Knowing how to have better skin starts with using skincare that fits the climate you’re in
There’s no better way to interrupt the doldrums of winter than to escape to a more exotic place - whether that means lounging on a beach on a
tropical island, or swishing down a mountain at a
luxe ski resort. The only downside? That much-needed break can send your skin into a tailspin, a.k.a. climate shock. Going from one extreme temp to another can make your skin breakout, dry out, or turn red and sensitive. To help your skin transition and recover on your next getaway, we asked dermatologists for their best skin travel tips on how to have better skin - depending on where you’re headed - and then matched them up to the
Pour Moi Climate Smart Skincare products that will protect your complexion, no matter where you go or what’s on your winter vacation agenda.
How to have better skin if you’re hitting the tropics…
Lighten up.
Hot temps and humid air mean your skin doesn’t need the same type of rich moisturizers it needs in your colder home base. Take the guesswork out of it with formulas made specifically for a tropical climate. Pour Moi is the only skincare brand to develop a climate smart strategy with lightweight products that deliver the hydration you need per climate situation. This duo kit contains
Polar Day Cream formulated for cold winter weather and
Tropical Day Cream for a warm-weather environment. Both formulas contain Climate Energized Beautifiers (CEBs), a blend of specifically selected hydrators and botanicals that lock-in hydration, plus Pour Moi’s proprietary complex HyalurTruf+, a fusion of multi-weight Hyaluronic acid molecules and
White Truffle extract. The Tropical formula also has lightweight humectants and botanicals, plus peptides, antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E to moisturize and protect skin in a humid environment without making skin greasy.
Deep clean.
Cleansing and exfoliating dead skin becomes extremely important in humid locales. “The oils will start to increase so you want to keep pores clear,” says Avnee Shah, M.D. a dermatologist in New York and New Jersey. The
Tropical Day Cream has purifying
coconut oil, and the
Hydrating Balancer contains glycolic to get rid of pure-clogging dead skin. Apply the Balancer twice a day after cleansing your skin to help retain a proper pH level plus condition, hydrate and soften your skin. Then, follow with either
Black or
White Serum (depending on your skin type) and your Tropical Climate Smart Day Cream.
How to have better skin if you’re going to a cold climate…
Give your skin a head start.
A few days before your trip, prep your skin for the chilly temps by increasing its moisture content, says Shah. That means choosing a formula that’s designed to nourish skin in a colder environment. The point is to help strengthen your skin barrier, and also allow it to be able to capture the moisture it needs from the environment and from what you drink. The
Polar Day Cream has CEBs and HyalurTruf+ complex (as mentioned above, it contains three sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules to keep your skin optimally hydrated), plus ingredients like Shea Butter and Squalane Oil that will prevent Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), which can increase by 25 percent in cold, polar climates, as well as antioxidants to help protect skin’s barrier against both natural and manmade elements.
Pack a humidifier.
Indoor heat in a cozy hotel room can dehydrate skin. Deborah Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and author of
Skin Rules: Tips from a New York City Dermatologist recommends putting a travel humidifier in your room to add skin-plumping moisture back into the air.
Skip the super-hot shower.
It’s tempting to warm up after a day on the slopes with a piping hot shower, but long, steamy showers strip skin of its essential moisture, says Shah. “The hotter the water and longer the shower, the drier your skin will get,” she says. Think warm, not hot, and limit your time under the spray to less than 10 minutes.
How to have better skin if you’re vacationing in the desert…
Switch your cleanser.
Sneak some more moisture into your skin while cleansing. A cream or oil-based face wash won’t strip skin of its natural oils and adds lipids back into dry skin, says Shah. After you’ve cleansed, pat dry and apply your 3-step climate smart system (
Balancer,
Serum and
Day Cream) immediately.
How to have better skin no matter where you go…
Moisturize on the plane.
“Recycled air on airplanes is quite dry and can lead to destruction of your skin barrier, skin’s outer layer,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Apply
Desert Day Cream during in-flight to keep your skin safe. Best when weather conditions are hot, and humidity is low, the Desert Day Cream contains CEBs and HyalurTruf+, just like the other Day Creams, but it also has
Squalane Oil to create a barrier on skin’s surface to help retain moisture and protect the lipid barrier.
Pack the sunscreen.
Whether you’re in a winter wonderland or palm tree paradise, sunscreen is a must. “Don’t be fooled by cold or dry weather,” says Shah. Regardless of temperature, you’re getting damaging UV exposure which can lead to premature external aging. Layer a broad-spectrum formula with a minimum of SPF 30 over your face cream, and reapply every two hours if you’re spending time outdoors.
