How To Take Care Of Your Skin On A Long-Haul Flight

How To Take Care Of Your Skin On A Long-Haul Flight

From face-rolling to layering full sheet masks over serums, there is now a whole host of skincare steps women seem to be taking on today’s flights. To find out how to disembark with glowing skin, we asked make-up master Caroline Barnes for her top tips, including her eight beauty heroes that always cut it at 35,000 feet...

Always Start By Cleaning Your Skin

Wherever I am going, long-haul or short-haul, as soon as I sit down, I always start off by cleaning my skin and making sure it’s prepped for the upcoming journey. I never travel without my Yes To Biodegradable Wipes. These remove surface dirt and debris instantly without leaving any sticky residue on my skin pre-take off. Having clean skin like this is a great way of making sure whatever you use later in your routine is better absorbed. I always take my Dr Bronner Hand Sanitizer – it’s brilliant for keeping the area around you clean and preventing any grime for transferring back onto your clean complexion. 

Yes To Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes, £3.99 | Available at Boots.com
Dr Bronner Hand Sanitizer, £4 | Available at TheFragranceShop.co.uk

Up The Ante With A Serum & Oil

Aeroplane cabins have extremely dry air from low humidity (20% to be precise), which leaves skin feeling dry, flaky and often irritated. Loading up with an antioxidant rich serum is a must, yes it will keep skin hydrated but it will also protect you from nasty, free radical damage the plane sends your way. My go-to is the Bio-Effect Serum – it’s a real treat in terms of cost but it works so well at boosting radiance and tone while giving an even canvas overall. It’s worth noting that this alone won’t be enough to combat the super-dry air, which is why I also follow up with an oil to seal in the hydrating benefits of my serum. Murad’s Vitamin Infused Facial Oil is an obsession of mine for its lightweight texture that absorbs easily with zero grease.

Bio-Effect Serum, £125 | Available at LookFantastic.com
Murad Vitamin Infused Facial Oil, £55 | Available at LookFantastic.com 

Mist On Moisture At Regular Intervals 

I recommend investing a hyaluronic acid product to boost your hydration levels throughout the duration of your flight. My go-to is Balance Me’s Hyaluronic Plumping Mist – it works to keep skin plump, moist and dewy, but it’s also super satisfying thanks to the cooling feel it lends skin. I’ll spritz this on at regular intervals throughout my flight – even if I’ve skipped some of my other skincare steps above, this still has a huge impact by itself – ideal for those who don’t want to partake in a lengthy routine, or anyone on a short-haul flight.

Balance Me Hyaluronic Plumping Mist, £16 | Available at JohnLewis.com

Keep A Clear Head 

Before take-off, I always rub in my De Mamiel Altitude Oil to my pulse points and dab a little under my nose. It’s a beautiful product which is meant to ward off bacteria when flying, but for me, it’s just a gorgeous blend of oils that make me feel clean and incredibly relaxed. It prevents that heady feeling you often get on planes and just helps you to feel that bit more comfortable – I can’t recommend this enough for anyone scared of flying.

De Mamiel Altitude Oil, £30 | Available at NET-A-PORTER.com  

Apply A Rich, Juicy Mask

This isn’t a necessary step when you’re doing the above, but if you’re on a real long-haul flight, it’s certainly worth considering. I always apply mine an hour before I land to give my skin time to breathe from my previous routine, but also enough time before I start to reapply my make-up. My guilty pleasure is SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Mask. It’s expensive but I don’t like or rate sheet masks given their waste, whereas this will last you for months on end. It hydrates and strengthens like nothing else with vitamin B, hyaluronic acid and glycerine. Plus, the formula is so clear and discreet, no one will know you’re wearing anything.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Mask, £55 | Available at LookFantastic.com

Skip Base Make-Up Where Possible

I try not to wear a foundation or any base when travelling purely because you can’t treat the skin as well. Just before landing (and after my mini routine is complete) I love to skip a heavy base and instead use Trinny London’s BFF Cream. It’s a tinted moisturiser that keeps skin looking fresh, plus its silky texture literally melts in and brightens without ever looking obvious. Perfect for that barely-there finish we all crave nowadays with a formula that still allows your skin to breathe.

Trinny London BFF Cream, £35 | Available at TrinnyLondon.com

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