Travel Beauty Hacks: 5 Skincare Tips for Your Next Long-Haul Flight

Long flights can be a miserable experience. Between the dry cabin air, jet lag, and time zone shifts, sitting in one position for hours can leave you feeling drained, uncomfortable, and looking less than your best. Whether you’re heading to a business meeting, vacation, or visiting loved ones, you want to arrive feeling refreshed and ready to start your trip. Here are five essential travel beauty hacks that can be easily incorporated into your in-flight routine. These tips will not only keep your skin looking its best but also help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, so you can step off the plane glowing.

Also read: 14 Tips & Tricks for Surviving Long-Haul Flights

Tip 1: Start with a clean slate

Before you settle into your seat, cleanse your face to remove makeup and impurities. 

This is because makeup can create a barrier on your skin, trapping moisture and environmental pollutants. That could lead to clogged pores and skin irritation. By cleansing your face before the flight, it helps prevent the buildup of airborne bacteria which can thrive in the closed, recycled air of the cabin. Starting with clean skin also creates a clean canvas that sets the stage for hydration. It ensures that your moisturizers, serums, or hydrating products work more effectively, keeping your complexion fresh and nourished throughout the journey. 

If you’re on a long-haul flight, consider refreshing your skin halfway through by using a facial wipe to remove oil and grime. This will help your skin breathe and reset during the flight. 

Tip 2: Moisturize your skin

As mentioned earlier, the air inside airplane cabins is notoriously dry, which can leave your skin feeling parched and lacklustre. To combat this, pack your favourite hydrating toners, serums, and moisturizers to maintain your skincare routine during the flight. 

If you’re new to skincare or looking for travel-friendly options, consider products that don’t require direct contact with your hands for application. This is important because handling products with your hands can transfer bacteria. You would also want to avoid the inconvenience of constantly heading to the restroom to wash skincare products off your hands. 

You can opt for products like hydrating mists, eye masks or stick moisturizers. Not only are they easy to apply, but also hassle-free. Sheet masks can also be useful to help lock in moisture while you sleep on the airplane. These options ensure that you can give your skin the nourishment it needs without any extra fuss, keeping your complexion refreshed and hydrated throughout the journey.

Tip 3: Drink plenty of water

Drinking plenty of water during your flight is essential for keeping your skin healthy. Since the cabin air is so dry, your body loses moisture faster than usual. Drinking water not only benefits your skin but also supports your overall health by improving circulation and aiding digestion. 

One helpful tip is to bring a reusable water bottle on board. When you first board the plane, ask the flight crew to fill it up. Set a target for how many bottles to finish throughout your long-haul flight. The Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) recommends drinking about eight ounces (about 240ml) of water for every hour you’re in the air. While you’ll likely get up to visit the restroom, this gives you the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and move around, enhancing both your hydration and circulation during the flight.

Tip 4: Protect your skin from UV rays

Did you know that you can still get UV exposure while flying? Sun rays can penetrate airplane windows at high altitudes, so it’s just as important to protect your skin during your flight as it is when you’re on the ground. UV radiation is stronger at higher elevations, and while airplane windows may block some UV rays, they don’t completely shield you from exposure. 

Read more: Why Airplane Windows Are Round (And Why We Should Thank Them)

Choose a lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to keep your skin protected from UV rays while you’re in the air. The last thing you want is to add another layer of heavy sunscreen that leaves you feeling greasy.

For easy application, consider using a sunscreen stick. These are especially travel-friendly as they provide a no-contact application, so you don’t have to worry about transferring bacteria from your hands to your face. Sunscreen sticks are compact, mess-free, and perfect for quick touch-ups during the flight. Just swipe it on and you’re good to go, making it an essential part of your in-flight skincare routine.

Tip 5: Get a good night’s sleep

Undoubtedly, the best way to keep yourself refreshed after a long flight is to catch a good night’s sleep while onboard. Sleep on flights can be a challenge, but it’s key to helping your body—and your skin—recover or prep for a long day of travelling. If you’re having trouble getting comfortable, here are some hacks and tips that could be useful.

Firstly, consider researching sleep gadgets that work for you. Here are some examples: 

• Neck pillows: 

Many innovative neck pillows go beyond the typical design. Some pillows can be attached directly to the airplane seat, helping to prevent your head from tilting or falling forward during sleep. Another unique option is a pillow shaped like an ostrich’s head and neck, which covers your face while you sleep, blocking out light and providing added privacy. 

• Eye Mask: 

An eye mask will block out light and help you create a dark, restful environment, signalling to your body that it’s time to sleep. You could also opt for steam eye masks, that help lull you to sleep while also reducing puffiness as you sleep. 

• Noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs 

These help reduce the ambient noise of the plane, promoting a deeper, more restful sleep. You might also consider downloading sleep sound apps that play calming sounds, like white noise or ocean waves, to make falling asleep even easier.

Secondly, understanding your sleep cycle is also key to maximizing rest. Ideally, adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to fully restore the body and skin. However, sleep during flights doesn’t always align with this goal. Instead, you can plan to sleep in 90-minute intervals to complete a full sleep cycle, which is typically the length of time it takes for your body to move through different stages of sleep. This approach can leave you feeling more refreshed, even if you can’t get a full night’s sleep on the plane.

Also read: The Weirdest (and Most Essential) Things to Pack for Your Travels

By following these simple beauty hacks, you can step off the plane looking as fresh as when you boarded. From keeping your skin hydrated to making sure you’re well-rested, it’s all about preparing your skin for the challenges of travel. So next time you’re flying, take these tips with you and enjoy a smoother, more radiant complexion at any altitude!