De Mamiel
Altitude Oil, £35
A brilliant aromatherapy oil to keep with you in-flight to break through the stale air con, help zap your jet lag, nausea and calm any frayed nerves. The cocktail of essential oils has also been chosen for their antiviral and antibacterial properties – from lavender to eucalyptus and pine. Simply dab on a handkerchief or directly under your nose, close your eyes and breathe. Buy it here.
Oskia
Safe Hands, £6.40
Blended by an award-winning skincare brand, you’d expect Oskia’s hand sanitiser to respect the skin’s barrier, whilst effectively removing bacteria. With a mix of alcohol and antibacterial essential oil to nix germs, there’s moisturising glycerin too, to keep hands soft and supple. The perfect pre-step before your in-flight facial. Buy it here.
Summer Fridays
Jet Lag Mask, from £26
If your skin is feeling depleted after a long flight, treat it to a layer of Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask on arrival for an instant reboot. With a nourishing combination of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, allantoin and panthenol, skin is renewed, soothed and replumped – ready for your holiday to begin. Buy it here.
Space NK
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Glow Water, £21
A great option for in-flight spritzing, not only will this ultra-fine mist keep skin hydrated, it also has a cooling effect and is packed with vitamins C, E and B5 to help protect skin from environment aggressors. Spritz liberally every few hours and before any facial oils to help boost their effect. Buy it here.
Lanolips
The Original 101 Ointment, £10.99
If you’re travelling light, this brilliant multi-purpose balm can be used to hydrate lips, cuticles, dry areas, tame brows… the list is endless. With the ability to hold up to 200x its weight in moisture, it’s your perfect ally in cabin conditions and beyond. Buy it here.
The Ordinary
Rosehip Seed Oil, £9.70
Like a protective shield, The Ordinary’s Rosehip Seed Oil is packed with antioxidants and fatty acids to support and protect the skin’s barrier; keeping moisture loss to a minimum and skin feeling soft and nourished. A comfort blanket in a bottle. Buy it here.
Laura Mercier
Natural Skin Perfect SPF30, £37
A slick of Laura Mercier’s Natural Skin Perfector is all you need before touchdown; with SPF30 and skin-smoothing pigments it’s a sheer coverage with just enough hydrating skin tint to perk up your tired complexion – without clogging pores. Buy it here.
5 Tips For Caring For Your Skin In-Flight
To avoid puffing and bloating in your face and also in your digestion, feet and hands, stay hydrated. Do avoid alcohol and try and keep active during the flight with regular laps around the cabin.
Post-flight dehydration can leave your skin with fine lines and a dull complexion. Try and aim for a large glass of water (500ml) for every hour of your flight to help keep skin plumped from the inside out. The additional toilet breaks will help keep you active too!
Aeroplanes are hot-beds for germs. Whilst you may want to give yourself an in-flight facial, make sure you start with meticulously clean hands and once you’re done, avoid touching your face as much as possible. If your flight still requires you to wear a mask, do make sure it is scrupulously clean and protect skin underneath with a non-comedogenic barrier cream to prevent breakouts.
If you can, keep your make-up off until just before landing. Having a clean canvas to work with will allow you to top-up your skincare during the flight without worrying about disturbing your make-up. Don’t forget to re-apply your SPF before landing if you’re heading someone sunny and opt for lightweight, sheer textures for your base with added hydrating properties to boost your skin’s radiance (see Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturiser, which ticks all the boxes).
Layer up your skincare in lightweight, hydrating layers to lock-in moisture without clogging pores. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid that are going to do the heavy-lifting and really keep your skin’s hydration levels topped up.
By Lydia Mansi
Updated June 2023
