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 Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected