How I Care For My Skin When I'm Traveling

Okay, so I use traveling loosely here since my version of traveling is usually just coming back home to Western New York for a few days versus making an international trip. But hey, everyone has their own version and mine just happens to be the broke bitch version. Even still, hopping on that 45-minute flight back home requires me to narrow down what I'm bringing so I can throw it all in a carry-on and tote bag and hope for the best. Makeup is one thing, but making my skincare routine travel-friendly can be challenging, to say the least.

Beyond the limitations when it comes to the amount of liquid you can bring in your carry-on, skincare tends to be pretty bulky and true sample sizes that don't cost an arm and a leg aren't necessarily the easiest to come by unless you buy a travel kit. I'm personally not the biggest fan of trying to de-pot product (i.e. putting moisturizers and eye creams into empty contact cases), as some things just don't transfer well, unfortunately. But I also don't want to deny myself of my usual routine and let my travels wreak havoc on my skin that is already problematic before the transportation via airplane touches it.

Just because I'm traveling doesn't mean I should deny my skin of its usual routine, mostly because it's fussier than a teenager and I don't need to cause it any more stress than it already suffers on a daily basis. I like to keep my routine as normal as possible, within reason, to keep an equilibrium in my skin, also known as trying to not break out the same way I did when I was a hormonal sixteen-year-old with hella oily skin and more clogged pores than she could count.

Since I can't bring my entire skincare cabinet with me, I deemed a few things necessary:

• Cleanser
• Makeup remover (preferably not makeup wipes)
• Moisturizer
• SPF
• Serums
• Acne treatments
• Sheet masks

Obviously, removing my makeup and cleansing my skin are top priority for me, especially in terms of keeping dirt and grime off of my face. Moisturizer is always key obviously to keep the hydration in. Serums, acne treatments, and sheet masks are a treat, but there are easy ways to ensure that you can have all aspects of your skincare routine without lugging full-sized glass bottles around and hoping for the best during the flight. Forget the fragility of them for a second, they're just plain old bulky sometimes too.

This is precisely why I save all of my little samples and redeem my point at Sephora strategically. While yes, they're perfect for testing out new products, they're also perfect for travel and keeping your skincare routine as extensive as possible. I've been hoarding little minis of products for months, waiting for my trip home and resisting the urge to use them, especially one of the mini Caudalie serums that gives me life every time I get a sample of it.

I can live without my two thousand step skincare routine, but that doesn't mean I like to. It's kind of the same with me and caffeine. I don't need it, but I'm also addicted to it so like, I'd prefer to not have headaches the same way I'd prefer to not have bad skin. Obviously.

While I'm not necessarily on the plane for that long when I travel home, I still firmly believe hydrating is one of the most vital parts of a skincare routine when it comes to traveling. And detoxing, but mostly hydrating. Ain't nobody want dry af skin after the flight so everyone could do with a good hydrating sheet mask before, after, or even during the flight if you're in it for the long haul. Keep your skin moisturized and bouncy versus dull and lifeless. Don't let the flight win!

Here's what I decided to tote along home to the other side of the state in hopes that my skin wouldn't freak out too much: 

• Fresh Soy Cleanser mini (a point perk at Sephora)
• Drunk Elephant B-Hydra serum mini (a point perk at Sephora)
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum mini (a point perk at Sephora)
• Fountain of Truth Calming Serum *gifted*
• Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizer mini (a point perk at Sephora)
• Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream mini (a point perk at Sephora)
• Biossance Squalene + Vitamin C Rose Oil mini (a sample at Sephora)
• Kate Somerville Anti Bac Clearing Lotion (full sized, 1.7 oz)
• Lexli Acne Clarifying Lotion (full sized, 1 oz)
• Fountain of Truth Eye Roller *gifted*
• Sheet masks
• Lancome Bifacial Eye Makeup Remover mini (a point perk at Sephora)

What are you travel skincare must haves?