Plane travel has become a “place to be seen” among beauty influencers. Private flights represent peak luxury, but the application of skincare in elevated travel environments is also now a form of conspicuous consumption. This is why perusing social media reveals images of selfies in sheet masks, reels of jet-setting beauty tips and in-flight skin hacks. This content often takes place in exclusive airport lounges or from the privacy of luxury “suites” on globally-renowned airlines like Emirates or Delta One.
Yet experts reveal that there is actually some merit to the in-flight beauty trend, as plane flights expose the skin to a barrage of environmental aggressors. Between the cumulative burden of dehydration, germs, high altitudes and UV-exposure, TSA-mandated size restrictions are the least of the skin’s worries. Now that it’s again that time of year again when long-awaited travel plans come to fruition, there are important conversations to be had on the topic of in-flight skincare and travel beauty hacks.
Whether you are headed on a stress-relieving “calmcation” at the beach, or to an urban destination abroad, packing is always challenging. This is particularly true for beauty products, with changes in weather, diet and sleep increasingly stress even resilient complexions. But the good news is that the perils of plane travel will stand no chance against the travel beauty tips provided by the dermatologists, celebrity facialists, makeup artists and more experts below.
Keep reading to learn how to have glowing skin post plane flight, according to skincare and beauty experts.
Promote Lymphatic Drainage
Celebrity hair stylist Glen Coco once told me that post-rhinoplasty noses swell from plane flights, making surgical micropore tape an unexpected onboard must-have for anyone that has undergone a septum repair or nose job. But this actually points to a bigger issue; namely, the way that altitude changes and physical stagnancy on long plane flights exacerbates fluid accumulation that results in facial and bodily puffiness.
“Low cabin pressure causes the fluid in our bodies to shift and, subsequently, puffy skin [on our faces and bodies],” explains dermatologist and licensed esthetician and cosmetologist, Olga Skydan, over e-mail. Lymphatic drainage massage is becoming one of the best-known ways to do so, a practice that intentionally stimulates the lymph nodes and facilitates the efficient movement of lymph fluid through (which carries the body’s cellular waste) its facial and bodily pathways.
Angela Rosoff, a certified face yoga instructor from the Luvly app, describes several ways to drain lymph using your hands or a gua sha tool while in-air. First, spend a couple minutes gently tapping around the forehead, eyes and sinus area using the pads of your fingertips. This, she says, helps to break up accumulated lymph fluid. Then, press on either side of your nose using your index fingers and slide your fingers down the sides of your nose as you exhale.
The lymph fluid can be “whisked” down the face, neck, decollete and sides of the body using the side of the hand or the gentle curvatures of a gua sha tool. For the sinuses specifically, she recommends guiding the tool from center of the forehead outward. Then, apply gentle pressure down the sides of the nose and beneath the eyes and cheeks, working from the sides of the nose towards the hairline.
For the body, opt for garments that combine compression and built-in pressure point technology. Elastique offers an entire line of sleek activewear that is lined with patented Microperles positioned along the lymphatic pathways of the limbs and trunk to keep lymph fluid moving. The fabric is thin enough that it can be easily layered underneath jeans or sweats, or worn on its own as ultra-chic athleisure. The L’Original Stirrup Legging, $275, is their top-seller for travel, even targeting ankle swelling.
The Australian brand Heat Healer also sells lymphatic drainage-promoting garments featuring a proprietary, 3-D knit pattern that strategically applies pressure along the lymphatic pathways. Speaking from personal experience, the Heat Healer Lymphatic Onesie, $160, with added compression in the mid-section from a Skims Waist Trainer, $70, worked wonders on a ten-hour flight to Spain. But be forewarned—you will have to pee more.
Upon landing, booking a lymphatic drainage massage or facial can also help, as well as certain products you can apply in your hotel. But lymphatic massage therapist Sabrina Sweet, the founder of Miss Lymph, also suggests bringing along travel-sized bottle of castor oil with you on vacation. Even without the supplies for a castor oil pack, she says to apply it to the navel and massage it onto the belly and abdomen each evening. This helps to “get things moving,” in a manner of speaking.
