When travelling, the sun is not the only cause of dull-looking skin. To attribute a lack of complexion to only UV exposure is overly simplistic; your skin is subjected to a much greater level of drama than just the sun’s rays.
When travelling 35,000 feet up while drinking water or watching a film, what most people do not notice is how dry the in-flight air is compared to what their skin is used to on land. The humidity onboard is considerably lower than that which we typically experience on the surface of the planet, and as such, moisture will gradually be removed from your skin by the dry air, resulting in a texture that is tight, dehydrated, and yes, dull-looking.
Pollution is another factor that affects the skin. You are on the move from one urban location to another, and the air that your skin is exposed to will continue to differ in terms of quality, temperature, and humidity, thereby requiring constant adjustment. The same holds true for long car rides, exposure to vehicle exhaust by sitting inside a vehicle for long periods of time, and exposure to the crowds and public transport of many urban areas — your skin’s barrier must work extra hard during your travels.
Interestingly enough, while many people are extremely concerned about protecting their skin from damaging UV rays with the use of sunscreen, very few people think to nourish their skin from within, which is essential if you want to travel well.
When traveling, you typically follow an irregular sleep pattern, eat meals on the go, and have a packed schedule. For example, you’ll check in late at night, wake up early in the morning, and have back-to-back activities. Therefore, when your body is tired, your skin will reflect that first. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body will not be able to repair itself and as a result, your face can appear flat and lack vibrancy.
Collagen is the support structure for your skin. It is essential for maintaining your skin’s firmness and elasticity. When you’re always on the go, under pressure, and in an ever-changing environment, your body needs more nutrients to keep your skin supported than if you were in a relaxed and stable environment. If you don’t give your skin the support it needs, it will become less plump, hence, more tired looking.
Let’s say you have been traveling randomly for three days. You’ve had random meal schedules, dehydration, and grazing (snacking) in between locations. In these circumstances, managing your nutritional balance becomes very difficult and without proper nutrition, it could lead to declining skin health.
Vitamin C, among other vitamins, supports collagen production and helps protect against environmental stressors. Therefore, your skin wasn’t given enough Vitamin C to maintain its natural glow.
Sunlight causes our skin to become dull in appearance. In addition to helping to maintain the moisture content of your skin, UV rays can also increase the risk of dehydration and pigmentation problems. However, even if you don’t go outside and you use sunscreen religiously, you still can have an impact on your complexion through dry air, air pollution, tiredness and poor nutrition.
When we travel from one environment to another (for example, stepping from a cold air-conditioned building to an extremely hot outdoor temperature) our skin must keep on adjusting to the constant changes. When you change from a humid beach environment to a dry air-conditioned cabin on an airplane, it takes several adjustments for your skin to regain its moisture.
When we travel, we have to deal with both what is happening to our skin externally — in other words, what we are exposed to, but also what is happening to our skin internally — meaning that we are lacking something that is essential for our skin to thrive, such as hydration, rest, a balanced diet and being properly supported. All of these variables are especially true if you are living out of a suitcase for any period of time.
When you’re traveling, it is not only about fighting the sun; rather it is about recognizing that your body is being put through various demands at the same time — and it is very important that you appropriately support those layers, so you allow your skin to keep up with the many adventures you are engaged in while you are on vacation.
