Compromise your skin care for travel sake?

Someone asked me how to pack light for a travel, especially when it came to her skin care products and if she should just stop using her usual products for a few days since…it’s just a few days.

Well, I wasn’t quite able to answer her because I have the same dilemma. I never thought it would be so difficult to pack my toiletries for a so-called light travel and I’m just talking about my skin care. Should I just bring everything or should I compromise by disrupting my skin care regime (which I really resist against) and opt for convenient toiletries like sample products?

The problem is compounded by the fact that products I use are all vacuum sealed, and it’s difficult to transfer them into small bottles especially because they’re natural formulations. And don’t ask me to purchase a travel size kit either because the products are expensive and I’m not about to spend more just for that reason. I also realized that this will be a problem if I were to take a flight because I can’t carry them all onboard – which I used to before the new regulations came to effect!

So what do you say? Would you compromise your skin care regime for your travel if you were presented the same set of problems?

Comments

  1. AtelierGal says:

    Why carry them with you when you can put in your suitcase?

    I’m currently using 2 different brands of different formula, so it depends on the weather of the country I’m visiting.

    I’d probably skip the toner but everything else has to come with me. A change of weather will be really harsh to the skin:/

  2. sesame says:

    Because I’m KS! My toiletries are the most important to me and I’ve lost my luggage before during a long trip and have since developed a phobia.

    Yes, I’m with you about the weather and the change in condition. According to some aesthetic docs I’ve met, people usually come back from trips with bad skin conditions.

  3. Paris B says:

    If you can get samples of your regular skincare that would work for a few days. I travel with sample packs or travel sizes of regular skincare. Touch wood. Travel has been kind to my skin thus far ?

  4. AtelierGal says:

    But the problem is you can’t bring them all on the plane.

    I won’t opt for samples though unless you have tried the products beforehand. Never compromise, just keep the faith and put in your luggage. If you are also Kiasu, sign a verbal agreement with the airline (my aunt do that with Singapore Airlines)

    “You lose my luggage or ship it to another location, I will shout & sue!”

  5. AtelierGal says:

    If you are also Kiasee, I mean

  6. Jacqueline says:

    I make use of the samples I receive. In that way I try out new products too. I understand that that may not be the best for my skin but I’ve been lucky so far.

    It is very troublesome decanting your loved products into small bottles and containers. I had them leak because these little bottles aren’t made well.

  7. fwy says:

    I don’t use a lot of skincare & makeup in the 1st place. I should be able to bring everything I need into those clear plastic containers & pouches.

  8. singla says:

    Skin care takes up a big part of my bag when travel. No matter go for a week or one month, I still ‘lag’ my skin care bag bag along… never leave home with it!

  9. stella says:

    depends on how long the trip is. if it’s just a 1-3 nights, i will use whatever samples i have as long as they cleanse, tone, moisturize. i will usually pack my usual sunscreen.

    if it’s a long trip, i’ll lug all my skincare along – half used bottles are good ‘coz i’ll usually use them all up by the end of the trip! or i may get smaller trial sizes.

  10. pf1123 says:

    It depends if I am on business or personal travel.

    If business, then my toiletries bag would be around 3 kg. If personal, then its around 2kg. haha…the difference is luxury items such as masks, body lotions, morning and evening skincare etc.

    If on personal travel, I will cut down on some skincare. But thats because I’m rotating some serums at home already.

    I do decant some skincare into smaller containers but not all. I found Muji containers quite well made.

    Some skincare, I use them in the night or day when I’m at home, but they are not specified for day or night use. For example, I used to just use a whitening serum in the morning but a hydrating serum at night. So, if I’m on a trip I will just choose which one I want to bring. Most likely the hydrating one to apply day and night.

    I always breakout when I travel and I realise its the humidity level in different countries. Once I found out, its easier to choose the suitable skincare among my regular routine to bring.

    This recent trip, my breakout is minimal. I’m happy with my choice of skincare.

