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How to stay hydrated and glowing at 35,000 feet

It's holiday season, which means many of us will be planning trips abroad and dreaming of lying by the sea, glowing with radiant, supple skin that’s as clear as the lagoon waters. That is, however, before you get off the plane en route to your holiday destination with clogged pores and dry patches that definitely weren’t there when you took off. So why does this happen, and how can you prevent it?

What’s going on up there?

Let’s face it: being 35,000ft up in the air must do something to our skin, but have you ever wondered what? First things first, you’re a lot closer to the sun, so those damaging UV rays are going to be even stronger up in the air. There’s also a serious drop in humidity on a plane. Our skin tends to love a higher humidity (around 50% is thought to be the best), but on planes this can drop to as low as 20% relative humidity.

Research showed that low humidity and low temperatures lead to a general decrease in skin barrier function and the skin can become more reactive towards skin irritants. This means that whilst flying to your dream holiday, your skin needs as much help as it can get to ensure you’re still glowing when you get off that plane.

Pre-flight prep

The key to maintaining healthy skin during a flight starts long before you board the plane. Begin your skincare routine with a good cleanse to remove any impurities and prep your skin for maximum absorption of hydrating products. Our Balancer Cream Cleanser is perfect for this, gently cleansing without stripping the skin and ensuring your skin's natural oils remain intact. This is crucial for keeping your skin barrier strong before exposure to the drying conditions of an airplane.

After cleansing, follow up with a hydrating mist. The Reviver Hydrating Mist is enriched with aloe vera and prebiotic inulin, which help to calm and hydrate the skin while supporting a healthy skin microbiome. A quick spritz before you leave for the airport will give your skin that extra boost of moisture and freshness, ensuring it's ready to handle the dry cabin air.

Hydration, hydration, hydration

If there’s one thing you do for your skin when flying, let it be giving yourself maximum hydration. That means drinking plenty of water (bonus points if you can add some electrolytes, like coconut water) and keep your skin topped up with our Hero Facial Oil. Packed with cold-pressed plant oils rich in omega fatty acids, this facial oil not only hydrates but also deeply nourishes the skin, keeping it supple and smooth throughout your flight.

Don't forget your lips. The skin on our lips is particularly sensitive to dehydration. Keep them soft and smooth with a nourishing lip balm, or dab a drop of our Hero Facial Oil for an added layer of protection.

Time for some shut eye

Easier said than done if you’ve got a crying baby on board and a lot of turbulence, but try to get as much sleep as possible on long-haul flights. Put on your eye mask, shut the blind and put on some ocean waves through your headphones to relax with. You could even try doing some meditation if you’re really feeling up for it.

Whatever you do, try to avoid alcohol whilst flying. It may settle the nerves of some before trying to sleep, but alcohol can severely dehydrate you.

Post-flight recovery: replenish and revive

After a long flight, your skin will likely need some extra TLC. Start by cleansing your face with the Balancer Cream Cleanser to remove any impurities and refresh your skin. Follow up with our Saviour Moisture Mask, a hydrating gel mask formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to deeply hydrate, soothe, and plump your skin.

This mask is your post-flight saviour, helping to restore moisture levels and revitalize tired skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, allowing your skin to drink in all the nourishing ingredients. For an added boost, apply a layer of our Hero Facial Oil after the mask to seal in moisture and give your skin a healthy, radiant glow.

Worried about having a breakout post-flight? Swap out the Hero for our Ally Recovery Facial Oil, formulated with hemp seed oil and papaya enzyme extract to gently exfoliate and soothe any blemishes.

Finally, make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these can further dehydrate your skin.

Follow these simple tips and tricks and you’ll be striding off that plane crying ‘jet lag who?’

By Sarah