8 Winter Beauty Tips for Your Next Vacation

A cold-weather vacation is always something to look forward to if you’re from the tropics. However, even the most prepared of girlies can get disoriented from the sudden climate shift, especially when it starts to show on the body’s frontliners: the hair and skin. To mitigate an unwanted yet (very) possible vacation glow-down, check out the following winter beauty tips before you go.

Proper hydration is essential to looking and feeling good, and a huge part of winter skin care. It helps your organs function better and prevent fatigue while traveling. It also keeps your skin looking smooth and plump despite the dry air. In colder climates, you can easily forget to drink water simply because it’s cold and you haven’t exactly been sweating. So don’t forget to hydrate and eat water-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

Not too long ago, a popular Filipina nepo-baby said, “Oiliness is next to poverty,” and the nation somehow never fully recovered. Why would anyone add more oil to their skin? Well, if you’re traveling during the winter, you should.

Even a slight shift in temperatures can trigger your sebaceous glands into producing more sebum to compensate for the dryness in the air. Moisturize with a lightweight face oil to keep your skin balanced and prevent oil glands from going into overdrive. These face oils also contain fatty acids and antioxidants to protect the skin barrier in freezing temperatures.

If you cared enough to search for winter beauty tips before your vacation, then you probably already know that applying sunscreen is a must in any climate. It’s not a seasonal product, but an all-weather friend that protects you from sunburn and premature skin aging.

UV rays in colder climates are just as capable of damaging your skin, so slather SPF on all exposed areas, like the face, neck, hands, and behind the ears. Try POND'S UV Hydrate Sunscreen, a lightweight formula that hydrates the skin while protecting it with SPF 50 PA++++. It leaves a fresh, glass finish and has no white cast.

The colder climate plus indoor heating can make the eyes dry and itchy, so make sure to carry eyedrops with you wherever you go. Moisturizing the skin around the eyes is also as important (especially if you’re an eye rubber). Try a double-duty anti-aging eye cream that smoothens eye wrinkles by blurring and brightening the undereye area. Simply pat a pea-sized amount around your eyes and allow the product to set before applying makeup or night cream.

Face powders may serve you well in humid weather, but they’ll highlight dry skin if you use them during your winter vacation. When packing your makeup kit, go for oil-free foundations, cream blushes, and other hydrating formulas. Leave your matte lipsticks at home and switch to hydrating balms and lip oil – anything that can help prevent and mask chapped lips! Finally, use oil-absorbing tissues or a gel blotter to get rid of excess shine.

The skin on your hands can also feel dryer in the winter, making the cuticle area prone to dehydration and peeling. This can really ruin the vibe, one, because it hurts like hell and, two, because it’s not pretty. Use a thicker hand cream or cuticle oil to keep your fingers moisturized and protect your hands with gloves when going outside.

Dry scalp is also common in colder climates, so expect to see small white flakes on your coat, along with a little bit of itching. Avoid washing your hair with hot water and styling with heat tools to minimize the risk of dryness. You could also decant some hair oil into a smaller bottle so you can massage your scalp when it gets parched.

Don’t neglect your arms and legs! They can get incredibly flaky under all those layers. Once your skin starts snagging on your ultra warm leggings, you know it’s time for a scrub. Pack a tub of body scrub (a little goes a long way) for when your gams start getting dry and ashy. Use gentle, circular motions, then rinse. While your skin is still damp, apply a generous amount of body lotion to replenish lost moisture.

You’re bound to notice changes in your skin and hair anytime you travel. So always check the weather beforehand and pack your essentials accordingly. Try these winter beauty tips the next time you fly to a chilly destination to keep things in check!