Traveling is a gift – but it’s not always a gift for your skin. Altitude changes, drastic weather swings, and masking up on your flight can cause skin to seriously act up, and you might be tempted to pack an entire suitcase just in anticipation of skin meltdowns. Rather than checking a bag filled to the brim with unnecessary options, we break down what skincare formulas you’ll need based on where you’re jetting off to. It’s important to focus on packing products based on the climate you’re traveling to and the focus of your skincare, be it breakouts, dryness, or sensitivity. Below, you’ll find your go-to guide to travel-friendly skincare — and you’ll be covered no matter where your travels take you this 2022 and beyond. 

Traveling to an Arid Climate

If you’re traveling to a dry climate, plan on packing a lot of hydrating, multitasking skincare products. The dryness in the air will inadvertently suck the moisture out of your skin — like what happens in winter, except year-round — so pack products that offer deeply moisturizing ingredients, like plumping hyaluronic acid serums, rich eye creams, and long-lasting moisturizers. 

Heading to a Big City 

Perhaps you’re spending your trip sightseeing around a metropolis. On top of managing the climate of wherever you’re traveling, you’ll want to also consider pollution and what that can do to your skin. Pollution can be a real danger, but with the right anti-pollution skincare, you can keep your complexion clean, protected, and safe from all that skin barrier-depleting damage. Try spritzing on our juicy Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist, which has a superhero trio of ingredients (rice germ, apple cider vinegar, and moringa seed, to be precise) to help repel pollution. Then follow-up with a healthy dose of hydration via a silky moisturizer to seal in moisture. 

Sunning at the Beach

If you’re packing a suitcase full of swimsuits, sarongs, and sunnies, don’t forget the exfoliating toner and SPF. The extra humidity in the air might be a blessing for your skin – or it might just cause a few extra zits. Pack a balancing toner, like our Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner, which both exfoliates and hydrates for glowing, pillow-soft skin. Follow that with an oil-free cooling gel moisturizer, like our beloved Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer. And don’t forget to keep reapplying sunscreen every few hours – nothing ruins a beach vacation like a sunburn.  

Hitting the Slopes 

Whether you’re strapping on a pair of skis or just enjoying a mulled wine mountain-side, the high-altitude, bright sun, and dry air can do a number on the face — think windburn, sunburn, and dehydrated skin. Give skin a healthy dose of TLC with a hydrating serum and moisturizer, a lip balm like Watermelon Glow Lip Pop for all-day moisture, and a budge-proof SPF. 

Travel-Sized Beauty

While you may be able to anticipate the climate and your daily activities while traveling, you can’t always predict how your skin will behave or react to it. Rather than bringing out a crystal ball to try and guess what you’ll need to pack, grab a mini kit, which has everything you might possibly need (and is TSA-approved) — think of it as an on-the-go Skincare Wardrobe. Use one, like our best-selling Fruit Babies Bestsellers Kit, to treat your skin based on how it’s feeling that day. As you might already know, we’re all about the skincare philosophy of listening to your skin to understand what it needs on a daily basis. Our Taking It Day by Day, Skin by Skin approach believes in checking in with your skin every single day. Maybe you’re more oily than usual one day, or perhaps the fine lines around your eyes look a little more prominent another day — whatever it is, consider it proof that skin has different needs every day.

On that note, a kit like Fruit Babies was designed to cover  all your bases. It features five best-sellers in a variety of skincare needs, including an exfoliating toner, two different serums (one niacinamide-infused highlighting serum and a hyaluronic acid serum), a moisturizer for A.M. and P.M., and a potent hydrating eye cream. 

If you wake up with dryness, grab the Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, which is infused with three juicy plums, five molecular weights of next-gen hyaluronic acid, vegan collagen, and vegan silk protein. This lightweight serum deeply hydrates dry, dehydrated skin and visibly diminishes the appearance of fine lines for healthy, bouncy skin. Follow that with the juicy Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer, which is spiked with vitamins, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and soothing botanicals to seal in hydration and repair damaged cells. The cool gel-emulsion drenches skin in luscious, long-lasting moisture and is perfect for all skin types, both morning and night. 

If your skin feels dull and lackluster, try the Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner for an ultra-gentle exfoliation-plus-hydration experience. The two-in-one toner hydrates while minimizing the appearance of pores, thanks to potent actives, including PHA and BHA. Right after toning, massage on the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops for a dewy glow – both instantly and over time, thanks to this niacinamide-infused highlighting serum, formulated without mica, glitter, or pearls. This revolutionary highlighting skincare-meets-makeup hybrid helps visibly brighten skin and deliver an effortless glow, while helping to reduce hyperpigmentation over time. 

And if jetlag has got you down in the form of puffy, tired eyes, don’t sleep on the Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Mask, which works to brighten, depuff, and hydrate eyes with a blend of avocado, encapsulated retinol, coffeeberry, and niacinamide. Apply right before bed and let the long-lasting actives release throughout all hours of the night to help moisturize, fight fine lines, and brighten the eye area. You’ll wake up refreshed and ready for whatever your travels bring you. Happy exploring!

Keep reading about how best to care for skin while traveling:

• Is Blue Light & Anti-Pollution Skin Care Legit?
• Why You Shouldn’t Switch Up Your Skincare While Traveling
• Ask a Glow Pro: How Do I Take Care of My Skin In-Flight?