Your Skin and Travel: A Q&A with Zoe Devine, Skinstitut Expert at the Time

This interview was first published as sponsored content in partnership with Skinstitut.

Zoe's answers reflect her personal experience and Skinstitut's own product descriptions at the time of the interview, and are not medical advice. Product formulas and directions may have changed since the interview. If irritation persists, or before booking a professional skin treatment, get individual advice from a doctor, dermatologist or qualified skin therapist.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com sat down with Zoe Devine, a Skinstitut expert at the time of this interview, to ask everything and anything you need to know about your skin and travel. Here's what Zoe had to share.

Before you go

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: Everyone gets excited about going on holiday and we want our skin to look in the best shape possible. So what can we do in the weeks leading up to our departure date to get our skin in great shape?

Zoe Devine: Always prep. Sometimes we don't think about the after-effects of travelling until we reach our destination looking less than fabulous. The best approach is to get your skin in good condition prior to flying: give your skin a thorough exfoliation the night before, and follow this with hydrating correctors and moisturiser. Try Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% as a pre-travel invigorating scrub; the non-dehydrating formula delivers controlled exfoliation for a smoother-looking complexion. And to correct, use Skinstitut Rejuvenate 15; this is especially great if you're going to be flying to your destination. The deeply hydrating corrector is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and it's designed to support the skin and help calm irritation and sensitivity.

It's also a good idea to avoid high-intensity treatments for at least two weeks before your trip, including more intensive treatments like chemical peels, skin needling and the like. In the short term before going away, my focus is on gentle exfoliation and plenty of hydration, so the skin looks and feels refreshed. Personally, I like a hydrating microdermabrasion about two weeks before I leave, as a way of exfoliating the very outer layer of the skin. Skinstitut describes its AHA Enzyme Peel as an ultra-gentle micro-exfoliating treatment for all skin types, aimed at reactive or dry skin. It's perfect if you notice any flaking skin prior to your trip. Talk to your skin therapist about what suits your skin.

What to pack

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: Many women will dial back their beauty regime on the road, not only to save time, but also in terms of what products to pack so they are not taking too many. What is your advice here?

Zoe Devine: When we travel our skin is usually facing additional environmental onslaughts, from pressurised cabins if flying, to more wind and sun if outdoors, or even pollution if travelling to a city destination. So all things considered, it's ideal to try to stay on top of your skin regime where possible. There are a few things you may compromise on, but on the whole you want to incorporate your essential steps: cleanse, hydrate and protect.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: What other essentials should we plan to pack? Of course sunscreen is always top of the list, but is it worth adding a masque for a longer trip? Or something which multitasks?

Zoe Devine: There are a few tips I live by for this. For one, always take a cleanser, but opt for a multi-purpose cleanser. I like to use Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser, as it serves as a make-up remover, eye make-up remover and facial cleanser all in one. If you're going on a short holiday or weekend away for up to three days, I leave my exfoliant at home. I just make sure that I exfoliate the night before I leave, then do so again on my return. If you use correcting serums, again go for a multi-purpose corrector such as Skinstitut Rejuvenate 15 serum, as it's hydrating and, as Skinstitut describes it, rich in antioxidants and calming. Think of it as your skin's multivitamin, and a step you don't want to miss. Best of all, it doubles as an eye corrector too, so that's one less product to take away. Take your SPF 50+, but try to find one that also works as your daytime moisturiser, like Skinstitut Age Defence SPF 50+, which can also be used as a make-up primer.

Be sure to take your moisturiser, especially for evenings, as this is an integral part of your regime that you don't want to skip, even for a couple of days. If I skip it, I find my skin quickly feels drier and more reactive. Masks are great to incorporate into your travel regime if you're going to be away for a little longer, and one of my favourite options is Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel. This serves as an exfoliant as well as a treatment mask to hydrate and refresh the skin, and what I love about it most is that you can wear it overnight. So this makes for an easy PM regime while travelling: simply wash your face, then apply a smooth film all over and let it absorb into your skin. You can even apply it over dry, chapped lips or under tired eyes.

Long-haul flights

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: Long-haul flights can be particularly bad for the skin. What are your recommendations for before, during and after a long flight?

Zoe Devine: The night before you fly, exfoliate with a product like Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% to remove excess dead skin. Follow this with an application of an intensely hydrating corrector like Skinstitut Multi-Active Oil so your skin feels nourished before the flight. On the flight, less make-up is best, so if you'd rather not feel self-conscious through check-in and security, cleanse off your make-up once you're up in the air and settled. Try Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser, which is gentle enough to use around the eye area. Cabin air on long-haul flights is very dry, and in my experience that leaves the skin feeling dehydrated and looking lacklustre.

