What a Skincare Expert Is Begging You to Stop Doing on Planes

Travel has its glamorous moments, like marveling at the gorgeous Napa Valley landscape while sipping on a decadent cabernet, or getting whisked away on a sailboat cruise along Oahu’s coastline. But then there are the less-than-Instagrammable moments, when you’re navigating to these luxurious locales. Travel does wonders for the mind, body, and soul, but it can also wreak havoc on your skin.

“Unfortunately, airplanes are a capsule of germs with stuffy air,” says Ashley Gray of Ashthetics Skincare in Orange County, California, who has more than 20 years of experience in the skincare and makeup industry. 

If there’s one thing to avoid, Gray says to skip the makeup routine. From there, she has a foolproof formula to make your skin look even better mid-flight.

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Do a Pre-Flight Face Wash.

At home, prep your skin by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and applying a hydrating face moisturizer like Bioelement’s Absolute Moisture. If you need an extra cleanse, stay away from the airplane water basin and do the best you can with these Neutrogena face wipes.

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Hydrate Your Skin at Cruising Altitude.

Gray always packs a hydrating sheet mask and eye patches for on-the-go skincare and self-care. “Sheet masks are great for skincare in flight because you don’t have to wash your face after you take them off,” she says. “The product just absorbs into your skin.” Her favorites are Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Masks and Ebanel Collagen Face Masks for your face, and Grace and Stella’s award-winning eye patches for your under eyes. 

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For an extra boost of hydration, she also recommends applying Aquaphor or Vaseline to your lips and under eyes. Mario Badescu’s travel-size facial sprays are another one of Gray’s go-tos, especially if you want more R&R in the sky. “These are great for relaxation, rejuvenation, hydrating, and soothing,” she says.

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…and Hydrate with Plenty of Fluids.

As you’re nourishing your skin, don’t forget to hydrate your body, too. “Flying dehydrates your skin, so drink lots of water and avoid salty drinks and snacks to avoid swelling in the body and puffiness in the face,” Gray adds.

If You Need to Apply Makeup, Sanitize First.

Running from the flight to an event? Mid-flight makeup isn’t totally off the table, if you’re ready to prepare your de facto makeup chair. “Sanitize the seat, tray, and anywhere else you might touch,” Gray advises. “If you haven’t sanitized the area, wait until you get off the plane.”

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