Whether by plane, train, or automobile, one thing is clear: summer is peak travel season. Between airport stress, jet lag-induced sleep deprivation, full days out in the sun, and increased intake of alcohol and salty, fatty foods, keeping your skin radiant and healthy can be a challenge. The good news is, by making a few adjustments to your skincare routine, you can fully enjoy everything your summer vacation has to offer withoutsacrificing your complexion’s clarity, wellness, and glow. Here are seven essential tips to keep your skin luminous and protected while you're on the go.

 

01. Don’t Skimp On Sunscreen

It’s the cardinal rule of skincare not just in summer, but 365 days of a year: don’t skip the sunscreen! Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is non-negotiable. Not only can sun exposure cause immediate issues like sunburn or allergic reactions—it’s also largely responsible for long-term damage like premature aging and hyperpigmentation, not to mention skin cancer. And if you’re going out in the sun unprotected, you’re essentially undoing the benefits of your skincare or cosmetic procedures.

As a result, most dermatologists recommend you make a broad-spectrum sunscreen part of your daily skin routine—and that you reapply every few hours, especially if you’re planning to spend time in the sun. Dr. BRANDT Liquid Sun Shield SPF 50 offers comprehensive protection against both UVA and UVB rays, as well as pollution, infrared light, and other environmental stressors. Its innovative mineral formula is one of the few available that doesn’t leave behind whitecast, even on darker skin tones.

 

02. Hydrate Yourself—and Your Skin

 

Hydration is the cornerstone of healthy, glowing skin, especially during summer travel. Air travel, sun exposure, pool chlorine, and alcohol can all lead to dry, dehydrated skin, exacerbating the look of lines and leaving skin dull and tired-looking. Drinking plenty of water is essential, but topical hydration is just as important to maintain your skin’s moisture balance. These Dr. BRANDT formulas are ideal for locking in long-lasting hydration while on the go:

- Drop of Strength All-Day Strengthening Serum aids skin detoxification by nourishing the barrier and promoting cell autophagy, while saturating skin with moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid.

- iD-STRESS Icy Gel Moisturizer provides lightweight hydration with an instant cooling effect, enriched with fatigue-erasing Energlow Complex. Perfect for refreshing skin on hot summer days.

 

- For those long flights or extended travel days, Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask is a lifesaver. This mask can be used before, during, and after flights to help skin remain supple and radiant.

 

Bonus: hydrating your skin effectively can also help enhance the absorption of other skincare products, making your overall routine more effective. This is the concept behind the trend known as skin flooding, which involves layering hydrating products on damp skin to enhance moisture retention.

 

03. Cleanse With Care

 

Cleansing is a crucial step in any skincare routine, but even more so when you're exposed to changing environmental conditions while traveling. Sweat, sunscreen, and other impurities can clog your pores, leading to breakouts and irritation if not properly removed. However, while you may be tempted to use lots of sebum-dissolving astringents, over-cleansing can strip your skin of its natural oils, which are essential for maintaining its barrier function.

 

Luckily, today’s best cleansers are designed to do more than just sweep away dirt. The current skincare market is full of innovative cleansing formulas that simultaneously remove makeup and impurities while addressing specific skin issues. For example, Dr. BRANDT’s Clean Biotic™ is formulated with pre- and postbiotics that help maintain a healthy skin barrier, while effectively dissolving stubborn dirt, impurities, pollution, makeup, and excess oil.

 

04. Travel-Proof Your Skin

 

Between delays, missed connections, and all the logistical hassles that come with flying, travel can be stressful on mind, body, and skin. On top of that, drastic changes in climate—from dry airplane cabins to humid tropical destinations—can throw skin off balance as it tries to adapt. All these stressors tend to increase inflammation, which can cause redness and skin sensitivities to flare up. To keep skin calm, opt for a nourishing moisturizer like Cool Biotic™, which uses Cannabis Sativa seed oil, Mondo grass, and colloidal oatmeal to soothe inflamed, irritated skin.

 

05. Stay Fresh-Faced With Support For Tired Eyes

 

In addition to jet lag, long days of exploring new locales plus late nights enjoying summer festivities quickly add up. The delicate skin around your eyes is often the first to show signs of fatigue, such as dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. While the ideal solution is to get adequate rest and allow your skin to repair and rejuvenate, this isn’t always possible with a busy travel schedule.

While a good eye cream won’t help you feelless tired, it can certainly help you look it: our iD-Stress Fatigue Fighting Eye Gel even features a cooling, ceramic applicator that helps further revitalize the eye area, reduce puffiness, and diminish dark circles. For a truly instant perk-up, our bestselling tightening gel No More Baggage uses an invisible, second-skin technology to pull eye skin smooth and taut in minutes. (You can save on both formulas by buying them together as part of our Under Eye Rescue Duo.)

 

06. Embrace Minimal Makeup

 

While makeup can play a key role in an everyday glow-up, summer is the perfect time to let your natural beauty shine through with minimal makeup. Heavy foundations and concealers can clog pores and feel uncomfortable in the heat, leading to breakouts and irritation. On top of that, heavy makeup looks can quickly smudge, slide around, or become patchy in hot weather.

Instead, embrace the skin-streaming trend, and opt for a streamlined selection of products that enhance your natural glow without weighing down your skin. For the most natural-looking makeup routine possible, stick to a primer, a touch of concealer where needed, and a bit of mascara for a fresh, radiant look. Our Pores No More Luminizer Primer is infused with pore-minimizing skincare that helps prevent clogged pores, all while providing subtle-yet-luminous coverage. If shine is a concern for you, opt for our classic Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer instead.

 

07. Remember: Skincare is Part of a Bigger Picture 

 

At Dr. BRANDT, we’ve spent decades developing science-based skincare that delivers real, visible benefits. At the same time, thanks to our extensive work with Miami’s top dermatologists, we know that even the best topical skincare products must be supported by your overall lifestyle to work. Sleep, diet, sun exposure, stress, smoking… your habits all significantly impact your skin's health—not to mention make or break your routine’s efficacy. Here are a few things you can do to enhance your glow from within:

Fill Your Plate With Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Of course, you should feel free to treat yourself while on vacation. Whenever possible though, try to incorporate colorful veggies, fruits, leafy greens, and nuts into your diet to protect your skin from oxidative damage. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which can damage skin cells and accelerate aging.

Avoid Excess Sugar, Salt, and Alcohol:From eating out every night to full-day wine tastings, increased sugar, salt, and alcohol intake are common while traveling. Unfortunately, they can lead to a spike in inflammation and dehydration, negatively affecting your skin's appearance. While indulging in these is a normal part of enjoying your vacation, being mindful of your intake can help you maintain a clearer, more hydrated complexion.

Be Sun Smart:Try to stay out of direct sunlight between 10AM and 4PM when UV rays are strongest. Even on cloudy or overcast days, be sure to wear SPF: daily sunscreen use will do more to prevent premature aging than almost any other lifestyle habit!

 

Wherever you’re headed this summer, safe travels and happy glowing!