The only airplane carry-on skincare you need

Two skin experts help us decide whether beauty minis are worth the space in your carry-on luggage

Amongst the many skincare routines and regimens that do the rounds and some that are vociferously sold to us, an in-flight skincare routine seems to have found its following. Sheet, lip, and overnight masks, along with face mists, are occupying prime space in travel kits with (mostly) women slathering them on before they even take off. While the products may be perfectly decent, what’s worth questioning are the steps to be taken when you’re on a flight. Do you take all your skincare off before you apply anything else? Are you supposed to wash it all off when you land and redo every step? We evaluate—with the help of two skin experts—what the perfect at-home, in-flight, and post-landing skincare routine should comprise when you’re jetting off on your next getaway. 

First, let’s understand what happens to your skin when you’re on a flight, establishing why it needs special care to begin with. “Most people report that their skin feels tight, dry and dull after flying and it’s probably due to the lack of moisture in the cabin air. All skin types are affected by this and many dermatologic conditions, from acne to eczema, worsen when our skin barrier is compromised, so a flight could potentially trigger a flare,” says Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, Westlake Dermatology. And yes, the impact differs based on the duration of your flight. As suspected, “the longer the time on a flight, the longer you’re exposed to air that has less water in it, which means your skin and hair will get even drier,” confirms Delhi-based integrative aesthetician Dr. Kiran Sethi. 

Before your flight

Whether your flight is in daylight or is a red-eye one, following your daily skincare routine is essential. However, it helps to switch a few products around to ensure lesser irritation when you’re about to be in an enclosed space for hours. “If you have sensitive or easily irritated skin, you may wish to hold off your retinoid or exfoliating washes right before your flight and make sure you don’t skip your moisturiser,” suggests Geddes-Bruce. In fact, it may be best to use a hydrating serum or a more intense moisturiser to combat the dryness your skin is about to deal with. “If you’re heading into a long flight, I would recommend wearing an antioxidant [serum] to fight the damage from free radicals, a thicker moisturiser to lock in your skin’s water content, and a good layer of sunscreen to protect against the stronger UV rays,” she adds.

The only in-flight routine worth following

Whether you’re comfortable wearing a sheet mask with hundreds of people around you, or you have perennially dry lips so prefer a lip mask once you board, it is of utmost importance to prioritise cleansing before you go in with added hydration. Nope, you can’t use a sheet mask over a full face of make-up or even just skincare. “If you’re going to apply a mask on a flight, it only makes sense to cleanse any sunscreen or make-up off,” says Sethi. “Use a make-up wipe if you can’t get to the bathroom—it’s not the perfect solution but it’s better than nothing. You can also cleanse with micellar water or make-up remover wipes.”

Even if you choose to use an overnight mask or hydrating serum, you will need to cleanse what you’ve already applied. “You can easily layer another round of moisturiser or sunscreen on your skin and reap the benefits from doing so, but thinner serums or antioxidants that require a specific skin pH may not be able to penetrate,” says Geddes-Bruce. Sethi recommends paying special attention to skin on your lips, elbows, knees, hands and feet since they’re prone to further dryness on a flight. About hydrating mists, feel free to spray those as many times as you feel the need to do so—your mask or moisturiser will do the hard work for the most part.

Upon reaching your destination

The seatbelt signs are off, people have started to queue up, and you’re ready to deplane. Ideally the next step would be to cleanse your face, brush your teeth, and moisturise your skin (plus sunscreen, of course, if you’re landing in daylight). If you don’t have time, Geddes-Bruce recommends at least freshening up your sunscreen, even if it is with a powder one.

Sethi, meanwhile, shares a list of ingredients to keep in mind for your toiletry bag, depending on where you land. “If it’s a hot tropical country, carry sweat- and oil-busting cleansers with ingredients like salicylic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide, and green tea. Avoid sun-sensitising ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), polyhydroxy acids, and irritating or drying ones like retinol. Sunblock is a must in these weather conditions for your face and body. If the weather is cold, then you should focus on moisturising ingredients—cream cleansers, heavier moisturisers, and thicker sun creams. Also carry a good body lotion because the one your hotel provides may not always cut it. If the place you’re in is expecting rain and you have an itchy or sensitive scalp, keep a small bottle of an anti-dandruff shampoo on you, just in case.”

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