Packing for my most up-to-date journey — my household’s late-summer Asbury Park seaside trip — I observed I used to be feeling significantly much less careworn than normal as I corralled my skincare merchandise. I’ve delicate and fairly temperamental pores and skin, and prior to now, packing my skincare has meant a whole lot of product, together with some prescription ointments for rosacea and different skincare considerations.
However this time round, envisioning my skincare for journey routine and getting all my liquids right into a TSA-approved zipper saggy for my carry-on felt much more streamlined. I used to be additionally completely satisfied not to be packing something prescribed and located myself asking “What’s modified about my skincare routine?”
I spotted I’ve shifted to utilizing — virtually completely — 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?
Should you’re within the behavior of ingredient lists on skincare merchandise for journey and in any other case, you would possibly really feel like glycerin is in every part. Earlier than getting right into a routine with these merchandise, I definitely did. And whilst I began avoiding merchandise with glycerin, I struggled to essentially nail down what it was.
I did my very own looking however wished to listen to it from an knowledgeable, and ultimately chatted with Dr. Alpana Mohta, M.D., a licensed 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 of
- Is utilized in many skincare merchandise as a result of it has the flexibility to draw and retain moisture
- May be derived naturally or synthetically
She went on to clarify that “pure sources of glycerin embody crops akin to soy, coconut, and palm oils. Artificial glycerin is derived from petroleum.”
Why Do I Hate The Manner 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 implies that because 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. As well as, merchandise that comprise glycerin is probably not appropriate to be used in humid climates as a result of they will 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’m not a fan of glycerin-containing merchandise, particularly once I’m hitting the highway or attempting to maintain my cool and look put collectively getting via the airport, flights, and past.
Whether or not you already love glycerin-free skincare or wish to attempt one thing new, listed here are the glycerin-free skincare merchandise I gained’t journey with out — all 1.7 ounces or below to allow them to be packed in your carry-on bag.
Word: These are my unbiased evaluations. I buy all these merchandise for myself at full worth (or with slightly assist from Capital One Buying!) and have by no means acquired any as trials.
1. LUMIONskin Oxygen Serum For Shiny And Youthful Pores and skin
Store Now $42
This serum is my number-one must-have skincare product. I put on it day-after-day. It’s the right various to conventional moisturizer with simply 4 substances: electrolyzed oxygenated water, clay, Lifeless Sea salt, and hypochlorous acid, a wound-healing agent “recognized to assist scale back blemishes, reverse markers of epidermal growing older, shield in opposition to environmental toxins, lower scarring, battle micro organism and cleanse the pores and skin.”
I’ve been utilizing this product for years and may 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.
Professional Tip: Apply this serum earlier than any sunscreen or make-up.
2. Seaside Medical Applied sciences Submit-Traumatic Response Gel
Store Now $28
This gel is a brand new must-have for me. The ingredient record is spectacular and consists of an FDA-approved pain-, redness-, and inflammation-reducing compound, plus cucumber, aloe vera, spirulina, and dandelion.
Nice for under-eye puffiness, blemishes, and even the odd scrape, once 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 take up for just a few, then placed on my 3 to 4 pumps of Oxygen Serum.
Professional Tip: Right 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 substances excuses that!
3. LUMIONskin Miracle Mist Mini
Store Now $16
LUMION’s Miracle Mist leverages three of the 4 substances discovered within the serum: electrolyzed oxygenated water, Lifeless Sea salts, and hypochlorous acid. I find it irresistible as a pick-me-up after just a few hours on a airplane or within the solar and discover that it performs properly with sunscreen and even make-up.
It’s additionally a pleasant micellar water various, so pack your cotton rounds. This mist can be utilized to wipe off mild 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!
Professional Tip: Whereas 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. Should you love this product, I like to recommend an original-size bottle for residence, a Mini for on the go, and refill bottles to economize and scale back plastic.
