The tickets are booked, your manager has finally approved your vacation leaves, and it's time to pack your bags. Nothing beats the feeling of finally getting to travel, especially since the pandemic robbed you of the good times you could’ve spent in those two years. Well, nothing is coming your way this time. Or is it? While the vacation fever might be getting to you, your skin is about to go through an entirely different set of experiences, most of which will not be quite healthy.
As it turns out, travelling seems to have certain downsides when it comes to your skin’s overall health. Although you might have prepared your travel itinerary to have an absolute blast, your pores will not be having the same fun that you would. And you wouldn't want your skin to look bad while you’re trying to capture awesome photos for your Instagram, would you?
But what are these factors that lead to damaged skin during vacations? And how do you deal with it?
Change in Weather
Whether you move more warm weather to cold or vice versa, your skin finds it hard to adjust to this sudden shift. This can cause the skin to become dry, irritated, and cracked. Changes in humidity levels can also affect the skin. If you're travelling to a location with lower humidity than you're used to, such as a desert climate or a high-altitude area, the air can be very dry and cause your skin to become dry, itchy, and even cracked. This is because the dry air can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leaving it dehydrated and more susceptible to damage.
On the other hand, high humidity can cause the skin to become oily and more susceptible to clogged pores and breakouts.
If you're vacationing in the mountains, you’re more likely to get exposed to direct sunlight with much harsher UV rays than you would on plains. Similarly, if you're travelling to a warmer location, especially one closer to the equator, you may be exposed to higher levels of UV radiation from the sun. This can lead to sunburn, premature ageing, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
To protect your skin from the effects of pollution, it's important to cleanse your skin regularly to remove any pollutants that may have accumulated on your skin. You can also use products that contain antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, to help protect your skin from oxidative stress. Additionally, wearing protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses, and scarves can help reduce exposure to pollutants, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen can protect your skin from UV radiation and further damage
Change in Air Quality
If you're travelling to a location with higher levels of air pollution than you're used to, your skin may become more prone to irritation, inflammation, and acne breakouts. Polluted air contains particles that can clog pores and cause inflammation, leading to acne and other skin problems.
Exposure to air pollution can cause oxidative stress, which can damage the skin's collagen and elastin fibres, leading to premature ageing, wrinkles, and fine lines. Polluted air contains particles such as particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that can penetrate the skin and cause inflammation, leading to redness, itching, and even acne breakouts.
Air pollution can also damage the skin's natural barrier function, making it more susceptible to dehydration. This can cause the skin to become dry, itchy, and even cracked. Exposure to pollution can also lead to an uneven skin tone, as it can cause an overproduction of melanin in the skin, leading to dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
To protect your skin during travel, it's important to use sunscreen, stay hydrated, and moisturise your skin regularly. If you're travelling to a location with a different climate or air quality than you're used to, it may also be helpful to bring a humidifier or extra moisturiser to help keep your skin hydrated. In addition, try to avoid touching your face with your hands, and wash your face regularly to remove any pollutants or allergens that may have accumulated on your skin.
Stress During Travel
Feeling stressed while travelling is quite common. While you ensure everything is in place for the hundredth time, your body produces the stress hormone called cortisol as a stress response. This response is natural but affects your skin significantly. Cortisol hormone makes the sebaceous glands release more excessive oil than normal. This leads to clogged pores, acne breakouts, eczema, and other skin problems. If this situation is further coupled with exposure to bacteria, then you might end up having severe acne on your trip.
To manage stress during travel and prevent its effects on the skin, it's important to practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and exercise. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and moisturising the skin regularly to prevent dehydration. Using skincare products with calming ingredients such as chamomile or aloe vera can help reduce skin irritation and redness. Finally, getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy diet can also help reduce stress and promote healthy skin.
