People who travel have always fascinated me. I don’t exactly know why but I guess it’s because they have so many stories to tell. Stories that take your breath away and sometimes leave you teary-eyed. I do travel quite a bit myself but I dare not call myself a traveler. But during one of my expeditions, I had the chance to talk to a bunch of real travelers, and during one of our conversations, I asked them about their travel skincare routines especially when they go from a dry and cold place to a warmer, humid one and vice versa and here’s what they had to say.
Table of contents
Travel Skincare: From the Himalayas To The Arabian Sea and Beyond
Skincare across different terrains
Skincare in the peaky Himalayas
How to beat the dryness of the desert
Long Flights? Here’s how to beat cabin dryness
Preparing for climate transitions: How to help your skin adjust
Skincare across different terrains
Your skin faces different challenges depending on where you are. From the dry, arid air of deserts to the humid tropics and freezing mountain winds, each terrain demands a unique skincare approach. Understanding how climate affects your skin can help you build a routine that keeps it healthy and resilient, no matter where you go.
Skincare in the peaky Himalayas
The mountains are calling and I must go but hang on! Before traveling to the mountains, know that while the scenic beauty of these peaks is breathtaking, the climate and weather can strip your skin of all the moisture and leave it dry and flaky. Here’s how you can protect your skin while enjoying your ‘pahado wali Maggi':
● Hydration is key: Cold weather depletes moisture, so drink plenty of water and use a rich moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and shea butter. Apply right after showering for better absorption.
● Sunscreen is a must: UV rays are stronger at high altitudes, and snow reflects them. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen on all exposed areas and reapply every two hours.
● Lip and hand care: Prevent chapped skin with a nourishing lip balm and thick hand cream (glycerin, ceramides). Wear gloves to lock in moisture.
● Layer up for protection: Harsh winds irritate, so cover up with scarves, gloves, and hats. Choose soft fabrics and wear a face mask for extra shielding in extreme cold.
Skincare by the Arabian Sea
It’s a no-brainer that if you’re a beach person and chilling by the sea, your skincare routine or the products you use will change. This is largely because there is more moisture in the air. More moisture creates the perfect environment for germs to multiply so here’s what you should do:
● Lightweight hydration: Use a gel-based, oil-free moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to hydrate without greasiness.
● Sun protection: Apply a water-resistant SPF 50 sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours to prevent sun damage.
● Keep it clean: Wash your face twice daily with a gentle foaming cleanser to remove sweat and grime.
● Aloe Vera for sun relief: Soothe sun-exposed skin with cooling aloe vera gel, preferably refrigerated.
How to beat the dryness of the desert
The desert sun is hot and unforgiving and can leave your skin pleading for moisture. So if you happen to hang with the dunes and camels, here’s what you should do:
● Deep moisturization: Use a rich cream with ceramides and natural oils to lock in hydration and prevent dryness.
● SPF & cover-up: Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen every two hours and wear light, breathable fabrics for extra protection.
● Hydrating mist: Refresh your skin with a rose water or glycerin mist throughout the day to combat dryness.
● Gentle exfoliation: Use a mild exfoliator 1-2 times a week to remove dead skin without stripping moisture.
● Drink lots of water: Any amount of external application and care will not work if your body is dehydrated. Drink plenty of water and maintain your hydration levels for great skin in the desert.
Long Flights? Here’s how to beat cabin dryness
Airplane cabins have low humidity, leading to dry, dull skin. Keep your skin fresh with these essentials:
● Hydrate inside & out: Drink plenty of water and apply a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid or glycerin before takeoff to lock in moisture.
● Skip heavy makeup: Let your skin breathe with a minimal routine of moisturizer and SPF to prevent clogged pores and dryness.
● Use a sheet mask: A hydrating mask with aloe vera or ceramides mid-flight helps replenish moisture and prevent dehydration.
● Lip balm & eye cream: Protect lips and under-eyes, the most delicate areas, with a nourishing lip balm and a hydrating eye cream to avoid flakiness.
Preparing for climate transitions: How to help your skin adjust
When traveling between drastically different climates, your skin requires time to acclimate. Here's how to manage the transition:
Allow time for adjustment
● Research indicates that the human body, including the skin, typically takes 7 to 14 days to adapt to new environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity changes. Be patient and monitor your skin’s response during this period.
Gradual product transition
● Moving to a dry climate? Begin using richer moisturizers or facial oils a few days before your trip to prepare your skin for reduced humidity.
● Heading to a humid region? Switch to lighter, oil-free moisturizers or gel-based products in advance to prevent clogged pores and excess oil production.
Layering for protection
● In cold climates, layer hydrating serums (such as those with hyaluronic acid) under a thick moisturizer to lock in hydration and protect against dryness caused by low temperatures.
● In humid climates, use lightweight gel-based or water-based products that hydrate without overwhelming your skin.
Stick to a core routine
● Maintain a simple skincare routine: cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen daily. This consistency helps your skin adjust without introducing unnecessary stressors.
Monitor and adapt
● Pay attention to signs such as excessive dryness, breakouts, or sensitivity. Adjust your routine by incorporating soothing ingredients like aloe vera or niacinamide if irritation occurs (consult a medical professional if required).
Oteria’s skincare travel kit
While you pack your bags and get set to leave for an adventure, don’t forget to keep your travel skincare kit. And if you’re wondering which brand to trust, stop now because Oteria is the answer to all your questions. Oteria brings to you the best of age-old wisdom combined with modern scientific research. This implies that your skin gets nothing but the best. Our products are gender-neutral and made for all skin types. This implies that if you're traveling with your partner, you do not have to pack two separate kits. Another fascinating thing about Oteria is that our products are vegan and reef-safe. Here are a few Oteria essentials you must carry during your travels:
Velvet Dew Skin Lotion
Oteria’s Velvet Dew Skin Lotion is a lightweight body lotion that delivers 72-hour hydration, making it the perfect body lotion for dry skin. Infused with Aloe Vera extracts and Natural Sugars, this moisturizer cream deeply nourishes your skin, boosts moisture levels, and leaves you with a fresh, healthy glow.
