8 Step In-Flight Skincare Routine

It's no surprise that flights can really wreak havoc on your skin, especially long haul ones. The air in the cabin means moisture in your skin evaporates a lot faster than normal, and when you add all that salty food onboard, your skin's going to look flat and tired when you reach your destination. A study in the Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology showed that air humidity in a plane cabin can be anywhere from 5 to 20 per cent, compared to the 50 per cent humidity thats generally considered normal and comfortable.

So we at Cel have a routine that you can follow as soon as you step on the plane to save your skin, and you can cut it down to the basics if you're on a short flight, too. 

Tips

Decant Your Products

It's easy to decant your products into 100ml bottles, so you can safely take any of your own products on board without having them taken off you at security. Bring wet wipes to wash your hands as well, because there's no use doing a skincare routine with dirty hands. 

Adjust Your Skincare to Where You're Going 

It's important to pack the correct skincare products when you're heading somewhere with a different climate. For colder climates use an oil cleanser and a nourishing antioxidant serum. For warmer and more humid climates use a gel cleanser with a light weight gel or serum under you SPF moisturizer. No matter what the climate, SPF is always a must.

1. Remove Makeup

First things first, remove your makeup as soon as you get on the plane, and it’s easily done with just a cotton pad and micellar water so you don’t even have to get out of your seat. Makeup wipes are never the best choice, as they’re not good for your skin and won’t completely remove your makeup in the same way a cleanser would.

2. Mist for Moisture

Spritzing your face with a hydrating mist is important as it maintains the hydration you'll lose throughout the duration of the flight (you can keep spritzing throughout the flight, too) and it prepares your skin for the serums and moisturizers you’re about to apply.

3. Apply Serum

Get an antioxidant serum to protect your skin from free radicals. There’s very little oxygen in cabin air, so it’s important to protect your skin as much as you can.

As you may or may not know, your neck suffers from the same amount of external stressors, yet it's usually ignored when it come to your skincare routine! Because of the delicate skin and the lack of muscle close to the dermal layers, your neck actually ages quicker than your face, meaning it needs its own cream. So, when it comes to your skincare routine, on board or on the ground, don't leave out your neck! 

4. Nourish with Oil

Apply a nourishing and moisturizing oil to really keep your skin soft and supple during the flight. Apply it around your eyes, on your lips and even your cuticles.

 5. Apply a Mask

Now sit back with a face mask and relax. This will make sure you keep your skin hydrated throughout, accelerating cell regeneration and retaining moisture.

6. Rich Cream or Balm Before Sleeping

If you’re on a long haul flight over night and need to sleep then a rich and heavily moisturizing balm or cream is important to apply before you nod off.

7. Drink Herbal Tea and Still Water

Avoid alcohol or coffee and drink herbal tea and still water throughout the flight. All the salty food on the flight will encourage water retention and puffiness, so you want to avoid that, too.

8. Get Some Sleep

And it’s also important to sleep! It will help maintain a great complexion. Pack your ear plugs, eye mask (silk ones are the best for your skin) and snooze away.

The Bottom Line 

Long haul flights can really damage your skin, so it's important to at least remove your makeup and hydrate your skin throughout. It's also important to really keep your skin hydrated before you get on the plane, lather yourself with body lotion and moisturizer and try and wear as little make up you feel comfortable in and you'll come out the other end glowing.