Additionally, Legology Air-Lite, $41, and Exfo-Lite Exfoliating Scrub, $52, are two products designed to support detox that can be brought on vacation.
Depuff With Cryotherapy
While the therapeutic application of cold temperatures is nothing new—even Sydney Sweeney revealed that she ices her face daily—the practice can help to reduce swelling and promote circulation. It does so by reducing inflammation and the induction of vasoconstriction (and subsequent vasodilation upon warming) of the blood vessels. This is thought to flush the region with fresh blood, oxygen and can help break up lymphatic congestion.
The Theraface Depuffing Wand, $149, used by celebrity makeup artist Nam Vo above, is an ideal way to apply cold therapy on the plane. The device glides seamlessly atop sheet masks for a combined treatment in-air. (As Vo shared on her instagram, the Dr. Althea Jelly Seal Dewy Mask, $12.99 for 4, is a current favorite.) You can also include one of celebrity facialist Melissa Imperial’s portable Cryo Facial Ice Pops in your luggage to continue de-puffing on vacation.
Prevent Post-Flight Breakouts
It is unfortunately quite common to get breakouts after flying. Besides the recycled plane air and germs from other passengers, which can introduce problematic bacteria to the skin, skin dehydration can compromise skin barrier function and increase instances of inflammatory breakouts. Celebrity facialist Renée Rouleau explained during a facial that skin barrier support is proven to benefit acneic skin.
One popular way to cleanse the skin clean in the air is by using an antimicrobial spray, like sensitive skin-friendly hypochlorous acid spray. Magic Molecule and Hydrinity are two popular HOCl lines, while the celebrity-beloved brand Tower28 sells a travel-size of their cult-favorite SOS Daily Rescue Spray, $12.
But as celebrity facialist Sofie Pavitt reminded me during a facial, hypochlorous acid only cleanses. To use it, you will first want to apply it to bare skin, as it can disrupt the functioning of other active ingredients in your skincare. Then, once it dries, you will need to follow up with a serum or hydrator. Of course, this should be done using cleansed hands—and the good news is, HOCl can double as a hand sanitizer.
If you are a fan of LED therapy masks, the blue light setting helps to kill acne-causing bacteria. Or, a lesser-known travel hack that I swear by is to always bring my ultra-portable Lyma Laser, $2,695, on vacation. While the pricy, patented technology is best-known for its anti-aging effects, I find it to be highly anti-inflammatory and ideal for expediting the healing of breakouts and eruptions.
In your checked luggage, experts also have a few tips for managing any eruptions that emerge post-flight. Celebrity facialist Renée Rouleau suggests preventatively applying her Rapid Response Detox Masque, $68.50, at your hotel as a way to stymy any flight-induced spots that might emerge. The award-winning gel formula contains acne-fighting tea tree oil and salicylic acid which is buffered with soothing ingredients like allantoin, sodium hyaluronate and glycerin.
Board-certified dermatologist Caren Campbell also created some integrative skincare products for skin support and acne treatment. Good Enough Calm And Clear 5% Sulfur Wash, $39.99, can be used on the face and body on myriad types of skin eruptions that can flare following travel. If you forget your prescription for Spironolactone, she reveals that research shows two cups of Spearmint tea can support anti-androgenic activity. She also created two skin-specific tea blends that easily can travel with you: the Hormonal Acne Tea, $16, and Anti-Inflammatory Tea, $16.
Finally, including your favorite spot treatment or hydrocolloid patch is always a good idea. The Renée Rouleau Anti Bump Solution, $49.50, is one of the most-beloved topical treatments for cystic acne, while a hydrogel patch with micro darts, like ZitSticka Killa Kit, $14, can help to expedite their healing. For surface-level pimples, plain or active-infused hydrocolloid patches like the ones from StarFace or MightyPatch will suffice.
