Your In-Flight Skincare Essentials
I've got the tea, here are the product you actually need to be using on your next flight
This year, I've taken two long-haul flights, totaling over 25 hours of travel time with a significant chunk of that time - 19 hours to be precise - spent confined within the metal confines of an aeroplane cabin. While I adore travelling, being on a plane is not the one for me. In fact, it's more akin to a never-ending battle with discomfort and a slew of pesky physical ailments.I tend to almost always end up unwell; my nose gets blocked throughout the flight and I never manage to sleep, like ever. Also why do I arrive at my destination looking completely dishevelled and broken?
To combat this, I do everything possible to make my time on the plane a little more comfortable for my clearly very fragile self. Recently, I have taken to indulging in skincare for flights. Well, I say indulging, it’s more just overpacking what would be deemed as beauty inflight essentials. Do I ever get around to applying the products? No, I’m too busy being miserable and tending to my blocked nose.
For my most recent flight, I managed to fill two of those clear airport bags. They were bursting at the seams, from mini moisturisers (yes, plural) to cleansers and SPFs, and the priority, the humble face spray - I will point out, this one, I actually did use and managed to rope everyone around me into engaging in this hydrating ritual.
Did I lug around 20 extra products from one side of the globe to another? Yes, I did. In an age where skincare has permeated every aspect of our lives, the tailored routines are coming in fast and hard. Going for a jog? You bet there is a tailored skincare routine for that. Going through a heartbreak? There is a skincare routine for that too (heartbreak skincare might not be a thing yet, but you know it will be soon). In-flight skincare routines are certainly not a new thing; like all things skincare, we’re seeing a more elaborate version come into flavour.
In a video with over 1.4 million views, content creator and dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky lists SPF, compression stockings, thermal water spray, vaseline, and face mask as her in-flight skincare secrets, and she refuses to gatekeep. And this is one of the videos with the least amount of steps; some people even apply concealer on the plane, no judgement here. With over 43.4 million posts for the #inflightskincareroutine, and that’s only on TikTok. Apparently we’re all doing it, well, at least 43.4 million of us.
But amidst the hype, are in-flight skincare routines truly necessary, or are we simply succumbing to yet another marketing ploy designed to sell us more products? The truth is, while there are undeniable benefits to maintaining a skincare regimen mid-flight, from protecting against increased exposure to harmful UV rays and preventing dehydrated skin in low humidity. You can forgo the ten step routines, and just try to get some sleep.
In a piece for Byrdie, Sarina Elmaria, MD, Ph.D., board-certified dermatologist, neuroscientist MPH, and co-founder of skincare brand ARAMORE shares, “for most people, I'd recommend, at the very least, applying a moisturiser before and during a long-haul flight to prevent excess dryness and irritation."
As dermatologists caution against excessive skincare routines, citing the potential for irritation and unnecessary product buildup, it's worth considering whether we've allowed ourselves to be swept away by the allure of luxury skincare, at the expense of our skin's health and well-being, ironically.
So why are so many engaging in the practice? I think it's a combination of a number of things, from hyped-up celebrity routines to the industry making us believe this is something we need. And then, of course, there is the self-care aspect of skincare; I get it, while I don’t have a fear of flying, being on a plane is an unpleasant experience for me. Having your skincare products and applying a lush face mask, can allow for a moment of self care and for anyone that is anxious, an escape.Â
In the grand scheme of things, in-flight skincare may seem like a trivial matter. However, it’s reflective of a much larger issue at play: the pervasive culture of overconsumption, perpetuated by an industry determined on selling us the latest and greatest beauty products. From excessive packaging waste ( according to Zero Waste Week, the beauty industry is responsible for over 120 billion units of waste) to unrealistic beauty standards, the implications are far-reaching.
Yes, I too, fell prey to the in-flight skincare routine crusade, but honestly it’s not worth packing the extra products regardless of how cute the mini products are. Lesson learnt, SPF and some water is all it takes to fulfil your in-flight skincare needs.
I flew to Spain In February. I wore compression socks on the plane (made no difference that I could tell, but don't know what I was really looking for, lol), used a face wipe and lots of lip balm. Held myself to one glass of wine and about 16 oz of water. I did drink about 40 oz of water with Liquid IV powder once off the plane, and do think that helped with jet lag, as well as sleeping for a few hours on the plane.
So my beauty essentials are really 'drink electrolytes and sleep'!