Products

How to Protect Your Skin Before, During and After a Flight

Whether you're heading off on holiday or travelling for work, flying can leave your skin feeling noticeably different. Your complexion may look a little duller, your lips and hands feel drier, or your skin suddenly feels tight, even though you've followed the same routine you always do.

It's easy to assume that flying is simply dehydrating, but the reality is a little more nuanced. From the moment you leave home, your skin is exposed to a series of small changes, early mornings, air-conditioned airport terminals, hours spent in a dry cabin and a different daily routine. On their own, none of these are remarkable. Together, they can leave sensitive skin feeling less comfortable than usual.

The good news is that caring for your skin while travelling doesn't have to be complicated. A few thoughtful steps before you fly, combined with simple habits during and after your journey, can help your skin feel comfortable wherever you land.

Why does flying affect your skin?

Flying exposes your skin to a combination of low cabin humidity, air-conditioned environments, changes to your daily routine and, on daytime flights, some exposure to UVA through aircraft windows. Together, these environmental changes can leave sensitive skin feeling drier, tighter or more reactive than usual.

In this guide

Why does cabin air affect your skin?
How should you prepare your skin before a flight?
Do you need SPF when flying?
How can you care for your skin during a flight?
How can you help your skin recover after landing?
Can travelling affect your gut and your skin?
Quick Summary
FAQs

Why does cabin air affect your skin?

Aircraft cabins are much drier than most indoor environments, with humidity levels typically around 10–20%, compared with around 40–60% in many homes and workplaces. In dry air, water evaporates from the skin more quickly, which can leave it feeling tighter, drier or less comfortable by the time you arrive.

Research suggests that low-humidity environments can increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and may also influence how the skin's outer protective cells develop. For sensitive skin, it's a reminder that comfort isn't only shaped by the products you use, but also the environment your skin is exposed to.

The cabin is only part of the story. Early starts, air-conditioned airports and changes to your usual routine can all add up over the course of a travel day. That's why many people only notice the effects later that evening, when their skin suddenly feels a little tighter or looks more tired than it did that morning.

How should you prepare your skin before a flight?

The best time to care for your skin is before you board the plane. Preparing your skin in advance is often more effective than trying to correct dryness once you're already in the air.

Start with freshly cleansed skin to remove sunscreen, makeup and the day's impurities without disrupting your skin's natural balance.

Next, apply Reviver Hydrating Mist. Formulated with soothing aloe vera, prebiotic inulin and L-arginine, it gives your skin a light layer of moisture while helping to care for its natural microbiome before you're exposed to the dry cabin environment. It's also the sort of product many of our customers tell us never leaves their hand luggage once they've tried it.

"Beautiful product, very moisturising and already packed in my hand luggage in preparation for my holiday."

— Maria

Follow with Vitamin C+E Facial Oil. Its slow-release Vitamin C helps brighten the complexion and defend against free-radical damage, while Vitamin E helps nourish and comfort sensitive skin. Press a few drops into damp skin before moving on to your final step.

If you're travelling during the day, finish with Serene Daily SPF 50+. While we often associate sunscreen with the beach, daytime flights deserve the same consideration. Aircraft windows block most UVB rays, but some UVA may still pass through, particularly if you're sitting by the window. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF before you leave home is a simple way to protect your skin throughout the journey.

Finally, tuck Tender Skin Balm into your hand luggage. A little applied to dry-prone areas, such as around the nose, across the cheeks or onto hands and cuticles, can help keep skin feeling comfortable throughout a long travel day. It's often these small moments of care that make the biggest difference by the time you arrive.

Do you need SPF when flying?

Yes, particularly on daytime flights.

We don't often think about sun protection until we reach our destination, but UV exposure doesn't begin when you step onto the beach. While aircraft windows block most UVB rays, some UVA rays may still pass through, particularly if you're sitting beside the window. UVA is present throughout the day and is associated with premature skin ageing, making daily sun protection worthwhile before you even leave the ground.

Applying Serene Daily SPF 50+ as the final step in your morning routine helps protect your skin throughout your journey. Its featherlight, fragrance-free formula is Dermatologically Approved for sensitive skin, layers comfortably under makeup and leaves no white cast, making it an easy habit whether you're travelling abroad or simply catching a short domestic flight.

How can you care for your skin during a flight?

Once you're in the air, resist the temptation to overhaul your skincare routine. Flying is one of those times when keeping things simple usually works best.

