Keeping your skin healthy and looking good can be a daunting task for frequent travelers.
Whether you’re a globetrotting adventurer or a seasoned business traveler, the constant exposure to the dry and pressurized cabin air can take a serious toll on your skin. To effectively combat these negative effects, it’s crucial to understand your skin type and its unique needs, as well as follows a few simple tips and tricks to keep your skin healthy and happy while travelling.
Understanding Your Skin Type
In order to take the best care of your skin, it is essential to recognize that different skin types have distinct characteristics and needs. Skin types generally fall into 4 major categories: oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. Each type reacts differently to external factors, and an effective skincare routine must address these variations. If you don’t know what your skin type is and how to treat it, there are plenty of useful resources online you can check out: for example, the Blue Lagoon has personalized skincare routines for every skin type, to help you understand what is best for you. Determining your skin type enables you to select appropriate products and techniques that cater to your specific needs, even in the challenging environment of an airplane cabin.
Preventing Airplane Skin: Tips and Tricks
- Hydration is Key. The dry atmosphere inside airplane cabins can cause your skin to lose moisture rapidly, leading to dryness, flakiness, and even irritation. To counteract this, prioritize hydration before, during, and after your flight. Apply a nourishing moisturizer enriched with humectants like hyaluronic acid, which draws water to the skin, helping it stay hydrated for longer periods.
- Cleanse Wisely. Before embarking on your journey, cleanse your face with a gentle, hydrating cleanser. Avoid harsh, stripping cleansers that could make your skin even dryer. After your flight, cleanse again to remove all the impurities.
- Sun Protection. While airplane windows filter out most UV rays, you’re still exposed to sunlight at higher altitudes. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before your flight, and reapply if your flight extends into daylight hours.
- Minimal Makeup. Makeup can clog pores and further dehydrate your skin during a flight. It’s best to travel with a makeup-free face or use a light tinted moisturizer if you prefer some coverage.
- Face Mist. Facial mists containing ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, and glycerin can provide instant hydration and a soothing sensation during your flight. Spritz your face whenever you feel your skin needs it.
- Avoid Excessive Alcohol and Caffeine. Both alcohol and caffeine can contribute to dehydration, making your skin more susceptible to the harsh airplane environment. Limit your intake of these beverages during the hours leading up to your flight and boost your water intake instead.
- Humidify the Air. Using a personal travel-sized humidifier can help introduce moisture to the surrounding air, helping combat the dryness of the cabin. These devices are perfect for making the air in your hotel room less dry.
- Post-Flight Routine. Once you’ve reached your destination, indulge in a thorough skincare routine. Double cleanse to remove any residual pollutants, follow up with a nourishing face mask to replenish lost nutrients and give your skin some extra care.
Traveling frequently doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your skin’s health. By identifying your skin type and implementing a tailored skincare routine, you can effectively combat the negative effects of airplane travel. Remember, a little care goes a long way in preserving your skin’s natural beauty, even amidst the challenges of the open skies.
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