Born in London, Dr. Purvisha Patel was raised in Wales (United Kingdom) and Virginia. She completed her undergraduate and medical school studies at the University of Virginia. She completed her dermatology training at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Dr. Patel is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Patel’s expertise in skin and skincare is also seen as she formulated and patented the Visha Skincare line when she saw that her products were working on patients of all ages, genders, and skin types. Dr. Patel is also a beauty influencer and her highly published dermatologist publications include Allure, Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Readers Digest, Shape, Women’s Health, etc. 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The weekend getaway you’ve been waiting for is finally here. Before you jet-set off to the Caribbean islands or hit the slopes of Aspen, Colorado, packing your bag is a must. Now the question is, what should you pack in the scenario you are trying to keep it light, especially in the skincare department? Here Haute Beauty expert Dr. Purvisha Patel reviews how to keep your skin glowing and your routine minimal while on vacation.

Should you have a full skincare routine while on vacation or is it safe to keep the routine to a minimum?

Out of all the skincare items you use in your daily skincare routine, these are the products you must bring on vacation with you: 

Morning (AM): Cleanser, Serum, Eye Cream, Moisturized with SPF>30

Evening (PM): Cleanser, Serum, Eye Cream, Moisturizer (if needed)

Based on the list above, one needs only three to four products daily. Additional regimens such as masks, rollers, toners, scrubs and peels can be saved for indulgence when you get back home from your trip. Multi-tasking products such as the Visha Skincare Line can accomplish many full routine results with only three products.

What skincare products should you avoid?

When on vacation, do not take any peels, strong scrubs or prescription retinoids with you. These exfoliate the skin and can cause trauma. In addition, when you are away, results are not predictable, especially since you are in a different climate, eating a diverse diet and complications can occur if exposed to the sun. 

Should you travel with makeup wipes or micellar water to remove makeup? 

Makeup wipes can make removal more manageable, but you still need a good cleanser depending on the makeup or pollution on the face. Visha Skincare Purifying Cleansers have all the necessary ingredients to take off makeup and cleanse the face in one wash. Micellar water may be a staple for those with extremely sensitive skin (have multiple known skin allergies) who may not tolerate water systems of different areas.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

What are the top three skincare products to bring with you?

SPF > 30: TiZo or Elta MD are mineral-based blocks resilient in different weather conditions. 

Eye cream: Visha Skincare Advanced Eye Booster gives a 17% reduction of fine lines and eye bags in less than six minutes. It doubles as a primer and has a travel size too! 

Serum: Visha Skincare Advanced Correcting Serum has retinol, vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid and a natural skin brightener (Illumenotex). It helps reverse skin damage and repairs the skin. It is available in a travel size. 

What SPF number would you always wear in warmer climates?

SPF > 30 should be used daily in the morning regardless of the amount of sun one anticipates getting. SPF means Sun Protection Factor, which means the greater the number, the longer one can stay outside without getting burned. The numbers greater than 30 offer minimal greater protection, and all sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours. Sun protection prevents DNA damage of the skin cells and helps decrease sun spots, wrinkles, and the risk for skin cancer.