Weekend Travel Essentials For Lazy Summer Skincare

I don't travel well. Or rather, I don't prepare for travel well. I always feel stressed out of proportion about the packing stage, and having a multi-step skincare routine complicates even a simple weekend trip by car. Rather than fuss with what skincare to bring, I just grabbed necessities off my sink.

Does anyone else have issues with the sudden appearance of skin troubles during travel? It's like one's cycle; always picks the worst possible time to visit. With that in mind, I prepared for a skin rebellion just in case. They say that what you prepare for doesn't happen, after all.


K-Beauty skincare
I managed to snap these in between intermittent summer showers.

It fit in a ziploc, at least. A large one.

In this post:

  • Sunscreen
  • Double Cleansers
  • Clear Pores & Soothe Skin
  • Brighten & Moisturize
  • Nullify Blemishes
  • Cushion and Concealer
  • Mist because it's @#^$# hot out and heat makes me crabby

Also, these photos will not only feature "Skincare I Brought With Me to My In-Laws' House" but also "Random Items I Pilfered From My Bemused Mother-In-Law's Decor For Photo Props" and "Gifts Of Quirky Things She Correctly Thought I'd Like, Such As Old Books And Shiny Things" because hey, you work with what you have on hand when you're travelling. It's ... a metaphor. Something about necessity, or something.

Anyway, here's what I brought to keep me safe, sane, and with as few surprise pimples as possible.

Just as a quick reminder: this blog uses both affiliate and non-affiliate links, and if you choose to click the former before you shop, your purchase may contribute a tiny amount to the maintenance of this blog.  See full details at the end of this post! #receipts


Sunscreen


"Can I borrow this off your coffee table for a few minutes?" " ... er, sure? They're just rocks from my home state."

Forget order of product application, the first thing anyone should pack for a trip is sunscreen. Especially in the summer. I'm currently long-term testing the Make P:rem physical-filter sunscreen before I do a full review. You can read my first impressions here: First Impressions: 5 K-Beauty Sunscreens for Summer.

Unfortunately sunscreen is a hag to remove, especially physical (aka inorganic) filter sunscreens like this one. That means that double cleansing is absolutely a must, unless I want to wake up with a face full of new friends.

Where to get it: Unfortunately it's sold out everywhere I'd be willing to buy it, but I'll update this post when it restocks.



Double Cleansers


Empty-turned-oil-cleanser-decant bottle

What goes on, must come off, and that's especially true of sunscreen. I've tried single cleansing in a pinch and it just results in clogged pores, breakouts, and regrets. If you're not familiar with double cleansing (although it's much more commonly known these days) you can check out this post on how to double cleanse & cleanser types.

The first cleanser I use is still the Cremorlab Gel Oil that I've been using for *checks original review date* snap, two years. My skin still doesn't like oil- or balm-type first cleansers, and this gel oil does the thing and then gets the heck out of my pores after. I've repurchased several bottles of this and will continue to do so until I find something that is willing to have healthy boundaries with my pores.

Where to get it: eBay | Kultfinds

The second cleanser is my second bottle of the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, which I rebought after several disappointing attempts to find a new second cleanser I liked. I literally ran out of cleansers and was down to the dregs of samples and decants in my stash. Dire. It's cheap, effective, low pH, and it's available on Prime.

Where to get it: Amazon | eBay | Bisou Beauty Bar | Jolse | KoreaDepart



Clear Pores & Soothe Skin


I have no idea where the cap of my BHA is, but at least it hasn't leaked

Right so, bringing a chemical exfoliant on a weekend trip might seem a bit excessive, but the plan was to avoid holiday breakouts, so that meant keeping my pores clear. Summer is hot, sticky, sweaty, and oily for me. Danger zone for clogged pores.

The BHA I use is extremely gentle, and a bit hydrating, so it's very low-key as far as chemical exfoliants go. You can read about my research deep-dive in BHAs here: Cosrx BHA Power Liquid Exfoliant Review & My Descent Into BHA Research Madness

Where to get it:  Amazon | eBay | Jolse | Bisou Beauty Bar  | KoreaDepart | RoseRoseShop

I can't stand heavy products in the summer, but my skin still needs to be nourished after I strip off all the goo with cleansing. I use a first essence with ceramides to baby my moisture barrier without being too heavy. Although this product was made for me and my grumpy skin and my obsession with things that smell like a herbalist's shop (Snowbang = Snow + Hanbang) I buy it from the Holysnails shop like any other customer. If I like something, it's worth buying.

Where to get it: Holysnails



Brighten & Moisturize


I seriously need to get something like this for future photos, it props things up so easily.

