Your Skin And Travel, A Q&A With Skinstitut Expert, Zoe Devine, Part Two

Skinstitut is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Australia with a limited edition Skin Brilliance Kit (see review here). And in honour of this amazing milestone, UltimateTravelMagazine.com got to chat with Skinstitut Expert, Zoe Devine, answer everything and anything you need to know about your skin and travel. Here’s part two of the essential advice Zoe had to share with us. 

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: Long haul flights can be particularly bad for the skin. What are your recommendations for before, during and after a long flight.

Zoe Devine:  The night before you fly exfoliate with a product like Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% to remove excess dead skin. Follow this with an application of a extreme hydrating corrector like Skinstitut Multi-Active Oil to strengthen your skin integrity prior to the flight and address any skin dryness or dehydration improving the overall radiance, texture and tone. On the flight, less make-up is best, so to avoid feeling self-conscious through check-in and security, if on a long haul flight be sure to cleanse off make-up once up in the air and settled. Try Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser which is gentle enough to use around the eye area. Two main things affect the skin on long haul flights: low humidity, and dry air lacking moisture, results in a dehydrated, lack lustre skin tone; also travelling at a high altitude equals less blood flow to the skin, creating a more dull appearance. 

Protect against a dehydrated and dull complexion during the flight by using Skinstitut Hydrating Mask. It helps to nourish and repair any damage caused by dehydration while plumping up fine lines and improving radiance and luminosity all while purifying and soothing stressed, dull skin. After cleansing, apply a smooth film to entire face, over lips and under eyes. The mask will absorb into the skin after a few minutes so no one can tell you’re wearing it. For those that travel regularly, try mixing a small amount of Repair Balm into your regular moisturiser. This will help to increase the moisture and hydration in the skin, preventing from dehydration and sensitivity. After the flight, if you arrive feeling dry or dehydrated keep your use of high intensity or very active products to a minimum to avoid any skin irritation. Instead focus on nourishing and hydrating products. However, if you follow the before and during instructions, you should have any issue jumping straight back into your regular regime here.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: We’re in the thick of winter, and some people will be heading for the snow in the next few months. How does this change of climate impact on your skin compared to a beach holiday, and what should people do to protect and nourish their skin?

Zoe Devine: The weather can play a big role in you skin’s hydration levels, so too can artificial temperature control such as air conditioning and heating. In summer there is more moisture in the atmosphere, which is a big plus for our skin, whereas in winter, when there is less moisture in the atmosphere, this can negatively affect our skin, leaving it more dehydrated. Couple this with harsh, cool winds in winter, and it can contribute to stripping our skins natural barrier function exacerbating dry and dehydrated skin conditions. If wind exposure is prolonged this can impair our skins protective barrier, which is especially common around the nose. resulting in dry, red, flaky or irritated skin. With snow holidays we tend to experience considerable wind burn without even realising it at first. This usually affects the skin around the nose and mouth, resulting in red, irritated or dry and flaky skin. We often come home with an impaired barrier which can affect our ability to use our higher intensity products. 

If the skin around the nose and mouth becomes dry and irritated you can spot treat it with Skinstitut Repair Balm. This is an intensive recovery balm that aids in healing and repairing. It will restore the skins’ barrier and is even suitable for those that have developed a dermatitis condition from the weather elements. I’ve been snow skiing before and found my Repair Balm to be my skin saviour during and after my holiday. For those with dry skin already you can mix a small amount of Repair Balm into your regular moisturiser to decrease the likelihood of moisture loss from your skin and protect from skin flakiness. Winter is also a time where there is less moisture in the air and hot showers are the norm. As the temperature drops, so too does the moisture content in the air, couple this with an increased use of heating, plus more warm, and potentially caffeinated,  beverages, it is common to see changes occur in the skin. Notably they include more sensitised, red or irritated skin, dry and flaky skin, and dehydrated skin that feels tight. 

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: You travel a lot for work yourself, what beauty essentials do you travel with and why?

Zoe Devine: Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser works as my make-up remover and facial cleanser, and if I am going for a longer trip I’ll always take my Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser, as this is my treatment cleanser that exfoliates. I use it as my body wash on holidays, so one less product to pack. Skinstitut Eye Believe is also essential; I get puffy eyes very easily so this is my go to when travelling as it instantaneously brightens and refreshes the eye area bringing down dark circles and puffiness. Skinstitut Age Defence SPF 50+ is one product I don’t go anywhere without –it’s a must for my face, neck and décolletage. I also take a multi-purpose serum, like Skinstitut Rejuvenate 15, as it’s super versatile. It ticks all the boxes for transforming dull lacklustre skin; hydrating, nourishing with vitamins minerals and antioxidants, delivering anti-ageing properties and acts as a gentle vitamin A serum. A mask will always be in my beauty bag. For short trips I take Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel as it’s my overnight exfoliant, but for longer trips or flying I take Skinstitut Hydrating Mask, as this is the most plumping product in the entire Skinstitut range. Those fine lines from skin dehydration don’t stand a chance with this mask! I also carry a lip balm, and mineral make-up; I avoid foundations and concealers especially when I travel, preferring to stick to light weight make-up that won’t clog my pores.  

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: And what else do you pack in your case?

Zoe Devine: When flying long haulI always take a scarf and socks and wear lose fitting clothing plus an eye mask – this allows for comfort in the cold pressurised cabin. I always bring my own headphones along with my iPad so I can watch movies, and a good book is always packed into my suitcase or carry-on luggage. For international flights and travel I carry a hand sanitiser and a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, and I keep jewellery or accessories such as belts to a minimum for a speedy journey through security. Finally, I carry raw nuts; depending on where I am flying I either bring my own or buy some once I am through security, as I always like to have snacks on hand when travelling.

Click here to read part one of this article. 

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