Beauty Tips to Keep Your Skin Feeling Refreshed After Long Flights

Whether you travel internationally for work or leisure, air travel is the most common mode of transport.

Fortunately, booking flights has increasingly become accessible, from getting tickets online to finding the best rates. 

For instance, I have a previous post that serves as a guide to booking cheaper flights from the United States to tourist destinations in South America.

It’s recommended to fly during the off-season, usually in September after summer and February after winter.

Additionally, tools like Skyscanner may be helpful when searching for available flight options, but it’s best to book directly on the airline website to secure better deals.

Aside from flight prices, another common concern when flying internationally is the flight duration.

Longer flights can affect your physical health, such as increasing the risk of dehydration due to low levels of humidity on the plane.

The body is also not able to absorb as much oxygen in the cabin at high altitudes, resulting in common problems like earaches, headaches, and gut problems.

Moreover, the change in humidity and air pressure on the plane can wreak havoc on your skin.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at how air travel affects skin health and appearance and give you my favorite beauty tips that can keep your skin feeling refreshed even after long-haul flights. Especially as someone that is used to those long trips.

How Air Travel Can Affect Your Skin

According to dermatologists, air travel can expose travelers to a wide range of skin issues, with the most common problem being dry skin.

As previously mentioned, the environment within the aeroplane cabin can be extremely dry with low humidity levels, taking moisture away from the skin.

Besides reduced humidity, other high-altitude stressors can affect your skin and even exacerbate existing problems. These include temperature fluctuations, changes in air pressure, increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and the presence of viral and bacterial airborne particles. Such conditions can contribute to stress and discomfort and trigger acne, itching, and irritation.

The adverse effects of air travel on your skin may also vary based on factors like skin type, age, and other conditions like acne, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Travelers with mature and sensitive skin are most likely to experience dry, dull, and irritated skin after flights, especially on transatlantic or transcontinental flights.

But regardless of your skin type and its current condition, you can take preventive measures to address any issues you might encounter on a long-haul flight. The following section highlights beauty, skin care, and health tips to help your skin thrive before, during, and after flying.

How to Care For Your Skin Before, During, and After Flying

Pamper Your Skin Before Your Flight

Looking after your skin must start days ahead of your scheduled flight.

Beauty experts recommend getting a thorough facial from a trusted beauty clinic to oxygenate your skin and cleanse your pores—ultimately ensuring it’s well-equipped to withstand potential environmental stressors in the plane cabin. 

On the day of the flight, it’s also advisable to exfoliate your skin to remove dirt and blemishes, preferably using a gentle exfoliating gel or cleansing wash from brands like Aveeno and Liz Earle.

Also, consider applying a nourishing face mask and a rich moisturizer like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream to lock in hydration and protect your skin from stress and damage.

Ditch Your Makeup

Another tried-and-tested tip is to avoid wearing makeup on the day of your flight.

Flying with a makeup-free face can help prevent congestion and irritation in your pores, which may otherwise create a buildup and trigger skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

However, if you can’t be barefaced since you’re coming from work or an event with makeup on, just make sure to cleanse properly and wash your face before boarding the plane.

Yet again, a gentle facial cleanser like the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is your friend, as the formulation can remove excess oil while still keeping the skin moisturized.

Invest in an In-Flight Skin Care Routine

To help your skin stay clean, refreshed, and moisturized after landing, invest in an in-flight skin care routine that can help fight the lack of fresh air and humidity.

Dermatologists recommend moisturizers, face masks, and face oils with ingredients like jojoba, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid, as these provide your skin with much-needed hydration and nourishment to last the entire flight.

If you’re worried about the airport guidelines for carrying liquid cosmetics, QVC’s skin care and beauty selection includes travel-sized products to help you stay on top of your routine while onboard.

For instance, the Clinique Moisture Surge Home & Away Set comes with a 1.7-oz Moisture Surge 100Hr Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, which has a lightweight formula that penetrates deep into the skin’s surface for long-lasting hydration.

Don’t Forget Sun Protection

As discussed in the previous section, your skin is not only against humidity and air pressure changes in the cabin but is also more exposed to UV radiation.

This is especially true for travelers sitting next to the plane window through which the sun’s UV rays can still penetrate at higher altitudes.

Since UV damage can increase the risk of premature aging and skin cancers like melanoma, don’t skip out on sun protection and wear sunscreen.

While the correct formulation of sunscreen may vary based on your specific skin type, ensure that the product has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and provides broad-spectrum coverage against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Stay Hydrated

Long flights can sap moisture from your skin, but staying hydrated can keep it healthy and glowing the entire time.

Facial mists like the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater can help soothe and hydrate your skin while on the go.

However, it’s far more essential to continue drinking fluids on the flight to balance the otherwise dehydrating cabin conditions. 

In this case, pack a reusable water bottle from top brands like Klean Kanteen, Hydro Flask, and Owala to increase your intake of hydrating beverages like water and herbal teas.

It also helps to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks since they act as diuretics that quickly remove water from the body and, by extension, moisture from the skin.

Pay Attention To What You Eat

What you eat before and after boarding can also significantly influence your body’s hydration and energy levels, which both play a role in skin health and appearance. So, besides avoiding alcohol and caffeine before your flight, avoid heavy meals with fatty and spicy ingredients since these can make you feel bloated throughout the trip.

Instead, opt for lighter meals packed with protein and complex carbohydrates to fuel your body and make you feel less fatigued during long-haul flights. For in-flight snacks, the brand Foodin offers protein bars with ginger, lime, and ingestible collagen for a much-needed energy boost while also helping your skin. Other nutritious snacks to consider are whole wheat crackers, Greek yogurt, and water-rich fruits like cucumber and watermelon.

Get Quality Sleep on the Plane

Adequate rest and sleep are also crucial for healthy skin, as the body repairs and rejuvenates skin cells during sleep.

Fortunately, staying hydrated and avoiding heavy meals can help you sleep better during long-haul flights.

If you still have trouble sleeping on the plane, accessories like sleeping masks can do wonders for your sleep quality and quantity.

These low-cost tools block out light and catalyze melatonin production even during shifting time zones.

An ergonomic neck pillow can also help you sleep better and wake up with rejuvenated skin.

Restore Your Skin With a Serum

Lastly, post-flight skin care is just as crucial as your routine before and during the flight.

After landing and claiming your baggage, remember to cleanse and moisturize your face with the same gentle formulations to remove dead skin cells and renew skin health.

Also, apply a facial serum that helps the skin recover from in-flight conditions and adds extra glow and rejuvenation to your overall complexion.

The Nivea Q10 Dual Action serum is a viable option for restoring the skin, as it reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and loss of skin elasticity.

Meanwhile, the L’oreal Revitalift Replumping Ampules can help achieve smooth and plump skin, and it even comes in flight-friendly packaging for easier application.

In addition to the beauty and wellness tips mentioned above, hygiene is crucial to maintaining healthy, glowing skin after long flights. Since the aircraft can harbor bacteria and contaminants, avoid touching your face and wash your hands regularly to lower the risk of breakouts.

Explore my latest tips and product recommendations to discover the best solutions for your skincare and beauty needs. Check out my Beauty category to check all the different articles.

Sincerely