11 Best Tips for Staying Beautiful When You Travel

Dear Fathom,
Airplane air. Subways and pollution. Unidentifiable food on the plate. Leaving home can wreak havoc on a traveler's health, to say nothing for her looks. How can I look good and take care of myself, inside and out, when I'm on the road?

Dear Gorgeous,
We hear you, and we've had that same unidentifiable dinner — and the resulting break-outs, too. We have our tricks but we're going to let an expert handle this one. Margo Marrone worked as a homeopath and a pharmacist before opening The Organic Pharmacy in London in 2002 to showcase her high-tech skin care products, homeopathic remedies, and treatments. Since then, she's opened outposts all over the world, from Bahrain to the Ukraine and most recently in New York City. If anyone knows how to stay healthy the all-natural way on the go, it's her. Here are her best tips.

I constantly travel to scout and open new stores, meet with distributors, retailers, and spas for my business, The Organic Pharmacy. Over the years, I have been able to determine what is truly essential and what isn't.

1. Don't Forget Your Basics

Always take miniatures of your cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and serums, and use them diligently. You should use products that are rich in antioxidants and nutrients because that is what the skin requires when traveling.

2. Keep Hydrated

Plane air is very low in oxygen, and this dries out the eyes and skin. Apply a face mask before the flight or slather on a super rich moisturizer — and don't forget your hands. Drink at least a liter of water every four hours. Spritz on rose water throughout the flight: It will help keep the face and eyes moist.

3. Keep Your Immune System in Balance

Maintaining a strong immune system and taking the appropriate supplements are so important when traveling. I always bring detox capsules with me because someone in the group usually ends up suffering from a bloated tummy, usually a side effect of having new or more exotic foods. The clay in our capsules absorbs gas and keeps the stomach flat and the digestive system healthy.

Superantioxidant capsules are also a favorite because they provide energy, vitality, and protect from free radicals. Another favorite is Ester-C, a non-acidic form of vitamin C that bolsters the immune system and helps guard against getting sick.

An overall immune-boosting tonic is another smart product for before and after flights. Look for one that includes herbs such as astragalus, cat's claw, elderberry, thyme, or plantain, which are known for keeping the immune system functioning at its best.

Those who suffer from insomnia, jet lag, or just an overactive mind when travelling should look for a tincture or a supplement with valerian, an herb that improves overall sleep quality.

The Organic Pharmacy's honey and jasmine face mask, detox capsules, and rose balm.

5. Facial Masks

I find masks essential for traveling and always pack three different ones — exfoliating, purifying, and nourishing — to be prepared for whatever my skins needs. After a long flight, I recommend a mask to help restore elasticity and deeply nourish dry, dehydrated skin, like our honey and jasmine mask that's enriched with evening primrose, shea butter, honey, rose hip, and jasmine.

6. Foot Therapy

Feet take the brunt of all the discovery walking. At the end of the day, I like to soak my feet in the tub and then massage them with foot cream (ours is infused with peppermint) to refresh and help them recover for another day of exploring.

7. Healthy Snacks

Snack on antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and berries. Sugar-free dark chocolate also fits the bill if you want that kind of sweet.

8. Make Your Own First-Aid Kit

Someone always gets ill, has a fall, or gets an insect bite, so I always pack a natural first aid-kit that covers all of those things, even hangovers. I always pack arnica cream for bruises or aches and a natural bug repellent containing neem, citronella, or lavender.

This lady knows how to keep you beautiful.

9. Exfoliate

Nothing gives the skin a workout like skin brushing. It doesn't take a lot of room in the suitcase, but really makes the skin glow and removes all dead skin.

10. Brows and Lashes

My eyebrows tend to go wild, so I always carry tweezers to keep them in order. I use rose balm on my brows and lashes daily. Since rose balm is very conditioning, it can also be used anywhere that needs moisture: hair, nails, lips, skin, lashes, and brows.

11. Beauty Sleep

Sleep is the most essential part of keeping beautiful on the road. Spray jasmine and lavender around your pillow for a good night's sleep or bathe in either of these oils before bed.

FIND IT

There are Organic Pharmacy outposts all over the world. Here's a full list, as well shops that carry their products.

New York City
The Organic Pharmacy
353 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10014
+1-212-929-7407
newyork@theorganicpharmacy.com

Los Angeles
The Organic Pharmacy
453 N. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
+1-310-272-7275
beverlyhills@theorganicpharmacy.com

London
The Organic Pharmacy
23 Great Marlborough St.
London, W1F 7HU
+44-207-287-1607
gms@theorganicpharmacy.com

YOUR TURN

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