Crucially, you don’t need to be at the front of the plane to experience first-class skin, but the in-flight experience can wreak havoc on even the most meticulously maintained complexion – causing its predictability to go, if you will, up in the air.
Low air pressure and dry cabin conditions result in humidity dropping, which causes our skin to lose moisture and become dehydrated, dull and puffy. That can lead skin to ‘panic’, compensating by producing excess oil – and later causing breakouts.
So, alongside your binge watch of that decade-old TV show you forgot existed, turn to these pint-sized carry-on essentials, for an in-flight skin upgrade, guaranteed.
Good in-flight skin starts home
You’ve emptied the fridge, asked the neighbours to bring in the bins, and lost-then-found your passport. Now, there’s one last vital thing to do before you leave for the airport – cleansing and moisturising your face.
Prepping your skin before you hit the tarmac will help protect it from recirculated cabin air, germs and bacteria, and slow the process of in-flight congestion and dehydration.
Cleanse with Go-To Properly Clean and lock in as much moisture as you can with the almost impenetrable Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream.
SPF, always
Booked a window seat? Heading to a sunny destination? Never skip or skimp on SPF when you’re in the air. When we fly we’re closer to the sun, and UV rays are stronger at higher altitudes.
Sure, it’s beautiful seeing marshmallow clouds up close and counting backyard pools from high above, but you’ll still need to protect your skin with MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen.
Cross the Atlantic with an in-flight facial
For once in your life you have a lot of time on your hands – but not much to fill it with it. Cue: the in-flight facial. Not only is this a luxurious way to pass time, it’ll also help restore your skin to its pre-flight normalcy.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is an in-flight saviour with its no-rinse philosophy; simply apply a thin layer to the face and let it sink in for a boost of hydration.
If you’ve slept a grand total of 43 minutes during your 12-hour flight, MECCA COSMETICA Bright Eyed Eye Mask kisses goodbye under-eye puffiness.
Cleanse and moisturise with breakfast
Before you’re stuck in your seat balancing breakfast on your meal tray, distract yourself from ‘how-many-hours-have-I-been-on-this-thing’ restlessness with a quick cleanse. Your travel-sized companions waiting to get the job done with ease are Go-To Properly Clean and Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream.
Prep your skin for ‘no-makeup makeup’
Fool everyone (and maybe even yourself) that you don’t have jet lag with a ‘no-makeup makeup’ look that’ll leave you unbelievably fresh-faced.
Prime the skin with the ultra-hydrating Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base and minimise redness and dark circles with NARS Mini Radiant Creamy Concealer.
Smooth and brighten your complexion with Hourglass Ambient™ Lighting Infinity Powder, then add some depth to the eyes with Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumising Mascara.
With skin this luminous, you’ll look like you left home five minutes ago, instead of 15 hours!
Finish with a scent
Finally, banish ‘plane smell’ and that ‘haven’t-showered-in-a-whole-day’ feeling with a few strategic dabs of MALIN+GOETZ Strawberry Perfume Oil 9mL to the wrists and décolletage.