by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 7:30 AM ET, Thu September 24, 2026
Banff, Alberta, has been ranked the world’s top destination for a “skin-cation,” according to new research from Icelandair examining environmental and wellness factors that may affect how skin looks and feels.
The airline’s World Natural Beauty Index compared destinations across six factors: air quality, humidity, average temperature, wind speed, access to spas and thermal baths, and local water type and mineral composition.
Banff topped the global ranking with a Natural Beauty Score of 7.48 out of 10, ahead of Colorado Springs, U.S., at 7.43 and Budapest, Hungary, at 7.33.
According to the research, Banff recorded an average PM2.5 level of 4.9 µg/m³. Icelandair also pointed to the destination’s cool average temperature of 3°C and its calcium-sulphate-rich thermal waters as factors contributing to its score.
The research comes as Icelandair identifies “skin-cations” as a growing travel trend, with travellers considering environmental conditions and wellness experiences when choosing where to vacation.
“The rise of the skin-cation reflects a much bigger shift in beauty we are seeing worldwide: we’re moving beyond thinking just about what we put on our skin and starting to think about the environment we’re exposing it to. Our skin is a living organ that is constantly reacting to its surroundings. Cleaner air means less exposure to pollution, while factors such as humidity, temperature, wind and UV can all affect how hydrated, comfortable and healthy our skin feels,” said skincare and wellness expert Bella von Nesselrode, who collaborated with Icelandair on the research.
“The key is that a good skin-cation isn’t simply about finding the most humid or warmest destination. The ideal environment is one that reduces environmental stressors while also offering opportunities for thermal bathing, nature and recovery. Certain mineral-rich thermal waters may also support skin comfort and barrier function, depending on their composition. So, instead of only asking ‘what skincare should I pack?’, travellers are increasingly thinking ‘where will my skin actually feel its best?’”
Colorado Springs and Budapest Round Out Top Three
Colorado Springs placed second globally. Icelandair counted 137 spas and bathing experiences in the destination, the second-highest number among destinations in the global top 10. Its average humidity was 42%, within the 40% to 60% range the research considered comfortable for skin.
Budapest ranked third and was the highest-ranked European destination. The Hungarian capital recorded 221 spas and bathing experiences and was also noted for its calcium-magnesium bicarbonate thermal waters. Icelandair reported an average PM2.5 level of 4.5 µg/m³ for the city.
Bormio, Italy, placed fourth with a score of 6.97, while Rotorua, New Zealand, rounded out the top five at 6.80.
Reykjavík, Iceland, ranked ninth overall with a score of 6.52 but recorded the lowest PM2.5 level among destinations in the top 10, at 0.6 µg/m³.
How The Destinations Were Ranked
Icelandair scored destinations on a common 0-to-10 scale across six categories, then averaged the individual results to determine the final ranking.
Air quality was measured using PM2.5 data, while average relative humidity, annual temperature and wind speed were also considered. The index included the number of spa and thermal bathing facilities in each destination, along with an assessment of local water types and mineral composition.
The airline cited IQAir, AccuWeather, TimeAndDate and Tripadvisor among the sources used in compiling the index, along with desk research for temperature, wind and water characteristics.
Icelandair noted the methodology and its selected environmental and wellness criteria are not a medical assessment of the effects of travel destinations on individual skin conditions.
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