Change in Time Zone
Traveling across different time zones can affect the circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock regulating many physiological functions, including the skin's natural repair and renewal processes. Changes in the circadian rhythm can affect the skin in several ways. The skin's natural moisture levels can be disrupted by changes in the body's internal clock, leading to dryness, itchiness, and flakiness. The skin's natural repair and renewal processes occur at night, during sleep. Disruptions to the circadian rhythm can lead to a decrease in the production of collagen and elastin, which can contribute to premature ageing, wrinkles, and fine lines. Disruptions in the circadian rhythm can also increase inflammation in the skin, leading to redness, irritation, and even acne breakouts.
To minimise the effects of jet lag on the skin, it's important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine. Using a gentle cleanser and moisturiser can help keep the skin hydrated and healthy. It's also important to protect the skin from UV radiation by using broad-spectrum sunscreen. Finally, getting enough sleep and adjusting to the new time zone as quickly as possible can help the body and skin adjust to the new schedule.
Change in Diet
While travelling, your diet takes a 360-degree turn. From having meals on a flight and at your new destination, what you eat changes completely. Visiting a new place means trying out new cuisines that may be very different from your regular diet. People who are mostly travelling know how often they have to consume processed foods.
A diet that is high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can contribute to oxidative stress, which can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, resulting in premature ageing, wrinkles, and fine lines. A sudden change in diet can also increase the production of sebum and lead to acne breakouts.
Trying new foods can also increase the risk of allergic reactions, which can cause hives, itching, and redness in the skin. Consuming new or spicy foods can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and constipation, which can affect the health of the skin. Eating foods that are high in sodium or spicy can increase water loss in the body, leading to dehydration and dry, flaky skin.
To minimise the effects of a change in cuisine on the skin, it's important to introduce new foods gradually and pay attention to how the skin reacts. Consuming a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help keep the skin healthy and hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent dehydration and dry skin. Finally, avoiding foods that are high in sugar, saturated fats, and processed or refined carbohydrates can help prevent acne breakouts and inflammation.
Less Water Intake
Dehydration during travel can have a significant impact on the skin, as travel often involves long periods of time spent in dry and pressurised environments such as aeroplanes, trains, or buses.
Additionally, when your diet changes, the quantity of water you should be consuming also changes. As mentioned above, foods high in sodium and spices lead to water loss in the body and cause it to dehydrate severely. When the body is dehydrated, it can affect the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness, flakiness, and even cracks or fissures in severe cases.
Dehydration can cause the skin to become more sensitive and reactive to external irritants, leading to redness, itching, and other forms of irritation. Dehydration can cause a lack of blood flow to the skin, resulting in a dull and uneven texture. Chronic dehydration can contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
To prevent dehydration and maintain healthy skin during travel, it's essential to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during long flights or car rides. Using a hydrating moisturiser can also help keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness and flakiness. Additionally, avoiding alcohol and caffeine consumption can help prevent dehydration and maintain healthy skin. Finally, taking breaks to stretch and move around can help improve blood flow and prevent the skin from becoming dull and uneven in texture.
Final Thoughts
While out vacationing, make sure your skin experiences the same comfort and happiness that you would. After all, our skin protects us from harsh external environments and lets us have wonderful experiences in life. The largest organ of our body, our skin, goes through a lot of stress, climate fluctuations, and humidity, to name a few, all to protect us from these externalities. Thus, when you decide to pack your favourite clothes and accessories to wear for every day on your trip, make sure you are just as cognizant of your skin’s needs as well.
To help you in protecting and safeguarding the health of your skin, not just on trips but in the journey called life, Kzen brings you world-class natural skincare solutions that cover all your needs. Our products have zero chemicals, artificial fragrances, parabens and sulphates. We make sure that only the most natural ingredients make it to your skincare regime.
From highly nourishing moisturisers to healing face serums, we have it all. Our range of products is holistic and targets every skincare issue you might experience while travelling. So, while you are busy exploring the deserts of the Sahara or the mountain ranges of the Himachal, Kzen is with you every step of the way to help you slay in every weather, climate and altitude. Check out our wide range today and make sure that whenever you travel, you travel with Kzen.