As if having to sleep in a space the size of a mailbox isn’t bad enough, the effects of flying can also take drastic toll on our skin. Cabin air pressure and very low humidity can suck thelife out of the dermis, which is why we end up looking a lot less fresh on landing compared to take off.
However, thankfully there is something we can do about it. Since you are seat-bound, we suggest using the airtime as facial time too (you can still crack on with that presentationor watch a film as you go). Here are some of our in-flight facial favourites, plus some top skincare experts offer their advice to ensure you are glowing on touch-down.
1. Cabin Clean-Up
After a potential early start/a tube ride/traffic jam/delay in the departure lounge (there’s always something right?), nothing is quite as refreshing as giving your skin a thorough cleanse. We never recommend washing your face with rest room water (you never know how long it’s been sitting in a tank, potentially years?) but we would highly recommend youremove makeup and grime with The Clever Cleansing Balm from 35 Thousand.
Created for people on the go, each product contains a unique complex - The OTG-7 - whichdefends skin from every in-flight environmental assault, whether that’s radiation exposure, dehydration or microbiome disruption. Each product is full-size but travel ready, multitasks and is packagedin lightweight, travel-friendly packaging. This deeply hydrating balm will remove all makeup,whilst deeply nourishing the skin. Just massage in, remove with a soft cloth or tissueor spritz with their Refresh & revive Mist which can also be used as a skin rinse.Just spritz and wipe away.
2. Sky High Skin
If you are really serious about landing with a mega-watt glow then you may want to thinkabout exfoliating your skin, which will not only leave it silky smooth but will slough awaydead skin cells so products can penetrate better. A grainy exfoliator in an aeroplane seat is a no-go, so we would recommend travelling with a liquid exfoliator instead. The Zenii Salicylic Exfoliatorcontains 2% salicylic acid which can help to shed unhealthy skin cell build up, is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. In a 100 ml bottle, it’s safe to throw in yourhand luggage too. Just apply to cotton wool and sweep over skin, avoiding the eye area.
3. Mid-Air Masks
Humidity in the air cabin can be roughly a third of what it is on the ground, so it’s nosurprise that flying can leave your skin looking positively parched. All skin types would benefit froma deep hydrating face mask such as the Sublime Revealing Mask from Evenswisswhich not only strengthens the skin’s barrier but is rich in Olus oil to lock in moisture and keep it there. Just apply to skin, put your seat back and relax.
4. Mile High Hydration
Whatever products you pack, look out for ones that contain Hyaluronic Acid which holdsup to 1000 times its weight in water. Teresa Tarmey is one of London’s most sought-after facialists andregularly perfects the pores of a wealth of celebrity clients from Kate Moss to Sienna Miller. She is a big fan of using Hyaluronic Acid to counteract the effects of flying. To double up on in-flight hydration levels, we would recommend using a AHA heavy serums under a moisturiser, such as the Super Hydrating Elixirrom 47 Skin. We would then suggest a nourishing moisturiser on top. Try the Hydrator-In-Chief from Pietro Simone which will maximise hydration levels whilst maintaining the skin's natural barrier or 35 Thousand's Really Radiant Cream, which can also be used to hydrate the delicate eye area.
5. The Plane De-Puff
Whether you are a fan of facial oils or not, now might be the time to use one to really reap the benefits.Anastasia Achilleos is one of the world’s most in-demand facialists, who constantly travels toplump celebrity’s skin from film sets to fashion shows. She says that facial oils should benon-negotiable during a flight. “We puff up, get sluggish circulation, and then there’s the dryness,”she says, “I apply face oils a lot (almost every hour) and I massage the circle around the eyesupwards and downwards with firm pressure, and massage my cheeks from the nose outwards towardthe ears. I also spend time massaging my own shoulders.” Did you know that spot or acne-prone skin canuse facial oils too? We recommend the Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum from Province Apothecary whichis a blend of Rosehip, Seabuckthorn and is rich in antioxidants.
6. Airborne Aromatherapy
For Anastasia, it’s extremely important that skincare products treat her senses as well as her skin“I need to hit the ground running straight into work and usually there’s a time difference, so for meit’s all about wellness before I can take care of others” she says.Anastasia therefore says she will use aromatherapy products and aroma rollers wherever she can weave them into her flight. “ One product we find particularly calming for a flight is theDream Eye Pillow and Pillow Drops from Kiss The Moon. It’s particularly handy if you are sensitiveto essential oils since they don’t need to touch the skin. Just add a few drops of the Chamomile,Cedarwood, Lavender and Bergamot infused oil onto the weighted eye mask to help you drift off.
7. Balmy Flights
Teresa Tarmey says she is never without a lip balm because she says, ”My lips get dry but alsomy nostrils do! I know it’s quite gross to share but I put a tiny bit up my nose to stop the feelingof dryness.” For lips we’re a fan of the Mineral Ally Hydra Lip Masque from Toujours Soleil, SPF 15, whilst the multitasking Clever Cleansing Balm from 35 Thousand can also be used to nourishparched areas such as cuticles, elbows, brows (or even nostrils!)
And finally...
Finish your facial with hydration infused skin perfectors. One of our favourites is the All-In Day Serumfrom 35 Thousand which hydrates and perfects the skin, leaving it naturally plumped and flawless, whilst the Tulip Tint Lip and Cheek Balm from Bloomeffects, comes in 3 shades and brings ahealthy flush to the most fatigued complexion. Lasty, drink as much water as you can throughout the flight, and avoid excessive alcohol. Remember the state of your skin is as much about what you consume as what you put on it.
Read more about our travel-friendly products here.
