One of the best things about having a mom who’s a travel agent is, well, we get to travel a lot! Jerry and I both love to travel and see new places, old places, the same places, anything to get out of town and do something fun and different.
The only thing I don’t like about traveling is the actual process itself. Packing, unpacking, and dealing with airlines really, really suck. While packing/unpacking and airline processes and delays are beyond our control, there are some things we can do to make the process suck a little bit less.
One thing I always try to do is minimize the items I need to pack. Easier said than done, especially when you’re a beauty blogger! I always try to pack travel-sized products as much as possible, especially when it comes to skincare. This becomes even easier when reputable brands produce travel kits, with the whole regimen, all in sizes acceptable by TSA. This means I can actually pack my skincare in a carry-on, so if my regular luggage gets lost, I won’t have to suffer as badly. (First-world problems, I know…)
Another great thing about travel kits is that the whole kit is often less expensive than a single full-sized product. So, if you’ve been wanting to try a new brand, this is the perfect way to do so because you get to experience several products at a reasonable price. They’re also good for temporary needs- for example, when I first started using Retin-A, I used travel sizes because I knew my needs would change very quickly as my skin was adjusting.
When I found out one of Katherine Heigl’s favorite brands, HydroPeptide, had released a travel set, I was thrilled to try it out, especially since we have a trip coming up soon! I’d heard of the brand before, as the products were used and available at the spa in a casino/hotel we stayed at on a prior trip, so I knew it was good stuff.
The HydroPeptide On-the-Go Glow Anti-Wrinkle Travel set contains a complete five-product regimen. You get the Exfoliating Cleanser, Pre-Treatment Toner, Purifying Mask, Eye Authority, and Face Lift all in a cute zip-up travel bag. With the exception of the mask, all the products should last me a couple weeks. The mask contains enough for one or two uses, depending on how much you use.
The best thing about HydroPeptide skincare is the quality, proven ingredients. The products are full of peptides, vitamins, alphahydroxy acids such as glycolic and lactic acids, hyaluronic acid, and more. In addition to containing ingredients that actually work, it’s also important to note what the brand is formulated without. There are no parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. Additionally, HydroPeptide products are cruelty-free, gluten-free, and have no synthetic fragrances.
Exfoliating Cleanser
Award-winning HydroPeptide Exfoliating Cleanser for Energizing Renewal is formulated with Triple Action Collagen Peptide, Relaxing Peptide, Antioxidant Peptide, Moisture-Binding Peptide, Foaming Peptide, and Preservative Peptides. 10% glycolic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant, while jojoba beads act as a manual exfoliant. It also contains antioxidant green tea and ginseng for protection against free radicals.
As I use a Clarisonic or FOREO Luna in the evenings, I don’t need an exfoliating cleanser with beads or granules for my night time regimen. This is PERFECT for my morning routine, though. It has a gel-cream like texture, and a very light, natural citrusy scent that reminds me of grapefruit. It’s SO invigorating and energizing that it definitely helps wake me up from zombie mode.
I’ve never had any problems with glycolic acid, no matter what my skin condition is, even now that I’m hypersensitive from tretinoin. The only thing I do differently if I’m going through a sensitive phase is I leave my 70% glycolic peels on for a lot less time. However, I was a bit concerned about the jojoba beads and thought they might be irritating. Turns out they were quite soft, and not coarse or rough, so I had no issues.
HydroPeptide Exfoliating Cleanser left my skin clean and radiant without stripping moisture. I can definitely see why Katherine Heigl uses this stuff- it quite possibly could become a permanent part of my morning routine!
Pre-Treatment Toner
HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Toner, also an award-winning product, contains Triple Action Collagen Peptide, Relaxing Peptide, Antioxidant Peptide, Moisture-Binding Peptide, and Preservative Peptides. Citrus stem cell extract from oranges helps promote elasticity and antioxidant support. 5% lactic acid, mulberry, licorice, green tea, and Vitamin C help promote a brighter, more even complexion.
The great thing about this toner is that it not only balances the pH of your skin, but it also has ingredients that help lightly exfoliate, reduce hyperpigmentation, and protect the skin. So, you’re getting a multitude of benefits from just one product.
HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Toner has a light, fresh, natural scent similar to the Exfoliating Cleanser. In addition to my morning routine, I use this at night also. My skin just feels so balanced and clean, without any tightness when I use it.
Purifying Mask
Award-winning HydroPeptide Purifying Mask contains Plumping Peptide, Relaxing Peptide, Moisture-Binding Peptide, and Hydration Peptide, which offer superior anti-aging properties. Mineral-rich bentonite and kaolin draw out toxins and impurities as well as excess sebum to help prevent clogged pores. Enzyme and coenzyme A gently exfoliate to encourage cell turnover, and caffeine helps firm the skin.
I really liked this mask, it went on very smoothly, and for some reason it felt kind of cooling. I will say that it did tingle a little bit at first, but it was not unpleasant. Again, my skin is hypersensitive, so this may not be experienced by everyone.
The mask remained soft, it didn’t get hard and crack like other masks can do, so I really appreciated that because it never got uncomfortable. Rinsing afterward was also quick because it came off easily, no scrubbing or rubbing necessary. My pores were clear, and my skin glowed without feeling tight, so this is definitely a winner!
Eye Authority
HydroPeptide Eye Authority didn’t win an award- it won five awards. This super-duper eye cream is formulated with 13 peptides, including Relaxing Peptide, Anti-Puffiness Peptides, Anti-Dark Circle Peptides, Anti-Glycation Peptides, Lifting Peptides, Illuminating Peptides and Preservative Peptides to address and maximize every possible concern for the eye area in one product.
In addition to peptides, hesperidin, an antioxidant from citrus peels known for circulatory benefits, helps to minimize dark circles. Crushed pearls, rich in amino acids and minerals, help to illuminate the eye area to immediately diffuse the appearance of imperfections and dark circles. Finally, hyaluronic acid and ceramides help hydrate without causing makeup to crease.
HydroPeptide Eye Authority also has a fresh natural scent- it’s quite a bit lighter than the other products, but that’s good because it will be less likely to cause any irritation in the eye area. The cream is very moisturizing, but very light. It was easy to spread and absorbed with no problem, so it didn’t adversely affect my eye makeup. Also, my concealer normally starts to crease at the end of the day. However, it never creased at all when I used this eye cream. Score!
Face Lift
HydroPeptide Face Lift is yet another award-winner. This moisturizer contains nine peptides, including Relaxing Peptide, Lifting Peptides, Energizing Peptide, Brightening Peptide, Anti-Glycation Peptide, Defense Peptide and Preservative Peptides that provide a vast range of anti-aging benefits.
Triple-sized hyaluronic acid helps improve elasticity and hydration; antioxidants protect from free radicals as well as promote brightening and healing. Beta-white, licorice, bearberry, and Vitamin C help brighten skin tone.
The only thing I question in this formula is the “triple-sized hyaluronic acid.” I’m unclear if this means there are three sizes of hyaluronic acid, or if there is one size that’s three times larger than normal. The “normal” hyaluronic acid molecule is too large to penetrate the skin, so obviously an even larger molecule would seem to do even less. Nevertheless, no matter the size, hyaluronic acid can still hold many, many (many) times its weight in water. So, even if it doesn’t penetrate the skin, it’s an effective surface moisturizer.
The Hydropeptide Face Lift, like the other products, has a light fresh scent that’s natural, not synthetic. The cream is very hydrating, yet light weight. I have oily skin and live in a hot, humid climate, and had no problems with it. My skin stays hydrated all day (and all night) without getting greasy.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the HydroPeptide On-the-Go Glow Anti-Wrinkle Travel Set. I really appreciate that the products are formulated with scientifically-proven and effective ingredients. I do wish there was a bit more of the mask so I could get a better idea of its effectiveness. Even so, as a whole, the set is a great value. My skin feels energized and has a healthy glow, so I would definitely recommend HydroPeptide.
If you’re going on a trip, or looking for a new regimen to try, the HydroPeptide On-the-Go Glow Anti-Wrinkle Travel Set is a great option! For further information, check out hydropeptide.com.
