It is a well-known fact that flying can wreak havoc on your skin. Airplane cabins have very low humidity, cabins are dry, and the recycled air can cause extreme dryness and dehydration. This can result in increased oil production and exacerbates acne and breakouts on all kinds of skin types. It is estimated that humidity on a plane hovers below 20 percent while we are normally used to at least 30 percent humidity. And typically, our skin is comfortable when the humidity is between 40 to 70percent. You can now easily imagine how taxing flying can be on your skin.
In addition to the dryness, keep in mind that above the clouds, you're closer to the sun than any other time and airplane windows are not UV proof. UVA light penetrates right through window glass. Daytime travel can cause severe damage to your skin, especially if you're sitting in a window seat. That is because UV rays are much stronger when you're cruising ata higher altitude. And the combination of altitude and cabin pressure can also significantly reduce blood flow and result in a very dull complexion and puffy eyes. The higher the altitude, the lowery our blood flow will be.
But worry not! You are not doomed to have dull and dry skin every time you travel. Every problem has it’s solution, and below, you will find a simple and straightforward action plan to protect your skin before, during and after your flight.
Before:
It's important to prepare your skin before traveling by air. The day before your flight, take
extra care of your skin and give it all the hydration it needs. Drink plenty of water and apply a rich moisturizer on your cleansed skin.
To avoid any discomfort during your flight, pack your carry
-on bag with highly nourishing skincare products. For a trouble-freeflight, remember to pick travel-size products. Carry-on baggage allowance can vary according to the airline and there are limits on cosmetics, powders, liquids, aerosols, and gels that you can bring with you in the plane.
Ultimately, you should bring some vaseline, or aquaphor for your skin and lips,
a Tinted sunscreen with SPF 50 Vitamin C serum, Eye cream or gel to reduce puffiness, Makeup remover wipes and Hand cream.
During and after:
Thoroughly clean your skin and
apply a rich moisturizer. You can lock-in the moisturizer by applying abit of vaseline. This will give your skin extra-protection, especially for the driest parts of your skin. This will act as a barrier from potential irritants too. You might want to consider skipping makeup while you fly, as to not clog your pores. Make sure to drink plenty of water and while in the air, avoid alcohol and coffee at all costs. To avoid dullness, you should apply a Vitamin C serum. Vitamin C serum is not only hydrating but it also brightens with anti-aging properties. Apply a tinted sunscreen with SPF 50 to protect your skin from sun damage. You should also apply enough eye-cream or gel to reduce puffiness and a generous coating of lip balm to protect the lips from chapping. Hand cream and facial cleansing wipes are also a must have to moisturize, clean and refresh your skin.
