01 Aug How to Combat Aeroplane Skin
Going on a plane is exciting! It takes you to new destinations and it’s the start of your adventure. But for your skin, those long hours cruising at altitude can be a bit of a nightmare. The dry cabin environment and recycled air can leave you feeling dehydrated and looking dull, not what you want when you are about to enjoy your holiday!
I want my Martini dry, not my face!
Aeroplane cabins are notorious for having humidity levels that dip to around 20%, far below what our skin is used to. This dryness sucks the moisture out of your skin, leading to a variety of concerns:
- Dryness and Tightness: This is the most common problem. You might feel your skin feeling like it can’t stretch or move comfortably, alongside visible fine dehydration lines.
- Dullness: Dehydrated skin reflects light poorly, leaving you with a lacklustre appearance. Also your blood circulation decreases at high altitude, and the secret to glowing skin is good circulation.
- Puffiness: Changes in cabin pressure can cause fluid retention, leading to puffiness, especially around the eyes.
- Breakouts: Dryness can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, making it more susceptible to oil production which causes irritation and breakouts.
SPF on a plane, surely not.
You might be surprised that wearing SPF on a flight is an important part of your in-flight skincare routine. Believe it or not, aeroplane windows don’t block out all UV rays. At cruising altitude, the atmosphere is thinner, allowing more intense UV rays to reach your skin. This is especially true if you’re sitting in a window seat. SPF provides some extra defence against this.
Help, save my skin!
Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce the drying effects of air travel. Here’s your pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight skincare routine:
- Pre-Flight Prep: The key is hydration! Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your flight. Exfoliate the night before, this eliminates dead skin cells so your skin is able to absorb moisture without a barrier. Avoid wearing makeup (if you can) and apply a rich SPF 30+ moisturiser alongside an Hyaluronic Acid serum (it can hold 10,000 times its weight in moisture) to ensure your skin is at optimum hydration!
- In-Flight Oasis: Pack a travel-sized moisturiser that you can reapply every couple of hours especially on a long haul flight. If you are feeling like a little onboard pamper, why not take a hydrating face mask with you that you can leave on whilst you catch up on some well needed rest during your flight.
- Post-Flight Pick-Me-Up: Wash away any residue from the flight with a gentle cleanser or micellar water. Re-apply a Hyaluronic acid serum followed by a soothing moisturiser containing SPF 30+ to give your skin the drink of water it deserves alongside the protection it needs!
So next time you pack for your trip, don’t forget to toss in a travel-sized sunscreen! It’s a small step that can make a big difference for your skin’s health and help you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and radiant.