Blooming Beauty.

MINI ME
Travelling smart means travelling light and while you can fill up small bottles with your regular toiletries, it’s easier to just grab miniatures of your favourites. Introducing Australian brand Intraceuticals, the favourite skincare of Madonna and Eva Longoria, who reportedly said, “The treatments are a necessity before every major event!” Don’t leave home without your Rehydration Kit (AU$89, tel: 1300 725 660). Natural Instinct, a great range of natural skincare with no artificial additives, also comes in handy 125ml sizes; prices range from AU$7.95–$22.95. Available from pharmacies and health stores.

MAN POWER
Guys, you’ve got no excuse not to look good these days, with men’s skincare making leaps and bounds. Try the no-nonsense L’Oreal Men Expert range with Active Defense System (AU$10.75–$16.95), Biotherm Homme’s Aquapower (AU$75 for 75ml, tel: 1300 668 450) for intense hydration, and Kiehl’s anti-free radical Abyssine Cream +SPF 23 (AU$76 for 50ml, tel: +61 (2) 9326 9980) to tackle the elements head-on.

UNMASK NEW SKIN
If you’ve over done the sun and sea, pep up your skin with a facial mask. The SK-II Facial Treatment Mask is soaked with the famous SK-II miracle ingredient Pitera and takes only 10–15 minutes to work (AU$132 for six). Our other favourite is Olay’s Regenerist Mask (AU$39 for five), which has a concentrated shot of anti-aging serum. Both available from department stores.

CLEAN AS A WHISTLE
Remove the grime from your day’s sightseeing with a super facial cleanser. The Daintree Tonic Express 3 in 1 (AU$28.95; available at David Jones) is a naturopathic product by The Natural Source containing desert plum to regenerate tired skin. Neutrogena’s Rapid Clear Oil-Eliminating Foaming Cleanser (AU$13.99, tel: 1800 678 380) targets breakout-prone skin, while Aesop’s Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant range balances the skin.

POCKET-SIZE CONVENIENCE
Sample sizes are great for bringing on the plane, but how do you get your hands on them? Order them online at smarttravelsizes. com.au, which stocks miniatures of well-known commercial brands. Or buy some Ciao Bella Single Shots, a favourite of Getaway presenter Catriona Rowntree. The shampoo and conditioner, face mask, cleanser and toner, and moisturiser all come in nifty little tins, from AU$22.95. From www.ciaobellatravel.com.au.

GOLD DUST
Using only all-natural ingredients and in the most vivid shades, mineral make-up is the new must-have. We love the following three Australian brands. The Inika Starter Kit comes complete with a how-to DVD and all the SPF built-in products you need for AU$124.95 (actual value AU$224.75; tel: +61 (2) 4268 5342). Bloom Cosmetics’ Pure Mineral range currently comprises foundation, bronzer and blusher, at AU$35 each (tel: +61 (3) 9421 0200). Check out luxury brand Musq’s new concept salon in Melbourne (135 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn, tel: +61 (3) 9882 6662), featuring their complete make-up range and beauty classes.

THIRSTY SKIN
We can never get enough moisturiser. Avon and Nivea are two essential staples. Slather on Anew Retroactive Youth Extending Cream for day and night by Avon (AU$49.99, tel: 1800 646 000) which is light and easily absorbed, or Nivea Creme (AU$9.16, as of February), which is mild yet intense and suitable even for sensitive skin.

Best Face Forward

Sydney dermatologist Dr Natasha Cook is an authority on skincare. She founded NCD skincare, which is formulated specifically with Australian women in mind to improve skin quality and condition.

What can we do for our skin while flying?
Moisturise, moisture and moisturise. For long flights, female travellers should avoid putting on any makeup so they can keep reapplying moisturiser. The NCD Concentrated Moisturiser is made from a high percentage of moisture binders to keep your skin soothed, hydrated and fresh on a long flight. I also recommend taking a cleanser – nothing too foaming or drying – to freshen up with before you get off the plane.

When travelling to a country with a different climate, how should we prepare our skin?
If you’re going to a very humid climate you probably won’t need your moisturiser, or just a light one. In colder climates, you need a more intense moisturiser than usual, as well as lip balm or lanolin for your lips.

Always remember you need sunscreen wherever you go. I’ve developed a highly effective sunscreen-foundation ideal for everyday use: the Concentrated Sunbase SPF30+, available in three shades (ivory, beige and tan). It’s available in an international travel friendly size of 50ml.

What is the latest breakthrough in skincare?
AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), vitamin A and mineral powder make-up, as well as mineral powder sunscreen.

All your products say “concentrated”. What does this mean?
It’s to educate the consumer about the importance of not only the ingredients but the amount of them. All of the products in the NCD range contain the right ingredients in the correct concentration to produce maximum results for your skin.

What are the most prevalent modern skin problems that you deal with?
Sun damage and pigmentation.

Who needs a dermatologist?
Everyone. A good dermatologist can not only have your skin look its best and treat any particular skin concerns or problems, they can also check your skin for skin cancer and potentially save your life.

NCD skincare is available from www.natashacook.com