When it comes to traveling, are you a carry-on or checked luggage lover? A plan-ahead-with-a-list packer or a throw-everything-in-the-suitcase right before you leave packer? A start-packing-days-ahead packer or a last-minute-but-kind-of-organized packer?

Just like travel skincare needs, the packing options seem endless, but we promise, there’s a routine out there just for you!

To keep your skin feeling and looking its best no matter where your travels take you, there are some things you can do before you leave and when you get back to ensure that your skin has the best trip possible.

Four Pre- and Post-Travel Skincare Essentials

With all the fun travel brings, it can be harsh on your skin. Often, the biggest culprits for travel-related skin issues are changes in climate, whether that’s higher humidity or drier air, which can affect your skin in the following ways:

* Higher humidity: If you have dry skin, increased humidity can actually add softness and moisture to your skin. But if your skin is more of the oily or combination types, higher humidity can cause issues like clogged pores and acne flareups.
* Drier air: Traveling to an area with lower humidity than you’re used to can cause your skin to lose even more moisture while also stripping away the natural—and needed—oils in your skin. This can be both uncomfortable and irritating, no matter your skin type.

Another thing to consider is how you’ll be traveling, by air or by land, and it does make a difference in how your skin will react during your travels. If you’re flying, the humidity level on planes is around 30% lower than on land, which means that your skin will be drier whether you realize it or not. To help keep your beautiful skin happy, healthy, and glowing from home to your destination and back again, no matter your mode of travel, here are four simple essentials to add to your packing and unpacking processes.

Essential #1. Water bottle.

The water bottle craze these days, lives up to the hype because staying hydrated is optimal to your health, and it’s essential to how you feel during travel.

These are some top travel tips to stay hydrated:

* To avoid travel-related dehydration that can affect both your insides and your skin, be sure to drink some extra water the day before you leave.
* If you’re flying, avoid the temptation to drink less so you don’t have to use those “awesome” airplane bathrooms. You totally know what we’re talking about!
* Drink some extra water when you get to your destination.

And remember: Feeling thirsty isn’t a valid sign of dehydration because by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already 1-2% dehydrated, which can not only negatively affect your skin but other important bodily systems and functions as well.

Drinking water isn’t the only way to show your skin some love! Avoid alcohol and caffeine and eat water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables during travel, especially if you’re flying.

Click here to shop our favorite travel essentials: Lotion, Body Oil, and Body Polish →

Essential #2. Moisturizer.

Besides your water bottle, a moisturizer can be your travel BFF, and you’ll probably want to use it even more often than normal if you’re traveling to a drier climate. Get a head start by moisturizing well the night before and the morning of travel, then don’t forget to moisturize when you get home to help replace any water lost while traveling. If your skin feels extra dry once you’re home, use a moisturizing mask to help replenish that missing moisture.

Our Lotion, Body Oil, Body Polish, and Concreta (for those areas that need some extra moisturizing TLC!) are the perfect travel buddies to help keep your skin—from head to toe—soft and full of moisture during all your travels!

Click here to shop our discovery kit collections, perfect for travel →

Essential #3. Cleanser.

Ever feel like you just need to wash away “travel grime?” We feel you, but your cleansing routine actually starts the night before. Right before a trip is not the time to try a new cleansing product, so use what’s worked in the past the night before you leave, every morning and night while you’re gone, and again upon returning to make sure your skin stays as clean and healthy as possible while you’re away from home.

Our washes can cleanse and gently exfoliate your skin without harsh particles both at home and away.

And if you’ve got a tiny bit of extra room in your suitcase, our bath truffles can treat those tired and sore muscles on long travel days.

Essential #4. Sunscreen.

No matter if you’re traveling for work or fun, your skin still needs to be protected from those UV rays that can cause so much skin damage, even if you’re flying or traveling in a car. You can often find SPF in your other skincare products too, which saves both time and packing space. It’s also a good idea to regularly use a lip balm with SPF to protect—and moisturize!—those beautiful lips while traveling and beyond.

SPF tip: When it comes to choosing an SPF level, aim for 30 or higher.

Click here to shop our discovery kit collections, perfect for travel →

Ready to Roll? Top Tips for Packing Skincare Essentials

Let’s be honest: Fitting everything you want and need to take on a trip can feel like an almost impossible task sometimes, and if you’re traveling by air, those TSA requirements limiting the size and amount of liquids you can pack in a carry on can cause even more packing-related stress. If you struggle to find a place for all your essentials—no matter the size of your suitcase, consider choosing solid forms over liquid (TSA isn’t as picky about solids!), and trial sizes are always a win. Our Discovery Kit sample collections can double as travel companions too, ensuring you have what you need to take care of your skin before, during, and after your travels in the smallest space possible. And that’s a win-win!

Here’s another thing to keep in mind when packing: If you’re traveling by air, the change in air pressure can cause some products to leak, creating a huge mess of a surprise when you get to your destination. To avoid this travel mishap, pack your toiletries in sealed plastic pouches, and for a double layer of protection for your products, when possible, place a small piece of plastic wrap over container openings and screw the lids on tight.

Don’t forget to creating a travel skincare routine

It can be tempting to take a “vacation” from parts of your skincare routine while you’re away from home, but don’t do it. Your skin needs to be taken care of just as much—if not more—than when you’re at home since it’ll be experiencing new sights, sounds, and environments along with you, all of which can affect the quality of your skin. If your at-home routine is more than you’re willing to do while traveling, find ways to simplify it by using products that can do double duty as much as possible, like a cleanser that also gently exfoliates and a facial moisturizer with added SPF.

Traveling can be both fun and exhausting—no matter your purpose or destination, so be sure to make the time to treat yourself to a spa day during your time away from home. You can often find the Zents products you know and love at top spas worldwide, allowing you to gift your skin the extra love it deserves—no matter if you’re at home or abroad!

Traveling can be a time for new adventures and making memories, so make sure your skin experiences the best the world has to offer along with you by packing the essentials it needs to be healthy, happy, and glowing from the start to finish of any trip. What are your best travel skincare tips? Please share on Instagram at @zentsofficial