Skincare for Frequent Flyers: Staying Comfortable on Every Flight

If you fly often for work or to visit family, you may have noticed your skin feels dry or tight after a flight. Cabin air is dry, flights often start very early or end late, and airport food and long waits do not help. A small kit and a few habits make flying much easier on your skin.

What flying does to skin

  • Dry cabin air can leave skin and lips feeling tight.
  • Early starts and late arrivals mean less sleep.
  • Sitting still for long periods.
  • Sun through the window on daytime flights.
  • Irregular meals and less water than usual.

Pack a small cabin kit

  • A travel-size moisturiser.
  • Lip balm.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Face wipes or a small face wash for long journeys.
  • A refillable water bottle, empty through security.
  • Hand cream.

Keep liquids within your airline's cabin limits and pack them in a clear bag.

Before the flight

  1. Cleanse and moisturise at home.
  2. Apply sunscreen, especially for daytime flights if you want the window seat.
  3. Skip heavy makeup on long flights.
  4. Eat a light meal and drink water.

During the flight

  • Sip water regularly. Ask the crew for refills.
  • Go easy on tea, coffee and alcohol.
  • Reapply moisturiser and lip balm on longer flights.
  • Keep hands off your face and use clean hands if you touch it.
  • Close the window shade or reapply sunscreen if you are in direct sun.
  • Get up and walk when it is safe, and stretch your legs.

After landing

  1. Wash your face as soon as you can.
  2. Moisturise well.
  3. Drink water and eat a proper meal.
  4. Get some daylight if you have changed time zones.
  5. Sleep at a normal local bedtime if possible.

Arriving after a red-eye? Read skincare after late nights.

Habits for people who fly every week

  • Keep a ready-packed kit so you never forget it.
  • Stick to your normal routine at hotels rather than trying new products.
  • Use hotel AC sensibly. See skincare for AC rooms.
  • Protect your sleep on the days you are home.

Common mistakes

  • Not drinking water to avoid the toilet.
  • Sleeping in full makeup on a night flight.
  • Testing new products on a work trip.
  • Forgetting sunscreen at the destination.

For longer holidays, see our travel skincare routine, and for mountain trips, skincare for a hill station trip.

A routine that travels with you

The Theraglam Glow Scan turns 3 photos and a short quiz into a personal skin routine with helpful ingredients, a diet and water plan, exercises with pictures, face massage moves and a daily to-do list. The report is a PDF sent by email, so it is on your phone wherever you are.

Quick questions

Should I use a sheet mask on the plane? It is not necessary. A good moisturiser does the job.

Do I need sunscreen on a plane? On daytime flights by the window, it is a good idea.

Start my Glow Scan: 3 photos and a short quiz become your personal skin, diet and face massage plan, sent by email within about 2 hours. Rs 599, one time.

Glow Scan and this article give skincare and lifestyle guidance, not medical advice. For a skin or health condition, please see a doctor or dermatologist.

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