At last, summer’s here and if we’re very lucky we might be getting a well-deserved break involving air travel. But why is flying so hard on the skin? We often seem to get off the plane looking a bit worn out and the longer the flight, the worse it can be.
One of the reasons it that the air circulating on planes is really quite dry – the humidity can be lower than 20% when the average in our homes should be between 50% – 55%.
As well as causing the odd blocked nose and a bit of coughing and sneezing, the dry air can also make skin feel dehydrated, tight and itchy, and it’s even been linked to triggering outbreaks of acne.
Add to that the effects of a pressurised cabin and it’s no wonder that skin can look a bit worse for wear.
But there are steps you can take before and during the flight to minimise the effects on your skin and give you the best chance of stepping off the plane feeling holiday ready.
So here are our top tips for looking after your skin when travelling by air:
- Before you even board the plane, make sure that you’re hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Once aboard, avoid caffeine and alcohol and stay hydrated by continuing to drink water.
- Avoid applying make-up to reduce the risk of blocked pores which can lead to spots.
- If you’re completing a skin care routine before you board, try and include a moisturising serum containing hyaluronic acid to provide instant hydration and help retain moisture.
- Remember your facial sunscreen, especially if you have a window seat.
- Consider reapplying moisturiser during the flight.
- Once you’ve landed, go through your skin routine again as soon as you can – cleanse, tone, and moisturise – and then add another application of serum.
- If you don’t have the opportunity to go through the whole routine, just try to reapply your moisturiser.
Hopefully, these tips will help you hit the beach or the pool with glowing skin and ready for a great holiday.