travel kits

Hands up those of us who are with us when we say half the reason we slog it out everyday in the office is to able to afford travel? From exotic Moroccan deserts to the wintry wonderland of the Japanese ski mountains, we are so lucky that the world holds so much adventure and wonder in every corner. Yet, travelling can wreck some serious havoc on our skin – think dehydrating cabin air, environments that are dramatically different from what our skin is used to and the general stress of travel itself (namely, not exceeding your baggage allowance on souvenirs and foodstuff).

Which is why it’s super important to take care of your skin when you travel, so you don’t suffer from breakouts, dullness and increased sensitivity – we mean, who wants to stress over their skin while exploring the ruins of Greece or jumping into an Icelandic thermal bath? While we encourage you to use your vacation time as a free pass to cut yourself some slack on your workout regime or diet, do NOT neglect your skincare. Unlike the few extra pounds that can easily be shed off upon your turn, it’s significantly harder to repair sun damage, dehydration or a bad breakout.

We’re not saying lug your entire 10-step skincare regime with you – just ensure that your skincare kit includes efficient products that’ll cover the 4 basic skincare steps: cleansing, toning, moisturising and masking. Oh and, we’ve gone ahead and curated 4 different kits for 4 different skin types so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.

Dry skin kit

travel kits
Left to right: Eucerin’s Dermato Clean Mild Cleansing Milk, $17.45, Watsons and Guardian; FRESH Rose Floral Toner, $63, Sephora; NIVEA Crème, $5.50, Watsons and Guardian; Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Mask (5 sheets), $72, major departmental stores

If you suffer from dry skin, then your primary concerns are flaking, redness, dullness and lack of moisture. Start your regime with a gentle cleanser like Eucerin’s Dermato Clean Mild Cleansing Milk that gently cleanses dry and sensitive skin while removing make-up. It helps to keep skin hydrated thanks to added hyaluronic acid.

Next, tone your skin so it is primed to receive all the hydration from your moisturiser with FRESH’s Rose Floral Toner. The formula is alcohol-free to prevent dryness or irritating, and its infused with the hydrating powers of rose that keeps skin moisturised for up to 24 hours.

Then slather on some NIVEA Crème, rich and super pocket-friendly moisturiser that is considered a dupe for La Mer’s significantly pricier moisturiser.

Finally, don’t forget to mask, a crucial step for dry skin types! We love Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating sheet masks for parched skin, as each mask is infused with 1/3 bottle of the same serum, instantly comforting dry skin and leaving it hydrated and protected.

Total price: $157.95

Normal skin kit

travel kits
Left to right: Curél’s Foaming Wash, $19.80, Watsons; For Beloved Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Toner, $60, Sephora; FRESH Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream, $77, Sephora; L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Illuminating Mask, $14.90, Watsons and Guardian.

You lucky lot! If you are blessed with normal skin type, then all you have to focus on are amping up your radiance and protecting it from environmental agitators. Cleanse away the grime of the day with Curél’s Foaming Wash, a foaming formula that cleanses gently, leaving your skin dewy and soft after use.

Then, add a boost of moisture with For Beloved One’s Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Toner, which also helps to repair skin, prevent damage from free radicals and maintain it’s protective barrier.

Moisturise with FRESH’s Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream, a powerhouse, lightweight gel-cream formula that has been infused with the goodness of citrus fruits and acids that will leave your skin smooth, refined and glowing.

Every few days (particularly if you’ve been exposed to dirty air or dry winds), prevent any potential breakouts by ensuring you’ve purged your skin of dead skin cells and impurities with L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Mask Illuminating. This Kaolin clay-based mask contains lemongrass extract and exfoliating beads that brightens and refines skin texture to reveal a healthy, vibrant glow.

Total price: $171.70

Combination skin kit

travel kits
Left to right: Sulwhasoo Snowise Cleansing Foam, $50, major departmental stores; NIVEA Refreshing Wipes, $2.90, major personal care stores and supermarkets; L’Oreal Hydrafresh Genius Essence Cream, $25.90, Watsons and Guardian; Dior’s Hydra Life Pores Away Pink Clay Mask, $92.

Dry or normal in some areas and oily in others, combination skin is one of the more common skin types and requires special care in order to maintain a perfect moisture balance across your entire face. Start with a gentle but effective cleanser like the Sulwhasoo Snowise Cleansing Foam than cleanses away impurities and helps to mattify oily areas without over-drying drier parts.

Follow up with the handy NIVEA Refreshing Wipes that have been specially formulated for combination skin. This toner/cleanser does double duty of keeping drier areas like your cheeks while cleansing away residual grime or makeup from your T-zone.

Then, keep your skin moisturised with L’Oreal Hydrafresh Genius Essence Cream, a lightweight gel moisturiser designed for combination skin types, leaving skin soft and supple without that dreaded greasy feel.

Dior’s Hydra Life Pores Away Pink Clay Mask should be added to your routine 2-3 times a week to ensure your skin is purified. This clay-based mask helps to minimise the appearance of pores while mattifying your skin. We love this mask because you only need to keep it on for 3 minutes, making it perfect for vacations where you don’t want to spend too much time on your skincare!

Total price: $170.80

travel kits
Left to right: NIVEA 3-in-1 Foam Cleanser, $8.90, Watsons and Guardian; Chanel Lotion Pureté Fresh Mattifying Toner + Anti-Pollution, $90; Eucerin Dermo Purifyer Hydrating Care, $25.90, Watsons and Guardian; Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask EX, $60.

Don’t spend your vacation going through sheets of blotting paper or getting upset by new pimples when there are products designed to help control that shine. Keep your face clean with NIVEA 3-in-1 Foam Cleanser, formulated to reduce oil, mattify shine, refine pores and prevent blackheads and whiteheads.

Next up, Chanel’s Lotion Pureté Fresh Mattifying Toner contains a unique tulip tree extract that traps environmental pollutants at the skin’s surface and prevents them from clogging your pores, while meadowsweet extract and bioglucane helps to balance your skin and manage excess oil.

Even though your skin is oily, you must not skip moisturiser as your skin actually produces even more oil when it is dehydrated. Use an oily-skin friendly one like Eucerin Dermo Purifyer Hydrating Care, designed to prevent skin irritating and regulate sebum production.

With your skin type, masking is crucial to ensure your pores are free from dirt. This peel-off mask from Sulwhasoo helps to purify and clarify problematic skin, thanks to the blend of traditional Korean herbs in its formula.

Total price: $184.80

This story first appeared on www.herworld.com

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