Travel Tips for Keeping Your Hair and Skin Healthy Away From Home

Summer is here, and you know what that means: airports, road trips, and lots of sunny destinations! 

Many of us will be on the go in the coming months, but that doesn’t mean our hair and skincare should suffer. Increased exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays comes with risks, from dried-out skin to bleached and brittle hair. Plus, we all know those long (usually chaotic) travel days aren’t conducive to healthy, glowing features. 

So, how do you keep your hair and skin looking its best away from home? 

Here are some tips from the travel-friendly skincare team at Original Sprout. 

(1) Prepare Before Your Trip 

✔ Research Your Destination 

Different climates call for different skin and hair care, so do your research in advance.

If you’re planning a trip to the mountains, anticipate a dry, high-altitude climate. This probably means packing a rich moisturizer to combat dryness and hydrating hair care products to keep your locks nourished. Don’t forget a high-SPF sunscreen to defend your skin from intense UV exposure at higher elevations.

On the other hand, if you’re looking forward to a tropical vacay, you’ll need to plan for humidity and sweat. This could mean bringing lightweight, oil-free moisturizers and hair products to help manage frizz. 

✔ Know What You Can & Can’t Bring 

One of the benefits of road trips is that you can bring full-size products, but if you’re traveling by plane and carrying your luggage onboard, you’ll need to be more strategic. 

Keep in mind that you can only bring liquids and aerosols in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less on planes. These containers must all fit into a single quart-sized, clear, resealable plastic bag. This rule, known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule, helps streamline the security screening process and ensures compliance with TSA regulations.

✔ Gather Travel-Sized Essentials 

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, opt for compact, non-toxic essentials like sunscreen, moisturizer, shampoo, and conditioner. These will keep your skin and hair healthy without taking up much space in your luggage. These mini versions can help you maintain your routine no matter where your summer adventures take you. 

Looking for some travel-friendly skincare and hair products for your next getaway? Check out Original Sprout’s essential travel kits before you start packing! 

(2) Counteract the Plane Effect 

✔ Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

If you’ve ever been on a plane, you likely noticed that your hands, nose, and throat begin to feel dry in the air. This is because airplane cabins have extremely low humidity levels, as half of the air circulating is drawn from the outside at very high altitudes. 

To keep your body hydrated, and minimize the symptoms of jet lag, focus on drinking plenty of water throughout your travel day. Bring a reusable water bottle on the plane and ask the flight attendants to fill it up at every opportunity. Trust us: your skin and hair will thank you later. 

✔ Protect Your Hair

Ever paid attention to how your hair looks, well, terrible after a long flight? Try using a hydrating leave-in conditioner or hair oil before boarding. This will help counteract the effects of the dry cabin air. 

It’s also a good idea to choose the right hairstyle if you have long locks. Braids or a bun can minimize tangling and damage during long travel days. 

When you land, you might want to touch your roots up with a non-toxic dry shampoo. This will give your hair that freshly washed look, even after hours of sitting in airports and on planes. 

✔ Carry on Your Essentials 

As much as you might be tempted to stow full-size travel products in your checked luggage, keep in mind that checked luggage can (and often does) get lost. If that happens, you might find yourself in a new destination sans your trusted hair and skincare products. 

At a minimum, we recommend keeping travel-sized versions of your most crucial products in your carry-on bag. This ensures you have exactly what you need on the plane and in the event that your luggage gets misplaced. 

(3) Keep Up With Your Hair 

✔ Use Dry Shampoo as Necessary 

When you’re on vacation, you might not find yourself washing your hair as frequently as you do at home. A trusted, safe dry shampoo product can be an excellent choice for those busy days, especially if you’re on the road, camping, or staying in a shared living space. 

A word of caution: not all dry shampoos are created equal. There was a significant recall a few years ago due to the discovery of toxic, potentially cancer-causing ingredients in many of the leading products, so make sure you’re checking yours carefully before using. 

✔ Defend Against Humidity 

If you’ve ever seen that classic episode of Friends in which Monica’s hair goes haywire in Barbados, you know that humidity can do wild things to our locks. Most commonly, it causes the hair shaft to swell, leading to frizz and unmanageable curls. 

To defend against humidity while traveling, use anti-frizz serums or sprays designed to create a barrier against moisture. You can also opt for hairstyles that are more humidity-resistant, such as braids or buns, and carry a travel-sized hair oil to tame any flyaways.

✔ Refresh With Leave-In Conditioners

Using a leave-in conditioner while traveling over the summer helps keep your hair hydrated and manageable despite factors such as heat and humidity. It provides a protective barrier that reduces frizz, detangles hair, and prevents damage from sun exposure. 

Additionally, a lightweight leave-in conditioner is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, ensuring your hair stays smooth and healthy throughout your travels.

(4) Soothe Your Skin 

✔ Prioritize Sun Protection 

Adequate daily UV protection for your skin is crucial no matter where you travel this summer. Dangerous sun exposure can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. 

To ensure safe, worry-free sun protection, look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or higher, containing non-toxic, mineral-based ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients provide effective protection without the harmful chemicals found in many conventional sunscreens.

✔ Stay Clean & Clear 

When traveling, washing your skin frequently is essential to remove accumulated dirt, sweat, and bacteria that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Exposure to different environments and surfaces increases the likelihood of coming into contact with germs, making regular cleansing crucial for maintaining healthy skin. 

Your schedule might be different while vacationing, but a consistent skincare routine helps prevent blemishes and keeps your skin clear and refreshed during your travels. Try to stick to your normal washes and use the same products you do at home. 

✔ Moisturize Multiple Times Daily

Hydrating your skin regularly maintains its moisture balance, prevents dryness and irritation, and keeps your complexion looking healthy and radiant throughout your journey, wherever that may take you. 

When choosing a travel lotion, look for products with transparent labeling that clearly list natural, non-toxic ingredients and avoid those containing potentially harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. 

Additionally, consider researching the brand's commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing practices to make an informed, eco-conscious choice.

Shop Original Sprout for On-the-Go Products 

You’ve got enough to think about this summer without constantly evaluating safe travel products for your hair and skin. That’s why, at Original Sprout, we’ve launched a line of worry-free essentials and trusted travel kits for all kinds of users. 

Take a look around to find exactly what you need for your upcoming vacation. Whether you’re jetting off to Hawaii or planning a multi-day hiking trip in the Carolinas, we carry all the non-toxic products you need to keep up with your beauty routine.