4 Sensitive Skin Hotel Product Swaps

Hotel rooms are a necessary part of traveling, but they are also a hot spot for sensitive skin issues.

Here are 

4 Things You Shouldn't Use in Your Hotel Room if you have Sensitive Skin:

1. Hotel Tissues

Even something as simple as blowing your nose with cheap and abrasive facial tissue found in most hotels, can cause redness to your nose, eyes and sensitive skin. 

SWAP: Pack your own box of soft tissues or travel size Kleenex packets to use in place of your hotel tissue to prevent redness on and around your nose and face. It can make a big difference!

2. Hotel Towels & Washcloths on your Face

Unless you are staying in a high-end, luxury hotel, chances are your towels are going to be a bit scratchy after hundreds of washes. And not only that, but residue from heavy duty detergent and bleach can be left on your towels and washcloths. All of these factors can cause major sensitive skin issues, like red, puffy and irritated skin.

SWAP: Bring your own soft face cloths and drying cloths ike these from Fairface to keep your facial skin clean and calm. This, by far, can have the biggest impact on your sensitive skin. 

3. Hotel Pillow Cases

Hotel pillow cases are another big potential irritation trigger for sensitive skin. Bed linens have been used and washed over and over again in the same strong detergents, bleaching agents and fabric softeners hotel towels are washed in. Since your sensitive face will be laying against your pillow case all night long, it's very important to skip out on using the hotel pillow cases that can potentially irritate your skin and trigger allergies. 

SWAP: Bring several of your own pillow cases from home so you can swap them out during your trip, to sleep on a clean pillow case as often as possible. My favorite are these soft silk-cotton pillow cases from Fairface because they are so good to my skin and hair. Bonus points if you have room in your suitcase to pack your own pillow as well!  

4. Hotel Skin Care Products

If you have sensitive skin, it can easily be triggered by hotel skin care products that your sensitive skin isn't used to, nor may tolerate well. Hotel skin care products like soaps, shampoos and moisturizers aren't made for sensitive skin. They are often made with common additives and fragrances that can cause irritation to sensitive skin. You can ask your hotel if they carry hypoallergenic skin care products but it's best to follow the swap below.

SWAP: Bring your own skin care products (including the equally important soft face cloths mentioned above!) so you can follow your regular sensitive skin care routine as much as possible. Include products like your regular face and body wash (which can also be used as hand soap), shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer. Don't leave it up to chance and risk redness and irritation by using what the hotel offers. 

*Traveling with sensitive skin doesn't have to be hard, but it does take some planning and extra packing space. These tips can also be applied if you're staying at an Air B&B or even with family or friends. By avoiding common irritants to sensitive skin, you can travel without worry and keep your skin looking and feeling just as good as if you were tucked into your own bed each night. 

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These Sensitive Skin Hotel Tips were brought to you by Fairface, makers of the best washcloths and face cloths for sensitive skin.

Never travel without them! 

Pick up your own set today at FairfaceWashcloths.com

Instagram Dreams and Skincare Epiphanies

Have you ever dreamed someone on Instagram was your new best friend? Come on. I know I'm not the only one. And not in a creepy way.

You watch their stories every day, get to know them and their lives, laugh at their jokes and even see what they're having for dinner. So it's no wonder you fall asleep and next thing you know you are at their house sharing a cheese plate, hanging out with the kids like it was just another normal day.

*Disclosure: This post contains Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dreaming in Instagram

The other night I had such a dream... and a skin care epiphany, of sorts. And it makes total sense - my business is skin care and I like hanging out with funny people. Who was my dream-induced Instagrammer best friend you ask? You'll totally get it once I tell you. She's the real deal and super funny, no other than Jenn Todryk, aka @theramblingredhead.

Without sounding too weird, Jenn and I were having a laugh one afternoon (naturally) when some reps from Ulta Beauty showed up with bags of beauty products. As I was heading out, Jenn handed me a couple of gift bags she had set aside just for me, so I could test out some beauty products too. So nice, right? She is literally the best pretend best friend ever.

So there I was, a gift bag in either hand, feeling super lucky and all I'm wondering about was if there might be a face mask tucked inside that I could actually use (major sensitive skin girl here)...and next thing I know (insert next dream slide) there I am, slathering my face with a soft white face mask, wrapped up in a fuzzy soft robe, feeling totally calm and serene. Ahhhhh. My joy was full.

And then, poof!
I woke up.

And I quickly realized, A) I'm not really best friends with Jenn Todryk, dang it! and, B) how strangely calming and happy that imaginary face mask made me feel and how much I wanted that in real life.

My Skin Care Epiphany

The point to all of this, is not to make fun of me for my dream (you know I'm not the only one) it is about my skin care epiphany. For a moment, slathered in that heavenly dream-activated face mask, I finally understood the love connection people have with skin care products. And I wanted more.

Being a sensitive skin girl, I rarely try new beauty and skin care products because, well, they scare me. I am afraid they will cause major skin irritation or just melt my face right off. Instead, I have my tried and true skin care routine with the gentlest cleanser, the softest face cloths, the mildest moisturizer and I'm done. No fun spa parties with the girls, no smelly cleansers or mud masks, and no real life gift bags from Ulta Beauty. Boo. (*affiliate links included. see disclosure below)

However, I realized from this happy little dream that sometimes it has more to do with how your skin care products make you feel in addition to what they are doing for your skin. It's what I think of when I hear "self-care", i.e. face masks, soothing lotions, candles burning, bubbling bath bombs... it's about creating a feeling. An experience. A happy, pampered, relaxed state of being. Ahhhh. And who doesn't want more of that?

Lesson Learned

Your Turn

So I ask you,
1. Have you ever dreamed you were best friends with someone from Instagram and who was it? (don't lie)

2. What are your favorite skin care products and why?

3. Please help me find a good sensitive skin face mask because the one in my dream wasn't real (obvi), and Jenn isn't really my best friend, but don't rub it in.

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Shannon Sorensen photo © FairfaceWashcloths

About the author:
Shannon Sorensen is the founder and CEO of Fairface Washcloths - the best washcloths and face cloths for sensitive skin.

She and her husband live in a cute little suburb east of Seattle where she sews washcloths, writes blog posts, and obviously spends too much time on Instagram.







*Amazon affiliate links included to Amazon products. As an Amazon associate I earn a small commission from any purchase made thru my links. I only recommend products I use and trust myself. Thank you for your support!


Post photo credits:
top photo by bruce mars on unsplash
photo by Amy Shamblen on Unsplash
bottom photo by toa heftiba on unsplash