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In March 2024, I visited Aspen, a remarkably glamorous albeit arctic enclave within the populous Pitkin County in Colorado. If the dizzying jetlag didn’t wreak havoc on my skin, careening down a powdery piste in below-zero temperatures sure did. Indeed, travelling to any international destination—cold places or otherwise—can irritate your skin. For starters, the water in each country has varying levels of minerals that can cause reactions. Hormone levels can go up and down like seasonal hemlines. Humidity, or lack of, are both extreme causes of skin reactions. As are lack of sleep due to jetlag, and cabin pressure on aeroplanes.
As someone who is lucky enough to travel the world as part of her job, I’m constantly asked what I pack, how I pack and how I get a handle on the jetlag/humidity/altitude conundrum. My answer never differs: hydration while you sleep. If you and your skin are sufficiently hydrated and you catch enough sleep, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance to, well, have a really great time on your holiday. And if you’re like me and arrive at your destination and need to hit the ground running (or write and publish a story in live time), you do need to pack ahead.
Another key tip is understanding the importance of keeping your products consistent. What you use in your daily routine should remain the same when you travel—with an extra infusion of hydration here and there. Here’s the non-negotiables inside by beauty case, things I use daily and also when I travel to fashion capitals and far-flung corners of the world.
Clarins Precious La Crème Soft Cream, $570 SHOP NOW
I was introduced to Clarins’ new, first-ever luxury skincare range, Precious, a few months before it hit the market; a suite of seven products all infused with moonlight flower extract. I’m 37-years-old and have combination skin that is prone to becoming dry when not sufficiently hydrated and this moisturiser is the first one I have found where the moisture actually remains locked in for hours, despite my environment. Creamy and velvety, its enriched with oat sugars for a tightening effect and camellia oil which is incredibly nourishing and removes signs of fatigue.
On a flight, or the slopes of Aspen, I like to swap this moisturiser for its richer, creamier version: La Crème Riche Rich Cream. I can arrive at my destination and still have a dewy glow about me. In fact, I have found these products to be so effective that I have made them both a part of my daily skincare routine at home: La Crème in the AM and La Crème Riche come PM.
Clarins Precious La Lotion Treatment Essence, $215 SHOP NOW. Clarins Precious Le Sérum Lift, $570 SHOP NOW
The prelude to the above moisturisers is Clarins Precious La Lotion Treatment Essence, followed by the Clarins Precious Le Sérum Lift. After cleansing, I apply the lotion—which feels like a water-based toner—to my face and the organic leaf of life extract stimulates the skin’s natural hydration process. The lotion reportedly prepares the skin to receive the ingredients in each of the following products—a claim I admittedly was unsure about at first, but can genuinely say I notice a difference should I omit this step. It feels so beautiful and luxurious lathering on the serum and moisturiser post lotion. After four months of using this regime, I finally wake up with more radiant skin than I did a few years ago.
Dior Small Dior Travel Vanity Case, $4600 SHOP NOW
A beautiful vanity case to house your life is an essential, in my opinion. Dior gifted me a case similar to this one a couple of years ago and I take it with me everywhere when I travel. Crafted from black supple lambskin and with accents of antique gold-finish metalwork, it’s small but can carry quite a lot. While I leave mine reserved for travelling, I do see women using these during their everyday. (It comes with a removable shoulder strap.)
Aesop Cedar & Citrus Lip Salve, $25 SHOP NOW
I was always the person who didn’t care about lip care. And in hindsight, I was probably the one who had the driest lips. I am never without this Lip Salve from Aesop. When I’m getting ready for my day, I like to let my skincare and lip care soak in while I do my hair. Then, my lips are moisturised and ready for my liner and gloss application. If you’re travelling on a flight, apply liberally whenever you think about it. This one contains grapefruit rind, cedar atlas and orange rind—an incredibly fresh, citrus-y scent.
Saint Laurent Travel Mug In Metal, GOLD, $160 SHOP NOW
You don’t need a designer drink bottle. But it just makes it a privilege to carry your water around if you have one. A refillable drink bottle, designer or otherwise, is an essential when travelling from A to B and surviving long days in the office or in the sky. If I am in high altitude areas where the air is thinner, I always pop two Hydrolytes into my water to ensure I’m getting electrolytes when I need them the most.
Slip Black Sleep Mask, $55 SHOP NOW
Sleep is so important. Unfortunately, I’m not a great sleeper on aeroplanes—even if I’m laying in a flat bed—and I’m a light sleeper on Earth, too. But, a sleep mask can really help lull you into a good snooze even if your body clock is out of whack. From the Australian makers of the famed Slip Silk Pillowcase comes the Slip Sleep Mask. It’s an absolute must in my every night and I really encourage you to try one. Jetlag tip: When you arrive at your destination, eat something delicious with protein (my go-to is a nicoise salad), go for a long walk or swim, apply hydrating skincare, and always try and stay awake until, at least, the early evening.
