5 Skincare Tips for Pregnancy Travel

I’m a firm believer in the importance of self-care. Pregnancy can be a difficult time to remember to take care of you, between all the preparation, the doctor’s appointments, the anxiety and fatigue. And when you travel, it’s easy to forget to be extra good to ourselves. But be careful, when you combine travel and pregnancy, you have a double-whammy of not great self-care waiting for you at your destination.

Fear not, that’s pretty easy to fix. Here are 5 easy steps to take better care of your pregnant body while traveling.

1. Start as you travel. As they say, it’s the journey, not the destination. Whether you are flying, driving, or taking the train, travel is hard on your body. So don’t wait till you arrive at the hotel or at your parents’ house to start taking care of yourself — your mode of transportation is where good self-care should begin. Since dehydration is common during travels, drink more water than you usually do. It’s not only good for your skin, it’s also good for your body and baby!

Next, wear sunscreen! The windows on airplanes, trains, and cars don’t block UVA rays, so it’s extra important to protect your skin. Try a tinted SPF moisturizer for easy one-step care, like Suntegrity 5-in-1 Moisturizing Sunscreen. And don’t forget to protect your lips, too! Ilia Beauty makes gorgeous lip sheers with an SPF of 15. They’re so hydrating and lovely that you won’t even remember you’re applying sunscreen to your lips!

Bonus point: spray a little toner on your face while on the go. One wipe or spritz of Mun’s No. 11 Anarose Rejuvenating Rose Toner will make your skin stay hydrated and leave you feeling refreshed. It perks up your makeup, boosts your moisturizer, and the scent of rose is a mood-elevator.

2. No matter how tired you are, wash your face and moisturize before bed. Nighttime is when your skin does its best healing, which is especially important when you’re pregnant and your hormones are all over the place. No matter how tired you are after a full day of travel or catching up with relatives, clean your face before falling asleep. It can be hard due to time changes and hotel rooms, but even the most tired or lazy lady can use these Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes in 10 seconds flat. I like to double-cleanse by following with an oil cleanser, like Maya Chia’s The Great Cleanse.

Your skin is also likely to react to time differences, foods you’re not used to eating, and more. So bring along a rescue moisturizer, like Laurel Whole Plant Organics’ anti-inflammatory serum to ensure you’re ready to treat any skin issues that arise.

3. Create a spa wherever you are. Travel can be stressful. If you’re staying with relatives who want to give you tons of unsolicited parenting advice, escape to the bath tub and create your own oasis! Soak in a tub with Plant Apothecary’s Super Soak, and you’ll feel so much better.

Bonus points: Mask while you soak in the bath! Multi-tasking AND relaxing at the same time! May Lindstrom’s The Problem Solver mask is one of our faves.

4. Don’t forget the basics: hand cream, lip balm. When you’re traveling and off your regular schedule, you might forget the most basic things, like a good lip balm and hand cream. CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm works on lips, hands, cuticles, and anywhere your skin needs extra TLC.

5. Prepare for any hair-mergency. Hair disaster? No time to wash it? Flight delayed? Hotel shower freezing cold? Not to worry. Bring along a dry shampoo, like the Captain Blankenship’s Mermaid Dry Shampoo, and a great-smelling Hair Oil, like Prim Botanicals’ Hair Oil for all your hair needs on the go. That way, you’ll still feel great and look great, no matter what happens with your travel plans!