  11. pf1123 says:

    Oh, I bring almost all my regular skincare during business trips because normally they are long and I have the luxury of nice transport and people hulling my lugguage for me once I reached the hotel. I don’t move from place to place as well.

  12. Yvette says:

    I always bring my usual skincare stuff. my skincare routine is like a ritual for me,and i can’t afford to be out of step with it.

    One thing I do is get samples of my favorite skincare items and save those when i need to travel with a light load. With the new safety regulations, i just check-in my skincare stuff and i don’t bring them with me onboard. i don’t want to risk getting them confiscated =(

    very interesting post!

  13. Suz says:

    I WILL LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND EXCEPT….if I have acne…then definitely my medications…can’t go without them….XD…second….moisturizer…if it’s winter..summer…i wont mind going without…sunscreen.., of course bb cream…, blush,..and a lipstick…maybe just maybe a mascara, also…nothing else…oh yeah of course…my cleanser…that’s all…I don’t really take much anywhere to begin with beside the basic which I NEED ALWAYS…some of the stuff I listed…..I don’t need..like makeup which if I have to leave I will…but that’s the compromise I am willing to make!!!

  14. Raelynn says:

    When i went to aussie, i packed EVERYTHING. really, EVERYTHING in my regime. and of course prayed very hard that nothing broke or leaked.

  15. Amanda says:

    I’m currently on holiday =), and I packed everything!

    From my cleansers to my masks. I’m prepared for anything and everything to go wrong with my skin this holiday season.

    As for skin care on the plane, I took along my cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Thankfully they all fell in the 100ml and under regulation, although I did have to put my moisturizer into a small tester pot.

    I guess skin care is something that I won’t take a chance with, especially during the holiday season =)

  16. Berry says:

    If I travel to a place with cold dry climate, I change my skincare routine accordingly to suit the climate. The products would still have been previously tested. I find that taking a probiotic supplement helps a lot when travelling – to keep my body systems stable (so less chance of break out) and also helps with immunity and protecting against stomach upsets in a foreign land with “alien” bugs in the food and water.

  17. sesame says:

    The problem is I’m using this range and I’m unwilling to compromise. They do not provide sample sizes but travel kit which is blardy costly.

  18. sesame says:

    Oh really? Never knew you can sign a verbal agreement.

  19. sesame says:

    Good that samples worked for you.

  20. sesame says:

    Ah…that’s good. Not using many items definitely help.

  21. sesame says:

    Haha…that’s a good spirit!

  22. sesame says:

    Trial and travel sizes are good if they’re within affordable range. ?

  23. sesame says:

    Muji containers are nice. I find them sturdy too.

  24. sesame says:

    Yeah, having them confiscated is no fun.

  25. sesame says:

    I cannot leave my skincare behind but I can leave my makeup behind. Heh. But maybe need an eyebrow pencil or brush.

  26. sesame says:

    Cos you checked the stuff in? I would pray for mine too if I did that.

  27. sesame says:

    Wow, even masks?

  28. sesame says:

    Yes, supplements are a good idea. I think they’re necessary and more so when we’re traveling.

  29. BlovetBeauty says:

    I like to have smaller bottles so I can transfer my pdts into it.. sometimes when i get real lazy, i just throw in the full sized bottles into my check in bag but i make sure to seal them tight in a zip lock..

  30. pf1123 says:

    I never had baggage delay or loss before. So, I checked everything in.

    Instead, I had experienced that I forgot about the restrictions and threw everything in my cabin size baggage. Then everything was thrown away. ?

    I had to buy all the skin care and toiletries at a local supermarket. No joke.

  31. Amanda says:

    Haha yeah even masks, 2 kinds too! Clay and a hydrating one. I am on holiday for quite awhile though, not just a couple of weeks. So I bring everything, and buy more when I shop ?

  32. Jyoan says:

    Hi, haha, just back from Beijing. For me, I will not compromise my skincare regime no matter how heavy/bulky they are. I have used vacuum sealed sets before, and I just put all the bottles nicely into a hard box.

    For the latest Beijing trip, I am using highly preserved dead sea products, so I just transferred them into small cosmetic grade bottles that I washed and kept over the years.

