You’ve made the booking. You’ve set the itinerary. You’re almost all packed up—until you remember that you have no idea how to take care of your skin while traveling to a cold area.  And while you may be afraid of having dry, flaky skin, there are just to many things to worry about—too many schedules to take note of, too many tickets to hold on to. How could anyone possibly have time to research and check the necessary steps for skincare? Here’s a breakdown to help you prevent any pesky skin conditions while enjoying a trip to those cooler regions. 

1. Moisturize regularly. 

One of the main barriers to healthy skin in cold temperatures is the lack of moisture. As such, it should not be a surprise that moisturizing would be a way to combat dry skin. Carrying a travel-sized bottle in your bag during any of your active adventures will definitely help anytime you’re feeling the need for a quick remedy. It is mostly advisable, however, to moisturize after cleansing. This is so that the moisturizer can patch up any nutrients washed away from your skin. 

2. Get the right skincare ingredients. 

Be sure to check the specific ingredients in your different skincare products. While it may be a fine print and a few seconds of extra time, it is helpful in the long run as there are certain ones that help with keeping your skin’s moisture. You could think of hyaluronic acid or glycerin as some of the key ingredients to look out for. These basically help restore the moisture that your skin has lost due to the cold weather. If you’d rather be more sure of what you’re putting on your skin, perhaps a personalized cleanser would be more suited to what you need. 

3. Don’t use hot water.

It may be tempting to use hot water especially on those freezing nights. After all, a warm bath after a long and cold day might seem to lift your spirits. However, making use of hot water could prove as a lot more disadvantageous than beneficial. Hot water can damage the skin and strip off your skin’s natural oils—and of course, you’d want to keep in as much of that moisture as possible due to the weather. You would be better off using lukewarm water as it would help keep your skin more moisturized. 

4. Use a humidifier.

It may not be the first solution anyone would think of when it comes to combating travel-induced dry skin. However, there are several travel-sized humidifiers that you can pack in your luggage before embarking on the trip. They essentially help put moisture into the air, which the cold temperature normally takes out. You could think of it as a type of natural way to moisturize, and this could go hand in hand with your other moisturizing regimens—or a supplementary moisturizer of sorts. 

5. Drink water.

As much as you hydrate on the outside, so you should for the inside. The cold weather has a funny way of tricking you into believing that you’re not particularly thirsty. That is why it would be better to have a reusable water bottle with you throughout the travel. Take some sips every now and then, otherwise your skin would look as though it were drying out—and it would, in fact, be more likely to. Try to set reminders for yourself to hydrate regularly.

6. Put on some sunscreen.

You may think sunscreen is only ever for the warm climates, where the sun seems to cook everything into a golden brown. But that isn’t exactly the case. Those who live or travel to older areas also need this since the sun’s UV rays can still hit then. Without protection from these rays, your skin’s barrier of moisture can be compromised, which would then cause your skin to dry out quickly. Sunscreen is also an item that you can carry around while traveling, making it convenient to bring around.

7. Check your clothing fabric.

The promise of travel to a colder area brings about the excitement of purchasing new clothes—or at least rummaging through what you already have in your winter wardrobe. It is important to remember not to wear fabrics that might make your skin irritated. If you’re not exactly sure which fabrics would cause your skin to turn dry or red, make sure to try out the clothing you plan to wear on the trip beforehand. When in doubt though—or if you don’t really have time to try the clothes on—it might be safer to stick to loose and natural materials. 

8. Use gentle exfoliants.

If you’re the type to bring your entire skincare routine along with you when you travel, be sure to check what you use for exfoliating. It is deemed as beneficial for your skin as it removes any dead skin cells. A key idea to remember is that physical exfoliants tend to be harsher for your skin as compared to chemical exfoliants. Scrubbing can cause redness or damage, which would prevent your skin from retaining moisture. 

9. Find out what the locals do.

When in doubt, find out what the locals do. If you happen to know someone who lives in the area that you’re traveling to, ask them how they keep their skin moisturized. As experienced as they are with the cold temperature, they would know best how to keep up with it all. 

Post written by: Aussy Aportadera