Pre-Flight Skin Care: What Really Works?
Planning a vacation this summer? You've probably packed your SPF for the beach, but have you considered how to care for your skin on the plane? Lately, I've been getting a ton of questions on Instagram about pre-flight skin care. We’ve all seen those viral videos of people doing sheet masks on their flights, but do they really help?
Spoiler Alert: Not really.
Flying is tough on your skin for two main reasons: the air is super dry and dehydrating, and the UVA/UVB exposure is much higher than normal. So, how can you keep your skin happy and healthy when you’re flying? Here are my top tips:
Why Dry and Dehydrating Air is Bad for Your Skin
Dry and dehydrating air can wreak havoc on your skin by stripping it of its natural moisture. This lack of humidity can cause the outer layer of your skin to become dry and flaky. When the skin loses moisture, it compromises the skin barrier, leading to increased sensitivity, redness, and irritation. A compromised barrier can also lead to increased breakouts—just what you don’t need on vacation. Additionally, dehydrated skin tends to look dull and can accentuate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Again, something you don’t need on vacation.
Why UV Exposure is Bad for Your Skin
UV exposure is extremely harmful to your skin because it accelerates the damage to your skin that causes fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and loss of firmness and elasticity—everything that we associate with signs of aging. And, of course, UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing damage to collagen and elastin fibers, which leads to premature wrinkles and sagging. UVB rays, on the other hand, primarily affect the outer layers of the skin, causing sunburn and contributing to the development of skin cancers such as melanoma. Both types of UV rays can generate free radicals, which damage skin cells and DNA, impairing the skin's natural repair mechanisms. Over time, repeated UV exposure can result in cumulative damage, manifesting as hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and a higher likelihood of skin diseases.
Pilots have higher rates of skin cancer due to increased UV exposure at high altitudes, where the atmosphere is thinner and provides less protection against harmful rays. UVA and UVB rays penetrate the cockpit, significantly increasing the risk of skin damage and cancer. This makes rigorous sun protection essential for anyone who’s taking to the air.
Protect your skin before you fly
1. Double down on hydration the night or morning before your flight.
The night or morning before your flight you need to turbo charge your hydration so that your skin is saturated and hydrated before you put yourself in to a super dry and dehydrating environment. I recommend sleeping in a hydrating sleep mask, and/or using a hydrating sheet mask in the morning.
When using a sheet mask, apply it to clean, damp skin. Don’t waste the excess serum—press it into your chest. After 10-20 minutes, remove the mask and massage the remaining serum into your skin. This method ensures that your skin gets an initial boost of hydration.
When using a sleep mask or sleep pack, do your standard hydrating skin care routine and apply your sleep mask on top as the final step. If you think it would benefit your skin, using a sleep mask on your skin during the flight is also a great idea.
2. Defend Against Free Radicals Caused by UV with an Antioxidant
When flying, your skin is exposed to increased UV radiation, which generates free radicals that can cause significant damage. Using an antioxidant serum before your flight helps neutralize these harmful molecules, protecting your skin from UV-induced aging and damage. Antioxidants are also helpful across the board with benefits that range from reducing dark spots to increasing collagen. Vitamin C is the most common antioxidant on the market, but if you are a little sensitive there are tons of fabulous alternatives. My favorite antioxidant serum is a vitamin C alternative, Vinoperfect from Caudelie, but its closely tied with a few others.
3. Use Ceramide-Rich Products
Think of your skin cells like bricks and ceramides as the mortar that holds them together, preventing dehydration. I’m loving the ceramide-rich Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner by Laneige. If you have dry skin, layer this under a rich moisturizer or a sleeping pack/mask. For those with oily or combination skin, this product is sufficiently hydrating on its own, especially under a sunscreen.
4. Don’t Forget an Eye Cream
I swear by the bakuchiol eye cream from Haruharu Wonder. Bakuchiol is a fantastic retinol alternative that I use both in the morning and at night to help soften fine lines. While I don’t focus too much on the actives in eye creams, I pay close attention to their texture and how well they wear under concealer. This one is perfect under all my favorite concealers.
5. Finish with Broad Spectrum SPF (PA+++)
This step is crucial. UV exposure is much more intense at higher altitudes, which means your skin is at greater risk when you fly. Fun fact: pilots have higher skin cancer rates due to this intense exposure. If you skip SPF, the rest of your routine is basically pointless.
In the US, SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures a sunscreen's ability to protect against UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburn and can contribute to skin cancer. However, SPF does not indicate protection against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin, damages the DNA in our skin cells causing “signs of again” and, also, more skin cancer. Many other countries use a broad-spectrum rating system, such as PA+++ in Asia, which measures protection against both UVA and UVB rays. PA+++ specifically indicates a high level of UVA protection, providing a more comprehensive shield against sun damage.
If you want to be extra safe, pack an SPF stick in your carry on so you can safely re-apply on the plane.
Keep these tips in mind for your next flight, and your skin will thank you!