• Pack a small first aid bag containing aspirin/ibuprofen, cortisone cream, band-aids, antibiotic ointment, antihistamines, sterile gauze pads, safety pins, adhesive tape, tweezers, travel scissors, anti-nausea tablets and antiseptic wipes. All of these products can be found at your local pharmacy. If you’re really roughing it, you might consider adding insect repellant, water purification tablets and a small flashlight.

• If you’re traveling internationally, research your destination and find out all the required immunizations and vaccinations. A trip to the doctor’s office can take care of this and can also inform you about any illnesses or health risks associated with your country of choice.

• No matter where you go this summer, it’s a good idea to pack sunblock. An effective sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher with broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays (like TiO2 Sunblock) can insure your one day at the beach won’t mean three more days of agony in the hotel room (or a lifetime of wrinkles and dark spots down the road.)

• Although water in many countries is safe to drink, stick with bottled H2O so you don’t upset your system with an unfamiliar water filtration process. Boiled water in tea and coffee is usually safe to drink.

• Resist the urge to load up on calorie-popping, “roadside” food, and take along some healthy alternatives instead. A vacation isn’t really a vacation unless you get a break from your usual routine, but try to maintain your regular diet, drink plenty of water and get some exercise. Otherwise, the credit card bill won’t be the only thing you’re working off for weeks after you get back.

• Keep a personal medical history with you that states your contact info, doctor’s name and number, allergy list, medication list, blood type, insurance company info and any relevant medical facts. It can be a lifesaver when you travel and it fits easily in your wallet.

• Take an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Checking out the action on the beach isn’t quite the same when all you can make out are vague, pinkish blurs.

• Pack your usual grooming and skincare products and take them along to avoid the hassle of shopping in a new place that may not even carry what you need. A simple, convenient bag, like our Personal Travel Bag, can keep all of your stuff in one place and go anywhere you do.

1. Take along your own water bottle and drink frequently during the flight. Although how much depends on your flight time, most experts recommend you drink at least 2 full cups more than you normally do. Your skin is going to lose a lot of moisture in the arid atmosphere and it’s important to keep it hydrated from the inside out.

2. Stay away from caffeinated beverages. Although that crying baby isn’t going to make it an easier, stay away from alcoholic drinks, too. They dehydrate you and can leave you with a killer hangover at 8,000 feet.

3. Head to the restroom every hour or so to splash some lukewarm water on your face. Aside from the obvious benefit of rehydrating pores, moving around increases blood circulation in your legs and cuts down on swollen feet.

4. Pack some moisturizer (we recommend our Advanced Face Lotion) in your carry-on and use it whenever your skin starts feeling tight. If your skin is normally oily, the dryness might actually trigger more oil production, so try wiping your face down occasionally or spraying on some toner (like our Post-Shave Repair.)

5. Nasal passageways are easily dried out by airplane air, so take along an over-the-counter nose spray to diminish congestion.

6. Reduce tightness around your eyes by rubbing in a hydrating, nutrient-rich cream like Eye Rescue Formula and using eye drops to diminish their bloodshot appearance.

7. Try to get as much sleep as you can on the plane. Although you might not want to mess with your normal sleep pattern, the more rest you get, the better you’ll feel when you disembark. Invest in an eye mask, ear plugs and a travel pillow to insure smooth sailing the whole flight through.

8. After you arrive at your destination, take a warm shower or bath as soon as you can. It won’t completely replenish the moisture you’ve lost on the plane, but it will help to restore your skin’s natural moisture levels.

Here’s some luxurious locations that aim to please where you can also find MenScience products:

Dolce Barber & Spa (Chandler, AZ): As far from the rugged, desert setting as you can get, this destination offers the full royal treatment for men only. Enjoy the haircuts and foot treatments from faux-ostrich chairs with plasma TVs at every station. (www.dolcebarberspa.com, 602.515.0455)

The Cos Bar (Atlantic City, NJ): You don’t have to be a high-roller to get treated like one. This new addition to the Aspen-based company is located in the Forum of Cesar’s Palace and offers professional men’s grooming and skin treatments in an ultra-luxurious setting. Enough decadence to impress an Emperor. (609.348.6249)

Spa NK (London, UK): Do the Brits have the market cornered on style and grooming? After a trip to this posh spa location, you might think so. A team of experts administers a variety of relaxing treatments, including the highly-demanded Purifier (a face and body package guaranteed to revive any weary traveler). (www.spaceNK.co.uk; +44.0.20.7727.8002)

Planning on a tropical getaway? Protect yourself against direct sun exposure by putting on a sunblock that has an SPF of 30 and offers broad spectrum protection (we recommend TiO2 Sunblock SPF 30). Cover your skin up as much as possible when out in the sun for long periods of time. The sun can cause serious damage to your skin—damage you might not even notice until years down the line.