How to Keep Your Skin Intact During Long Flights

Combat cabin air with targeted hydration and minimal products that actually work.

1. Strip down before takeoff. Remove makeup completely and apply a gentle cleanser if your skin feels grimy. Cabin air will amplify any irritation from leftover products. Start with clean skin that can actually absorb what you give it.
2. Lock in moisture immediately. Apply a heavier moisturizer than usual while your skin is still slightly damp from cleansing. The cabin humidity drops to desert levels within an hour of takeoff. Your regular day cream won't cut it.
3. Shield your eyes and lips. Pat eye cream around the entire orbital area and apply lip balm with SPF. These areas have the thinnest skin and dehydrate fastest. Reapply every few hours or whenever you feel tightness.
4. Hydrate from inside. Drink water consistently throughout the flight, not just when you feel thirsty. Aim for 8 ounces per hour of flight time. Skip alcohol and excessive caffeine which accelerate dehydration.
5. Refresh before landing. Use a hydrating mist or damp cloth to refresh your face, then reapply moisturizer. This preps your skin for the climate change and prevents that tight, drawn feeling upon arrival.