Beautician: How to take care of your skin during the flight?

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Long flights can be a challenge for your skin. Dry air in the cabin – comparable to desert conditions – combined with pressure changes and travel stress can lead to dryness, dehydration and worsening of the skin's condition. How to care for your skin during the flight to look fresh and radiant after landing? It's worth having facial cleansing wipes, a miniature moisturiser and a sheet mask on hand – ideal cosmetics for skin care on the go.

Before you get on the plane , prepare your skin for difficult conditions. It is worth investing in a good moisturizing cream that will not only moisturize but also protect the skin from water loss. Choose products with an emollient formula that will create a protective film on the skin, preventing moisture from evaporating.

The length of the flight is crucial for the condition of our skin . The longer we spend in the dry and changing environment of the plane, the more the skin loses moisture and elasticity. It can handle a two-hour flight almost unscathed, but a 12-hour flight is quite a challenge for it.

A few days before the planned flight, it is worth changing the cream to a more nourishing and more moisturizing one in order to create a good reserve in the skin. It is best to rely on proven ingredients that help maintain moisture in the epidermis: hyaluronic acid, ceramides or vitamins.

It is recommended to use the cream regularly for at least 2-4 weeks to achieve lasting effects, especially if the skin is dry or tends to dry out. The above-mentioned ingredients are especially useful in winter, because due to low temperatures, wind and central heating turned on in rooms, the skin dries out more easily. So if we do not take care of it before we get on a plane and fly almost halfway around the world, we will have to take care of its regeneration for a few more days.

Emollient creams: These contain ingredients that help retain moisture in the skin and improve its elasticity. They are often used to care for dry, sensitive skin and to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin C improves skin tone, energizes, and brightens the complexion. It protects the skin from free radical damage and UV radiation, which can prevent premature aging. It also aids in collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

Feluric acid: An excellent ingredient that smooths, moisturizes and brightens the skin. It has anti-inflammatory effects, reduces discoloration, improves skin tone and supports skin regeneration. It can also increase the effectiveness of other active ingredients such as vitamin C and E, so it is often used in combination with them in anti-aging products.

Tip: If you are going on a long trip, consider having a feluronic acid treatment done at a beauty salon before your flight.

The skin on the plane is not only threatened by low air humidity, but also by the dry climate of the cabin. Take a bottle of water on board! It is important to drink water regularly throughout the flight to maintain the appropriate level of hydration not only of the skin, but also of the entire body. The optimal amount is about 2.5 liters of water during the day, but on the plane it is worth drinking it more often and in small quantities.

Fun fact: According to research, during the flight the air in the cabin is dry, with humidity at a level of 10-20%, which is comparable to the climate of the desert! Therefore, taking care of the skin hydration during the flight is an absolute must.

Drink regularly: You should drink water regularly throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty. Often, thirst occurs when the body is already slightly dehydrated. The optimal amount of water that you should drink during the day is 2.5 liters.

Water and hydrating drinks: In addition to water, it is also worth drinking electrolyte drinks or natural drinks (e.g. herbal tea, sugar-free teas) that help maintain electrolyte balance. You can also add lemon to the water and a pinch of Himalayan salt.

Balanced diet: Water contained in fruits and vegetables (e.g. watermelon, cucumber, citrus fruits) also helps to hydrate the body.

Avoiding excess caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol have a diuretic and drying effect, which can lead to water loss, so it is best to consume them in moderation and supplement with water.

Healthy Fats (Omega-3 and Omega-6) – Found in oily fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel), nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds and avocados. These fats support the skin’s lipid barrier, helping to keep it hydrated.

Water-rich fruits and vegetables – Watermelons, cucumbers, oranges, strawberries, citrus fruits and celery provide not only water but also vitamins that support skin health.

Foods rich in vitamin E – Nuts, seeds, olive oil, almonds and green leafy vegetables contain vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant and helps moisturize the skin.

Products rich in vitamin C – Citrus fruits, peppers, kiwi, strawberries and broccoli support the production of collagen, which affects the elasticity and hydration of the skin.

Protein and amino acids – Products rich in protein (e.g. eggs, meat, legumes) help regenerate the skin and provide it with proper hydration.

On a long flight , especially one that lasts 10-12 hours, it’s worth taking care of your skin during the journey itself, so make sure you have a moisturizer , a cleansing wipe or other skin care product, and a sheet mask. If your flight is less than 4 hours, a moisturizer and a wipe will be enough.

Step by step:

1. Cleansing your skin: Before applying another layer of cream, it is worth cleansing your skin . Take a mini foam or gel face wash with you to get rid of any makeup and dirt that may have accumulated on your skin. This will make the next application of cosmetics more effective. In the case of shorter flights, you can cleanse your skin with a wet wipe. Once every two hours is enough to keep it fresh.

2. Reapply moisture: After cleansing, reapply your moisturizer . If your skin feels particularly dry, you can opt for a hydrating sheet mask or eye patches to hydrate and regenerate your skin. These are a good idea to have in your carry-on, especially on long flights.

Tip: Don't forget to moisturize your entire body . The skin on your body also loses water during the flight, so it's a good idea to bring a moisturizing lotion and apply it before boarding.

After landing, you should repeat the procedure and cleanse your face again and then apply cream, although it is worth applying sunscreen right away, especially if you are changing time zones and arriving in a place with strong sunlight. Even if there was no intense sun during the flight, the skin may be more sensitive to UV radiation, so sun protection is key.

Tip: In order for a cream to effectively protect your skin from UV radiation, it should have a minimum SPF of 30. SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent of UVB radiation. For people with sensitive skin or in the case of long-term exposure to the sun, it is worth choosing creams with a higher factor, e.g. SPF 50, which protects against 98 percent of UVB rays. It is important to use creams with a filter every day, and in the case of long exposure to the sun, reapply them every 2 hours.

Although we are not directly exposed to solar radiation on board an airplane , if you are sitting near a window, it is worth considering protection against UVA radiation, which penetrates through the windows. Although it is not as intense as in full sunlight, it can have a negative effect on the skin, especially during a long flight.

Recommendation: If you want extra protection, reach for a cream with an SPF filter , especially for long flights. This will protect your skin from radiation and prevent it from aging, but make sure the cream contains moisturizing ingredients. Not all creams with a filter have this function, so it is worth choosing those with additional moisturizing properties (e.g. with added glycerin, hyaluronic acid). Otherwise, SPF alone will not provide adequate skin hydration.

People who undergo aesthetic medicine procedures should be especially careful about skin care during the flight. After more invasive procedures, such as chemical peels or microneedling (e.g. mesotherapy), the skin is particularly sensitive.

Instead, it is worth opting for gentler treatments that will not burden the skin, such as moisturizing treatments or treatments with antioxidants.

It is best to have a moisturizing treatment in a beauty salon about 1-2 days before your planned flight. This will give your skin time to fully regenerate and absorb the active ingredients, which will help minimize the effects of dry air during the flight. It is worth avoiding the treatment just before the flight, as the skin can be sensitive, and the changes in pressure and dry air in the plane can cause discomfort.

The material was created in cooperation with PLL LOT