Jetting off on holiday? While you may be dreaming of sun-soaked beaches or bustling city streets, your skin might not share the same enthusiasm…
Air travel can wreak havoc on your complexion, leaving it dehydrated, irritated, and stressed before your holiday even begins. But don’t worry, the skin-savvy brand founder of Ultra Violette SPF and a well travelled blogger have shared steps you can take to protect your skin at each stage of your journey to ensure you arrive looking and feeling fresh.
The cabin environment on aeroplanes is notoriously harsh on the skin. With humidity levels as low as 10% to 20%, compared to a comfortable 40% to 60% on the ground, your skin is left desperately lacking moisture. This can result in dryness, sensitivity, and an overall dull appearance of the skin. Recycled air found on planes can contribute to increased oil production, breakouts, and even flare-ups of conditions like eczema or rosacea.
Ava Matthews, co-founder of Ultra Violette
Ava Matthews, co-founder of UltraViolette.co.uk, details her top tips for looking after your skin when flying: “I fly regularly for work and so I am a pro here! After a long-haul flight, keeping your skin hydrated is key. A hydrating mask during the flight and a refreshing face mist can help prevent that tight, dry feeling. Once you land, reapplying SPF is essential, especially one with added skincare benefits such as added antioxidants, amino acids, and hydrators to restore and protect your skin barrier.
“Our Supreme Screen SPF 50 is a great choice for after a long flight as it doubles as a moisturiser and a primer and also contains pentavitin, a super hydrator that keeps skin moisturised for up to 72 hours. Another great option is our Queen Screen SPF 50 serum, this product is also packed with nourishing skincare ingredients, but has a lighter more serum-like consistency giving the skin a nice glowy finish.”
Zara Lim, frequent flyer and blogger at wanderinwonder.co, says: “One of the biggest mistakes I see is passengers wearing a full face of makeup on a long flight. The dry cabin air dehydrates the skin and causes makeup to look cakey. If you really want to wear makeup, opt for brows, eyeliner, mascara, and a tinted SPF for a fresher look without compromising hydration.”
So, what can you do to ensure your skin stays hydrated, healthy, and holiday-ready? Ava Matthews and Zara Lim have provided their top tips for a skincare routine while on a plane:
Reapply SPF at the correct time
While you don’t need to wear sunscreen mid-flight, Ava Matthews recommends applying it before and after flying. Matthews says: “Sunscreen is a product that should be applied every single day, 365 days a year. At Ultra Violette we always say to make it daily a habit like brushing your teeth. So, if you’re travelling on a plane during the day, you should technically be applying sunscreen first thing in the morning anyway, this will protect you from any potential sun exposure on the way to the airport.
“Despite what you might read on the internet, there is no credible evidence to suggest that you need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin during a flight. While the UV levels are technically much higher at flight level, the windows in aeroplanes do block the majority of it out.”
Keep your skin hydrated throughout the flight
Dehydration is the biggest skin concern during flights. Ava Matthews advises using a hydrating face mask and mist to maintain moisture levels. She says: “A face mist can help prevent tightness and refresh the skin mid-flight. As aeroplanes can be very drying for the skin, I also would advise using an SPF that is formulated with added skincare benefits, such as; antioxidants, amino acids, anti-inflammatories and hydrators to ensure the skin barrier is nice and healthy like Niacinimide, Vitamin E and C.”
Avoid heavy make-up
Wearing a full face of makeup during a flight can lead to dryness and cakiness. “Makeup plus the dry air in the cabin will really suck the moisture out of your skin,” says Zara Lim. Instead, she recommends light eye makeup such as brows, eyeliner, and mascara, combined with a tinted SPF or lip balm for a fresh, natural look.
Stick to a simple skincare routine
Long-haul flights are not the time for a 10-step skincare routine. Zara Lim advises keeping it minimal: “If you’ve had a full day before a night flight, wash your face before boarding to remove dirt. Then, stick to a maximum of two products, moisturiser and serum if needed. Save vitamin C, retinols, and anti-ageing treatments for another time.”
Freshen up before landing
If you’re heading straight to an event or meeting after landing, quick touch-ups can make all the difference. Lim suggests, “Freshen up and put on makeup just before landing, within an hour to go. Brush your teeth, blot excess oil if you have combination skin, or apply a hydrating SPF for dry skin.”
Post-flight recovery
Once you’ve landed, it’s important to reset your skin. Ava Matthews recommends using skincare to freshen up your face, she says: “In addition to using an SPF with added benefits, a tinted SPF is a great option to provide a natural and even looking coverage, so that you can look and feel fresh without having to apply any makeup. I like layering it over suncream for an instant lift. Additionally, using a small amount of blush always helps to pick up a tired face.”