Travel has always been a big part of my life, both for business and for fun. It energizes me to explore new places, revisit old favorites, and spend quality time with friends and family who don't live nearby. And this time of year I’m usually trying to get somewhere a little warmer and sunnier than the PNW! But as much as my spirit loves the change of scenery, it always wreaks some kind of havoc on my skin. Between late December and late February I’ve been in Michigan (cold and dry), Los Angeles (warm and dry), Arizona (hot and dry), and New Mexico (back to cold and dry).
Nothing beats the golden hour in the Southwest - before major dehydration set in
While I've had some great times with family and friends and loved the heck out of all the sunshine, after two months of bouncing around to these DRY places my skin has become as dehydrated and irritated.
My skin feels as dry as this desert!
My first line of defense during trips and travel is always to try stay adequately hydrated both from the inside out as well as the outside in. Drinking pure clear water, eating tons of veggies, and frequently misting with something balancing like Jenette’s Be Happy Brightening Toner, which is always in my travel bag. Inevitably, though, it all catches up to me - the dry air, disruption to my sleep cycle, subtle (or not-so-subtle) changes in my diet. No matter how hard I try to keep good habits, some things just tend to fall apart and my skin pays the price. It shows up looking flaky, splotchy, and bumpy. No thanks!
Since returning home I’ve been on a mission to get back to smooth and glowing with a few favorites that I lean on in rough times like these:
Walnut Polisher – Handcrafted in small batches in Brooklyn and sold at this dreamy little shop in Chelsea in NYC, Soapology’s Walnut Polisher is a delicate physical exfoliant that will gently smooth off little flakies and subtly rehydrate with jojoba and rose hip seed oil. Physical exfoliants should always be used very gently – more pressure is NOT better, and grinding it into your skin can cause little micro-tears. Use a light touch and rinse in lukewarm water to reveal smooth skin. And if you're in NYC GO to Soapology in person and get the full treatment! You can lose yourself there testing and playing with their lovely products.
Jenette Just Add Sugar Cacao Herbal Infusion Masque – I call this mask “The Fixer.” Los Angeles facialist and product developer Jenette Serrins calls it a mini facial in a jar, and it’s the next best thing to an actual treatment from her. It shrinks pores, kills bacteria that causes breakouts, while hydrating and lifting all at the same time. I’ve used this miracle mask for years and it’s great whether your skin is actively in need of rehabilitating or if it’s already great and you want to keep it that way. Excellent for all skin types.
Dr. Alkaitis Herbal Toner – I discovered this hydrating tonic through one of my favorite stores, Detox Market. In just two short months it’s proven to be an MVP. This hydrating and balancing toner has organic aloe vera gel, chamomile, and Atlantic sea kelp to tone and balance skin, while taking down inflammation. And the light herbal scent is dreamy. I use after cleansing, morning and night when I need an extra moisture boost.
True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil RENEW – I’m on my 3rd bottle and could go on and on about it. When my skin is stable I like to mix up my oil routine, alternating between oils I know and love and new ones I’m testing. When my skin is acting up, though, I rely on this restorative oil both night and day at the end of my routine to seal in all the goodness. Pure Radiance is a blend of 28 different oils, each chosen for its ability to reduce signs of aging and damage which translates into deeper hydration and ingredients that fight free radical damage. Don’t just take it from me - True Botanicals backs up their claims with actual clinical trials. This one outperforms celebrity darling Crème de La Mer, which I used to use years ago.
What are your go-to skin fixers?
