Pack It or Pass
We’ve got a vacation coming up, and I am 100% the person that packs a week in advance. So, obviously, I’ve started gathering my toiletries. Packing skincare for vaca can be tricky. Ideally, I wish they made a “pill case” for skincare so I could take the exact quantity of everything I’ll need. Unfortunately, I don’t think this exists. If you’re reading this and have any intel as to how this could work, get at me.
If you’re anything like me, your skincare products could easily account for the entire 50lb weight limit. So, we’re forced to carefully pick and choose what to bring. Here’s my take on what to pack and what to pass on.
Gentle Cleanser
This is a must. Nothing fancy. I typically choose one from Cerave, like the Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser.
The stability of a cleanser is pretty flexible, so, if you don’t have travel sizes of your favorite cleanser, you could likely transfer it to a travel container without fear of damaging the active ingredients in the cleanser.
Moisturizer
Typically, vacations mean more time outside. Whether it’s sun or wind burn, the barrier of your skin is at risk. A good moisturizer, like Cerave Moisturizing Lotion or La RochePosay Double Repair, is definitely needed to help store that compromised barrier.
Like cleansers, moisturizers are pretty flexible and can be transferred to travel containers.
Sunscreen
Cold or hot. Sun or snow. Boating or golfing. No matter what type of vaca you’re going on, you need sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens are your safest bet to make sure one bad sun burn doesn’t ruin your entire trip. I like La RochePosay Anthelios Mineral Tinted, Cerave Sheer Tint, and Elta MD.
Heliocare is another must on my packing list. Finally, something that can fit into my pill pack! Take 1-2 tablets 30 minutes before going outside.
Topical medications
No one wants acne on vaca. Make sure to include your topical medications in your toiletry case. For me, that’s currently clindamycin lotion and Aczone.
If you have a chance, ask your dermatology provider if they have samples of your medication to save space! If not, I would recommend leaving your medications in their dispensed containers in order to preserve their stability and efficacy.
HA Collagen Booster
I love love love this product but, sadly, it’s a pass for me while on vaca.
My skin can tolerate 4-5 days without this. If yours can’t, make the trade somewhere else….except with sunscreen.
Glycolic acid cleanser
I typically alternate this with my gentle cleanser as a nice chemical exfoliant. Sadly, ain’t no body got room for 2 cleansers on vaca, so I pass on this.
Vitamin C Serum
I’ll be honest. I have 4 different vitamin C serums in my bathroom. If, and only if, I have a little extra space, I’ll throw in my Cerave Vitamin C serum. I don’t love packing glass containers, so I generally pass on Skinceuticals, La RochePosay, and Maelove.
Vitamin C is not a stable molecule, so don’t bother trying to transfer it to a travel container.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Again, another product I LOVE but sadly doesn’t make the vaca cut. Instead, I get by with my Coola LipLux Sunscreen Lip Balm.
Peels/Masks
I try to do a salicylic acid peel or pumpkin mask once a week. However, I don’t consider these to be a necessary part of my routine, so another pass for me.
Micellar Water
I love micellar water for makeup removal as well as in between sunscreen applications, so I definitely make room for this. Keep your eyes peeled for travel size micellar water…I’ve recently seen it at Target!
Hyaluronic Acid
Because I usually have a good moisturizer in my bag, I typically skip this when I’m packing.
Retinol
If you’re using a prescription-strength retinoid, this should already be in your bag. If not, I would try to make room. However, be cautious! Retinoids do make you more sun sensitive and increase your chance of dryness and irritation. If you do bring one, use it every other night and be sure to follow it up with a moisturizer.
Most retinoids are not photo-stable, so I would recommend keeping it in it’s container.
Now that your bag is packed, hold yourself accountable to continuing your skincare routine on vacation! If your vacations are anything like mine, they’re gluttonous and your skin will need all the love you can give it!
-xoxo