4. MJ’s Herbals Calendula Salve
Store Now $12.99
I didn’t 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 once I want it, I want it. In fact, I wound up with chapped knuckles after our flight (I’ve Raynaud’s, and my palms require TLC) and our 1-year-old developed a rash round her mouth whereas we have been away, so I needed I’d thrown this little pot of cream in my toiletry bag.
Obtainable solely on Amazon so far as I can inform, I’ve used this 3-ingredient salve on
- dry lips
- chapped palms
- scrapes
- bug bites
- rashes (together with diaper rash)
- hemorrhoids and fissures (unlucky travel-related illnesses for a few of us!)
Professional Tip: That is additionally an incredible, 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 awakened virtually pretty much as good as new.
5. Peach Slices Zits Spot Dots
Store Now $4.99
Whether or not 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 properly as they preserve soothing strain over the itch so you may get on together with your day.
Professional Tip: I’ve even popped these over small knicks on my palms and knees rather than a bandaid and respect that they go virtually undetected.
6. Hydrocolloid Bandages
Store Now $12.50
Should you haven’t skilled the therapeutic (and really adhesive!) properties of hydrocolloid, now’s the time! Because the identify implies, Peach Slices Zits Spot Dots are good for spots, however these CVS Well being Superior Therapeutic Hydrocolloid Bandages take the waterproof, “barrier to micro organism” expertise to the subsequent stage by overlaying far more floor space.
As somebody with delicate, “in restoration” pores and skin, I like understanding these bandages will “[seal] out water, dust, germs and different exterior contaminants that may trigger an infection” and cling on for days, even via showers, swimming, and dealing up a sweat.
Professional Tip: In case you have a bigger space that wants safety throughout an upcoming journey, or shall be partaking in any actions that might have you ever reaching for a bigger bandage (rock scrambling at all times involves thoughts for me!), think about packing a few of these Hydrocolloid Gel Adhesive Pads. They arrive 4 to a pack and boast all the identical properties because the bandages.
7. Magnesium
Store Now $29.99
Whereas I’m all about packing the correct 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.
Amongst tons of different advantages, it helps rest, which implies higher sleep and extra common bowel actions, and in flip, for me no less than, happier pores and skin.
Professional Suggestions: Magnesium is finest taken earlier than mattress (and is a good melatonin various) as it will possibly assist loosen up you into sleep. It relaxes different elements of the physique, too (it’s nice for relieving journey constipation), so I counsel in opposition to beginning with the total 4-capsule dosage, otherwise you would possibly find yourself working for the toilet. Associates who’ve tried this complement on my suggestion have confirmed! Begin with a capsule or two and stage up from there!
9. Überlube
Store Now $14.99
Batched, examined, and bottled in Chicago, that is the last 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
- wish to shield your hair throughout swimming and/or tame flyaways (not kidding — Überlube was actually created for Intercourse, Fashion, Sport!)
- wish 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 system (which I’ve by no means truly noticed on any materials) comes out within the wash.
Professional Tip: Decide from Überlube’s completely different case colours to match the remainder of your journey toiletries.
Different Causes To Keep away from Glycerin In Skincare
Nonetheless on the fence? Whereas glycerin and glycerin-containing merchandise will be nice for people with drier pores and skin, Dr. Mohta says you would possibly think about avoiding glycerin in your journey skincare merchandise (or being conscious of the way it’s sourced) for the next bigger-picture causes:
To Keep away from Supporting Palm Oil-Associated Deforestation
“Palm oil is a significant driver of deforestation in tropical nations like Indonesia 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 strain on already endangered species like orangutans and tigers.”
To Help Social Justice And Staff Round The World
“Palm plantation employees are sometimes paid very low wages, and baby labor is rampant. Ladies particularly face discrimination and sexual harassment.”
“Whenever you purchase a product that accommodates glycerin, you may be unwittingly supporting all of those damaging 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 may also assist corporations which can be working to make their palm oil provide chains extra sustainable.”
Need a aspect of nice studying to go together with your new, fresher-feeling, and extra sustainable skincare merchandise? Take into account Kinari Webb, M.D.’s memoir Guardians of the Timber, set in lovely Borneo.
