Seasonal Skincare Tips for Frequent Travelers

Seasons change and so does your skin. Cold weather can give you flaky skin and chapped lips (ouch!), while humidity can make your skin oily and trigger breakouts (eep!). As you plan weather-appropriate outfits for your next destination, refresh your routine for seasonal skincare, too.

Sure, you can still rely on the holy grails suited to your skin type, but a few tweaks may be necessary to have your skin ready for climate changes. Keep reading for a curated list of in-flight essentials and destination must-haves tailored to the changing seasons.

ICYDK, airplanes are known for notoriously low humidity levels, which creates a harsh environment for your skin. This can lead to dryness, roughness, flaking, and even irritation. Keep your skin nourished and hydrated mid-flight with these simple tips.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – inside and out. In addition to drinking enough water, consider an in-flight skincare routine that’s rich in moisture. Here’s an example:

Double cleanse so your skin is free from dirt.

Apply a toner with hyaluronic acid to bring on the moisture.

Follow with a nourishing serum for an extra boost.

Next, it’s time to lock in all that moisture! Choose a non-comedogenic moisturizer to minimize the risk of clogged pores. Lastly, don’t forget to apply sunscreen! As much as you might love a window seat, remember that being on a plane brings you closer to the sun's harmful rays.

Reapply your moisturizer as necessary, especially on long-haul flights. You can also give your skin a pick-me-up with a sheet mask (don’t be shy to do this on the plane!) or refresh your skin with a face mist. Again, remember to reapply your sunscreen!

The general rule is to continue with your current regimen but be ready to switch things up as the seasons change. Below is a list of skincare tips that are specific to the weather:

When the air is really, seriously hot, it can leave your skin parched and prone to damage and breakouts.

Use a gentle cleanser. This will leave your skin squeaky clean without feeling tight or stripped of its natural oils.

Go for moisture-rich skincare. Include ingredients such as squalene, ceramides, or glycerin in your routine to double up on hydration and go extra on skin barrier protection.

Repair the skin while you sleep. Try a cream that’s infused with vitamin A and seaweed extract to boost cell renewal while you catch up on your Zs. A good choice is POND'S Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Night Cream, which contains retinyl palmitate, a gentler form of vitamin A that can help reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness.

Freezing temperatures and heated indoor air can give you dry, irritated, and flaky skin, and even chapped lips.

Double up on hydration. Choose moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and rose extract to help lock in moisture and reinforce your skin barrier.

Lip care is super important! Avoid painful, cracked lips with an SPF-infused lip balm. Shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba esters are good ingredients to have in your lip care.

Don’t forget body lotion. Milk lotions, for example, with formulations rich in niacinamide and vitamin E can give your body an all-over moisture boost.

As a Filipina, you know this like the back of your hand: Tropical weather, like in the Philippines, can make you feel icky and sticky. Plus, oily skin can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Lightweight is the way. From your sunscreen to your moisturizer, go for a noncomedogenic, lightweight formula, so your skin can breathe.

Go matte to avoid the unwanted “shine.” When choosing products such as cleansers, setting spray, or even makeup, it’s best to go with mattifying formulations to keep oily skin at bay.

Sun protection is a MUST. Well, it’s necessary at all times, regardless of the weather! Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen and have it handy everywhere you go so you can apply and reapply as needed – no excuses! Try POND'S UV Bright Sunscreen, which provides a high level of protection with SPF 50 PA++++ and has gluta-niacinamide to also help fade dark spots.

Environmental changes, no matter how minimal, can still disrupt your skin. Continue hydrating, rejuvenating, and protecting your skin to keep it strong against pollution and free radicals.

Use a pH-balanced cleanser. This can clean your skin thoroughly without disrupting your skin’s natural protective barrier.

Hydrate and protect to keep your skin healthy. Go for serums with peptides, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as humectants like glycerin, which are great for nourishing and refreshing the skin.

Exfoliate to rejuvenate the skin. Whether it’s a volcanic clay mask or an exfoliating acid you’re more hiyang with, exfoliate once or twice a week to revive your skin.

Embracing seasonal skincare need not be overly complicated. Just be aware of the key points to focus on depending on the climate, so you know how to adjust. With this in mind, you can worry less about your skin and focus on the good times as you travel!