Packing for my most up-to-date journey — my household’s late-summer Asbury Park seashore trip — I seen I was feeling significantly much less confused than common as I corralled my skincare merchandise. I have delicate and reasonably temperamental pores and skin, and prior to now, packing my skincare has meant quite a lot of product, together with some prescription ointments for rosacea and different skincare considerations.
But this time round, envisioning my skincare for journey routine and getting all my liquids right into a TSA-approved zipper dishevelled for my carry-on felt much more streamlined. I was additionally pleased to not be packing something prescribed and located myself asking “What’s modified about my skincare routine?”
I realized I’ve shifted to utilizing — nearly solely — glycerin-free skincare merchandise, plus some nice dietary supplements that assist my pores and skin well being via the ups and downs of journey.
What Is Glycerin?
If you’re within the behavior of ingredient lists on skincare merchandise for journey and in any other case, you may really feel like glycerin is in all the pieces. Before getting right into a routine with these merchandise, I definitely did. And at the same time as I began avoiding merchandise with glycerin, I struggled to actually nail down what it was.
I did my very own looking out however needed to listen to it from an professional, and ultimately chatted with Dr. Alpana Mohta, M.D., an authorized dermatologist and board member at BetterGoods.org, who instructed me glycerin
Is a transparent, odorless liquid that’s produced from fat and oils which can be byproducts of the soap-making course ofIs utilized in many skincare merchandise as a result of it has the flexibility to draw and retain moistureCan be derived naturally or synthetically
She went on to elucidate that “pure sources of glycerin embody crops corresponding to soy, coconut, and palm oils. Synthetic glycerin is derived from petroleum.”
Why Do I Hate The Way It Feels?
Dr. Mohta instructed me that some folks dislike the sensation of glycerin-containing merchandise on their pores and skin as a result of it’s a humectant, which signifies that on account of its molecular construction, it attracts moisture from the air, and doubtlessly your pores and skin itself.
“This can lead to a sticky feeling on the pores and skin. In addition, merchandise that comprise glycerin is probably not appropriate to be used in humid climates as a result of they’ll trigger the pores and skin to retain an excessive amount of moisture, resulting in clogged pores and breakouts.”
Ding, ding, ding! This explains why as an individual with moister or oilier pores and skin, I am not a fan of glycerin-containing merchandise, particularly when I’m hitting the street or attempting to maintain my cool and look put collectively getting via the airport, flights, and past.
Whether you already love glycerin-free skincare or need to strive one thing new, listed below are the glycerin-free skincare merchandise I received’t journey with out — all 1.7 ounces or below to allow them to be packed in your carry-on bag.
Note: These are my unbiased critiques. I buy all these merchandise for myself at full worth (or with just a little assist from Capital One Shopping!) and have by no means obtained any as trials.
1. LUMIONskin Oxygen Serum For Bright And Youthful Skin
Shop Now $42This serum is my number-one must-have skincare product. I put on it day-after-day. It’s the right different to conventional moisturizer with simply 4 elements: electrolyzed oxygenated water, clay, Dead Sea salt, and hypochlorous acid, a wound-healing agent “recognized to assist scale back blemishes, reverse markers of epidermal growing old, shield in opposition to environmental toxins, lower scarring, combat micro organism and cleanse the pores and skin.”
I’ve been utilizing this product for years and might say with out reservation that it’s the best-feeling product I’ve ever placed on my pores and skin. Bonus: It is available in a packable 1.7-ounce bottle.
Pro Tip: Apply this serum earlier than any sunscreen or make-up.
2. Seaside Medical Technologies Post-Traumatic Response Gel
Shop Now $28This gel is a brand new must-have for me. The ingredient listing is spectacular and contains an FDA-approved pain-, redness-, and inflammation-reducing compound, plus cucumber, aloe vera, spirulina, and dandelion.
Great for under-eye puffiness, blemishes, and even the odd scrape, when I use this gel on my face, I apply it to my just-washed (or misted) pores and skin as a spot remedy, let it soak up for just a few, then placed on my 3 to 4 pumps of Oxygen Serum.
Pro Tip: Here’s your proof that none of those suggestions are sponsored. Skip Seaside’s Cytotone Waterless Cleanser. It smells like a urinal cake, and no lineup of properties or elements excuses that!
3. LUMIONskin Miracle Mist Mini
Shop Now $16LUMION’s Miracle Mist leverages three of the 4 elements discovered within the serum: electrolyzed oxygenated water, Dead Sea salts, and hypochlorous acid. I like it as a pick-me-up after just a few hours on a aircraft or within the solar and discover that it performs properly with sunscreen and even make-up.
It’s additionally a pleasant micellar water different, so pack your cotton rounds. This mist can be utilized to wipe off gentle make-up, sunscreen, or the sweat of a fun-filled day in case your full face washing routine isn’t within the playing cards earlier than heading for mattress. Spritz, spritz!
Pro Tip: While the three.4-ounce original-size Miracle Mist is TSA compliant, the Mini is way simpler to pack and can simply get you thru a weeklong journey or extra. If you’re keen on this product, I suggest an original-size bottle for residence, a Mini for on the go, and refill bottles to save cash and scale back plastic.
