Why Does My Acne Get Worse When I Travel?
One of the most common questions we get asked is, “Why does my acne get worse when I travel?” This question tends to come around most during the holiday season. While many of our clients are using one of the three mini acne solutions we offer, some are still working on utilizing one or two single products to help combat their acne. It is always recommended that products should be used for at least 28 days and a skincare regime is necessary when managing your acne.
A frequent mistake that many patients make when preparing for travel is failing to pour a portion of their acne skincare into travel-sized tubes to bring along with them on their journey. On the other hand, purchasing your skincare items in travel size is also an option – the most favorable to be exact. Let’s begin by addressing the elephant in the room, what is acne? Acne is a condition resulting from clogged or plugged hair follicles present under the skin. The clogging could be due to excess oil production, accumulation of dead skin cells, or bacterial infection.
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When flying your acne may flare up given the temperature. The air on a plane is typically dry leaving your body to produce more oil, which then results in more acne. As aforementioned, excess oil can be the leading cause for this medical condition to worsen or even develop. From the airplane to your destination, there are a few good reasons why your acne may get worse when traveling.
Climate Change:
When you are stationed in a particular area for long periods, your skin will no doubt adjust to its everyday climate. If there is a change in weather, air, etc. your skin will more than likely react and therefore leave you with some unpleasant new friends to combat.
Stress:
Even though you may be away on vacation, stressful situations can still arise: from losing your passport, running out of money, getting lost, or even having an altercation with a travel buddy. Things we do not plan for or things that may just seem out of our control are all factors that can play a huge role in dealing with unexpected breakouts. You want to remain as calm, cool, and collected as possible should anything arise that is not within your immediate control, especially while away on vacation.
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Unhealthy Diets:
It is not uncommon for us to pig out when we go on vacation. But keep in mind that the abrupt change in your diet can and will have an impact on your acne. An increase in sugar, dairy, alcohol, etc. can be bad for your skin. There is no magical treatment or soap that can fix this issue, the only option here is to be mindful of the food you eat while away.
Sunburn:
No matter where you are in the world, sunscreen is an absolute must. You should never leave home without it. As previously stated, it is best to either purchase your skincare in both full-size and travel-size where available or make the purchase of those small travel-size tubes to transfer some of your skincare items to bring along with you.
Lack of Sleep:
Many believe that while on vacation you should be awake and exploring every minute of every day, this is simply not the case. It is called a vacation for a reason. It is a moment for you to unwind, rest, catch up on sleep all while making time throughout the day to explore. Jet-lag can also play a huge factor and so when possible be sure to schedule an extra day specifically for sleep after spending a day traveling – your body and your skin will thank you.
Now that you know a bit more about why travel acne happens, you can work hard at preventing it. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
Still need advice? Schedule a one-on-one virtual consultation with Anakarina A. today
Written by Anna Barnes
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels