Why we breakout when we travel

With half term fast approaching and many of us looking to escape to some sunshine, Chartered Chemist & Scientist Bruce Green discusses why our skin is more prone to breakouts when we travel. “Breakouts when we travel are usually triggered by a combination of stress, changes in diet, lack of sleep and, importantly, exposure to unfamiliar environments. Cabin air on planes, for example, is both dry and recycled, which strips moisture from the skin and prompts it to overproduce oil, often leading to clogged pores. Add to this the inevitable increase in environmental pollutants, different water mineral contents, and changes in skincare routines when travelling, and the skin’s delicate balance is quickly disrupted, often resulting in flare-ups or breakouts. A gentle but effective cleansing routine is essential here. Using something like SOS Cleanse, which flushes the pores of makeup, daily pollutants and impurities without harsh surfactants or acids, helps to reset the skin’s balance and prepare it for external aggressors.”

Bruce says “To calm reactive or breakout-prone skin while travelling, it’s important to strengthen the skin barrier and keep it soothed. A product such as SOS Serum can help manage flare-ups by hydrating without oil, cooling irritation and calming sensitivity caused by environmental stressors or climate changes. Protection is also key. UV exposure can be higher when travelling, particularly in sunnier destinations and even city breaks bring exposure to blue light and pollution. The SOS SPF 50 Sun Cream provides broad-spectrum mineral protection, antioxidants, and plant stem cells to defend against free radical damage while remaining non-greasy and non-comedogenic, ideal for skin already vulnerable to breakouts.”

Pack your handy SOS Essentials Travel Collection which provides you with all your favourite SOS Serum Skincare products on the go. RRP £25.50.