How to Travel (and Arrive) Looking Your Best

Oh, the marvels of modern air travel. You can watch a movie and sip a drink while you hurdle towards your destination an ocean away. Amazing.

Then there’s the dark side. The endless security lines. The baggage fees. The general hassle of having to be to the airport 2-3 hours before you even board the plane.

And, to top it all off, air travel is terrible for your skin. That’s because of two major issues: high stress and dry air. Here’s what to do about both.

Reduce Travel Stress

Not such an easy thing to do. But totally necessary if you want to arrive with some semblance of your normal, radiant self (both inside and out).

Start before you travel. Packing light is the way to go. High baggage fees and ever-shrinking leg room in airplanes make this a must. If you can manage to get everything into a small carry-on, you’ve basically won the travel game.

Don’t forget to bring along the best travel skincare products for men. Get TSA approved travel sized bottles that you can slip into your carry-on Dopp kit. That way you won’t just arrive looking your best - you can also take care of your skin while you’re away from home.

There are tons of other simple ways to make travel less stressful. Try these:

• Find a quite place to chill in the airport. If your gate is crowded and you’ve got an hour to kill, go to an empty gate, sit by the window, and relax. If you’re a frequent flyer, invest in access to the private lounge. It’s a sanctuary in the otherwise nightmarish airport.

• Avoid needlessly long lines. If the ticketing counter has a terribly long line, go for curbside check-in instead. You might have to drop a big tip, but that will save you tons of stress and wasted time in the line you’re avoiding. If you travel often, TSA Pre-Check pays for itself too.

• Dress for the occasion. Wear comfortable shoes for all the walking between terminals and gates you’ll have to do. If you have to remove your shoes for security, wear a pair that are easy to get on and off. And minimize accessories - you want to be able to slip through security as easily as possible.

• Make sleep easier. Want to catch some Z’s on the plane? Invest in a comfortable travel pillow, noise cancelling headphones or earplugs, and a sleep mask.

Deal with Dry Air

Airplane cabins have notoriously dry, moisture-sapping air. It’s recirculated-air torture for your skin. So follow these steps to stay hydrated and arrive looking bright eyed and alert, not dull and worn out.

• Hydrate Pre-Flight. Apply face moisturizer for men just before you leave the house. That way you start your travels on a high note.

• Avoid everything but water. Have a black coffee if you must. But alcohol and caffeine can both dry out your skin. And sugary drinks cause inflammation, so they’re no good either. Stick with water and you’ll stay hydrated without the negative effects of other common airport drink offerings.

• Refresh your eyes. Depending on how long your flight is, you might want to do this mid-flight. Otherwise, make it the first thing you do on arrival. Apply a small dab of eye cream for men under and around your eyes. This will stimulate circulation and prevent the dark eye circles and puffy bags so commonly associated with long nights and/or flights.

Win the Travel Skincare Game

With the right plan, you’ll arrive looking and feeling your best. Take some smart pre-travel skincare steps. Avoid stress, junk food, and sugary drinks at the airport. And refresh your eyes upon arrival. You’ll feel a whole lot better - and your skin will look better too.