Travel Beautifully

by Cheng-Ling Chen — December 11, 2007

With the holidays coming up, many of us will be flying around. The stress of holiday travel during the winter chill can easily result in wear and tear on our skin. Here are some tips to sooth and smooth out those pores.

Pre-flight:
Think ahead and pack a few items that your skin will thank you for.

• Cream containing antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and A for moisturizing your skin
• A little tub of coconut oil, sold in any natural foods grocery store
• A small bottle of high-quality massage oil for hydrating those dry spots and relaxing your nerves
• Atomizer filled with rose water (which has moisturizing qualities) and purified water
• Snacks such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds that are high in essential fatty acids to give you an extra dose of moisture from the inside

In-flight:

• Drink eight ounces of water every half-hour. Staying hydrated will help you flush out toxins before they can damage your hair and skin.
• Moisturize your hands after each washing with a cream or the massage oil you've brought along.
• Before touch down, spritz your face with an atomizer, which will hydrate you and have you looking and feeling refreshed when you land.

Post-flight:

Upon reaching your destination, coco-butter yourself up. Scoop a couple tablespoons of coconut oil into a bowl. Melt by placing bowl in warm water. Once the coconut oil liquefies, massage generous amounts into your scalp, hair, and any dry patches of skin (such as elbows, knees, ankles, and palms). Leave in for 30 minutes. Shampoo and shower off. You will arrive at your festivities looking impeccably fresh and luminous.