Skincare Travel Essentials - The Body Shop Tea Tree Collection

Later this week I am heading to Asia – Shanghai, Singapore, Phuket, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Aside from my trip to Dubai, this is the furthest destination I will be visiting (so far) and I am looking forward to embracing the culture, history and cuisine.

Although traveling is exciting (and a little hectic), it is very important not to neglect your skincare routine which is why I'll be packing a few of my favorite anti-blemish products from The Body Shop.

Factors That Negatively Affect Your Skin While Traveling:

*Long  Flights – According to the World Health Organization, the humidity on airplanes is usually less than 20% which is 5% less than the Sahara Desert and the flight from Toronto to Shanghai is almost 15 hours (wish me luck). To counteract the extreme dryness, skin will usually overproduce oil which can clog pores, make you look greasy and cause pimples.

*Jet Lag, Time Zones & Fatigue – Lack of sleep and exhaustion can compromise the immune system, delay healing and cause dullness and blemishes. I will be dealing with a 14 hour time difference so let's hope I adjust quickly.

*Environmental Changes – Pollution, smog and poor air quality in many large cities can cause irritation, dryness, skin aging, acne, inflammation and rashes. 

*Water Quality – In some cities it is unsafe to drink tap water so using it to wash-up/shower can negatively affect your skin.

*Sun – I don't go on vacation to bake on the beach. Prolonged UV exposure can actually cause pre-mature wrinkles along with sun damage and burns. I also suffer from heat rash so I wear a big hat, slather on the sunscreen and sit in the shade.

*Bacteria – Swimmer’s Itch is an irritating rash caused by wading in the ocean. Bacteria and parasites from the water’s surface cause redness, itching, and unsightly bumps.

*Makeup – When I get home, the first thing I do is cleanse my skin but on vacation my makeup is on for much longer, especially if I’m awake for 22 hours at a time. This can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Tea Tree Oil is great for treating and preventing blemishes and the nutritive collection from The Body Shop is infused with organic ingredients that help generate new tissue and improve healing. The oil also purifies the skin by unblocking glands, disinfecting pores and reducing inflammation, redness, irritation and breakouts. Even a small amount may help fade scars and relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and razor burn.

When traveling I always pack the Body Shop’s Tea Tree Oil ($13.00) to keep my skin clear and healthy. The formula is super concentrated and smells very strong (like herbal medicine) so I only use it before bed. The oil has powerful antibacterial properties to soothe mosquito bites, eliminate impurities, diminish dark spots, detoxify and treat imperfections. 

Tip: Use a few drops in your face steamer to open nasal passages and refresh dull skin.

Don’t forget to exfoliate while on vacation. Getting rid of all that rough, dead skin will do wonders for your complexion and The Body Shop's 3-In-1 Wash, Scrub, Mask ($21.00) makes the task much easier. The creamy formula gently cleanses to get rid of dirt, oil and pollutants so skin feels soft, smooth and replenished.

The Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask ($23.00) is infused with salicylic acid to eliminate blemishes, tone, mattify, shrink pores, balance, correct and rejuvenate. The refreshing gel feels amazing on parched skin and creates a supple layer of moisture that deeply nourishes as you sleep.

These products are available at The Body Shop Stores nationwide and online at thebodyshop.ca

The Body Shop Drops Of Light Pure Healthy Brightening Serum and Tea Tree Oil Review

Today’s post is dedicated to blemished skin which is a pesky problem that can affect makeup application and put a damper on your self esteem. Currently my complexion is clear, bright and silky but occasionally I spend too much time in the sun, experience mild discoloration or get an annoying pimple that requires treatment. 

When applied on a regular basis, a brightening serum can help fade hyperpigmentation and scarring to even and correct skin tone. The Drops of Light Serum is enriched with natural plant extracts and Red Algae that contains high levels of Vitamin C to brighten, retexture, heal, smooth and nourish. This potent blend has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly for a silky, supple finish and the scent is wonderful! I usually layer it under moisturizer for more hydration and after several trips to the Caribbean I’ve noticed a luminizing effect that has lifted my tan, revitalized my complexion and reversed some environmental damage. The serum retails for $38.00.

Another great product for blemished skin is the Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution Oil. The Body Shop has hand-harvested these precious organic botanicals and steam distilled the formula within 12 hours to yield the most potent Tea Tree elixir. This fragrant oil delivers an efficient dose to help balance, correct and amplify radiance for healthy looking skin. The strong herbal aroma tends to mellow with wear and 2 drops coats the entire face, absorbs deeply and leaves behind no residue. Although the texture does make skin feel soft and smooth I usually combine it with my face cream, night mask or serum for more moisture. The oil retails for $25.00.

I’ve also received some new makeup from The Body Shop including the Color Crush Matte Lipstick in the shade Osaka Plum. The formula is 100% vegetarian and enriched with Brazil Nut Oil and Beeswax for comfort. The pigment is lightweight, highly saturated and slightly creamy but there is some drag across the lips and just enough moisture to prevent dryness. It took a couple layers to achieve consistent, full-coverage color but the bold finish holds up for hours! The lipsticks are available in 7 shades and retail for $15.00 each.

The Color Crush Single Shadows are silky, pearlescent and loaded with skin loving ingredients like coconut oil, sesame and honey. They apply silky and provide sheer to full-coverage intensity depending on the shade and finish. Cocoa Deluxe is a warm radiant bronze with plum undertones and great intensity. Gold Romance is a luminous sheer cream that makes a great highlighter for the eyes and face. The shadows retail for $11.00 each but are currently on sale for $5.00 at thebodyshop.ca. You can also find these great products in-store.