Why You Need a Post-Vacation Skin Cleanse

For some of us, changes to our body clock and routine can affect our skin in different ways. While the occasional harmless vacation zit can be tamed with over-the-counter acne medication, your skin may require a bit more TLC than just that. 

Traveling can intensify existing skin conditions like eczema, dry skin and even the overproduction of sebum. According to a research published by Sabine Guéhenneux in the U.S. National Library Medicine, the hydration in your skin decreases rapidly within 2hrs of going on a plane. And dehydrated skin will often result in a host of problems like zit flare-ups, flaky skin and rosacea - all of which will take months to go away after your vacation. 

Instead of simply keeping to your regular skincare routine, going the extra mile to cleanse and hydrate your skin after a holiday is key to getting it back on track again.

After a long trip, you may notice that your skin can look a little dull and bumpy, with irritated patches surfacing every now and then. Well, this happens because your pores are clogged and you’re stuck with a buildup of dead skin cells. 

Start off with an oil cleanse for your skin to thoroughly remove all of your makeup without drying out your skin. Then, swap out your usual cleanser for something more gentle on your skin. You want to look for cleansers that are balanced: they should have a mix of exfoliating and moisturising properties. Ingredients like citric acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid will exfoliate your skin, while something like glycine soja oil (soybean oil) will effectively break down any remaining makeup or dirt without leaving the skin feeling stripped. 

Follow up with a clay mask to detoxify your skin from surface-level dirt and sebum. If you have dry skin, simply use the clay mask as a spot treatment. This isn’t the end of it though - add in a chemical exfoliant once every three days to gradually slough away dead skin and keep your pores clean. 

Drunk one too many during your trip to Europe? Here’s the call to put your favourite happy hour drinks to rest, temporarily. Your body processes alcohol differently from other fluids like water or juice - this is also why you’re often left flushed and parched after a night of drinks. 

Consuming alcohol causes your body to produce a toxic enzyme known as acetaldehyde. This byproduct is also the main culprit that dehydrates your cells. Keep that up on a daily basis, and you’ll notice dilated pores, overproduction of sebum and acne. So yes, taking yourself off alcohol isn’t really all that bad. Besides, happy hour can still be fun with other kinds of drinks. 

Another trigger for unhappy post-vacation skin is the lack of sleep. When you’re traveling, your schedule can be a little packed (with everyone trying to cram in their must-see sights) and irregular. Sacrificing your sleep for insta-worthy photos has a drastic impact on your skin. Your cortisol levels increase when you’re sleep-deprived, which results in inflammation and dull skin. But now that you’re back home, with no excuse to fall off your sleep schedule, getting ample rest should be your top priority. 

Earlier, we mentioned that this is the best time to be giving your skin a little TLC. Face massage techniques and masks are beneficial to your overall complexion. Sheet masks are extremely convenient and an excellent source of added hydration to your skincare routine. For those with sensitive skin, opt for masks that cool, soothe and moisturise. 

But if you want to take it to the next level, try face rollers or dry brushing. The former promotes lymphatic drainage and alleviates inflammation and puffiness when used on well-moisturised skin. On the other hand, the latter is an ancient technique that requires your skin to be product-free to lightly stimulate blood flow. This will strengthen your lymphatic system and rid your skin (and body) of toxins. Follow up with a dual-use cream mask to enrich your skin with more nutrients while cleansing it. Using this combination will result in softer skin and refined pores.

After all that hard work you put into cleansing and revitalising your skin, you want to keep your makeup as light as possible. If you need extra coverage, go for hydrating foundations that are light in texture to prevent your skin from drying out through the day. Plus, it'll give you that no makeup look sans pores. 

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