Skincare On Travel Made Easy

Travelling This Winter? Travel Tips & How To Protect Your Skin

Last year, I had the opportunity to head down under to Tasmania, a place known for having the cleanest air in the world. It was the winter season and winter is normally the perfect excuse to slow down and indulge high-calorie, warm, carb-rich foods; rich seafood chowders, slow-cooked Tasmanian lamb, local pinot noir or whisky to keep you warm and many more. However, this did not come without consequences. With less physical activity and consuming more high carbs and sugary food than usual, I started getting breakouts after my vacation :’).

After a bit of research, turns out it’s totally normal – there’s actually a science-backed reason why holidays can trigger overeating and breakouts. Here’s what’s happening:

1. Holiday Foods Spike Blood Sugar

Sugary, carb-heavy meals (desserts, bread, alcohol) cause big blood sugar spikes.
Your body responds by releasing insulin, which can increase oil (sebum) production in the skin.
More oil + dead skin cells = clogged pores and breakouts.

2. Disrupted Sleep & Routine

Staying up late, traveling, or skipping your normal routine stresses your body.
Sleep deprivation increases cortisol (the stress hormone), which triggers inflammation and worsens acne.

3. Alcohol & Dehydration

Alcohol dehydrates skin, making it produce more oil to compensate.
It also disrupts gut health, which can throw off your skin’s balance and cause dullness or breakouts.

4. Stress & Social Pressure

Holiday stress (family, travel, planning) → cortisol surge → more inflammation → more breakouts.
Cortisol also slows down skin healing, so pimples last longer.

5. Skincare Routine Changes

Travel often means you skip steps, use hotel soap, or forget SPF.
Using new or inconsistent products can irritate skin and lead to flare-ups.

✅ What You Can Do [Pre-Holiday]

Bring Your Own Skincare Minis – Avoid harsh hotel soap
Stick to basics: Cleanse + moisturize + SPF + lipbalms — even if you’re busy. If you have dry skin, always remember to pack lip balm and small moisturisers that you can carry and re-apply on the go.
Hydrate on Flights – Drink water, avoid too much alcohol or caffeine
Keep Hands Off Face – Airports and public spaces = lots of bacteria
Optional: take probiotic to support gut health during the holiday

✅ What You Can Do [Post-Holiday]

Balanced meals: Pair carbs with protein/fiber to reduce blood sugar spikes. After my vacation, life got busy again. I realised I became more sleepy and feeling lethargic in general. Perhaps it’s the lack of sleep due to travelling. After doing some research about why my body was feeling this way, I decided to try intermittent fasting since I usually did not have time to eat breakfast in the morning and only eat within only during the 8 hour window. Bear in mind that I did not eat junk food but simple healthy meals consisting mostly of carbs, meat and vegetables. Sometimes I would eat simply veggies which has worked wonders for me before. I thought I would become hangry (hungry + angry) but to my surprise, I didn’t. I am sure there is a science-backed reason behind it but the fasting did help me regain my focus and energy throughout the day.

Skipping more than a meal a day can pose potential health risks so I do not recommend doing it without seeking medical advice from a professional.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, especially if you drink alcohol.
Prioritize sleep: Aim for consistent rest.
Manage Stress – Exercise, a walk outside, or any activities that lower your stress level.
Optional: exfoliation and face masks to help restore your skin.

Here is a video from a YouTuber named Haley Kim who shared tips on how she clears her skin within a week with $0 after travelling. Her video has over 100k views.

Local Tip:

_{Tasmania has amazing locally-made products and skincare brands and using native botanicals like kunzea, manuka honey, and sea kelp— perfect for souvenirs while supporting local makers.}

Final Thought

_{During my time in Tasmania, I did not want to stress too much looking after my skin but simply keeping the basics. Being happy, enjoying the nature and the comfort and connection of my loved ones is what’s most important to me.}