How to take care of your skin during the flight?

A few days before the planned air travel, it is worth changing to a more nourishing and moisturizing cream to create a good reserve in the skin. It is best to bet on proven ingredients that help maintain moisture in the epidermis: hyaluronic acid, ceramides or vitamins.

It is advisable to use the cream regularly for at least 2–4 weeks to get lasting results, especially if the skin is dry or tends to dry out. In winter, the above-mentioned ingredients will be especially useful because due to low temperatures, wind and central heating turned on indoors, the skin dries out more easily. So if you don't take care of it before you board a plane to fly almost halfway around the world, you will need to take care of its regeneration over the following days.

• Creams with emollients: Such preparations contain ingredients that help retain moisture in the skin and improve its elasticity. They are often used in the care of dry, sensitive skin and in the treatment of diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
• Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin C improves skin tone, energizes the skin and brightens the complexion. It protects the skin from free radical damage and UV radiation, which can prevent premature ageing. It also boosts collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
• Felluric acid: An excellent ingredient that smooths, moisturizes and brightens the skin. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces hyperpigmentation, improves skin tone and promotes skin regeneration. It can also enhance the effectiveness of other active ingredients, such as vitamin C and E, so it is frequently used in combination with them in anti-ageing products.

Our advice: If you're going on a long trip, consider getting a feluric acid treatment at a beauty salon before your flight.

Skin on a plane is threatened by low humidity and dry cabin climate. Take a bottle of water on board! It is important to drink water regularly throughout the flight to keep not only your skin, but also your entire body hydrated. The optimal amount is about 2.5 litres of water per day, but on the plane it is advisable to drink it more often and in small amounts.

Interesting fact: According to research, during a flight the air in the cabin is dry, with humidity at 10-20%, which is comparable to a desert climate! Therefore, taking care of skin hydration during the flight is an absolute necessity.

• Regular drinking: You should drink water regularly throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty. Often thirst occurs when the body is already slightly dehydrated. The optimal amount of water you should drink in a day is 2.5 liters.
• Water and rehydration drinks: In addition to water, it's a good idea to drink electrolyte drinks or natural beverages (for example, herbal infusion, sugar-free teas) to help maintain electrolyte balance. You can also add lemon and a little Himalayan salt to your water.
• Balanced diet: Water contained in fruits and vegetables (for example, watermelon, cucumber, citrus) also helps hydrate the body.
• Avoiding excess caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol have diuretic and drying effects, which can lead to water loss, so it's a good idea to consume them in moderate amounts and supplement with water.
• Listen to your body: If you feel dry mouth, pain or dizziness, these could be symptoms of dehydration, in which case it's a good idea to replenish fluids immediately.

• Healthy fats (omega-3 and omega-6): You'll find them in fatty fish (for example, salmon, mackerel), nuts, chia seeds, flaxseed, and avocados. These fats support the skin's lipid barrier, helping to keep it hydrated.
• Fruits and vegetables rich in water: Watermelons, cucumbers, oranges, strawberries, citrus, and celery provide not only water, but also vitamins that support skin health.
• Foods rich in vitamin E: Nuts, seeds, olive oil, almonds, and green leafy vegetables contain vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps hydrate the skin.
• Products rich in vitamin C: Citrus, bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, and broccoli promote collagen production, which affects skin elasticity and hydration.
• Protein and amino acids: Products rich in protein (for example, eggs, meat, legumes) help regenerate the skin and moisturize it properly.

When travelling by plane, especially one that lasts 10–12 hours, it's a good idea to take care of your skin. Make sure you bring a moisturizer, a cleansing wipe or other skin cleanser and a sheet mask. If your trip is less than 4 hours, a cream and a moisturizing wipe will suffice.

1. Cleansing your skin: Before you apply another layer of cream, it's a good idea to cleanse your skin. Take a mini foam or gel face wash with you to get rid of makeup residue and impurities that may have collected on the skin. This will make your next cosmetic application more effective. For shorter flights, you can cleanse your skin with a moisturizing wipe. Once every two hours is enough to keep it fresh.
2. Moisture reapplication: After cleansing your face, reapply moisturizer. If your skin seems especially dry, you can opt for a hydrating sheet mask or eye pads to moisturize and regenerate your skin. It's worth having them in your carry-on luggage, especially on long flights.

Our tip: Don't forget to moisturize your entire body. The skin on your body also loses water during the flight, so it's a good idea to take a moisturizing lotion with you and apply it before you board.

When you land, repeat the procedure and cleanse your face again, then apply a cream. It is a good idea to put sunscreen on your skin right away, especially if you're changing time zones and arriving at a place with intense sunlight. Even if there was no intense sun during the flight, your skin may be more sensitive to UV radiation, so sunscreen is crucial.

Our tip: For a cream to effectively protect your complexion from UV radiation, it should have a minimum of SPF 30, which blocks about 97% of UVB radiation. If you have sensitive skin or in case of prolonged sun exposure, choose creams with a higher factor, for example, SPF 50, which protects against 98% of UVB rays. It is important to apply sunscreen daily, and reapply it every 2 hours if you are in the sun for a long time.

Although we are not directly exposed to sunlight on board an aeroplane, it is still a good idea to think about protecting ourselves from UVA radiation that penetrates the glass if we are seated near a window. Although it is not as intense as in full sunlight, it can negatively impact the skin, especially during a long flight.

Our tip: If you're looking for extra protection, reach for an SPF cream, especially on long flights. This will protect your skin from radiation and prevent ageing, but make sure the cream contains moisturizing ingredients. Not all sunscreens have such a function, so it is worth choosing those that have additional moisturizing properties (for example, with added glycerin, hyaluronic acid). Otherwise, SPF alone will not provide adequate hydration of the skin.

People who undergo aesthetic medicine procedures should be especially careful about skin care during the flight. After more invasive procedures, such as chemical peels or micro-punctures (for example, mesotherapy), the skin is particularly sensitive. Instead, opt for gentler treatments that won't stress the skin, such as moisturizing treatments or treatments with antioxidants.

A moisturizing treatment at the cosmetology office is best performed about 1–2 days before the scheduled flight. This will give the skin time to fully regenerate and absorb the active ingredients, which will help minimize the effects of dry air during the flight. It is advisable to avoid performing the treatment just before the flight itself, as the skin can be sensitive, and pressure changes and dry air on the plane can cause discomfort.