Layering Routine for a long trip around the world

Introduction (optional)

Those who know me well know that I’m a bit obsessed with skin care (all because of my skin from ¨”@_!%). Since being trained by my (former client) Clarins (the “how to apply creams/serums correctly” pro) and finding myself on the Les Beautés Testent website, I have not only adhered to the Japanese layering but I have also bought the book by Japanese Chizu Saeki , Korean-American Charlotte Cho and a Hitachi Hada Cree, while I already have a Clarisonic and a light therapy machine (!!). Yes, after years, I have finally found my products.

Everything will be fine if I can continue my skincare obsession to reach the grail: the famous Korean style “glowy dewy skin”, quiet at home in Paris. For your information (and to freak you out a bit), the real Korean layering is this:

With the round-the-world trip and the few kilos on me, I had to make concessions, while taking care of my skin, which reacts violently to pollution and the sun. Indeed, the pollution in Vietnam managed to leave traces on my skin even though I lived there only one year after my studies. It must also be said that I was rebellious: no sun protection or moisturizing cream. I did as I did in Norway (where the air was pure and the sun was absent 6 months/year). Since then, I learned my lesson, for the world tour, I will take care of my skin otherwise I might regret it.

Well, Clarisonic and Co. stayed in France.

The base of the base

When visiting polluted countries like India, China or Vietnam, two golden rules apply:

• Cleanse your skin without aggression
• Protect your skin before going out to put a barrier between the skin and pollution (and the sun)

My layering-addicted routine

Morning:

1. Facialcleansing with water (filtered if you really don’t trust tap water, e.g. in Varanasi – India)
2. Tonic lotion: The real tonic lotion to use is alcohol-free. It allows the skin to regain its natural pH (i.e. about 5.5). A hydrolat will also do the trick (without alcohol)
3. Moisturizing emulsion: for this, I mix Aloe vera (or a moisturizing cream) + an oil of my choice (Tamanu oil or argan oil)
4. Sunscreen SPF 50+ with UVA and UVB protection, to be reapplied every 2 hours, even when it is cloudy. If you have the possibility of buying Japanese, Korean or Australian non-comedogenic sun creams, prefer these to European brands.

Evening/Before getting on the plane

1. Cleansing of the face with a make-up remover oil: This is the basis of the double cleansing, i.e. first with an oil (make-up remover oil, or simply coconut or jojoba oil) and then with the cleansing cream. The principle of oil cleansing comes from the fact that oil and water do not mix well. Thus, the oil of your skin (sebum, sun cream) will be cleaned with water-based products, but more with oil-based products.
2. Cleansing cream or gel: any, provided it is available in the country where I am. Alcohol free. If it’s marked “Gentle”, it’s even better. Recommended brands: Neutrogena, Himalaya Herbals, Hada Labo, CeraVe, La Roche-Posay (avoid Ponds, Cetaphil, Eucerin please because of the high pH. More info on the ideal pH for the skin here).
3. Tonic lotion
4. Moisturizing emulsion: for this, I mix Aloe vera (or a moisturizing cream) + an oil (Tamanu oil or argan oil). The mixture of the two will create a very moisturizing emulsion.

1 time per week:
– facial exfoliation with honey and sugar (available everywhere) and I leave the mixture on my face for 5 minutes as a moisturizing mask –
body scrub with kessa glove

In case of imperfections :
Unbutton me of IndemneOu
Effaclar Duo+ from La Roche-Posay 40ml

In case of burn/injury :
– Cicalfate repairing cream of Avene 40ml

Summary :

– to buy before the trip :
+ If you have skin prone to pimples: Déboutonnez-moi d’Indemne or Effaclar Duo+ from La Roche-Posay 40ml+ Cicalfate
repairing cream from Avene 40ml+ A
tonic
lotion:
the best are Asian: Hada Labo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion 170ml ( Amazon link, Yesstyle link) Optional
: + a
kessa
glove
(at Nature & Découverte



)

– can be purchased at any of the airports
+ a tonic lotion: ToniqueDouceur de Lancôme ( travel size available) +
thermal
water
(can replace the tonic lotion): Evian, Uriage or Avene

– to buy on the spot
+ a facial cleansing cream or gel: with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 if possible: Hada Labo or Himalaya Herbals + cleansing
oil/make-up remover butter: for example The
Body Shop’
s Sublime Chamomile Cleansing Butter
+ aloe vera
gel
or a

moisturizing cream + any healing moisturizing oil (Tamanu oil, argan oil, Paï/Trilogy rosehip oil).

It feels like it takes a lot of time, but in reality it only takes 5 minutes each time. And by pouring the products into small jars, my toiletries kit stays light. To learn more about the contents of my bag and toiletry kit, click here.

Detailed video on my beauty case here :

Beauty assessment after the Round the World Tour

• During the 11 months of the trip, I managed to rigorously follow this routine almost every day during my trip.
• EXCEPT in New Zealand where we were in a van, sometimes sleeping in camps where the water had to be pumped by hand. Besides, after the stay in New Zealand, my skin suffered a lot and it took two months to get rid of the imperfections and spots. I think my cosmetics went bad too, being kept in the car and under the sun.
• After Asia, I just combined the “Lotion” and “Serum” step, having found the 2-in-1 product to do it: Hada Labo lotion Gokujyun.
• I had to resign myself to buy the Clarisonic Mia Fit because my hands were not enough to remove the dirt related to pollution in Asia. I then opted for the even smaller Foreo
• In any case, the fact that I spread sunscreen on myself has preserved my skin. I didn’t get any sunburn (unlike JB who is less rigorous on this point)
• However, exposing myself to the sun for such a long period of time still gave me a tanned complexion, despite my SPF 50, my hat and my sunglasses.
• It was very easy for me to find my favorite products in Asia and New Zealand. On the other hand, in South America, since I don’t fly as much, I could only find a few French products in pharmacies (Nuxe, La Roche Posay, Avène), sold 3 times more expensive than in France. So, I advise you, before leaving for South America, to “fill up your tank” in New Zealand because there is a lot more choice – especially in organic products (Antipodes, Trilogy)