Travel skin care 101: Simple tips to follow before, during and after a trip
According to NerdWallet's Summer Travel Report, nearly 45% of Americans plan to take a vacation in summer 2026 that requires a flight and/or paid lodging. That means hundreds of millions of travelers will be traveling to a new environment away from home. And while traveling can be exciting, it can also disrupt skin care routines.
Travel can affect skin in many ways, from dry airplane air and changes in climate to disrupted sleep, sun exposure, and dehydration. The good news is that maintaining a travel skin care routine does not need to be complicated. A few simple adjustments before, during and after a trip can help keep skin balanced and looking healthy while away from home.
In this article, the Massage Envy brand explores how travel and changing environments may impact skin, along with a few simple tips to help keep skin looking healthy before, during and after a trip.
Plan ahead before departure
When traveling by air, some preparation is required before packing essential products. Travel-size containers or refillable, TSA-compliant bottles can help keep a routine manageable without overpacking. Multi-function products, such as a moisturizer with SPF or a serum with multiple active ingredients, may also help reduce the number of products travelers need to bring.
Before a major travel day, a few simple steps can help make a skin care routine easier to maintain once the trip begins:
- Hydrate well before a major travel day.
- Apply a richer moisturizer before heading out, especially before flights or dry climates.
- Consider a professional facial before a trip.
- Avoid introducing new products immediately before a trip.
- Think about destination, climate, sun exposure, and itinerary before packing.
"Before a trip, it can be helpful to think about what your skin is likely to encounter: dry cabin air, more sun exposure, a different climate, or changes to your normal routine," said Adrianne Lackey, Skin Care Innovation Manager at Massage Envy Franchising. "Some travelers choose to schedule a facial before they leave, especially if they want to focus on hydration, cleansing, or getting guidance from an esthetician before packing their skin care essentials."
After travel, ease back into a routine
After returning from a trip, skin may feel dry, dull, or off its usual rhythm, especially after time spent in airplane cabins, different climates, and exposed to the sun. Rather than making dramatic changes, ease back into familiar products and focus on gentle cleansing, hydration, moisturizing, and consistency.
Wherever summer travel plans may lead, a little preparation can go a long way. Packing thoughtfully, keeping routines simple during transit, and returning to familiar products afterward can help skin feel balanced, comfortable, and healthy throughout the journey.
This story was produced by Massage Envy and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Copyright 2026 Stacker Media, LLC
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 2:00 AM.