A guide to keeping your skin in check on a long-haul flight

Headed off on a winter holiday escapade or jet-setting to the beach? Dreamy! However, a long-haul flight takes a mental and physical toll. It’s also rough on your complexion – there’s recycled air, increased UV exposure, high altitude and more often than not, a lack of sleep. Not to mention, airplanes have significantly lower humidity levels, which is the driving factor behind skin sensitivity.

You may have spent weeks prepping for a holiday glow. Still, without actually prepping your skin for the flight, you’re likely to experience dehydration, dullness and an increase in breakouts before you even collect your checked baggage. Besides, we all want the post-holiday tell-tale tan to show off when we return to Malaysian soil, instead of returning home with a few unwanted skincare souvenirs.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take pre-flight, during and post-flight to restore moisture and keep your complexion in check so that you feel and look fresh on arrival.

Before your flight

Since airplane cabins have such low humidity, it’s important to load up on as much hydration as possible. Wearing a full face of makeup is not ideal especially if you plan on sleeping, hence it’s recommended to remove all of it pre-flight. To ensure your pores are free from dirt and debris, do a double cleansing using a cleansing balm or oil to remove your makeup followed by a gentle, soap-free cleanser afterward. Go straight in with a quarter-size amount of hydrating toner and pat it all over your face. Apply a water-based serum and while that’s still damp, lock in the hydration with a moisturiser. If you’re flying during the day, SPF on the face and neck is just as important while you’re in the air as it is while on land.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. Shop here.

Aesop Lightweight Facial Hydrating Serum. Shop here.

Dr Dennis Gross All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50. Shop here.

During your flight

Since your skin will inevitably dry out while flying, your in-flight skincare routine should be focused on retaining moisture. Sheet masks – specifically, biocellulose masks have nourishing ingredients, leaving skin plumped up and soft. Applying a few drops of well-formulated face oil every hour during your flight acts as a protective barrier to keep the moisture that’s deep within the skin from evaporating out through the surface. You can also cleanse off existing skincare with some micellar water and use a face mist to dampen your complexion.

Guerlain Abeille Royale Honey Cataplasm Mask. Shop here.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. Shop here.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hydrating Face Mist. Shop here.

After your flight

Once arriving at your destination, start with a thorough cleanse to get rid of accumulated dirt and bacteria on-flight as well as to rehydrate your skin. Use a gentle face scrub to remove dry surface cells and be sure to lather on a moisturiser (on both your face and body) once you get out of the shower. Reach for a soothing face mask that contains ingredients like shea butter, plant oils and ceramides to add essential hydration back into the skin and help brighten post-flight dullness.