cream: You don’t need much eye cream to travel with since you use so little at a time.

So I suggest taking a sample. If you order online from Sephora (I may order from Sephora too much…) you always get to choose 3 free samples. I always snag the eye creams. It’s a good way to try out different eye creams since they can be so expensive. Samples also tend to have the perfect amount to travel with. One very popular, moisturizing eye cream is the Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel.  The skin under your eyes is thinner than the skin on your face so you need an extra punch of hydration. I got this sample for free when I purchased something else from Sephora—(probably one of the above items)

Bonus Items: I couldn’t help myself!

1. Hand Cream. You show a lot of love to your face when you travel; don’t forget about your hands! I love the L’Occitane Hand Creams (5 points if you guess where I got it from…). Whatever hand cream you choose to bring, I suggest choosing one that has a scent that will remind you of home or will help you relax. Traveling can be stressful, so taking a moment to stop and smell the roses can be beneficial.

2. Dry Shampoo. Especially if you are on a plane all day and then immediately have to go out somewhere, dry shampoo can help freshen up your roots, absorb excess oil and add volume. It’s also helpful if the hotel has low water pressure so you don’t want to wash your hair every day. I like the Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo. I got mine at Target.

Always make sure to keep skincare items is a separate resealable bag. That way if something leaks or gets punctured, product does not get all over everything else (like your clothes)!

What are your skincare travel essentials?

Thanks to the reader (Tess) who requested this post! Favorite 5: Makeup Travel Essentials is on it's way!

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money (with the exception of the above noted eye cream sample) and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.