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Traveling is enjoyable and adventurous. Overnight flights or long stretches on an airplane with low humidity that dries out your skin isn’t so enjoyable. That can lead to stepping into your new exotic locale with a dull complexion caused by dehydration, dry air, and air pressure. Thankfully, there are effective methods to maintain skin hydration during air travel and counteract the drying effects.
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To keep my skin hydrated on long flights, I always make sure to carry 3 products- a moisturizer, sunscreen, and a mask. Despite the phantom of the opera appearance that might scare your neighbor, masks are my favorite part of airplane skincare. I swear by their ability to nourish, hydrate, and soothe my skin throughout the flight. And, as a conscious consumer, I’m also enthusiastic to try all the brands offering refillable, compostable, and reusable masks.
However, for future flights, I’m going to expand to a 5 step skincare routine. What I’ve recently learned from a dermatologist is that it wouldn’t hurt to add in a cleanser (I like to cleanse my skin right before boarding my flight) and an extra moisturizer to sleep in. By following this simple 5 step skincare routine and preparing well for plane travel, she assured me that it is possible to start off your vacation with hydrated glowing skin.
What Causes Dry Skin on Flights?
It’s not surprising to learn that various factors negatively impact the skin during flights, resulting in a dry and lackluster appearance. It even has a name- “airplane skin.”
The average humidity level inside a closed airplane is 20%, which is notably lower than the usual range of 30% – 60%. Depending on the capacity of the flight and other variables, the humidity level can decrease further. The combination of high altitude and low relative humidity creates a sauna-like effect, causing your skin to lose moisture. The longer your flight, the more dehydrated your skin will become.
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Other factors such as inefficient consumption of water and rest can further dehydrate the skin resulting in a lackluster appearance. Also, sitting in the window seat can increase your exposure to damaging UV rays. Being 30,000 feet above ground means being closer to the sun, where UV rays are more intense.
Tips for Preparing Your Skin for Air Travel
The positive news is that you have the option to plan to avoid your skin becoming dry before you even board the plane.
- Drink Water. When on your flight, make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. This will help prevent dehydration.
- Use extra moisturizer. It’s important to step up your skincare routine before traveling by plane. To avoid dry skin, start by applying a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid.
- Wear SPF. Follow this with a lightweight moisturizer containing SPF to lock in moisture and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Simplify your makeup routine. Consider going without or keeping your makeup minimal before your flight to allow your skin to breathe. This also allows you to use hydrating face mists and extra moisturizer during the flight as needed.
The 5-Step Skincare Routine For Glowing Skin
Once you reach the plane, make sure to stay hydrated, moisturize, and wear sunblock to keep your skin moisturized. However, this doesn’t mark the end of your self-care routine. There are still further measures you can implement to prevent your skin from becoming dry during the flight.
- Cleanse. Remember to cleanse your skin with a gentle formula that won’t strip the skin and will hydrate and soothe.
- Moisturize.
- Moisturize again. Short flights may not affect your skin, but for longer ones, take the time to freshen it up. Bring a small travel-sized bag with a natural face moisturizer to prevent dryness.
- Protect your skin. It’s likely been over 2 hours since you last applied sunscreen. The sun’s rays are stronger at higher altitudes, so it’s important to reapply for extra protection while flying. Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to shield against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Apply a mask. A facial mask is one of the best solutions for a dehydrated face. Before dozing off, apply one that you can sleep in. Your skin will be moisturized and enjoy various anti-aging benefits while you sleep.
- Get some rest. It’s crucial to get some sleep on long flights. Even if you can’t fully doze off, any amount of rest will help your skin repair itself and prevent under-eye bags – a tell-tale sign of sleep deprivation.