Benefits
● Plumps the skin
● 72 hours moisturising effect
● Clinically proven to increase hydration
● Prevents age-induced skin dryness
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Binds moisture to the skin, relieving dryness.
Natural Sugars: Soothes dry, acne-prone skin, leaving it radiant.
How to use
Apply the required quantity of the product on the skin using upward strokes until completely absorbed.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Green Coffee Body Shower Gel
Oteria’s Green Coffee Body Shower Gel is a nourishing cleanser crafted for all skin types, delivering a refreshing cleanse while enhancing skin radiance. Perfect as the best body wash for men and a rejuvenating body wash for women, it is enriched with Green Coffee Extract to restore glow, repair damage, and promote healthier, revitalized skin.
Benefits
● Hydrates & nourishes skin
● Restores radiance & glow
● Promotes youthful and fresh skin
● Keeps skin hydrated
● Improves skin texture
● Repairs and heals damaged skin cells
Key ingredients
Green Coffee Extract: Hydrates, nourishes, and revitalizes skin, unveiling a youthful radiant glow for all-day skin rejuvenation.
How to use
Pour the shower gel on a wet loofah or palm. Apply to wet skin, work into a lather, and rinse.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
White Tea Face Wash
Oteria’s White Tea Face Wash for men and face wash for women is a gentle yet effective cleanser designed for all skin types. Enriched with White Tea Extract, it provides antioxidant protection, soothes the skin, and promotes healing. Formulated to enhance your natural radiance, it’s the best face wash for glowing skin, leaving your complexion refreshed, healthy, and vibrant.
Benefits
● Restores And Repair A Skin
● Soothes Skin
● Anti- Oxidant Properties
Key ingredients
White Tea Extract: Rich in antioxidants. Helps treat inflammation, sunburn, and dryness. Prevents the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
How to use
Pour an appropriate quantity into wet hands. Massage gently onto the face and neck to form a lather. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry. Use AM and PM.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Sun-Kissed Suncare Gel
Sun-Kissed Suncare Gel is specially formulated to provide soothing relief and sun damage skin repair after exposure to UV rays. Infused with Aloe Vera and Vegetable Pear extracts, this sun protection gel helps prevent sunburns, fights photo-aging, and keeps your skin radiant, healthy, and hydrated.
Benefits
● Protects the skin from UVA-induced DNA lesions
● Preserves epidermal stem cells
● Shields the skin from photo-aging
● Smoothes the skin and visibly reduces wrinkles
● Improves skin tone homogeneity
● Provides a healthy lucent complexion
● Soothes & cools skin
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Keeps skin hydrated and moisturized.
Vegetable Pear: Natural anti-oxidants to combat sun damage.
How to use
Take a pea-sized amount of gel into the palm and gently massage it onto your face and neck in upward strokes.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
These four are a must-have in your travel skincare kit. You can check out our entire range of products here.
Traveling is a wonderful way to enrich your mind and soul. Traveling can teach you what no business school or university in the world can do. It teaches you how to live, trust, smile, be vulnerable, fall but never stop. It teaches you to trust - not just yourself but others too. You meet people from different countries, cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, etc and these experiences leave you richer. You realize that we have always lived in a bubble where we have been taught that the so-called ‘civilized life’ is the correct way of living. But then you go and see the world and realize that the life we live in big cities is just another way of living and probably the worst too. So as you embark on journeys that enrich your soul with breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and unforgettable stories, don’t forget to nurture your skin along the way. Let your skin collect nourishment and protection with Oteria’s trusted travel essentials because true enrichment is both within and on the surface.
1) How does climate change affect my skin while traveling?
Different climates impact your skin in unique ways - cold air dries it out, humidity increases oiliness, and desert heat depletes moisture. Adjusting your skincare routine to the environment helps maintain healthy skin.
2) What’s essential for skincare in the mountains?
Hydration is key! Use a rich moisturizer, apply SPF 50+ (UV rays are stronger at high altitudes), and protect lips and hands with nourishing balms. Wear scarves and gloves to shield against harsh winds.
3) How should I care for my skin at the beach?
Opt for lightweight, oil-free hydration. Apply a water-resistant SPF 50+ sunscreen every two hours, cleanse sweat and grime twice daily, and use aloe vera for sun relief.
4) What skincare routine works best in the desert?
Use a rich moisturizer with ceramides, SPF 50+, and a hydrating mist throughout the day. Exfoliate gently 1-2 times a week and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
5) How can I protect my skin on long flights?
Cabin air is dry, so drink water, apply a hydrating serum, skip heavy makeup, and use a sheet mask mid-flight. Keep lips and under-eyes moisturized with balm and eye cream.
6) How do I transition my skincare between different climates?
Prepare in advance: use richer products before entering dry areas and switch to lighter, oil-free moisturizers before heading to humid regions. Keep your routine simple and adaptable.
7) What are must-have skincare products for travel?
Oteria’s Velvet Dew Skin Lotion, Green Coffee Body Shower Gel, White Tea Face Wash, and Sun-Kissed Suncare Gel offer hydration, protection, and nourishment for all skin types.
8) Why choose Oteria for travel skincare?
Oteria combines traditional wisdom with modern science. Our products are gender-neutral, vegan, reef-safe, and formulated for all skin types - perfect for effortless travel skincare.