Hi there Chicky,
After this last trip, I’m on a mission to cut down my traveling skincare essentials to the very minimum; the bare essentials. Limited luggage real-estate, small hotel bathrooms, and little “get ready” time makes it really hard to take my regular anti-aging products along with me. But there are certain essentials that we Chickies simply cannot do without, even when we travel. This is the absolute minimum I need for an anti-aging maintenance routine. So after some trial and lots of error, I’ve come up with a list of the essential anti-aging skincare for travel.
This is not a post about product recommendations, although I will share what I take with me. This is more of an essential items list. I’ve discovered that I don’t really need everything I use at home. My face isn’t going to crumble if for a couple of weeks I don’t use the million and one products I normally use (this according to my dermatologist who thinks I’m insane). In fact, it may be good to give the old skin a break. So my new philosophy for travel: keep it simple, stupid.
Cleanser
All I need is two: Okay, I can probably get away with one good cleanser, but I’m obsessive about taking off my night face, so I need two: An oil cleanser to remove make-up, and one that I use as a second cleanse and as a morning cleanse. I like using the Boscia Make-up Break-up Cool Cleansing Oil. I can get it in a small size which is great for travel. Plus it has a handy little lock for the pump, so I don’t get oil leaking inside my travel makeup bag.
For the morning/second cleanser I use my favorite DCL Balancing Cleanser. I’ve talked about this before, but I just don’t want to use anything else. It comes in a big bottle, but I checked in my luggage on this last trip so it was okay. If I just use a carry on, I’ll pour into a travel-sized bottle.
I don’t usually use facial wipes, but on trips I use them to remove my eye makeup. That way, I don’t have to pack cotton pads or cotton balls. Easy, peasy.
Toner
This is hard for me to do without because I love toners, but they’re not essential. What I did this time is to take a spray on toner that I could also stick in my purse and spritz throughout the day for extra hydration. Again, I don’t have to bother with cotton pads or cotton balls. I’m still loving the Caudelie Beauty Elixir. It comes in a travel size so it’s perfect.
I need acid toners for exfoliation Dr. Deniss Gross Alpha Beta Peel comes in handy travel friendly pre-soaked pads. If I take a short trip though, I’d probably skip the acid toning and just do a peel when I get home.
Serum
Serums are a must. I don’t leave home without my Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. Ever. That’s my desert island product. In fact, that one always goes in my carry on, just in case. Plus if I’m traveling in the summer or exposed to the sun, a vitamin C serum is necessary (along with sunscreen) for extra protection.
A hyaluronic acid serum for night or in case my skin feels dehydrated during the day — or if I’m hungover, which could happen; I’m on vacation. I’m currently using The OrdinaryHyaluronic Acid.
Neck cream
Always, always, always. My one and only favorite is the Perricon MD Cold Plasma Sub-D. Chickies, I kid you not, this is a game changer. This, along with my trusted Prep H is a powerful neck tightening duo. Trust me on this one.
And speaking of Preparation H…I never travel without it. You guys know I love this stuff for puffy eyes or to tighten the neck….or ya know, if you need it for what its meant for.
Eye cream
I have a ton of eye creams. But for travel, especially to a sunny destination, I like to use one with an SPF (which isn’t all that common). This Origins A Perfect World SPF 20 Age-Defense Eye Cream is great, and I don’t have to worry about sun damage around my eyes.
For a nighttime eye cream, I’m currently using Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream. It comes in a small tube, so not a big deal to have two eye creams.
Moisturizer
At home, I usually use a moisturizer with SPF during the day and a nourishing one at night (except I’ve recently been using olive oil instead). But since I always use an SPF when I travel, I’m skipping my usual routine and just taking one moisturizer. To tell you the truth, I’m not particularly loyal to any one moisturizer since what packs a punch is my serum. I have a few that I enjoy, I just bring whatever I have on hand. I actually think I’m going to take my EVOO that I already poured into a travel-sized bottle. Because, I’m still obsessed.
SPF
This is a MUST. I would say that if I had to pick just three products to take with me, it would probably be a cleanser, my CE Ferulic and a sunscreen.
Since it’s going under my makeup, I make sure to use a super light one that blends into my skin and doesn’t leave me looking like a ghost. I like the PCA Skin sunscreen. My dermatologist recommended this one from Elta MD. It’s got Zinc oxide and hyaluronic acid, so it’s super moisturizing too. It’s perfect for travel. I’m taking this one on my next trip.
Brush on SPF. Again, always. I find it so handy to stick in my purse and brush it on during the day, and it doubles as my powder. Who wants to put cream sunscreen over makeup and sweat? Not me. I use the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF.
Sheet masks
Because, you know, they don’t really take up a lot of room. I just stick a few hydrating or brightening sheet masks in my bag that I can use on the plane (I do it all the time, I don’t care), or anytime I feel like I need a little extra somin somin.
THAT. IS. IT. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I have another trip coming up next month, and this is all I plan to take. My hubby has even challenged me. Bring on the challenge, buddy! I got this.
One final thing…
I am no longer going to take my teeny tiny little samples of skincare when I travel. It’s so annoying. I find that I end up taking more stuff than I need, and then I have to dig through the minutae of tiny tubes. And when I’m in a hurry (my husband is nagging me), I can’t find what I’m looking. Also, its hard to find things quickly because I don’t recognize the labels. From now on I’m sticking to my regular products, and I’ll use up my samples at home in a controlled environment.
Let me know what your travel essential are. Is there something else I should pack; I have room now.
xoxo,
V