It's that time of year: Traveling for the holidays! And for many of us, it's our first time for some time, taking to the skies again. You have a lot to think about, such as staying healthy while you travel, so skincare is probably the last thing travelers are likely to think about right now. But whether you're flying to the humid macrocosm of Thailand or the dry cold air of Alaska, taking care of your skin should be a part of your travel prep and beyond.

There are common sense items such as sunscreen and moisturizer, but, as important as those things are, they only scratch the surface if you will.

Shawnda Dorantes, MSN, FNP, owner of Beauty Lounge Medical Spa in San Marcos, gave us some terrific tips on how to take care of the largest organ on your body whether your boarding a train, plane, or automobile.

From dealing with "airplane skin" to fighting "chub rub" these tips are great advice to travelers who want to keep their skin happy and healthy for the duration of the trip and long after they get home.

Travel:

• For a long flight, definitely forgo the full face of makeup. The low humidity onboard can be very drying on your skin, which can result in your body creating a surge of oil production, which will absolutely worsen acne.
• Give yourself a mini facial the morning before your flight with all your favorite oil-free hydrating products.
• Be sure to keep your window down to avoid harmful sun rays while in the air. Remember, you are much closer to the strong rays of the sun 36,000 miles above than on the ground, so applying SPF is especially important. Be sure to pack oil blotting sheets to absorb excess oil and minimize shininess. This will also come in handy during the long days exploring your destination.
• Definitely pack some sanitizing wipes to wipe down your arms rests, table, bathroom, and your hands. This simple act will help reduce transmitting any acne-causing bacteria to our faces throughout the flight. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to pack a squeeze of Zo Skin Health’s 10% Benzoyl Peroxide for any impromptu breakouts while abroad.
• Be sure to pack plenty of spare face masks, toss and change frequently to help mitigate breakouts.
• For those prone to puffy eyes be sure to pack some Beauty Kitchen collagen eye gels (which have fun infusions such as coconut, golden ocean and vitamin C) or Zo Skin Health's growth factor eye serum’s cooling applicator which soothes skin, reduces puffiness, and plumps tired eyes.
• After your flight be sure to head straight to the bathroom and thoroughly cleanse your skin and apply your skin care regimen. If time and budget allow, a HydraFacial treatment is the perfect treatment for dehydrated skin after a long flight.

Hacks:

• Order sample jars and bottles from Amazon to pack just what you need of your favorite products.
• If you have a long layover research available airport lounges. Entry fees are usually $30-$50 and include light refreshments, even alcohol, some lounges even have shower facilities.
• Be sure to research the weather, especially humidity levels and pack beauty products accordingly. I learned the hard way in the Bahamas to use my husband's styling putty and rocked a super slicked back bun all weekend, because the puffy hair was on a whole other level.
• If you suffer from “chub rub” (skin irritation from your thighs rubbing together) definitely pack “Body Glide for Her '' anti-chafe balm. This is an absolute must for me!
• Pack essential OTC medications such as, Tylenol, Benadryl, Claritin, colace, imodium, tums, Azo, Dramamine, and sudafed. Although these common medicines are usually available in the local pharmacy, language barriers can be challenging when trying to find something specific. This is the nurse in ME! I can’t help it; I travel prepared and you should too!

"I also like to pack band-aids, hydroseal bandages for blister or prevention, extra insoles, or another pair of comfy shoes to rotate," adds Shawnda. "Blisters are bound to happen with all the walking taking in the sites!"

Female entrepreneur, Shawnda Dorantes, MSN, FNP (family nurse practitioner) is a master nurse injector, cosmetic tattooist, and co-owner of Beauty Lounge Medical Spa, a leading, full-service aesthetic destination in San Marcos, California, a suburb of San Diego.