It's surprisingly easy to forget to drink enough water on a flight. Between settling into your seat, watching a film or catching up on sleep, hours can pass without thinking about it. While drinking water won't directly moisturise your skin, staying well hydrated supports your body's normal functions and helps you feel your best throughout your journey.

If your skin begins to feel tight or uncomfortable, a light spritz of Reviver Hydrating Mist can provide an instant feeling of freshness without disrupting your skincare routine or makeup.

It's also worth being mindful of how often you touch your face. Long flights have a habit of making us rest our chin in our hands or rub our eyes without thinking. If your skin is generally happy with the products you use at home, travelling isn't usually the best time to introduce something new.

How can you help your skin recover after landing?

You may not notice the effects of flying until later that day, when your skin starts to feel tighter or your complexion looks a little more tired than usual.

Begin with a gentle cleanse to remove sunscreen, excess oil and the build-up from a long day of travelling.

If your skin feels more congested than usual, Ally Recovery Blemish Facial Oil can be a helpful addition to your evening routine. Its lightweight blend of hemp seed oil, papaya fruit ferment extract and Vitamin E helps rebalance blemish-prone skin while nourishing without feeling heavy.

Then let your skin settle. A nourishing meal, a good night's sleep and returning to your usual routine often do just as much for your complexion as the products you apply.

Can travelling affect your gut and your skin?

Your skin isn't the only part of your body that notices travel. Changes to your routine, unfamiliar foods and disrupted sleep can all affect your digestive system, too.

Researchers continue to explore the connection between the gut and the skin, known as the gut–skin axis. While there's still much to learn, supporting a healthy gut microbiome is increasingly recognised as one part of overall skin wellbeing.

Flora Daily Biotic is designed to support digestive health wherever you are. Each delayed-release capsule contains 20 billion CFUs from 9 clinically studied strains, together with zinc to support normal immune function. With no refrigeration needed, it's an easy addition to your daily routine, whether you're travelling or at home.

Looking after your skin isn't only about what you apply. The everyday habits that help you feel well, eating nourishing food, getting enough rest and caring for your gut health, can all play a part in helping you feel your best while you travel.

Quick Summary

Flying exposes your skin to low humidity, air-conditioned environments and changes to your normal routine, which can leave sensitive skin feeling drier or less comfortable.
Preparing your skin before you fly is often more effective than trying to correct dryness during the journey.
Keep your travel skincare routine simple with gentle cleansing, lightweight hydration and daily SPF.
During your flight, drink water regularly, avoid touching your face and refresh your skin with Reviver Hydrating Mist if it begins to feel uncomfortable.
After landing, gently cleanse your skin, return to your usual routine and give it time to recover.
Supporting your gut health while travelling can also contribute to your overall wellbeing.

FAQs

Does flying make your skin dry?

It can. The low humidity inside an aircraft cabin encourages water to evaporate from the skin more quickly, which may leave it feeling tight, dry or more sensitive than usual. Changes to your routine, lack of sleep and long hours in air-conditioned spaces can also contribute.

Do you need SPF when flying?

Yes, particularly on daytime flights. Aircraft windows block most UVB rays, but some UVA rays may still pass through, especially if you're sitting beside a window. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF before you travel helps protect your skin throughout the journey.

What skincare should you pack in your hand luggage?

Keep it simple. A hydrating facial mist, a nourishing balm for dry-prone areas, your daily SPF and the skincare products you already know your skin responds well to are usually all you need. Travelling isn't the best time to experiment with a new routine.

Can flying cause breakouts?

Flying itself doesn't directly cause blemishes, but disrupted sleep, touching your face more often and changes to your usual routine may contribute to congestion if your skin is already prone to breakouts.

Is drinking water enough to keep your skin hydrated?

Drinking water supports your overall health, but it isn't a substitute for a consistent skincare routine. Using gentle, well-formulated products that help maintain your skin's moisture is just as important.

Stay connected

We love sharing simple ways to care for sensitive skin beyond your skincare routine. If you'd like more seasonal skincare advice, nourishing recipes and everyday wellbeing tips, you'll find us on @bysarahlondon. And if you ever have a question about your skin, you're always welcome to email us at care@bysarahlondon.com, we're always happy to help.

Excellent ★★★★★ 4.92 Rating

Free UK Tracked Delivery over £50