Elle Ferguson on why we should stop overcomplicating travel skincare
Don’t fall for the reels
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In this article
The best way to approach your travel skincare routine
Elle's favourite travel products
The Body+Soul team's top travel picks
After spending so much of her career living out of a suitcase, golden girl Elle Ferguson has the art of packing for travel down to a T. Here are her top tips for finding – and maintaining – your holiday glow.
If you’ve stumbled upon Elle Ferguson’s glowing Instagram before, you’ve probably noticed the model and entrepreneur rarely stays in one place for too long. But whether she’s strutting the streets of Paris, basking in the Byron sun or working up a sweat along Bondi’s iconic promenade, the model and podcaster seldom appears to fall victim to the wear and tear of her jetsetting lifestyle.
That’s right. Despite the countless long-haul flights, changing time zones and extreme climates Ferguson subjects her skin to year-round, her signature glow and radiance seem to travel alongside her to each destination.
But despite multistep in-flight skincare routines taking over social media these days, Ferguson says she prefers a vastly different approach, “I watch so many reels of girls doing crazy skin routines on the plane, and I think that's one of the reasons your skin breaks out because it’s like, ‘What's going on?’,” she explains.
If you’re embarking on a long-haul Euro Summer trip this winter, the skincare connoisseur says cracking open a new tube or tub while you’re boarding a plane likely won’t do your skin any favours.
“For some reason, people freak out and they think they need to change their whole skincare routine when they go on a long-haul flight,” she continues. “But you're in a routine for a reason because it works for you.”
Instead, if you’re keen to use a particular formula or product while you’re in holiday mode, begin incorporating it into your regular routine at least a month before jetting off, ensuring it’s the right fit for you.
So, if keeping it simple is the goal – for both your peace of mind and your baggage allowance – you’re going to want to take away only the best quality products. Not sure where to start? Here are Ferguson’s and the Body+Soul team’s top picks. But remember – give your skin time to get used to any new products before lathering them on mid-flight.
Elle’s go-to travel staples:
Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Ageing Micro-Sculpting Face Cream Moisturiser, $60, chemistwarehouse.com.au
Ferguson’s number one focus before and during any long-haul flight is hydration, “When your skin is super hydrated, it's replenished and it's calm and it's radiant,” she says.
“I always turn to the little red jar with Olay. I adore the Olay micro-sculpting cream – I've used it for years,” adds the model. “I covered my skin in cream when I got on, and then I just let it sit there.”
Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil, $43, mecca.com
Hydration never stops at the face, with Ferguson admitting no travel back is complete without a good quality lip gloss or balm, “I've normally got like 45 lip glosses – I love Summer Friday's lip oil.”
“I actually put a little bit of that on my cheeks as well when we landed in Paris,” she adds, praising the multitasking product.
Some jet-setting essentials:
LOVEBYT Peppermint Travel Essentials Box, $49, lovebyt.com
There’s nothing better than the feeling of a fresh, clean mouth after sitting on a plane for 12+ hours. This minty bundle is carry-on approved, meaning you can brush and go anytime on your journey.
Go To Skincare The Skintroduction Discovery Set, $50, gotoskincare.com
It seems this peachy Australian skincare icon can do no wrong, with each product they release achieving cult-like status almost immediately. As far as clean, effective skincare goes, Go-To's range is one you can depend on for cleansing, hydrating and protecting your skin all year long. Plus, the brand has a selection of perfectly-sized travel minis to suit any trip length.
We Are Feel Good Inc. Wild Rosella Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ 70ml, $19.95, ozhairandbeauty.com
Regardless of whether you're holidaying in sunny Spain or the depths of London winter, proper protection from the sun's UV rays is a must. Luckily, We Are Feel Good recently launched their signature SPF 50+ formulas in convenient travel sizes, ready to clip onto or slip into every bag and pocket. This sunscreen offers broad spectrum, non-greasy protection, with up to 4 hours of water resistance.
For long-haul flights:
Esmi Thirsty Skin Plumping Sheet Mask, $59, esmi.com.au
No one wants to step off a long-haul flight with their face feeling like the Sahara Desert, so packing a good-quality hydrating formula should be at the top of your list. This pack comes with three individually wrapped hydrating masks, perfect for your flights to and from your destination.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $43, mecca.com
Another cult favourite for hydration is Summer Friday’s Jet Lag mask. Recently available in a handy travel-sized tube, this little blue product is the perfect companion for your carry-on. After applying a thin layer to cleansed skin, the mask can be removed after ten minutes, on left on as a moisturiser for the remainder of the flight.
INNISFREE Olive Vitamin E Real Cleansing Tissue, $17, adorebeauty.com.au
If you’re layering on moisturisers and masks throughout the flight, you’ll only be doing a disservice to your skin if you don’t also pack something to cleanse. Given you’ll likely be bouncing between airport lounges and packed public bathrooms during your travelling leg, packing these cleansing wipes could be your skin's saving grace.
Our fave body, hair and face minis:
Bangn Body Firming Lotion Mini Trio, $76, bangnbody.com
Whatever climate you’re travelling to, your skin is likely to need some TLC after the journey. However, as crucial as our favourite body butters, serums and moisturisers may be at home, no one has the baggage allowance to lug over a giant tub for a two-week stink away. This kit includes carry-on-friendly versions of Bangn Body’s signature firming lotion, a fragrance-free firming lotion alternative, and an illuminating firming lotion – each guaranteed to leave your skin feeling plump and refreshed all over.
Touch Up Kit Preset Palette, $220, tukmakeup.com
Finding enough room to fit your seven-step skincare routine in your luggage is hard enough, so the thought of also bringing along your makeup bag understandably might send some of you into a frenzy. If only there was a way to combine all the products you need for a full (but not too full) face of makeup?! Oh wait – there is. Touch Up Kit’s sets are entirely customisable, meaning you can match every step to your specific skin tone and preferences. That includes concealer, setting powder, blush, bronzer, brow colour, lip gloss and highlighter. Best of all, a full palette takes up no more room or weight in your bag than a typical iPhone Plus.
Olaplex Ultimate Essentials Kit, $54, adorebeauty.com
There’s a reason Olaplex is such a beloved brand. Whether you’re a diehard fan or have been looking for an excuse to try the range, this travel kit has everything you need to keep your hair looking and feeling its best while travelling. The set comes with a mini Olaplex No.0 Bond Building Treatment, Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector At Home Treatment, Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, and Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask.
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Originally published as Elle Ferguson on why we should stop overcomplicating travel skincare
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