For those who travel regularly, try mixing a small amount of Repair Balm into your regular moisturiser. I find this helps the skin feel more comfortable. After the flight, if you arrive feeling dry or dehydrated, keep your use of high-intensity or very active products to a minimum to avoid irritating the skin, and focus instead on nourishing and hydrating products. If you've followed the before and during steps, though, you may well find you can go straight back to your regular regime.

Editor's update: At the time of the interview, Zoe described leaving Hydrating Mask on during a flight. Skinstitut's current directions say to apply it to clean skin, leave it for ten minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water, pat dry and then continue with skincare. Always follow the current product label and brand directions.

Snow versus beach

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: Some people will be heading for the snow this winter. How does this change of climate affect your skin compared to a beach holiday, and what should people do to protect and nourish their skin?

Zoe Devine: The weather can play a big role in your skin's hydration levels, and so can artificial temperature control such as air conditioning and heating. In summer there is generally more moisture in the atmosphere, which is a big plus for our skin, whereas in winter, when there is less moisture in the atmosphere, our skin can be left more dehydrated. Cold, windy weather can dry the skin out further. On snow holidays I find we tend to get wind burn without even realising it at first, usually around the nose and mouth, leaving the skin dry, red or flaky, and we often come home with skin that's too sensitive for our usual higher-intensity products for a while.

If the skin around the nose and mouth becomes dry and irritated, you can spot-treat it with Skinstitut Repair Balm. Skinstitut describes it as an intensive recovery balm designed to support the skin's barrier. I've been snow skiing before and found my Repair Balm to be my skin saviour during and after my holiday. For those with dry skin already, you can mix a small amount of Repair Balm into your regular moisturiser; I find it helps with flakiness. If irritation doesn't settle, it's worth seeing a doctor or dermatologist. Winter is also a time when there is less moisture in the air and hot showers are the norm. Add more time with the heating on, and in my experience skin often ends up drier, tighter and more easily irritated.

Zoe's own travel kit

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: You travel a lot for work yourself. What beauty essentials do you travel with, and why?

Zoe Devine: Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser works as my make-up remover and facial cleanser, and if I am going on a longer trip I'll always take my Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser, as this is my treatment cleanser that exfoliates. I use it as my body wash on holidays, so that's one less product to pack. Skinstitut Eye Believe is also essential; I get puffy eyes very easily, so this is my go-to when travelling, as it brightens and refreshes the eye area and helps with the look of dark circles and puffiness. Skinstitut Age Defence SPF 50+ is one product I don't go anywhere without; it's a must for my face, neck and décolletage. I also take a multi-purpose serum, like Skinstitut Rejuvenate 15, as it's super versatile. For me it ticks all the boxes for dull, lacklustre skin: it's hydrating, with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A mask will always be in my beauty bag. For short trips I take Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel, as it's my overnight exfoliant, but for longer trips or flying I take Skinstitut Hydrating Mask, as I find it the most plumping-feeling product in the entire Skinstitut range; it's my go-to for skin that's feeling dehydrated. I also carry a lip balm and mineral make-up; I avoid foundations and concealers, especially when I travel, preferring to stick to lightweight make-up that won't clog my pores.

Editor's update: Skinstitut Eye Believe no longer appears in Skinstitut's own online range. The brand's current eye products include Expert Smoothing Eye Treatment and Ultra Firming Eye Neck Cream.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com: And what else do you pack in your case?

Zoe Devine: When flying long haul I always take a scarf and socks, wear loose-fitting clothing, and pack an eye mask; this allows for comfort in the cold, pressurised cabin. I always bring my own headphones along with my iPad so I can watch movies, and a good book is always packed into my suitcase or carry-on luggage. For international flights and travel I carry a hand sanitiser and a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, and I keep jewellery and accessories such as belts to a minimum for a speedy journey through security. Finally, I carry raw nuts; depending on where I am flying I either bring my own or buy some once I am through security, as I always like to have snacks on hand when travelling.

More from UTM: Essential Care for Sensitive Skins: Four Avène Products on Test and Travel Like a Pro: Loyalty Programs, Lounges, Upgrades and Seats.

Editor's note. This article brings together UTM's original Your Skin and Travel Q&A with Zoe Devine, then a Skinstitut expert, first published in two parts, into a single piece. Consolidated and fact-checked on 22 September 2026.