What could be more glamorous than lying on the shores of the aqua marine Mediterranean in the swank South of France?
Oh, who am I kidding? As a poor student scrounging for food, cheap hostels, and cheap airfare—all of this done in a foreign language, no less—study abroad was a little less Coco Chanel and a little more
la vie boheme. I have to admit, I was nervous about how my skin would handle the trip; I have been prone to acne for years, and in my early twenties, my susceptibility is worse than ever.
Any person who struggles with
acne knows that stress and lack of routine (not to mention air travel, warm weather, and sunscreen) can agitate the situation. It’s a cocktail for disaster—and not quite the cocktail I envisioned myself drinking on the beach for spring break.
To survive the trip, I constructed (and test-drove) the following plan to combat skin stress while traveling:
- Stick to the skincare regime: I stuck to my regime quite vigilantly, avoiding breakouts by using my Clarisonic Brush (which has an impressive battery-life—just remember to charge before you leave!) morning and night. For cleansing, I used Obagi Clenziderm Daily Care Foaming Cleanser followed by Obagi Clenziderm Pore Therapy, and finally Skin Medica TNS Ultimate Daily moisturizer.
- Trust the science behind the products: Because I had educated myself on the science of skincare before the trip, I knew how to plan ahead for the different environments I would be in. For days that I was immersed in the dry, stale air of airports and airplanes, I put SKINMEDICA's HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator under my moisturizer. For days outside, I always wore La Roche-Posay sunscreen SPF 50 on top of my moisturizer. I even managed to bring my tiny bottle of Latisse and a few lash brushes to keep up with my eyelash maintenance.
- Plan on a chemical peel or two when you return: If any of the above was to fail me, I'd at least be able to whip my skin back into shape as soon as I returned. It didn't come to that, but I kept my appointment anyway for a quick, welcome-home rejuvenation.
Following these three steps, I was amazed when my skin stayed clear and bright through two weeks of running around Europe.
I also realized another very important piece of the puzzle: when traveling, don’t forget to relax, wherever you are. Walk the beach, hit the slopes, tour the cobblestoned streets—whatever makes you happy is sure to give you a beautiful glow. In addition, stay hydrated and take advantage of local delicacies—maybe not the croissants so much, but fresh seafood and the area’s local produce. With fresh air, sleep, relaxation, and of course, some great products from Timeless Skin Solutions, travel doesn’t have to be a disaster for your skin.
Contact us for more information about chemical peels and other
acne treatments available from Timeless Skin Solutions!
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