HI-TIPS: Glow on the Go With In-Flight Skincare
As we are making our way through the first month of 2024, many of us are jetting in and out of countries for the last weeks of the holidays. Whether you’re flying long haul or local, the combination of high altitude, UV exposure, and constant air conditioning can leave your skin feeling dehydrated and irritable. But don’t worry! With some quick skincare prep, we can wave goodbye to dry, post-flight skin, and step off the plane with a glowing complexion.
Pre-Flight Preparation
Did you know that a 10 hour flight depletes almost 2 litres of water? According to studies, your skin can lose 1.5 to 2 litres of water. Because of this, it is important to start our skincare routines even before boarding! Staying hydrated at all times is essential to keeping your skin supple amidst the dry conditions of the cabin.
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Keeping hydrated is simple - drink water! 💧 To keep hydration levels up, drink plenty of liquids in the hours leading up to the flight. This means you can maintain healthy water levels even if access to water becomes inconvenient in flight.
To focus specifically on caring for the skin, pre-flight skincare will help you go that extra mile. Consider applying some extra hydration before your flight with a face mask. Opt for masks with extra moisturising components - some ingredients to look out for are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides.
I personally recommend the Pyunkang Yul Highly Moisturising Essence Mask. It contains 5 different hyaluronic acids for deep hydration, plus ceramide and panthenol which strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier to keep moisture locked in. I also love the addition of natural ingredients; centella, mugwort and tea tree to keep the mask extremely gentle. Its soothing nature makes these masks a good choice to nourish and refresh before your skin is put into a harsh new environment.
In-Flight Protection
Air at high altitudes is almost completely devoid of moisture, and these dry conditions make it all the more important that your skin is able to breathe. To do so, we recommend that make-up is avoided; heavy products combined with the recirculating cabin air is a recipe for congestion waiting to happen. Embark on your air travels with a fresh face, for comfort and clear skin!
On the other hand, it may be helpful to carry a small skincare kit. To avoid limitations for liquid volumes allowed on flights, opt for some travel-sized pick me ups! The most important item to have is a good moisturiser for improved water retention. However, for long haul travellers, also consider a gentle cleanser and toner to remove bacteria from the recirculated cabin air hitting your skin.
The Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Starter Kit is a good option to go for, and comes with face wash, toner, serum and a moisturiser. These all focus on soothing the skin after exposure to physical irritation. Using Beta-Sitosterol, this mini kit works towards restoring your pH levels and retaining moisture. This is very important once your skin is subject to the constant AC of a plane cabin.
Aside from putting in work to avoid makeup and use skincare, some small habits can make your damage control even more effective. Two good habits to have during the flight are constantly drinking water, and using a facial mist. Water intake will help you retain a good hydration level and facial misting can combat the drying effects of cabin air pulled from outside. I would recommend the Abib Heartleaf Facial Mist. Not only is the formula hydrating, heartleaf as the central ingredient makes it perfect for soothing and calming amidst environmental irritants.
Post-Landing
By staying on top of your skincare, hopefully that wasn’t so bad! After landing, it is important to rehydrate from within with ample water and food. Once you are able to, post-flight skincare should focus on cleansing impurities, then rejuvenating your deprived skin.
Consider first using an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and bacteria that may have built up due to the cabin environment, before moving on to nourishing and refreshing. I would recommend a peeling exfoliator like the Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel which can provide deeper extraction from pores. To combat puffiness, facial massage and under eye patches can help minimise the swelling from lack of circulation. With depuffing in mind, I would opt for the Heimish Matcha Biome Hydrogel Eye Patch. This eye patch also contains matcha extracts and fermented probiotic ingredients to soothe and strengthen your tired under eyes.
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With a thoughtful in-flight skincare routine, you can arrive at your destination looking refreshed and radiant. Although the conditions of the plane will still do its best to dry you out, these tips can go a long way to minimise the negative consequences of air travel. Let’s embark on our adventures with confidence and radiant skin! ✨
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