Travel Beautifully: How to Keep Your Skin Balanced on the Go

Summer travel season is upon us — which means sunshine, long flights, salty air, late dinners, unfamiliar climates, and often, stressed-out skin. We sat down with Jenette Skin Care founder Jenette Serrins to talk about how she keeps skin healthy, calm, and glowing while traveling without overpacking an entire skincare cabinet.

Q: Why does travel affect our skin so much?

Jenette: Travel exposes the skin to so many stressors all at once. Airplane cabins are extremely dehydrating, we’re usually sleeping less, spending more time in the sun, eating differently, and often changing climates completely.

Even excitement and good stress can affect the skin barrier. I think the biggest mistake people make is trying to overcorrect with too many products. Usually, the skin just craves support, hydration, and consistency.

 

Q: What does your travel skincare routine look like?

Jenette: I keep it simple when I travel. This is not the time for aggressive exfoliation or trying products you’ve never used before. Healthy skin likes consistency. A pared down version of your usual routine is often the best thing you can do while traveling. I focus on five essentials:

• a gentle cleanser such as Magic Matcha – Green Tea Superfood Facial Bar

• a hydrating moisturizer like Serenity - Brightening Moisturizer

• non-toxic, reef-safe SPF with a 10-20% zinc 

• my multitasking must-have: Be Clean - Detoxifying Toner

• plus, I need Be Calm Brightening C Serum and/or a Potion No. 1 or Potion No. 2 Age Defying Serums with me at all times!

 

 

Q: What’s the biggest skincare issue you see while traveling?

Jenette: Dehydration, without question! Airplane cabins alone can leave skin feeling dry, tight, dull, and sensitive. Then you add heat, sun exposure, salty ocean air, or even city pollution and microplastics, and the skin can quickly become unbalanced. Your skin barrier needs protection while traveling, not constant stripping.

I always tell clients to hydrate more than they think they need. You should always drink 50% of your body weight in ounces every day! And that’s if you are not consuming alcohol or caffeine. If that is the case, drink even more water to keep your body and skin hydrated and healthy. Don’t forget your favorite water bottle and avoid plastic. You can even refill it at the airport!

 

Q: Are there specific ingredients you love for travel?

Jenette: Absolutely. I love calming, nourishing ingredients that help support the skin barrier naturally. Aloe vera is wonderful for soothing overheated skin (Think my Be Calm Brightening C Serum). 

Jojoba oil is deeply balancing and hydrating without feeling heavy (like in my Divine Balance - Luxury Face and Body Oil). Rosehip oil is beautiful for replenishment and acts as a natural retinol. (Think my Be Divine - Age Defying Toner, and Potion No. 2 - Age Defying Serum). 

Additionally, cucumber and calendula are two of my favorite ingredients for calming redness and sensitivity (Think Serenity - Brightening Moisturizer and Transform Niacin Serum). These kinds of ingredients help skin stay resilient even when your routine and environment change.

 

Q: What products do you never travel without?

Jenette: Be Clean - Detoxifying Toner is always in my bag. It’s such a multitasker and helps refresh and rebalance the skin on long travel days. This refreshing mist helps boost tired skin while supporting clarity and balance on the go. I especially love it after flights, road trips, or hot days outdoors when my skin feels congested or depleted. 

My Be Clean - Detoxifying Elixir oil is also a top fav. It's a fantastic immune booster that you can dab around your nostrils if you feel allergies, respiratory issues, or something sinus-y coming on.

I also love Be Divine - Age Defying Toner because it gives my skin an instant boost of hydration and radiance when I’m tired or jet-lagged.

And SPF is completely non-negotiable for me! Many people associate sunscreen with beach days only, but UV exposure happens everywhere — while sightseeing, dining outdoors, driving, and even during flights. In fact, UV exposure can increase at higher altitudes, making SPF especially important while flying.

I love wearing a tinted moisturizer with ingredients that do triple duty as skincare, sunscreen, and make-up. Epicuren Defend & Balance Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 provides even coverage by auto-adjusting to your skin tone and protecting you with ingredients including green tea extract, vitamin C, and kukui nut oil. 

My other favorite go-to is Suntegrity Impeccable Skin, Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for a gorgeous smoothing effect. It comes in six shades and acts like an environmental shield to protect you from allergens and pollutants. Both products boast hyaluronic acid, the perfect secret weapon in your travel kit to trap moisture!

If you want to bring a little extra self-care, pack a small amount of your favorite masque for a post-travel reset. A calming treatment like the Just Add Sugar - Cacao Herb Infused Masque or Magic Matcha - Green Tea Superfood Masque can help revive tired, stressed skin after a long day of travel.

Our Magic Matcha and Just Add Sugar Masques come in 2-oz glass containers, which might be a bit heavy for a carry-on. So I highly recommend you transfer just enough for one or two uses to take off all the disgusting travel stress that has accumulated en route and give your skin the healing it needs.

 

Q: Any advice for packing skincare efficiently?

Jenette: Don’t overpack. People tend to bring twice as many products than they actually need. Stick with products your skin already knows and loves. Bring travel sizes when possible and focus on formulas that multitask well.

Healthy travel skin starts with simplicity, not an overflowing toiletry bag. I do love the Davines' shampoo bars, which can double as a body cleanser, especially the MOMO!

 

Q: What’s one thing people often forget?

Jenette: Lip care! Lips get dehydrated so quickly during travel, especially on planes or in the sun. I always recommend keeping a lip balm with SPF nearby. It’s one of those small things that makes a huge difference.

Epicuren Anti-Aging Lip Balm SPF 15 is wonderful if you prefer something richer and more protective, while Jane Iredale LipDrink SPF 15 offers a lighter feel with a sheer wash of color that instantly brightens a tired face. Small luxuries matter when you’re living out of a suitcase.

Q: Final advice for keeping skin balanced while traveling?

Jenette: Be gentle with your skin — and with yourself. Travel is meant to be enjoyed. Your skincare routine doesn’t need to be perfect. Focus on hydration, nourishment, rest, and consistency. When you support your body overall, your skin usually follows.

And always bring your reusable water bottle, wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses!