How to Do Skincare on a Plane

Layer hydrating products before takeoff, mist during flight, and seal everything with a rich moisturizer upon landing.

Everyone focuses on what to put on their face, but the real game is what not to do—don't cleanse unless you absolutely must, and never underestimate how dry you'll actually get.

1. Pre-flight prep. Skip retinol and acids the night before flying. Apply a hydrating serum and rich moisturizer before boarding. The cabin pressure will strip your skin dry, so start overhydrated.
2. Mid-flight maintenance. Mist your face every two hours with thermal water or a hydrating spray. Pat gently with clean hands rather than rubbing. Your skin loses moisture faster at altitude than you think.
3. Landing recovery. Apply a thick moisturizer or face oil in the bathroom before deplaning. This locks in whatever hydration you managed to maintain and prevents that tight, dehydrated feeling upon arrival.