    But the bottomline is simply that I will not replace my skincare no matter what. And I insist on using the same hair shampoo and conditioner too. Thankfully, it’s much cheaper and convenient to find travel size haircare.

  33. Sparklewolfie says:

    I use very few items so it is fine for me to put them in my checked luggage and it is fine. Otherwise, the only other solution I can see is to buy new ones at your destination O.o

    Maybe if you are only going for a few days, you can rely on homemade skin care?

    When I went back to Taiwan for 3 weeks, I brought my skincare in a plastic bag in my checked luggage, and just made sure to stay hydrated on the plane. Even on a 12 hour flight I think your skin will be fine… then at the layover in Tokyo airport, maybe use the testers in the shops >.<

  34. Dia says:

    my skin care products usually are more than 100ML so it’s difficult to carry onboard the plane. I use travel as an opportunity to try out new products that I have samples on. And for my must haves (like my toner), i transfer it to a smaller container ? I guess I’m compromising! ?
    What I do make sure is to carry a lot of face masks when I travel to keep my skin hydrated everyday ?

  35. nora says:

    If I still have samples around the house, I will bring them. But if not, I do transfer my skincare products to the travel bottles. The most important items to bring for me is my sunblock, deodorant & chap stick. I do bring my other essentials like my face powder, lipstick, travel palette of eyeshadow, mascara & blusher (if feels like bringing) & not forgetting perfume. Feel naked without any fragrance! I do bring my Vitamin C for immune system & the some pills for stomach & also Burnol for wounds etc. As I’m always carrying a backpack instead of luggage, I try to travel as light as possible!

  36. min luo says:

    Hi, I have a question about how to store skin care products. My room temperature is around 25 degree. Is it good to keep my creams, lotions and serums stuff in the refrigerator? Is it too cold for them or just keep them at room temperature? Which is the better way to store them? Thanks a lot!

    Min Luo

  37. sesame says:

    With direct flights, luggages are unlikely to be lost. My experience was due to a change of flights.

  38. sesame says:

    Okay, if it’s a long trip, then it’s worth bringing along.

  39. sesame says:

    Hmm…packing in a hard box is a nice idea. I’ll take note for long trips next time. Anyway, I didn’t have to take a flight so I brought everything too.

  40. sesame says:

    Homemade is even more troublesome! Can only do at home… LOL.

  41. sesame says:

    Last time I could try skin care products whenever I want and I only insist on bringing my shampoo. But these days, I cannot try skin care products randomly.

  42. sesame says:

    Deodorant used to be important for me…now that would be a trouble for me cos I’m using homemade stuff.

  43. sesame says:

    Your room temperature should be quite comfortable. The reason why pple keep their products in the fridge is to prolong their shelf life especially if their ingredients are active. However, I also know some products are not suitable to be refrigerated.

  44. min luo says:

    Thank you so much for your information! Actually could you please give me some details about what products are not suitable to be refrigerated?
    Wish you a happy new year!

  45. sesame says:

    I’m not exactly sure cos it’s hard to tell but I suspect serums maybe one of it as the ingredients in liquid form may separate. So the best is to check upon purchase. Most products do not need refrigeration anyway.

    Happy new year to you too!

  46. Sabrina says:

    i will pack everything. transfer those i can to smaller muji containers. i cannot compromise or my skin will go nuts. i will even pack mask sheets for hydration to cooler climates because with sensitive-combi, i can start peeling like a lizard even in places like genting. i try to carry as much as i can onboard because i am also scared my luggage will disappear. touchwood!

  47. sesame says:

    Ah…if your skin is sensitive, then it’s better to pay more attention and probably more so when travelling.

  48. sade says:

    Have you considered pito tubes? They are vaccum sealed containers for you to transfer your toiletries into, and they don’t leak. They are a bit pricey at first, but if you have specific skin care needs and you travel a lot they make life much easier.

  49. sesame says:

    Oh…haven’t come across those. Will be keen to check them out.

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