3 Milan Skincare Tips Every Boss Babe Traveler Needs

Milan is more than just the capital of fashion—it’s a city that demands long walks, late-night dinners, and a lot of time outside soaking up the scene. Between the city smog, back-to-back exploring, and of course, indulging in an Aperol Spritz or two, your skin can take a hit here. As much as I love strutting through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, I also know that protecting my skin has to be just as much of a priority as choosing the right outfit.

Here are my three Milan-tested skincare tips to keep your glow intact while living your best boss babe life:

1. SPF Always, Even in the Fall
Milan may not feel tropical, but don’t let the cooler temps fool you—UV rays don’t care about the season. Protecting your skin is a year-round commitment. I never leave the hotel without applying SPF, even under my makeup. For this trip, I packed my favorite Skin by Brownlee & Co. sunscreen. It’s lightweight, layers perfectly under foundation, and doesn’t leave that dreaded white cast. Plus, it gave me peace of mind knowing I could wander through Duomo Square, shop in Brera, or sip espresso outdoors without sacrificing my skin’s future. Because let’s be real—wrinkles and sun spots are not part of the glow-up plan.

2. Don’t Skip a Hydrating Cleanser
City air = pollution = clogged pores. And when you’re hopping from museums to boutiques, your skin collects more dirt than you think. At the end of a long Milanese day, I reached for my Botanic Hydrating Cleanser from Skin by Brownlee & Co. It’s gentle yet powerful enough to wash away city grime without stripping my skin. My post-cleanse glow felt like a reset button after hours of sightseeing. Pro tip: double cleansing at night (oil first, then hydrating cleanser) is a must if you’ve been wearing makeup all day.
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3. Indulge in an Italian Pharmacy Stop
Just like Paris, Italy has a pharmacy culture that feels like a hidden skincare treasure hunt. Don’t sleep on it! In Milan, I discovered brands I’d never seen in the U.S. One standout? Avène Hydrating Thermal Water Spray—a cult favorite here. Perfect for refreshing your skin mid-day, soothing irritation from pollution, or giving you that “just left the spa” feeling. Pharmacies here also carry luxurious body creams and serums at prices that make stocking up a no-brainer.

Your skin deserves as much luxury as your wardrobe when in Milan. It’s easy to get caught up shopping for Prada, but don’t forget to shop for peptides, too. Protect, cleanse, and treat your skin like the VIP it is, and I promise you’ll glow just as hard as the Milan streetlights at night.