If you make frequent trips for work or just enjoy globe-trotting vacations, chances are good that you spend a lot of time on an air plane. Racking up frequent flyer miles definitely has its benefits, but it can also wreak havoc on your skin. The higher altitudes and recycled air inside the plane’s cabin can leech precious moisture from your skin, so by the time you reach your destination, you’re stuck with a dehydrated, flaky complexion. But you can keep your skin in good shape no matter how often you fly the friendly skies if you just practice a few good habits and take the right products with you.
Start by making sure to drink plenty of water. Hydrating yourself from the inside out helps to keep your skin supple and glowing. Avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and soda while traveling too, since they can have a dehydrating effect on your skin. It’s also a good to get out of your seat and stretch every so often, especially on long flights. Exercise increases blood flow through your body, which improves circulation to keep your skin looking healthy.
Still, it’s important to pamper your skin with the right products too. Before your flight, wash with a cleanser that won’t strip moisture from your skin. GloTherapuetics’ Conditioning Milk Cleanser contains skin soothing ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, rose hip seed oil, grape seed extract, and hyaluronic acid that keep the skin conditioned and hydrated. While your skin is still damp from washing, apply a moisturizer. Dermalogica Active Moist works well for most skin types because it’s oil-free but still fights surface dehydration. Throw a travel-size tube in your carry-on bag, so you can reapply if your skin starts to feel dry in the air.
If you have dry to skin to begin with, you may want to supplement your moisturizer with an intensive serum for a little extra hydration. With hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and algae extract, Dermalogica’s Skin Hydrating Booster works to restore your skin’s moisture balance and improve its suppleness. Apply it before your moisturizer when you’re about to catch a flight.
It’s not uncommon to lose some sleep when you’re traveling, so you may find yourself up in the air with tired, puffy eyes. A targeted eye product that helps reduce puffiness is a carry-on bag must. Try GloTherapeutics Eye Fix Revitalizing Treatment, which contains pure essential oils and soothing botanical ingredients that help reduce puffiness and lighten dark circles. It also has a convenient rollerball applicator that makes applying the treatment – even at 35,000 feet– very easy.
In the cold, dry air of the plane cabint, your lips can dry out quickly so you want to take a lip balm or treatment with you in your carry-on too. Bioelements Instant Emollient is ideal for air travel because it contains Bulgarian rose oil, chamomile aromatherapy oils, and Vitamin E to relive dryness, fight moisture loss and prevent chapping. It’s so emollient that you can even smooth a little under your eyes if they’re feeling dry.
It’s also a good idea to throw a face mask in your suitcase, so you can pamper your skin when you reach your destination. Deramologica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque is an ideal post plane travel pick-me-up because it has Vitamins A, C, and E to repair skin damage, as well as botanicals to calm and sooth stressed skin. Apply a thick layer of the mask to damp skin and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. You can follow up with your favorite moisturizer to lock in moisture and keep your skin healthy and glowing if you have to catch a red-eye.