IN-FLIGHT SKIN CARE: THE TLC YOUR SKIN NEEDS WHILST TRAVELLING
The countdown until your next getaway is on. Your bags are finally packed (and just about under the luggage allowance), you’ve managed to fit your full skin care, hair care and make up routine into one case, and you’ve spent the last month prepping your complexion for that all-important holiday glow. But…. have you considered what your in-flight skin care routine will be?
Yes, plane skin care is a thing – and something we all need to get on board with, asap. Thanks to a 50% reduction in oxygen and an increase in UV exposure, flying can cause havoc on our complexions. Which is why here at Cult Beauty, we spoke to Elizabeth Japal an Aesthetic Practitioner at the Derm Lab, to get the inside scoop on in-flight skin care and how to best keep your complexion plump, supple and hydrated... however long you’re in the air.
In This Article:
ELIZABETH JAPAL’S RECOMMENDED SHORT-HAUL IN FLIGHT SKIN CARE ROUTINE
“Honestly, a full routine mid-flight can be a bit much” says Elizabeth. “You don’t need to do every single step. What matters most is keeping your skin hydrated and protected. A simple cleanse, moisturise and protect approach will do the trick unless you're on a really long-haul flight and want to take the time for a bit more.”
And what exactly does she recommend? Elizabeth breaks it down into pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight routines.
PRE-FLIGHT:
- Gently cleanse your skin. We recommend using a cream or balm cleanser as these are often the most nourishing and leave skin feeling gently cleansed and not stripped.
Apply a serum enriched with hydrating ingredients (think hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and squalane. - Seal everything in with a rich and decadent moisturiser to really boost hydration.
And is SPF really that important on your flight? “Absolutely. UV rays are stronger at higher altitudes and airplane windows don’t fully block UVA rays, so if you're by the window, definitely wear SPF.”
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IN-FLIGHT
- Reapply moisturiser if your skin is starting to feel dry.
Spritz a hydrating mist to help refresh your skin mid-flight or when it’s feeling tight and parched. Keep a lip balm and a hand cream nearby at all times to counteract dryness.
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POST-FLIGHT
- Once you’ve arrived at your destination, cleanse again with your favourite nourishing face wash to remove all the dirt and grime from the plane.
- Apply a calming moisturiser packed with ceramides to soothe your skin post-flight.
- And finally, lather on your SPF so your skin is ready to bask in the glorious sunshine once the arrivals gate opens.
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ELIZABETH JAPAL’S RECOMMENDED LONG-HAUL IN-FLIGHT SKIN CARE ROUTINE
However, if you’re on a long-haul flight and have longer exposure to dry air, a mini routine may be something to consider. Elizabeth recommends packing cleansing wipes or micellar water, a serum, moisturiser, hand cream and maybe an overnight sheet mask. The key to maintaining a happy, healthy and hydrated complexion on a longer flight it to protect your moisture barrier and ensure that it is treated to nourishing ingredients throughout your flight time.
When considering which moisturiser to use, we suggest opting for one packed with not only hyaluronic acid but ceramides and squalane too.
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HOW DOES CABIN AIR PRESSURE AFFECT YOUR SKIN CARE
With low humidity levels in airplane cabins, “the dry air can cause moisture to be drawn out of your skin and lead it to becoming more reactive” explains Elizabeth. “Therefore, products like occlusive moisturisers (balms and thicker creams) are great to help seal in hydration.
Serums might also feel like they disappear faster, because your skin is thirstier, so layering is helpful. I would suggest applying a heavier moisturiser before take-off to get ahead of the dryness and then top up as needed. If you’re not wearing makeup, reapplying mid-flight is even better.”
And do facial mists and sheet masks really make a difference? “Facial mists can be genuinely helpful if they contain humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid – but always follow with a moisturiser to lock it all in.
Sheet masks can be over the top for short haul, but if you’re on a long-haul flight and fancy it, go for it... as long as it’s not an exfoliating mask or packed with actives. This is because as airplane cabins have such low humidity levels your moisture barrier is already compromised meaning using a sheet mask powered by retinol, AHAs, BHAs or potent vitamin C can cause your skin to react, become irritated and even inflamed. Always choose a mask infused with skin soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera or ceramides.
ELIZABETH’S DOs AND DONT’s FOR IN-FLIGHT SKIN CARE
Do:
Hydrate before and during the flight
Moisturise your face and hands
Wear SPF – yes, it’s essential even when you’re sat on the plane.
Keep your skin care minimal if you're wearing make up to avoid over-touching it with your hands.
Don’t:
Use harsh actives (acids, retinoids) to prevent your skin becoming irritated and stressed during your flight
Overdo it with layers, less is more
Touch your face too much as planes aren’t the cleanest of places, so you want to avoid transferring bacteria to your skin.
Forget to wash your hands before applying anything throughout the flight to negate any bacteria getting on your skin.
IN FLIGHT SKIN CARE FAQS
Why is my skin so bad after a long flight?
Your skin will most likely be ‘bad’ after a long flight because it’s dehydrated, may look oilier because it's overcompensating the lack of hydration, touching your face throughout the flight and transferring germs and bacteria and, of course, the lack of sleep and stress will impact how your skin looks.
How to keep your skin hydrated on a long flight?
As we’ve discussed above, the best way to ensure your skin stays hydrated on a long-haul flight is to level up your routine with a few handy hydrating heroes. Most importantly is having a rich and creamy moisturiser you apply before and during your flight, a facial mist you can spray when you feel your skin tightening and finally, investing in a nourishing sheet mask for an added boost of hydration.
How to keep eyes moist on a plane?
Because of the dry environment within the cabin, your eyes may be prone to feeling irritated, dry and itchy – especially if you wear contact lenses. To help with this we would suggest drinking enough water to keep you hydrated, ditching the contacts and using your glasses, applying lubricating eye drops throughout the flight, using a silky eye mask when you’re sleeping and spritzing a facial mist to keep eyes and skin fresh and replenished.
With your bags packed, OOO alert set, and skin care routine simplified, we’d say you’re officially cleared for take-off.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
