The holiday season! A time of joyful reunions, festive celebrations, and yes, super crowded, chaotic airports. As thousands of us take to the friendly skies to meet up with our loved ones, our skin faces less than friendly challenges along the way. That pressurized cabin environment, recycled air, and hours of sitting can leave even the most radiant complexion looking tired, sallow, and dehydrated. Not a great look when jumping into waiting arms at the Arrivals gate!
The science behind in-flight skin struggles is clear: according to aesthetic nurse practitioner Jackie Spagnuolo, "The low humidity in airplane cabins can dehydrate your skin, leading to dryness, irritation, and dullness."
Skincare expert Joanna Czech, who counts numerous celebrities among her clients, emphasizes the importance of addressing flight-related skin issues, noting that "you lose up to 30% of the skin's moisture after a four-hour flight."
Add to that the increased UV radiation at high altitudes, and we’ve got a recipe for serious complexion challenges. But fret not because help is on the way! With the right preparation and products, stepping off the plane looking refreshed and radiant is as easy as pumpkin pie.
Five essential tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing during holiday travel:
1. Embrace the Sheet Mask Movement
Gone are the days when wearing a sheet mask on a plane raised eyebrows. As Vogue beauty expert Kiana Murden puts it, in-flight skincare has become "as essential as remaining seated while the seat belt light is on." Our Vitamin E and Avocado Masks are perfect for mid-flight hydration, being both portable and powerfully moisturizing.
The Vitamin E Mask, infused with organic therapeutic serum, helps protect your skin from free radical damage while delivering deep hydration. Meanwhile, our Avocado Mask leverages natural plant-based lipids and phytonutrients to keep your complexion soft and supple throughout your long-haul journey.
2. Combat Travel-Related Puffiness
Bloating during flights isn't just about that complementary salty pretzel mix. It's actually caused by cabin pressure changes affecting your body's gas expansion. Our natural Beechwood Gua Sha Massage Tool and Jade Facial Smoothing Tool are perfect for post-flight depuffing, especially if you're heading straight to a holiday gathering.
>> Easy Gua Sha Routine (Real Simple)
Michaella Bolder, a renowned facialist, suggests whipping out your gua sha mid-flight. “I recommend taking a gua sha on the plane. Use it to encourage blood flow and lymphatic movement in your face during the flight…It just helps keep your complexion stimulated and smooth. Glide it over the top of a sheet mask for extra hydrating benefits.”
3. Pack Multi-Purpose Moisturizers
Smart packing is essential for holiday travel, and nothing beats a product that can multitask as effectively as you do. Enter our Cracked Heel Repair. Don't let the name fool you. This portable powerhouse is your secret weapon for full-body hydration, combining the most emollient-rich natural oils: Shea Butter, Coconut, and Avocado. Tuck it into your carry-on, and you've got an intensive moisture solution for dry elbows, thirsty cuticles, chapped lips, or any other spots that need some extra TLC at 30,000 feet.
4. Don't Forget Your Hands
The delicate skin on your hands is particularly vulnerable to the dry cabin air. Our Thermal Moisturizing Hand Mask, loaded with Argan Oil, Shea Butter, and Hyaluronic Acid, provides deep hydration while being perfectly suited for in-flight use. In just 20 minutes, the convenient glove design treats your hands to a heated moisturizing experience while you catch up on holiday movies or take a little snooze.
5. Protect Your Skin's Natural Barrier
Something that might surprise you: that tiny airplane bathroom sink isn't your friend. Dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin warns against using airplane bathroom water on your face, and with good reason. A 2019 airline water study found concerning levels of bacteria, including E. coli, in U.S. airline water supplies. Not exactly what you want to put on your freshly moisturized face! Major ICK!
Our travel-sized Collagen Makeup Wipes are specifically designed for on-the-go cleansing without the need for water. They do double duty, effectively removing impurities while delivering skin-nurturing benefits through marine collagen. This powerful ingredient helps maintain your skin's natural moisture barrier and is exactly what you need when dealing with dry cabin air. For longer trips, our 3-pack option includes additional varieties with Retinol and Tea Tree Oil, letting you customize your in-flight cleansing routine to your skin's needs.
Pro Tips for Your Journey
1. Time Your Hydration Strategically
Peter Hackett, M.D., the director of the Institute for Altitude Medicine at the Mayo Clinic tells Condé Nast Traveler you should drink 8 ounces of water per hour during flight to combat the effects of low cabin humidity. Hydration should start 24 hours before your flight. The key is to hydrate well before boarding while avoiding excessive liquid intake right before and during the first and last hours of flight, allowing you to settle in with your in-flight entertainment without frequent bathroom trips.
2. Consider Wearing Flight Compression Garments
Dr. Suzanne Levine, a board-certified podiatric surgeon, notes that "Flying for more than four hours can cause blood to pool in the legs, leading to swelling and discomfort." Properly fitted compression garments can significantly reduce flight-related swelling and improve circulation. Improved blood flow is not just your comfort, but your skin's health too.
3. Reset Your Skin's Clock
According to Dr. Whitney Bowe, renowned dermatologist and author of "The Beauty of Dirty Skin," timing your skincare routine to your destination's clock can help minimize travel-related skin stress. "Apply your nighttime products when it's nighttime at your destination, even if you're still in flight," she advises. "This helps your skin's natural repair processes stay in sync with your new time zone." Great advice for flights crossing multiple time zones during the holiday season.
By following these skincare strategies and packing the right products, you can maintain that holiday glow from takeoff to touchdown. Your skin shouldn't have to stress just because holiday travel does!
Remember to check with your airline for current carry-on liquid restrictions, and consider a stash of our travel-sized options for hassle-free security screening. Safe travels and happy holidays!
