How To: In-Flight Travel Skincare Tips & Best Products

Writer and expert8 years ago

Our travel skincare routine will have you stepping off that plane looking paparazzi-ready! With products you can pack in hand luggage, and tips for all skin types.

If you have any favourite travel skincare tips, we'd love you to share them with us! Tag us in your pics @allbeautyHQ or leave us a comment below.

Whether it’s long or short-haul, for leisure or work, we all want to land looking fresh and relaxed. But lack of moisture in airplane cabins (due to the air conditioning) means skin literally dehydrates while you’re on the plane. If you suffer from oily skin already, this can lead to excess oil production as your skin tries to compensate. This, in turn, leads to the dreaded spots! If you already have dry skin, you may find you too begin to glow as skin tries to oil itself. Or, you'll simply have dry, tight, sore skin. Let's add in another factor to round off the fun: planes aren't known for their sleep-inducing nature. You'll most likely have naps here and there, which isn't great for a bright complexion.

Ok, so now you know why you should factor in travel skincare. But how much you do really depends on you. At the very least, try to develop a minimal 2-step approach (cleanse & moisturise), your skin will thank you for it.

Step One: Remove Your Makeup

As soon as you're settled on the plane, take off all your makeup. It won't do you any favours sitting there on the skin, so give your pores a chance to breathe and take it all off. While you're there, give the hand rests a wipe too.

If you're uncomfortable being bare-skinned, pop on an eye mask or a pair of shades. If you really must, then a light coat of mascara is ok.

This magic mitt from Jane Iredale only needs water to remove all makeup. Pour on a little from your waterbottle and get wiping.

These wipes from Salcura are fantastic cleansers for acne-prone skin, and contain natural extracts. Use 2 wipes if you're wearing makeup, one to remove and one to disinfect. There are 25 in the pack so they'll last your holiday.

This pack of 45 makeup wipes by Estée Lauder will remove makeup and cleanse the face. Perfect for all skin types and ideal for a mid-flight pick-you-up.

Step Two: Hydrate
Once your skin is clean, it's time to apply some moisture. You can apply your usual moisturiser, or you may opt for a facial oil for a lighter texture. We've picked some extra products that you may have missed, to boost the moisture at any time. Either way, moisturiser should definitely be part of your travel skincare routine.

This facial mist from Jane Iredale is safe to carry in hand luggage. Antiseptic and hydrating, it helps reduce inflammation, redness and itching. Spritz on the face as many times as you need during the flight.

This soothing moisturiser by La Roche-Posay is especially for oily skin. Non-greasy and non-sticky, it also fights areas of dryness. Dermatology-tested.

Weleda skinfood is a model and celebrity favourite. Essentially a repair cream for dry, sore skin, you can use it as a facial moisturiser or for hands, lips, feet and elbows. Containing essential oils and natural extracts, it's ideal for all skin types.

Step Three: Intense Treatments
Now that your skin is clean and hydrated, you may want to add a further treatment to keep up results. Great for long-haul flights, these treatments can be performed before you nap or any time you need a deeper boost.

This quenching mineral face mask from Vichy is a soothing leave-on mask that doesn't need to be rinsed. Intensely hydrating and containing glycerin, vitamin B3, thermal water, jasmine water, bamboo and green tea.

For the less inhibited, a face mask is the norm these days on long-haul flights. Super hydrating, simply pop one on and leave for 15 minutes (or while you nap). These regenerating masks from LANEIGE come in a pack of 5.

Jasmine Night Conditioner by The Organic Pharmacy contains a blend of super-powerful ingredients, including retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to restore the skin while you sleep. Simply spritz over the face then put on your sleep mask and snooze your way to beauty.

Of course we had to include eye masks and these bestselling pro-collagen hydra-gel patches from Elemis are ideal. Hydrated skin around the eye means you'll look refreshed and youthful!

Step Four: Spot-Tackling
If you suffer from acne, then make sure you pack a few key products to tackle any breakouts. Apply as and when needed during your flight.

La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo+ is a bestselling treatment to minimise the appearance of blemishes and pores. It also reduces shine and is non-comedogenic. If preferred, you can use it in place of moisturiser.

These Shiseido oil-blotting papers absorb excess sebum and gives the skin a matt appearance. They also contain a floral aroma that restricts production of cortisol, the stress hormone. For all skin types and ages.

Ok, we aren't suggesting you take the whole jar with you, but pack a tablespoon in a travel capsule. That way, if you have any unexpected breakouts, you can apply an instant clearing treatment. Simply wipe away with a little water or a face wipe after 5-20 mins.

Step Five: Extras
Some notable mentions you should also pack, to keep up the great work! And of course, don't forget to keep drinking water throughout your flight to keep up internal hydration.

Elizabeth Arden's famous eight hour cream can be used just about everywhere. Lips, eyes, eyebrows (keeps them in place perfectly!), skin, elbows. If you only take one thing, take a tube and slap it on all over.

Beauty flash balm by Clarins is great when you aren't wearing makeup. Instantly brightening the skin, apply it just before you get off the plane or under makeup.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat - apply under the eyes, in deep lines, around lips - in fact you're best off seeing our dedicated blog post on how to use this wonder product! Apply before you get off the plane, after beauty flash balm/makeup.

Step Six: Makeup If you're totally set on putting on your face before you get off the the plane, then choose a BB cream or mineral makeup. BB cream is easy to put on with fingers and mineral makeup is simply swirled on with a kabuki brush - no chance of embarrassing mistakes!! If you're concerned about what travel skincare you can and can't take on-board, check this handy link (UK) or check with your airline before travel.