The Skincare Secrets Every Frequent Traveler Should Know About

Forbes

22-05-2025

'Skincare is healthcare,' Dr Howard Murad proclaimed in a podcast for the Global Wellness Summit in 2022. The wellness trailblazer, previously a pharmacist and dermatologist before launching his own Murad skincare line at 50, was one of the first experts to popularise the notion that skincare goes further than skin deep.
Since then, this concept has become increasingly far-reaching, with innovators in the field of beauty offering new ways to maintain healthy skin for the sake of your entire body and pushing the boundaries when it comes to what true skincare means.
Facialist Mina Lee takes a holistic approach to skincare.
(Credit: Mina Lee)
One of London's leading facialists, Mina Lee, is a case in point. Her skin clinic in Chelsea is found on the chic Draycott Avenue. Outside, it's a buzzy spot with pavement cafés, designer boutiques and artisan stores. Ring the discrete doorbell and climb the stairs to her clinic and you'll find a cocooning space, with its plants and minimalist décor, which feels more like a zen artist's studio.
With over 20 years of experience in the field, Mina Lee has held diverse roles, including head trainer at a renowned medical spa in London, and as the first national trainer for Biologique Recherche in the UK. Now running her own aesthetics and beauty clinic, she has become renowned, mainly through 'word-of-mouth', for her intense facial massage technique and deeply personalised approach. In fact, Mina Lee's client book reads like a 'Who's Who' of London's most in-the-know scene (she currently has a 200+ waiting list and you can expect to wait at least six months to get an appointment).
At the heart of her offering is her signature Bespoke Facial Healing Experience (from £600) which goes beyond just treating the surface of skin, to factor in a deeper health-care approach. During an initial consultation, Mina evaluates her client's skin texture, tone, and any areas of concern. She starts to build a picture of any lifestyle factors that may affect skin health, including diet, hydration, and stress levels. The gently-style of conversation is also directed towards a client's emotional well-being, with Nina asking pertinent questions and recognising the connection between emotional states and skin conditions, to ensure a holistic approach to the treatment.
Mina Lee crafts bespoke treatments for each client.
(Credit: Mina Lee)
'In the clinic, I give people time and space to be calm and this in itself helps us get healthier skin from the inside out. Our skin may be a reflection of genetics but it is also to do with our lifestyle,' she says. 'Just as each journey is unique, so should the approach to skincare. My approach is to craft personalised, evidence-based treatments tailored to the individual needs of my clients.'
Robust massage is the key component of the treatment, which Nina has designed to relax the muscles and enhance blood circulation. She also use lymphatic drainage techniques, to reduce puffiness and tension, all the while uttering soothing platitudes, such as 'you are in a good place' or 'well done', in a barely-there whisper, giving a deeply meditative effect.
After the massage, Mina uses blasts of Oxygen Therapy to infuse the skin with moisture and to leave it plump and velvety. Then it is a bespoke mask application and LED light treatment. The final step sees the use of Korean Civasan Micro Needle therapy, which utilises fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and enhancing absorption of active ingredients. The result is a smoother, firmer skin texture with improved elasticity, lifted cheekbones and a glowing look.
Mina Lee takes time to get to know a client before embarking on skincare.
(Credit: John Nguyen/JNVisuals)
'It is important to me that the treatment not only addresses physical skin concerns but also promotes emotional well-being. It's all about curating a rejuvenating experience from start to finish,' says Mina. 'Clients should leave feeling refreshed, revitalised, and equipped with valuable insights into their skin health. They will look amazing, too.'
'I have been influenced by the skincare culture of South Korea, where beauty is highly esteemed. It is where I was born and where I spent my early years,' Mina says of her background. 'I recall my first facial at the age of eight, lovingly given by my mother to soothe my sunburned skin. This early experience has inspired my approach, blending advanced aesthetics with alternative therapies—all infused with the warmth of that cherished memory.'
She continues: 'I combine Korean healing practices with the newest skincare innovations. I also layer and use bespoke skincare and methods which will suit and help each individual. Everyone is different and this means their needs are unique to them.'
Mina is influenced by South Korean skincare culture.
(Credit: John Nguyen/JNVisuals)
When it comes to traveling, Mina's tips are: 'Increase your hydration topically and internally—hydrating masks post and pre-flight are great to prevent dehydration and keep drinking water— and pack a good vitamin C serum with you (this is always give you a glow).
Since the pandemic she has seen a surge in people wanting to harness the best in wellness care to look and feel better. 'I think people are more stressed than ever and this increases year on year, so people are turning to experts to help them slow down and be more grounded. Social media has changed everything over the past few years. Our systems are imbalanced, making our brains go faster. This can trigger other challenges derived from lack of sleep, such as depression and anxiety.'
'Essentially, our rhythms are off and, by nurturing our entire system, we regain much needed balance, with the by-product of this being resilient and strong skin. Often people come to me because they say they want glowing skin, but the truth is to get that luminosity, skin needs to be strengthened.'
Synergy – The Retreat Show calls in professionals from across the world for talks, workshops, events and inspiration.
(Credit: Synergy)
This increase in searching for meaningful wellness is something that is also echoed by Laura Montesanti, founder of Synergy – The Retreat Show, which is a three-day annual event (taking place this year from 7-10 October in Sardinia) that focuses on responsible wellbeing and slow travel for wellness professionals.