4. MJ’s Herbals Calendula Salve
Shop Now $12.99I did not pack this salve for our most up-to-date trip. My mistake. It isn’t a part of my on a regular basis skincare routine, however when I want it, I want it. Of course, I wound up with chapped knuckles after our flight (I have Raynaud’s, and my fingers require TLC) and our 1-year-old developed a rash round her mouth whereas we have been away, so I wished I’d thrown this little pot of cream in my toiletry bag.
Available solely on Amazon so far as I can inform, I have used this 3-ingredient salve on
dry lips
chapped fingers
scrapes
bug bites
rashes (together with diaper rash)
hemorrhoids and fissures (unlucky travel-related illnesses for a few of us!)
Pro Tip: This can be an excellent, super-soothing emollient eye cream. After one notably icky allergic response, I washed my face, utilized generously to my puffy and irritated eyelids, laid down for a nap, and awoke nearly pretty much as good as new.
5. Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots
Shop Now $4.99Whether or not you expertise zits, you owe it to your self to pack a few of these hydrocolloid Spot Dots. They’re nice used as directed for blemishes, however even higher, they knock the sting off of itchy bug bites surprisingly nicely as they preserve soothing stress over the itch so you may get on together with your day.
Pro Tip: I’ve even popped these over small knicks on my fingers and knees rather than a bandaid and recognize that they go nearly undetected.
6. Hydrocolloid Bandages
Shop Now $12.50If you haven’t skilled the therapeutic (and really adhesive!) properties of hydrocolloid, now’s the time! As the identify implies, Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots are good for spots, however these CVS Health Advanced Healing Hydrocolloid Bandages take the waterproof, “barrier to micro organism” expertise to the subsequent stage by protecting far more floor space.
As somebody with delicate, “in restoration” pores and skin, I love figuring out these bandages will “[seal] out water, filth, germs and different exterior contaminants that may trigger an infection” and hold on for days, even via showers, swimming, and dealing up a sweat.
Pro Tip: If you may have a bigger space that wants safety throughout an upcoming journey, or shall be partaking in any actions that would have you ever reaching for a bigger bandage (rock scrambling all the time involves thoughts for me!), think about packing a few of these Hydrocolloid Gel Adhesive Pads. They come 4 to a pack and boast all the identical properties because the bandages.
7. Magnesium
Shop Now $29.99While I’m all about packing the appropriate topical skincare merchandise, I’ve come to understand the facility of some good dietary supplements in supporting my pores and skin well being. For that purpose, I don’t go away residence with out my Solaray magnesium glycinate, which I’ve been taking for years for an entire host of causes.
Among tons of different advantages, it helps rest, which suggests higher sleep and extra common bowel actions, and in flip, for me at the very least, happier pores and skin.
Pro Tips: Magnesium is finest taken earlier than mattress (and is a good melatonin different) as it will possibly assist loosen up you into sleep. It relaxes different components of the physique, too (it’s nice for alleviating journey constipation), so I advise in opposition to beginning with the complete 4-capsule dosage, otherwise you may find yourself operating for the lavatory. Friends who’ve tried this complement on my advice have confirmed! Start with a capsule or two and stage up from there!
9. Überlube
Shop Now $14.99Batched, examined, and bottled in Chicago, that is the final word in discreet, travel-friendly lube, with “no gluten, no glycerin, no alcohol, no parabens, no scents and flavors.” I by no means go away residence with out it. And whether or not you’re
touring with toys
want one thing that’s protected with pure rubber latex or polyisoprene condoms
need to shield your hair throughout swimming and/or tame flyaways (not kidding — Überlube was actually created for Sex, Style, Sport!)
need to stop chafing anyplace on the physique throughout longer walks or hikes
want a lubricant to assist digitally ease journey constipation
you shouldn’t, both. The refillable journey case is environmentally pleasant and roughly the scale of a lipstick tube, making it supremely packable. Mine has by no means leaked a drop, and the no-stain formulation (which I’ve by no means really noticed on any materials) comes out within the wash.
Pro Tip: Pick from Überlube’s totally different case colours to match the remainder of your journey toiletries.
Other Reasons To Avoid Glycerin In Skincare
Still on the fence? While glycerin and glycerin-containing merchandise could be nice for folk with drier pores and skin, Dr. Mohta says you may think about avoiding glycerin in your journey skincare merchandise (or being aware of the way it’s sourced) for the next bigger-picture causes:
To Avoid Supporting Palm Oil-Related Deforestation
“Palm oil is a significant driver of deforestation in tropical international locations like (*9*) and Malaysia, the place rainforests are being cleared to make approach for palm plantations. This destruction of habitat contributes to local weather change and places stress on already endangered species like orangutans and tigers.”
To Support Social Justice And Workers Around The World
“Palm plantation staff are sometimes paid very low wages, and little one labor is rampant. Women particularly face discrimination and sexual harassment.”
“When you purchase a product that accommodates glycerin, you could possibly be unwittingly supporting all of those adverse impacts. To keep away from this, search for merchandise that particularly state that the glycerin they comprise is from a renewable supply like soybeans or coconuts. You can even assist corporations which can be working to make their palm oil provide chains extra sustainable.”
Want a aspect of nice studying to go together with your new, fresher-feeling, and extra sustainable skincare merchandise? Consider Kinari Webb, M.D.’s memoir Guardians of the Trees, set in stunning Borneo.
https://www.travelawaits.com/affiliate/best-glycerin-free-skincare-products/
