Photo Courtesy Murad Facebook
It was a day of beauty in South Florida when GBS, The Beauty Store in Boca Raton hosted the world renowned dermatologist, Dr. Howard Murad. Customers were able to get autographed copies of his book, participate in a one-on-one consultation with the doctor, and indulge in complimentary Vitamin C peels and a skin analysis.
The Murad line includes an extensive line of skincare products for both men and women. Where South Florida had a chance to ask Dr. Murad for some tips for keeping up your beauty routine while traveling—and some extras to add in for those horrid plane rides!
What affect does traveling on airplanes, whether it’s a short trip or a long haul, have on our skin?
Any plane trip is dehydrating. Skin is an organ and functions similarly to the other organs in your body. Just as dehydration leaves you feeling tired when you leave the plane, your skin feels tired and dry. I’m a proponent of “eating” your water over drinking the eight cups a day that most people recommend. Water-rich foods deliver antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and vitamins that water alone does not. A cucumber, for example, is 97 percent water. Be sure to bring fresh fruits and vegetables on the plane with you to stay hydrated. Use a moisturizer before and after a plane ride.
How can we avoid oily/dry skin while traveling? Especially for those traveling up north where it’s super dry!
Make using a night cream and day cream with sunscreen part of your daily skincare routine. Oily skin still needs moisturizer to deliver antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to minimize damage from the environment. I recommend a lighter formula for those with oily skin. I also recommend blotting skin with rice paper—it can be done over makeup—to remove excess oil. Products with mattifying agents disperse oils on the face and give a matte finish. I recommend our Murad’s Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 | PA++.
As much as we’d like to take our whole bathroom with us when we travel, we can’t! What would you say are some must-haves while traveling?
Any hotel has the basic necessities—tooth paste, tooth brushes, etc.—so I recommend saving room and bringing the following must-haves:
1. Moisturizer, whatever is appropriate for your skin type, preferably one with sunscreen in it
2. Whatever you need to fit your specific grooming needs. Everyone has a special shampoo, conditioner or styling product that they can’t live without. This differs from person to person. Choose one must-have and take it with you.
3. Sleep aid: A good night’s rest is absolutely essential for a healthy, efficient body. I always make sure to pack a soft pillow to get a more restful sleep. Take whatever works for you—sound machine, melatonin, etc.
Is there anything you do before a trip to prep your skin?
In addition to topical moisturizer, I recommend eating water-rich foods to hydrate from within. I call this method “internal skincare” – they actually call me the “Father of Internal Skincare.” When you eat a heavy meal, you feel bloated, have dark circles and dry skin. Watery foods are generally healthier for you. Like I said, I’m a proponent of “eating” your water. Water-rich foods deliver antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and vitamins that water alone does not. In addition, water goes right through you but when you eat your water, the H2O is in structure of the food and is released gradually, making it more likely to penetrate into cells.
Any other travel tips?
Spend time going over what you would like to see before you get there so that you don’t miss anything. Enjoy the way of life and not just the scenery—try to experience something new that you haven’t tried unique to wherever you are traveling. Make sure to go beyond the tourist destinations to get a taste for the culture.