Long haul flights can be exhilarating, especially if that flight is to a vacation, business trip or long-awaited adventure. But while many people make time to plan outfits, pack essentials and organize travel paperwork, they often forget about how flying can affect their skin. Dry cabin environments, interrupted sleep and changes in routine can leave skin appearing dull, dehydrated and tired before the trip has even begun. Fortunately, you don’t need to do an expensive treatment or a complex routine to get your skin ready for a flight. Just with a few small tweaks before you take off, your skin can stay comfortable for the entire journey and bounce back more easily when you land.
Hydrate the Night Before
While many travelers don’t think about hydration until they are already on an airplane, the preparation should start well before takeoff. Airline cabins have very low humidity, which can make your skin feel dry and tight after a few hours in the air. If you’re dehydrated at the beginning of your trip, the effects are often far more apparent by the time you land.
The day before flying, be sure to drink lots of water and use water-based skincare products. This doesn’t mean piling on several layers of products on your face. Instead, look for a lightweight moisturizer and regular hydration throughout the day to achieve balance. Hydrated skin also generally handles the stresses of travel better and often looks fresher upon arrival.
Don’t Experiment with New Products
Unexpectedly, many people decide to try a new skin-care product just before they take a trip. They buy trending masks, heavy-duty exfoliants, or products suggested on social media, expecting instant radiance before they leave. However, this can go wrong easily.
Traveling is already challenging period for your skin as a result of changing surroundings, disturbed sleep, and dehydration. Introducing new products leads to the chances of irritation, redness, or acne. Products that work effectively for individuals might not act the same way on your skin. Therefore, the safest thing to do is stick to products you are aware of and trust. If you can get your skin calm and balanced before you fly, it will likely tolerate it much better.
Don’t Exfoliate Too Much Before Flying
Many travelers think that exfoliating strongly before a flight will give them better skin. Although gentle exfoliation can be helpful, overdoing it frequently results in more problems than solutions. Harsh exfoliating acids, soaps, or treatments can temporarily damage the skin barrier. That new, fresh skin can also get irritated and sensitive or uncomfortable much faster when exposed to the ultra-dry environment of an airplane cabin. Rather than trying to entirely resurface your skin before a trip, focus on preserving and upholding a healthy skin barrier. If you do exfoliate, keep it light and steer clear of anything rough in the days prior to your flight.
Think About Sleeping Prior to Flying
Travelers often think about how much sleep they’ll get on the flight itself but sleep the night before you leave is just as important. Insufficient sleep can have a detrimental effect on your skin quickly, leaving it dull, tired or puffy, before you even get to the airport. Sleep plays an important role for good skin health as it helps the skin recover and repairs itself during the night reducing the visible signs of fatigue. It’s enticing to stay up late preparing for travel or making last-minute plans, but getting lots of rest can make a noticeable difference in your skin’s appearance and feel while traveling. If you find it hard to sleep on planes, a good night’s sleep before your trip is a great leg-up for your skin!
Don’t Complicate Your Pre-Flight Routine
One common mistake is treating travel as an excuse for a major skincare overhaul. In reality, your skin usually benefits from simplicity before a long flight. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are often enough before heading to the airport. Loading the skin with multiple treatments, masks, and active ingredients can increase the likelihood of irritation, especially when combined with the stress of travel. Therefore, keep your routine simple and stick to the basics like cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.