You guys, I think I’ve cracked it: my ideal (for me) skin care routine while traveling! I’ve been regularly travelling internationally for years now, and every time I fly I find my skin gets irritated and breaks out. But during my recent USA holiday I found a routine that seemed to keep everything in check…

Because I was travelling and I like to travel light I did my best to streamline my beauty products to be ones that I could use both morning and night. Certainly not something I’d do all the time – I like to tailor what I’m using to my skin needs on that particular day – but something I’m happy to do for a couple weeks. (Especially if I know I’ll be doing a bit of beauty shopping while I’m away – not everything featured here was in my suitcase on the first leg of my journey!)

Pre-cleanser (PM only): I haven’t reviewed this one yet, but the Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm has quickly become a favourite of mine. I don’t detect any smell when I open the lid, which is nice in an unexpected way, and it easily transforms from a solid to a silky fluid as I rub it in. It really does take the day off, and I find my makeup – even waterproof eyeliner – melts away when I use this.

Cleanser (AM + PM): Ever since my French pharmacy shopping experience, Biotherm Biosource has been one of my favourite cleansers. While travelling I found that it was strong enough to make my skin feel clean, and also gentle enough to be able to use it multiple times each day without irritation.

Toner (AM + PM): While I was in the USA I spotted the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution with 0.5% salicylic acid – which I find is great for keeping my acneic skin in line. I used this toner day and night, and during the two weeks I was away I actually saw an improvement in my skin’s appearance – bonus! Sadly I haven’t seen this for sale in the UK, but since coming home I’ve swapped in the Pixi Glow Tonic and it seems to do the trick.

Hydrate (AM + PM): I originally bought the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray  on the recommendation of the sales assistant at the French pharmacy in Paris, and then loved the results so much (especially if I had a pretty nasty cystic spot coming up – I found it really helped calm those down!) I decided to pop it in my checked luggage. I did not regret this decision.

Eyes (AM + PM): Morning and night I was using the Caudalíe Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream. (Yes, another one from my Parisian beauty haul!) While wrinkles aren’t yet a concern on my radar, I find this eye cream to be really nourishing, plumping, and generally makes my eyes look a bit more awake – which was great for combatting that tired jet lag look!

Treatment (AM + PM): I’ve mentioned the REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil a few times on my blog before (i.e.: here, here and here), and it’s one I keep reaching for. I find it’s great for helping dull skin ‘glow’ and appear more hydrated, which I struggle with normally – and even moreso when I travel.

Moisturiser (AM; PM if my skin needed extra love): Summer was just getting started when I visted the USA this year, and in Massachusetts’ south coast we saw an average daytime temperature of about 25C at that time. When I was packing I knew I would want something lightweight and moisturising, and the Caudalíe Vinosource Moisturizing Matifying Fluid totally fit the bill. On several of the days I also used this at night, when I felt like my skin needed a bit more moisturising love.

What are your travel skin care favourites?