Do you love traveling to exciting faraway places but hate how you have dry skin after flying? While traveling can be fun and exciting, flying comes with its own unique set of challenges - one being the impact of low humidity on your skin. Flying can be a stressful experience and it can take its toll on your skin.
Dehydration, dry air, and air pressure can all contribute to a dull complexion. Fortunately, there are some clever ways to keep skin hydrated during air travel that can help counteract the drying effect. With the right preparation and skincare for plane travel routine, you can prevent your skin drying out while on a plane.
Why Does Your Skin Get Dry While On a Plane?
Being inside an airplane takes a toll on your skin. Surprisingly, there are many elements that work against your skin, leaving it dry and dull, hence the phrase “airplane skin.”
Low Humidity
The humidity level inside an enclosed airplane averages 20% which is significantly less than normal humidity levels of 30% - 60%. Depending on how full the flight is and other factors, the humidity level can drop even lower.
This means the high altitude and low relative humidity act like a giant sauna, sucking the moisture right out of your skin. The longer your flight is, the drier your skin becomes.
Dehydration
It can be tempting to avoid drinking any amount of liquid, especially on long flights, to avoid using the restroom. But that strategy can have a downside: dehydration!
The low humidity level is already depleting moisture on your skin. When you don’t replenish this moisture loss, your skin dries up even further leaving you with parched, itchy skin drying out when you step off the plane.
Lack of Sleep
Catching an early flight or the last flight of the day? Either way, chances are, your sleep cycle will be disrupted. And while you can sleep on the plane, it still may not be enough.
That’s because your body relies on you to sleep long enough for it to repair itself. When you’re running on minimal sleep, your skin is unable to repair itself leaving you with dull-looking skin.
And not to mention the time zone difference depending on where you’re traveling to. It may take a few days for your body’s biological clock to catch up to your new sleep pattern.
UV Exposure
While most opt for the window seat to catch some extra shut eye, doing so may expose you to higher levels of harmful UV rays. When you’re 30,000 feet above the ground, you’re closer to the sun where UV rays are stronger.
Furthermore, even if you close your own window, UV rays can still pass through windows elsewhere on the plane. The extra UV rays can cause havoc on your skin resulting in damaging skin barrier and dry skin.
How to Prep Your Skin Before Flying
The good news is, you can prep ahead of time to prevent your skin drying out before you even step foot onto the plane.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your flight to keep your skin hydrated. You’re less likely to be dehydrated on the plane, even if you sleep through without another oz of water.
- Apply extra moisturizer. Now is the time to amp up your skincare for plane travel routine. To prevent a dehydrated face, start by using a hydrating serum formulated with hyaluronic acid like our Pep Rally Face Serum. Followed up with a lightweight moisturizer formulated with SPF to seal in moisture and protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
- Minimize your makeup routine. Opt for minimal to no makeup before your flight to allow your skin to breathe. Doing so also allows you to touch up your face with hydrating face mists and extra moisturizer throughout the flight, as needed.
How to Prevent Dry Skin While Flying
By the time you reach the plane, your skin should be well moisturized following the tips above. But, that doesn’t mean your self-care regimen is over. There are still additional steps you can take to prevent your skin from drying out before the flight is over.
- Drink up. Don’t forget to fill up your water bottle in the airport. Even when you don’t feel thirsty, drink up. You’ll be amazed at how thirsty your body is on the plane. And while you’re at it, skip drinks filled with sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. These beverages will only dehydrate your body further.
- Refresh your skin. On short flights less than a hour, your skin may be fine. But take time to refresh your skin on longer flights. Bring a small travel size bag filled with a natural face moisturizer, such as our Daydreamer Restorative Moisturizer, to prevent your skin from drying out.
- Reapply sunscreen. Chances are it’s been more than 2 hours since you’ve last applied your sunscreen. The sun's UV rays are much stronger at higher altitudes which means that your skin needs extra protection while flying. Make sure to opt for a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to get adequate protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Even better, use a hydrating moisturizer formulated with SPF like our Chase The Sun SPF 30 Face Moisturizer for a quick and easy 2-in-1 application.
- Get some sleep. On long flights, it's essential you get some sleep. Though you may not be able to go into a deep slumber, some sleep is still better than no sleep. Any amount of sleep you get will help your skin repair itself including preventing bags from developing under your eyes - the tell-tale signs of sleep deprivation.
- Put a mask on. A skin mask that is - one of the best quick fix for a dehydrated face. Before closing your eyes for some Zs, put on our No Plans Desert Rose Face Mask for ultra-hydration. As you rest, your skin will stay moisturized and enjoy a range of anti-aging benefits.
The Bottom Line
By following these simple practical tips, you can help protect your skin’s natural barrier against outside forces while flying. The goal is to keep your skin healthy and hydrated no matter where you go!
To ensure maximum comfort during flights—and beyond—it's important not only to maintain hydration but also use products specifically designed for protecting and restoring moisture balance in the skin. With these helpful tips in mind – happy travels!