I love to travel. It opens up new cultures, new customs, new food, and new irritants to my skin. I remember how my skin felt the first few weeks in Korea. I heard about K-beauty products, but Iโll be honest- I like to keep it simple. Here are five sustainable beauty tips for female travelers.
What is Sustainability?
Ironically, when I travel, I often feel great on the inside but look terrible on the outside. Between travel stress, having limited access to eco-friendly products, and less time to spend on my skin routine, my beloved trips can really start to take their toll on my skin.
First off, what does sustainability mean? It has a lot to do with how the product affects the environment and the local economy. But itโs not only about the packaging or whether the ingredients are natural.
Ultimately, sustainability and sustainable beauty tips also have a lot to do with using them. If I canโt use the products regularly, itโs not sustainable for me. And honestly, I have no desire to waste my time or money, or the earthโs limited resources.
Packing Beauty Essentials
Avoid Travel-Sized Products
One of the biggest issues I have when traveling is bringing too much stuff. Not only does this take up precious space in my bags, but it inadvertently creates less room for essential things. As a result, I take a hard look at what I need and only bring the essentials. I love beauty products that do double duty. Pack a good sunscreen, face wash, moisturizer, and foundation, and youโll be good to go.
Keep it eco-friendly- avoid the temptation to purchase travel-sized containers. It might make them easier to carry, but itโs terrible for the environment youโre trying to protect. I also travel with a silk pillowcase to keep my hair from tangling and a reusable insulated water bottle.
Reused, Reusable, and Repurposed
Think Zero Waste and a Smaller Eco Footprint
I try not to purchase products with excess packaging. I also carry reusable bags wherever I go. One of my favorite things to do is reuse containers. Iโve repurposed them into storage containers and turned them into everything from candles to seed starters.
A nice benefit of this is also that fewer products equal less packaging. Less packaging is far more sustainable, which means the environment will be as happy as you are. Itโs a win-win for everyone involved.
I recently started using reusable cotton pads made from cotton and terry cloth. They are a great eco-friendly option for disposable products to help contribute to a zero-waste lifestyle.
Prepare Beforehand
Eco-friendly Products
If looking your best is at the forefront of your mind, putting a little extra effort in before you even step on the plane always pays off. A couple of days before takeoff, treat yourself to a luxurious home spa day.
Or, at least be extra mindful about completing beauty essentials for your skincare routine. A professional facial is a great way to oxygenate your skin and fully clean out your pores. But you can get some great-looking skin right in your own home. For those interested in eco-friendly products, opt for a rinse-off mask rather than a sheet mask to minimize waste.
Stay Hydrated
Water is Usually Free!
What is your biggest skin issue while youโre away traveling? If youโre anything like me, itโs probably puffy eyes, irritated skin, and dull hair. Itโs not a surprise since flying is well-known for wreaking havoc on hydration. Donโt want to buy many beauty products to mask the problem? Staying hydrated, inside and out, is one of the best sustainable beauty tips to help your body combat fatigue, irritants, and bacteria your body isnโt used to.
Try to drink a lot of water every hour while youโre in the air, and try to drink at least eight cups a day after reaching your destination. Also, please bring along a super hydrating moisturizer and use it religiously.
Psโฆ donโt forget that travel water bottle.
Buy Local
K-beauty Products
We love a well-thought-out beauty regime as well as flawless skin. Itโs not always about whether itโs advertised as organic, eco-friendly, or sustainable. But, sometimes itโs all three. Luckily environmentally friendly products are extremely accessible if you travel to Korea.
Donโt stock up on beauty supplies before you travel here. Come empty-handed! Make sure to leave room for Korean beauty products. Iโm not going to guarantee you K-drama quality skin, but itโs an excellent way to support and balance your eco-footprint while also getting the chance to try out genuine Korean products.
Final Thoughts
Youโre having amazing adventures, so feel free to lean into that! Donโt stress too much about what your skin is doing or what it looks like while youโre traveling. Instead, spend some time focusing on staying present and enjoying the trip.
