Say Goodbye to Dry Plane Skin: Expert Tips for Glowing Skin Mid-Flight

How to Hydrate Your Skin While Flying: A Comprehensive Guide to In-Flight Skincare

Flying to a new destination is always exciting—whether it’s for business or pleasure, stepping on a plane often marks the beginning of a new adventure. But for your skin, air travel is rarely as pleasant. Cabin air is notoriously dry, typically having humidity levels as low as 10–20%, compared to the comfortable 40–60% your skin is used to. That drop in humidity can quickly suck moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, tight, and stressed by the time you land.

So, what can you do to keep your skin fresh and hydrated during a flight? Below is a detailed skincare guide to help you travel without sacrificing your skin’s glow.

1. Start with Internal Hydration: Drink Water

One of the most important yet underrated ways to keep your skin hydrated while flying is also the simplest—drink plenty of water. Flying dehydrates your entire body, and your skin is the first place that dryness shows up. Aim to drink at least 2 liters of water during a long-haul flight. If you’re on a shorter flight, drink steadily and consistently—don’t wait until you feel thirsty.

Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine while flying, as these are diuretics that contribute to dehydration. Herbal teas, especially those with calming or hydrating herbs like chamomile or peppermint, can be a better alternative.

Pro Tip: Bring an empty reusable water bottle and refill it after airport security to sip on throughout the flight.

2. Facial Mists and Hydrating Sprays

Facial mists can work wonders mid-flight. These products offer an instant dose of hydration and often contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, or hyaluronic acid. A couple of spritzes every few hours can help keep your skin from feeling tight or parched.

Look for mists that are alcohol-free and rich in humectants—ingredients that draw water into the skin.

Recommended for: All skin types, especially sensitive or dry.

3. Go Light on the Makeup (Or Ditch It Entirely)

While wearing a full face of makeup might be part of your routine, it’s best to keep it minimal while flying. Heavy foundations and powders can clog pores, especially in the dry cabin air, which makes your skin work overtime to stay balanced.

If you feel more comfortable wearing makeup, opt for a lightweight BB or CC cream, or mix your usual foundation with a hydrating moisturizer for a lighter, more breathable finish. If you can go makeup-free, your skin will thank you. You’ll land feeling fresher and more comfortable.

4. Sheet Masks and Overnight Masks

For longer flights, applying a hydrating sheet mask or overnight mask can do wonders. Sheet masks are soaked in serums full of hydrating and soothing ingredients. Use one closer to the end of the flight to maximize hydration before landing. Just be prepared to get a few looks from fellow passengers—it’s a small price to pay for glowing skin.

If you’re not into sheet masks, a leave-on overnight or sleeping mask is a great alternative. These water-based creams form a seal on the skin to lock in moisture and prevent evaporation. They are less conspicuous and just as effective.

Tip: Choose masks with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, or ceramides.

5. Layer Your Skincare Before You Board

Skincare doesn’t start on the plane—it starts before you even leave the house. Prep your skin with hydrating layers that will last throughout your journey. Start with a hydrating serum (like hyaluronic acid), follow with a nourishing moisturizer, and finish with a facial oil or occlusive balm if your skin is especially dry.

Layering skincare helps trap hydration and build a protective barrier, minimizing water loss while you’re in the air.

Bonus: Bring travel-sized versions of your skincare to reapply mid-flight, especially on long-haul journeys.

6. Use Face Wipes Wisely

Face wipes can be helpful if you need to cleanse your skin mid-flight, especially if you’re removing makeup or applying a new layer of moisturizer. Choose wipes that are alcohol-free and infused with soothing ingredients like micellar water or aloe.

While convenient, don’t rely solely on wipes for long-term skincare. They’re great for freshening up but should be followed with a serum or moisturizer to restore hydration.

7. Hands Off Your Face

Airplanes are not the cleanest environments, and your hands can quickly become carriers of bacteria from tray tables, armrests, and seatbelts. Avoid touching your face unless your hands are clean. This helps reduce the risk of clogged pores and post-flight breakouts.

Use a hand sanitizer and consider carrying a small hand cream to keep your hands soft without drying them out.

8. Don’t Forget to Exfoliate—Post Flight

After you land, give your skin a chance to reset. Exfoliate gently using a face scrub or an enzyme-based exfoliant to remove any dead skin cells and airplane grime. This helps unclog pores, revives dull skin, and allows your skincare products to penetrate more effectively.

Follow exfoliation with a hydrating mask or rich moisturizer to replenish moisture and restore glow.

9. Show Your Body Some Love

Your face isn’t the only part of your skin that suffers during air travel—your body gets dry too. Once you reach your destination, take a lukewarm shower to help rehydrate your skin. Avoid hot water, which can strip your skin of natural oils.

Use a gentle body scrub to stimulate circulation and remove dead skin cells, then follow with a nourishing body lotion or oil to lock in hydration.

10. Be Mindful of Cabin Air and Temperature

While the overhead air vent helps with personal comfort, direct cold air blowing onto your face can exacerbate skin dryness. Adjust the air vent away from your face, and dress in soft, breathable layers to help regulate your temperature without relying on cabin air.

11. Smart Snacking for Skin Health

Snacks on planes tend to be salty and processed, which doesn’t help with hydration. Instead, bring your own skin-friendly snacks such as:

Cucumber slices

Watermelon cubes

Grapes

Celery sticks

Nuts with omega-3s (like walnuts or almonds)

These water-rich foods will nourish your body and skin from the inside out.

Conclusion: Land with Radiant, Hydrated Skin

Flying doesn’t have to leave your skin feeling dry, tight, or irritated. With the right hydration strategy, both internally and externally, you can step off the plane feeling refreshed and radiant. Whether it’s drinking more water, using hydrating face mists, or layering your skincare correctly, these tips will help protect your skin from the harsh effects of air travel.

So pack smart, prepare your skin, and fly with confidence—your skin will thank you.

Would you like a printable in-flight skincare checklist or packing guide for your travel bag?

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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