Good skincare is all about consistency. Good travel is all about novelty. When we’re on the go and out for a good time, how can we tend to our complexion without feeling tied down? Travel skincare is an art unto itself, and just like nutrition, it has everything to do with honing in on simple habits that can be pulled off anywhere. L.A. nutritionist and health coach, Shauna Faulisi is showing us how to keep the glow on the go… 

Traveling is a time to explore new foods, stay out late, skip the workout and indulge in the things you love and make you happy. For many of us, this makes us feel less than optimal, and these actions show up on our skin. Luckily, traveling is just a moment in time and it’s nothing your body and skin can’t handle long term. Here are five tips for travel skincare. Learn to integrate your skin and self-care routine into your travel schedule so you can make that al fresco reservation, spend the day at the museum and have that extra glass of wine without worry…

Drink More Water

I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before but here it is again: Water is incredibly important for our bodies to function at its highest potential. From cellular function, detoxification, elimination and, yes, even our skin. Drinking water is one of the most impactful ways to keep inflammation down. If there’s one thing to put an effort towards during your travels it’s drinking water.

Flights, excess sun, an increase in daily steps and indulging in foods you don’t normally eat will all take a toll on hydration if you don’t stay on top of it.  Aim for at least a half of an ounce of water for every pound of body weight. I recommend drinking one liter of water upon waking to set up your day up in a positive way. Continue to drink water throughout the day to get your glow on.

Less Is More

Traveling is one of the most life-affirming activities we can do. It’s a time to slow down, explore new things and talk to new people — all of which ultimately lead to growth through being uncomfortable. With that in mind, it’s important for many for us to keep up our wellness routine, however I also see many of my clients ridden with anxiety about routines being shaken up. They bring bags of snacks and supplements and their full skincare regiment along in hopes that they can stick to their routines.

I’m here to tell you that traveling is the time and place to remove yourself from routine. The last thing we want to do is spend a large chunk of our mornings and evenings applying serums, oils and moisturizers. Pick your favorite two skincare products and, of course, SPF and call it a day. And if you want extra pampering while you’re away, book yourself a spa treatment or go to a local pharmacy and discover new products. Keep it simple, relax and enjoy yourself.

Eat Greens, Greens + More Greens

Vegetables are life — I couldn’t be a bigger fan. That being said, I’m also a huge fan of exploring new and local foods while traveling. Traveling is the time to eat foods you love, try new things and order dessert. But as we know, pizza, pasta and croissants can leave us feeling inflamed, broken out and sluggish. I’m here to tell you that there’s a way to do both.

At each meal, order a side of steamed green veggies with olive oil and/or a salad. The key? Eat them before digging into your main entree. This way you’ve nourished your body with powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidants and phytonutrients first. The fiber from the vegetables will curb hunger hormones making you less inclined to eat the full entree — the one that may leave you feeling less than optimal. It’s not about saying no to your favorite foods, it’s about finding the balance with foods that are going to support you.

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

Despite what you might have heard, the sun is not your skin’s friend. Too much sun is responsible for inflammation, early signs of aging and can even make the skin more acne prone. Gabby Gerbi, Los Angeles-based nurse practitioner at Facile Dermatology says, “The sun can further exacerbate acne. This occurs when the combination of heat and the sun’s rays dry out the skin and stimulates the body’s response to produce more oil. Sun damage will also lead to different areas of the skin to thin and thicken simultaneously. As these layers have a hard time sloughing off, sebum and bacteria will combine with dead skin cells to block up the pores and cause more inflammation and breakouts.”

When we travel we spend more time outdoors thus exposing our skin to more of the sun’s rays, making your beautiful face more susceptible to damage and inflammation. To protect and preserve your skin long term, it’s imperative to protect your skin from the sun. Wear a hat and be sure to use a physical sunscreen that contains zinc and titanium dioxide. Avoid endocrine-disrupting chemical sunscreens that are most commonly found in stores and still absorb the sun’s rays

Go To Sleep

Planes, trains and automobiles can take a toll on a sleep schedule. For some of us, sleeping in public is no big deal, but for many of us, we’re not so lucky. Time zone changes are rough on circadian rhythm, which ultimately wreaks havoc on mood, eating habits and the state of our skin. My advice: Get as much sleep as you can when you can, and as early in your travels as you can. In the first few days, sleep should be a priority — this regulates your circadian rhythm.

When sleep is off the hunger hormone ghrelin increases, which is why we’re hungry and tend to reach for desserts and pastries. Eating all those sweets will manifest on our skin creating a vicious cycle that’s hard to break. One of the easiest ways to regulate your circadian rhythm is to eat on your current time zone’s schedule. Also, try to eat on the earlier side when possible so you can get to bed early as well. Upon waking, head outside immediately for some sun in your eyes and on your skin for 15 minutes — this signals to your brain that it’s a new day. And not to worry, the sun rays are less strong in the morning hours. Avoid your phone an hour before bed so your brain can wind down. Your mood, skin and body’s functionality will thank you for it!

Our bodies are extremely intelligent and are always working to support us in ways that are beyond comprehension. With minimal effort, you can stay centered and get your glow on all while exploring, learning and discovering new places.