Sneaking in a late summer trip abroad? However, if you’re familiar with plane travel, you’ll know that it can mess with your skin. Dry, recycled air, water-retention and stress can all cause your skin to play up, which is definitely not ideal when you want to look your best for the trip. Here’s some tips on how to achieve glowing skin on the plane, so you look like a celeb when you arrive at your destination.

Hydration is everything

The air in plane cabins is incredibly dry which is not a great environment for our skin. To combat this, opt for a thicker, heavier moisturiser than you normally use. A night cream or moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid should do the trick. Put it on after washing your face as normal and top it up regularly on the plane as needed. Even if you have oily skin, keeping it hydrated will ensure you arrive glowing, not dull.

On the flight, keep sipping water as much as you can. This will help keep your skin plump and hydrated. Keep in mind that while an alcoholic beverage may be tempting, it can increase dehydration. So opt for an inflight wine, sure, but keep sipping your water in between.

Keep your lips, eyes and hand hydration levels topped up too. Use your favourite lip balms, eye drops and hand cream throughout the flight.

Even when you’re not flying, hydration is one of the pillars of great skincare. Check out our blog on the best and worst things for your skin to learn more.

Avoid bacteria

Unless you’re lucky enough to have a private jet, airports and planes are full of people from all over. That means they can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Wash your hands and keep a small hand sanitiser with you. Avoid touching your face as much as possible.

If you’re on a long-haul flight, you could even bring a travel sized cleanser to freshen up and keep your skin clean. Make sure to reapply your moisturiser after to keep hydration locked in.

Avoid salty snacks

Sometimes eating is the only thing to do to help pass the time when you’re flying. Try to stick to unsalted snacks while on the plane though. Salt can cause water retention which manifests itself as face puffiness and bloat. 

De-stress

Travelling can be incredibly stressful for a lot of us. Security, delays, getting to the gate on time and flying itself are all anxiety-ridden events. Stress can cause skin irritation, so try to relax as much as possible. Get organised to avoid any last-minute stresses and take regular moments to breathe and relax.

Stay away from heavy base makeup

Keeping your makeup on for a long time, with the probability that you’ll sleep in it, isn’t a great idea for your skin. As our skin on a plane is so dry, it will try to make up for it by producing more sebum - aka grease. Oil and makeup tend not to mix well, and can make your skin congested and breakouts more likely. To avoid this, leave your base makeup for after the flight and focus on skincare as a priority. Your skin will thank you for it!

Want tailored advice on how to care for your skin? Book a skincare consultation with us!