Pre- And In-Flight Skincare
Dr. Skydan suggests applying your regimen in the airport bathroom prior to boarding the flight, including a multi-tasking balm that can be used on the face, body and hands, then keeping makeup off until you land.
“Whatever you do, don’t wait until you are on the plane, where water is stored in onboard water tanks and there is no knowing how long it’s sat stagnant or what nasties its hiding, to [complete your skincare regimen],” she warns.
Plenty of skincare experts also love applying sheet masks in-flight. Sensitive skin types will appreciate the soothing and skin barrier-supportive effects of the Epicutis line, whose barrier-supportive serum (a post-sunburn must-have), cream and mask come in a Post-Procedure Set, $75, that is perfectly sized for travel. Alternatively, a mask like Velez by Vesna Intense Hydration Mask, $34, provides a cooling effect and hydration sans active ingredients that might be sensitizing.
For more resilient skin types, there are a number of masks to choose from. Celebrity facialists Leslie Kritzer, co-founder of Skin Worship, and Katie Sobelman, of The Organic Esthetician, both love the Biodance Bio-Collagen Deep Masks, $26. Because these masks are designed to be worn overnight, they are ideal for wear throughout a long flights without drying up.
There are several popular sheet masks to choose from, however. Beauty influencer Amy Chang is partial to the VT Cosmetics PDRN Hydrogel Mask, $6 each, which she is seen wearing above. Chang’s pick, as well as the Mediheal Rose PDRN Essential Sheet Mask, $7.11 for 4, contain plant-based alternatives to the buzzy K-Beauty staple, PDRN—the ingredient that became famous in the “salmon sperm” facial in the States.
There are also a few select items that will come in-hand onboard that you can throw into a small toiletry pouch. As mentioned, micropore tape can help to prevent swelling of the nose following recent septum repairs or rhinoplasties. Small packages of body and face wipes, such as MegaBabe Cucumber Mint Shower Sheets, $12 for 10, or Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes, $6.50 for 5, can help to remove makeup and sanitize during the flight.
Having a hand cream like Clarins Hand And Nail Treatment Cream, $13, will prevent the discomfort that can come from arid plane conditions. Finally, a heavy-duty lip mask, like Lawless Forget The Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask, $22, which is designed for overnight duration, is absolutely essential for dry lips.
UV-Protection
In addition to sun protection and aftercare on vacation, experts continually cite the importance of suncare while onboard. As they point out, higher altitudes leave you with less atmospheric protection from potential UV-damage. Dr. Skydan actually recommends shutting your window to keep out unnecessary rays altogether.
When this is not possible (some airlines do request windows be opened at certain points of the flight) this can simply mean keeping your favorite sunscreen on-hand. Otherwise, there are several new SPF launches to pick from.
The Australian brand Ultra Violette recently launched in the States with much fanfare around their Future Screen SPF50, $40. The new U Beauty Multimodal Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 25, $98, is the luxury pick to consider, while clean beauty-lovers will want to spring for the brand new Marie Veronique COLORFREE Zinc Sunscreen SPF 32.
Beauty and skincare influencers also share some recent sunscreen picks. Melinda Farina, founder of the plastic surgery consultancy Beauty Brokers, recommends The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30, $15, and the newer Cell Fusion C Laser Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $23. Model and “sunscreen influencer” Ayumi Yokoyama, on the other hand, adores Lakerain Water-Fit Sun Serum Centella Sunscreen SPF 50, $12.99, which she calls a dupe for the better-known Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Waterfit Sun Serum, $22.
The final touches to your in-flight toiletry kit will, of course, come down to your personal preference. For instance, makeup artist Diane Caranica always bring an essential oil-infused wipe in her travel pack just in case she encounters an untoward odor during the flight. Of course, some UV-protective coverage in the form of a BB or CC cream—with RMS Beauty SuperNatural Radiance Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $49, or Chanel CC Cream, $65, being two top picks—is always helpful to be able to throw on for some post-flight coverage.
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