With acne comes PIH (post-inflammation hyperpigmentation) and I've got tons of sun damage as well (sob) so even if I'm dodging photosensitizing options like AHA during the summer, I still need something to deal with hyperpigmentation. I use a nicinamide serum, also purchased from Holysnails, because I prefer 'active' ingredient products that have a stated percentage so I know it has the needed concentration to do the thing.

Where to get it: Holysnails

Even if I'm focusing on hydration, I still need something to seal it in without being too rich. I've gone through countless tubes of this light gel moisturizer, aka my first real K-Beauty skincare product, the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel.

Where to get it: Amazon | eBay



Nullify Blemishes


So glad I brought these!

I've got lots of variations of hydrocolloid bandages for blemishes, from 3M Nexcare, and from Cosrx, so it's easy to grab some and throw them into my travel bag. Although I didn't end up needing them, it turned out my poor mother-in-law had gotten into a minor accident a few days before we arrived. She had several scabbed over small wounds on her face that she couldn't stop absently picking at ... so naturally I zoomed off to grab these stickers and showed her how to use them.

It's a bit ironic to use medical wound care technology turned acne care turned back to wound care, but I'm glad I brought them so she can heal with less chance of scarring.

Where to get 3M Nexcare stickers: Amazon | eBay | Sasa | BonjourHK

Where to get Cosrx stickers: Amazon | eBay | Jolse | Mishibox | Bisou Beauty Bar



Cushion and Concealer


My mother in law loves birds, so naturally she swooned over this case.

I didn't think I'd be bothering with makeup for a family visit, but since I was preparing for the worst, I grabbed a cushion and a pot of concealer just in case. This proved prudent because Dr. Mr. the Pear had forgotten to tell me there was a larger family gathering we were expected to attend a few hours after we arrived.

This is the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Brightening Golden Bird 2017 Limited Edition which I've equipped with the #11 refill insert. It's so amazingly gorgeous and comes in two colours (and three shades) and I'm still tempted to get the other case.

Where to get it: Amazon | eBay | Kultfinds (sold out)

I've finally replaced my old standby Mac Studio Finish concealer with fresh NC10 pot. I'm not in love with the product itself, but since Mac has become a gold standard of shade comparison, it's ideal for swatch reference points.



Mist because it's @#^$# hot out and heat makes me crabby


I used this in between shots outside because it was so humid and hot and gross.

If unexpected family gatherings weren't enough to make one out-of-sorts, the cloying, sticky humidity and heat definitely was. Mists are cooling and the act of applying them is a moment of zen for me, sometimes sorely needed.

The one I'm using right now is the Sulwhasoo Hydro-Aid Lifting Mist, which was something I purchased and emptied as a travel size and then this full size was in a gift bag from Sulwhasoo.

Where to get it:  Amazon | eBay

I wonder if Dr. Mr. the Pear** would be down for a suggestion to visit his parents more often so I can take advantage of her coffee table decor? Hmm. Must explore this possibility.

**If anyone out there gets this Venture Bros reference, let me know because I suspect it's more obscure than I realize!


What's your "aw crap, I need to throw some stuff in a bag and head off for a weekend family trip" necessities?  Hit me up on Facebook or Twitter and let me know!

Have something you'd like to share with me in general?  Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram at @snowwhiteandtheasianpear because I'd love to see it!

All the best,
-Cat

**Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were purchased by me, with the exception of this bottle of the Sulwhasoo mist, the original of which I purchased myself. It is not a press sample or sponsored product, it was just in a bag o' stuff that was being given out at an event. This blog contains  both affiliate and non-affiliate links, and clicking the former before you shop means that this blog may receive a small commission to assist in this blog supporting itself.  Please see my Contact Info & Disclaimer policy for more information.

24 comments

  1. Skin care plus Venture brothers references equals true happiness.

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    1. Ahaha, yes! Ever since he cheekily insisted on being called Dr. (fair enough, he worked long enough to earn it) I couldn't resist.

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  2. I understood that reference!

    Travel routines are hard for me, because of how dry my skin is/my desire for people to not see how much I put on my face. I'm up to a 7 step routine. My best bet is going with costs good morning gel, my ceremide tonor or shark sauce and Nixon snail gel to seal it all in.

    And I will never stop being sad that Snowbang has the evil chamomile in it.

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    1. *fist bump*

      Oh man, I feel you with "my desire for people to not see how much I put on my face", it makes me feel so high-maintenance even though it's pretty minimal by K-Beauty standards.

      I take it chamomile is a trigger ingredient for you? :( Evil trigger ingredients are evil.

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  3. Traveling when you have a long skincare routine is such a huge problem for me! I use around 8-10 products for both my morning and night routine and traveling with them can be a huge problem! Thanks for the tips! ♥

    mooeyandfriends.blogspot.com

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    1. Decants definitely make travel easier! :D

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  4. I giggled pretty hard at the reference.