'People have became more intentional and more savvy in their search for wellbeing,' Laura tells Forbes. 'They have started digging deeper, questioning what's available, how the wellbeing industry works, and how it truly supports their healing. That awareness has led to a real desire for a more meaningful, results-driven approach to wellness.'
Laura Montesanti, the founder of Synergy – The Retreat Show.
(Credit: Synergy)
She adds: 'At Synergy, this is exactly what we've embraced. While we speak the language of wellness travel, our foundation is built on personal growth, deep connection and transformative experiences. We believe that doing business doesn't have to follow the traditional path, when people connect on a deeper level, and grow personally as well as professionally, the results are not only higher, but far more sustainable.'
Meanwhile, for time-poor travellers, who can't get to the spa or to an event like Synergy, the latest innovative products offer new ways to make sure you remain in tip-top condition while on the road.
The Dr Ivy at-home product range is made up of a three-step regime.
(Credit: Dr Ivy)
Tapping into the latest buzzword in skincare at the moment is Dr Ivy's at-home Exosome skincare range which offers game-changing, plant-derived exosome-infused products. The collection, designed by Dr Ivy, an acclaimed Harley Street aesthetics doctor, includes a cleanser, serum and cream, all of which give clinic-quality skin rejuvenation without the need for invasive procedures.
Exosome treatments are at the forefront of skincare right now. Leveraging the natural regenerative qualities of the body, the tiny vesicles, or pouches, act as powerful cell messengers, triggering skin cells to regenerate, boost collagen and improve elasticity. Originally thought to be cellular waste, they were later discovered to play a crucial role in cell communication, making them the holy grail of anti-ageing science. Dr Ivy's formula features exosomes that are completely plant-derived, extracted from a Japanese plant called Centella Asiatica, a potent botanical known for its exceptional healing and collagen-boosting properties.
The Dr Ivy Exosome Cleanser uses plant-derived exosomes.
(Credit: Dr Ivy)
The three-step regimen includes starts with the Regenerative Exosome Cleanser (£70); a daily purifying treatment infused with exosomes to gently cleanse while kickstarting the skin's renewal process. Next up is the Regenerative Exosome Serum (£315). This potent serum delivers high concentrations of exosomes to trigger deep cell regeneration and collagen production. Finally, the Regenerative Exosome Cream (£275) is a lightweight yet deeply nourishing moisturiser that locks in hydration while enhancing elasticity and firmness. The results include a smoother, brighter complexion, the reduction of hyperpigmentation and inflammation for an even skin tone and long-term anti-ageing benefits through advanced cell communication.
'Exosome treatments don't just repair skin damage; they future-proof it,' says Dr Ivy. 'By stimulating fibroblasts to continuously produce collagen, the system allows users to bank their own collagen reserves, slowing down the aging process in real-time. With 43.5 million plant-derived exosomes per application—the scientifically proven quantity required to kickstart regeneration—the Dr Ivy range is setting a new gold standard in anti-ageing skincare, with a first-of-its-kind at-home exosome system.'
The Serum works at an epigenetic level, reprogramming skin cells to boost collagen production,
(Credit: Dr Ivy)
Dr Ivy is a pioneer in non-invasive aesthetic medicine and has spent over 25 years transforming faces with her revolutionary 'Face Design' techniques. With her new range, the power of regenerative medicine comes straight to your bathroom shelf or, indeed, suitcase. Each product is designed to work synergistically, layering exosomes for maximum skin regeneration and youth-restoring results.
NEWROAD 30 is a travel-convenient powder blend, packed with 30 different organic fruits, vegetables and pulses.
(Credit: Newroad 30)
Finally, tackling beauty from the inside out, is NEWROAD 30 (£59), a new dietary supplement that uses a blend of 30 different organic fruits, vegetables, and pulses, each carefully selected for their high fibre, prebiotic and polyphenol content.
Developed in consultation with scientists at Oxford University, INRAE in Paris and Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health*, the berry-flavoured formula (it can be simply mixed into water or smoothies) is designed to nourish the gut microbiome, helping to diversify and balance the ecosystem of bacteria that play a vital role in optimum health.
NEWROAD 30 is made of 30 organic plant food ingredients only and can be mixed into drinks or sprinkled over yoghurt.
(Credit: NEWROAD 30)
Hero ingredients of the drink include berries and beans each chosen for their specific benefits for gut and overall health. Six different berries are a source of polyphenols for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and how they promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. While five different pulses are high in dietary fibre and resistant starch, with a low glycaemic index, and are a source of plant protein packed with essential nutrients.
Co-founder of NEWROAD 30, Catherine Hurley Arbibe.
(Credit: NEWROAD 30)
Founders Catherine Hurley Arbibe, a health advocate who began studying medicine at Oxford University before pursuing a successful career as an international model, and Alain Arbibe, an experienced entrepreneur with a background in luxury retail, created NEWROAD 30 with a singular mission: to offer an effective solution that makes it easier for people to take care of their health without compromising on quality or sustainability. As well as using it in a cold drink, the powder can also be prinkles over porridge or yoghurt, or enjoyed as warm tea.
Catherine Hurley Arbibe, co-founder tells Forbes: 'A few years ago, I learnt more about gut microbiome and their far-reaching health implications. In particular, The American Gut Project inspired me to look at my own family's diet and whether we were eating a variety of 30 plant foods across the week. Although we were eating quite a high quantity of fruits and veg, it was a narrow rotation. I set about creating a freeze-dried blend of 30 different organic fruit, vegetables and pulses for a convenient way to boost our intake of 30 a week, using only the highest quality organic ingredients from trusted sources and known provenance, ensuring the final product was something I could wholeheartedly recommend to others."