Summer Skin
Travel Edition
Summer occupies a particular place in our collective imagination - a shimmering season of possibility where we convince ourselves that this will be the summer we dream of: endless horizons, salt-kissed skin and lazy time in the sun.
This summer, I'm chasing that summer dream through two corners of Europe. First, a short but (hopefully) exciting work trip to fabulous Cannes, and a few weeks later, a trip to luxuriously quiet, sun-drenched Puglia… by way of Paris
Here's one thing I've learned about travel: the magic isn't just in the destination. It's in the small acts we perform for ourselves along the way - the rituals that anchor us, that remind us that being on vacation isn’t about letting go of the ways we care for ourselves. Call it self-preservation or call it vanity, but maintaining my skincare routines while traveling isn't about looking great in photos, it's about maintaining the standards of self-care that keep me nourished.
So yes, I pack light, but I also truly value bringing my beauty rituals with me.
The Foundation
Travel skincare begins with the fundamental truth that your skin will encounter things it's never met before. New water, different air, and thickly layered sunscreen. Which is why I've become evangelical about making sure I cleanse very, very thoroughly, starting with micellar cleansing pads. Specifically, I’m a fan of the kind that come in leak-proof packaging that won't turn your carefully curated carry-on into a crime scene of expensive serums. These pads perform a thorough, gentle removal and never irritate my skin. I follow up with a proper cleanser because micellar water is not enough. My travel rotation includes two gentle options that cleanse without that tight, stripped feeling: this and this are both excellent, simple cleansers.
Morning Ritual
There's something almost meditative about a morning skincare routine, especially when you're somewhere new. It's the same sequence of steps, but a new environment, a new light, and a new sense of time.
My vitamin C serum goes on first, and this one is a cult favorite for a reason: because it works. Next comes damage control. Travel, for all its romance, is fundamentally exhausting—late nights, early flights, the stress of airport traffic. This arnica under-eye roll-on becomes less luxury and more necessity, particularly when stored cold. There's something very satisfying about the ritual of applying something cooling to puffy eyes, like you're quite literally smoothing away the stress itself.
Essential Hydration
Moisturizer on vacation sometimes requires a different calculus than moisturizer at home. You need something that can handle airplane cabin air, air conditioned rooms, new climates, and the general dehydration of travel.
I alternate between two favorites: Instant Angel, which manages to be both lightweight and protective (the kind of product that makes you understand why everyone's obsessed with this brand), and The Rich Cream, which lives up to its name in the best possible way. It's expensive, yes, but it also makes me feel like my skin looks expensive.
Non-Negotiables
Sunscreen isn't optional, and neither is lip balm. My SPF rotation includes options from Shiseido and Standard Procedure, and my latest favorite lip balm is this one. It’s perpetually sold out, so I've learned to buy extras when I can find them.
Keeping it Together
No matter how careful I am, spills do happen. For this reason, I prefer travel cases that are easy to clean. Hudson+Bleecker makes great options for frequent fliers - I own this and this. I also love these customizable waffle pouches. They’re functional, whimsical and so cute. I recently bought matching ones for a friend and myself.
Maybe that's what summer travel really offers: the space to take care of ourselves in new places, to maintain the small rituals that make us feel like ourselves in the midst of a new adventure. The rituals that help us be present wherever we are, so we can keep simply showing up (well-moisturized and sun-protected) ready for whatever comes next.