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    1. *fist bump* Yesss! He's pretty entertained by it, too!

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  5. Pimples looove my skin when I travel. I may be the only person on earth who travels with a pimple extractor, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who travels with my hydrocolloidals. (Interesting fact: The only time my skin didn't break out during my travels was in Turkey, where we had yogurt morning, noon, and night. Don't let anyone tell you probiotics don't work ...)

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  6. Ok I have various random questions! Whoo!

    1. Have been thinking about the Mizon snail gel, but I already have and like the CosRX snail goop. Have you used the CosRX version? Any thoughts on the comparison? I tend to not like having too many products that are similar, so not sure if I want to pick up the Mizon.

    2. Have you ever tried the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil? I've been using it so long, I'm probably married to it in some jurisdictions. Would be happy to send a sample! (I'm Canadian originally, if that helps! XD And I live in NYC so I could possibly arrange a complicated secret drop-off with Fanserviced-B or something....)

    3. Can I ask what your thoughts on the MAC concealers are? Am in the market for something not ridiculously expensive due to impending wedding (mine, so.... would like to look reasonable) and have liked MAC foundation before, but trying to pick concealers is UGH.

    4. Actually on that note, I LOVED seeing Fanserviced-b's wedding makeup post, if you or anyone else on the Snailcast ever wanted to share stuff like that it would be awesomesauce.

    5. Not a question, just continued adoration of hydrocolloid acne patches. So. Useful. Could have used them when I went back to Saskatchewan (yes, I'm from THAT part of Canada) earlier this month and got horrid zits. Pretty sure from a product that didn't agree with me, but it was really annoying! Oh, and the larger hydrocolloid patches, the ones meant for wound care, are super great for blisters.

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    1. I'm trying to remember if I tried a decant of the Cosrx snail goo ... and I think I did. It was pleasant, thicker than the Mizon Snail Ampoule (which would be its equivalent) but not anything that would make me rush out and buy it. I think I've tried the DHC also in a decant, and like all oil cleansers, it broke me out. I'm not married to Mac concealers, so I'd recommend researching around on western beauty blogs for good concealers that are more affordable. Congrats on your wedding, btw!

      I actually didn't have a wedding, but I'll definitely pass that along to the other snailcast members!

      HCB for the win, I wish I had them when I was younger. T_T

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    2. Thanks for the thoughts, I will probably just stick with the Cosrx snail goo then as it's easy for me to get here. Boo about the DHC but ah well, and thanks~ will do some concealer/foundation swatching and research and shameless begging of samples for a few months! Or just tip the photog really well for having to do so much photoshop -_-;;;;;

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  7. I used maybe 5-6 steps, not including acids and oil, and my decanting game is on point. Will be travelling to anothe country next month, and dreading the little jars already.

    Must bring: sunscreen, balm cleanser, cream cleanser, vit c serum, anti aging serum, skin conditioner/hydrating mist, fte,light moisturiser.

    Elbereth help me.

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    1. Oh man, that's going to be a lot of little jars, haha! Decanting game ftw though, I have faith you will make it through!

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  8. I was curious if you still use curology?

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    1. Not at the moment, but it's because my skincare routine is so minimal and it's too hot and sticky to slather my skin in nourishing things afterwards.

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  9. captianamerica i understood that reference.gif :D

    That bird cushion is something else. I usually consider Sulawhasoo to be out of my price range but man oh man.

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    1. Yessss! And yes, the bird cushion is so pretty. Still tempted to get the other one, send help.

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  10. Hello! I noticed that you didn't include a moisturizer...do you find that the Mizon light moisturizer is enough for your skin? I have pretty dry skin, but I currently use straight Argon oil at the end of my routine.

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    1. It's just due to the heat + humidity + sweat + oiliness right now. I pretty much live in a gross soup from my own skin, so a heavier moisturizer would be OTT for my skin right now. Dry skin is definitely a whole other story! ;)

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  11. Yessss... Venture Bros and Asian skincare FTW!

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  12. Hey, doesn't the Sulwhasoo cushion have ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate? Or doesn't that bother you? Think it's a major chem sunscreen allergy for me, so no go. Really, hell ya, the birds! I wanted it badly, too yellow or not!

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  13. Do you use the moisturizer in daytime?

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  14. I uh...I just suck it up and bring my entire bag of skincare.

    I do leave behind my benton aloe bha toner and I decant my first treatment essence into a little spray bottle, but otherwise everything comes with me.

    If it's a short trip I'll replace my double cleanse with the neogen green tea cleansing stick and a quick swipe of my nifty travel size son and park beauty water.

    But yeah otherwise I just grit my teeth, bring everything, and deal with the fact that people thing I'm high-maintenance. In fairness, I am.

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