Our Recommendations on How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated During a Long Flight

Once you complete your routine, you can relax knowing that your skin is prepared for the flight ahead. “Remember, less is more on a flight,” assures Hassani. “It’s all about the efficacy of the products you’re using, not about how many products you’re using.”

How to Care for Your Skin in the Air

You’ve probably read that doing your entire skincare routine while in the air will leave you with glowing, hydrated skin by the time you land, but Hassani advises against pulling out your serums, moisturizers and eye creams for the duration of your flight. “Prior to boarding the plane, you should do your full skincare regimen,” she says. “You’re about to be in an environment where the air is stale and dry, so it’s important to combat any skin problems before they arise so you can avoid them as best as possible.” 

Hassani recommends only using three skincare items for the duration of your flight: a hydrating lip balm, a hand cream and a broad-spectrum SPF. Use the lip balm and hand cream as needed, and be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours (with clean or sanitized hands!) — and try to keep the airplane window shade down if possible to avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated, too!

When selecting your three must-have in-air products, We recommend to avoid any formulations with hyaluronic acid and opt for ones with peptides, ceramides and antioxidants instead. “Hyaluronic acid works by drawing moisture from the air and bringing that moisture to the skin,'' explains Hassani. “In a flight cabin, there's little to no moisture so the hyaluronic acid will draw moisture from the outermost layer of the skin and in turn, leave you more dehydrated than before.”

Following these simple steps can help your skin look and feel refreshed by the time you land so you can start your vacation with glowing skin.