Want to keep your complexion fresh when you fly? Social media is full of videos showcasing extravagant in-flight skincare routines, but it’s a trend that you’ll never catch former cabin crew (turned beauty editor) Emma North engaging in.
Revealing that a plane is actually the last place you should be applying a full skincare regime, these are Emma’s recommendations for what to do instead.
Before my beauty journalism career I worked in the skies as cabin crew, flying around the world to destinations including Rio, Singapore, Chicago and Cape Town, for over four years. Being in the air up to 900 hours a year, I was privy to the clandestine world of aviation.
It taught me a lot, and I don’t just mean how to stay awake for 36 hours straight during a lengthy delay or how to deploy an emergency slide after an engine fire: I mean looking after your skin. More specifically, why you should avoid a skincare routine at altitude.
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It seems many disagree. Social media is awash with viral videos of passengers applying in-flight skincare such as hyaluronic acid eye patches, LED face masks, snail mucin serums and multiple moisturisers, hoping to arrive at their destination hydrated, soothed and radiant.
Aircraft are usually pressurised to an altitude of 5,000-7,000 feet rather than sea level, and they’re pumped with air conditioning which is incredibly drying to the skin, so yes, it is important to stay hydrated (in every sense of the word).
But are elaborate routines really benefiting your skin?
As someone who’s seen both sides of the coin working in aviation and the beauty industry, I personally don’t find them necessary. If there’s one aspect of travel that all frequent flyers should be aware of however, it’s just how unhygienic aeroplanes are – and why this affects your skincare.
Tight schedules mean passenger seats are tidied but not cleaned to standards you might expect. Disinfection of tray tables, armrests, TV screens, seat pockets, seat belts and overhead lockers is nonexistent – and just think of how many people have travelled while coughing, sneezing and spluttering. Touching your face after touching these areas introduces bacteria to your skin, which can lead to blemishes.
Toilets are cleaned between destinations, but witnessing the aftermath of some people’s ablutions will put you off a mid-flight cleanse for life. The water flowing through aircraft taps isn’t like normal tap water either, it’s supplied by tanks in the bottom of the aircraft which are rarely, if ever, cleaned – hence why crew must give passengers bottled water to drink instead. This isn’t to say planes are unsafe or pose a risk of contamination, but repeatedly touching your face during a nine-step skincare routine isn’t necessary – and it’s best avoided.
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What I do recommend is washing your face and applying a rich moisturiser before boarding, and topping up moisture levels with a hydrating face mist and lip balm during the journey. This will help to prevent your skin from drying out, limit bacteria coming into contact with your skin and keep your face hydrated and soft.
Skincare steps to follow while travelling:
- Drink twice as much water as you think you need. Dehydration is the most common skin issue while flying. Bring a reusable bottle onboard and ask the crew to fill it up from their larger bottles.
- Avoid alcohol before and during your flight. It’s inflammatory and dehydrating to the skin.
- Keep sanitiser with you to ensure clean hands. HAAN Hand Sanitizer is perfect.
- Board the plane with a clean face wearing plenty of moisturiser. La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5+ is a rich, hydrating option.
- If your skin feels dry throughout the flight, try a hydrating facial mist.
- Lip balm is a must. Planes have low humidity, which can leave you feeling chapped.
- Try to get some sleep, it will help your skin regenerate and improve dark under eye circles.
Essential in-flight skincare for your carry-on
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