Can traveling cause acne breakouts?

Why does my skin break out when I travel?

Acne develops when hair follicles, the tiny openings where hairs grow, become blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria in blocked follicles can contribute to inflammation and pus. Traveling does not create a separate kind of acne: changes during the trip can aggravate the same process that causes breakouts at home.4

Check which of these changed during your trip:

• Sleep and stress. Too little sleep can worsen acne, and increased stress can make existing acne more severe.
• Humidity. A more humid environment can provoke acne flares.
• Products. Oily makeup, skincare and hair products can worsen acne, especially if they replace products you normally use.
• Treatment consistency. Interrupting the usual treatment routine while away can allow an existing skin condition to flare.

How do I prevent breakouts while traveling?

Use your normal acne care as the starting point rather than washing more aggressively because you are away. Scrubbing can irritate skin and worsen acne. Sleep also belongs on the list of things to protect: getting too little can aggravate breakouts. These are general acne management steps, not a separate treatment for travel.14

1. 1Wash your skin with a gentle cleanser twice a day.
2. 2Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp after bathing, and whenever it feels dry. Airplanes and different climates can dry your skin.
3. 3For sun exposure, apply broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to skin not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
4. 4At the end of the day, remove makeup. Do not pick or squeeze spots, because doing so can cause scars.

Choose skincare and makeup labelled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. If you have acne on your chest or back, wear loose, breathable clothing, especially during exercise or sweating. A pharmacist can advise on acne treatments applied to the skin, including salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, if you need help choosing one.4

How do I keep my skincare routine while traveling?

Pack your usual cleanser, moisturizer and other routine products in travel size containers, rather than giving the hotel bathroom creative control. Include sunscreen and the products you normally use to manage acne, so being away does not automatically mean interrupting treatment.36

Keep the routine familiar rather than building a destination specific lineup, as your cleanser does not need a holiday wardrobe. Bringing your own products is especially useful for sensitive skin. Hotel skincare products tend to contain fragrance, which can irritate skin, and unfamiliar ingredients can cause an allergic skin reaction. Dryness during travel is a reason to moisturize, not evidence that every new bump is acne.6

When should I get a breakout checked?

New bumps after travel are not always acne. Heat rash, allergic reactions, insect bites and infections are other possibilities. Get a new rash assessed rather than assuming it needs acne treatment. Tell the clinician where you traveled, how long you stayed, what activities you did and whether anyone traveling with you has similar symptoms.367

See a doctor for deep, painful spots, scarring, acne that is not improving with self treatment, or hot, swollen skin that could signal infection. Seek prompt medical care if a new rash comes with fever, confusion or other signs of illness. Do not wait until you get home to have those symptoms assessed.34