There is no doubt that air travel can do a number on the appearance and underlying health of your skin. A variety of factors can be blamed for your skin being dry and irritated after spending time on an airplane. The recirculated air in airplanes combines with the high altitude and UV radiation coming through the windows to strip the skin of its moisture. The stress that comes with travel can also contribute to breakouts and other skin issues.

This is why it is important to be proactive about taking care of your skin when traveling by air, whether you’re flying in a wintry January or February, or any other time of the year, for that matter. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Before Your Flight

Proper skin care while you’re traveling  starts before you leave your house. Being intentional about hydrating in the days prior to your trip will go a long way in putting your skin in the best position to withstand the harsh elements in the air. Be sure to take a relaxing shower and undergo your typical skin care routine before leaving your home.

Savvy travelers have found success using an overnight hydration mask on the night before the flight. This will provide a deep dose of hydration before you submit your skin to the desiccating realities of air travel. You may also want to consider going without makeup during your flights. Anything that you can do to keep the skin clean and hydrated while in the air will provide immense benefits.

If you are traveling during the day, you will want to apply a layer of sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful UV radiation coming through the airplane windows. As with all sunscreen products, you will need to reapply every few hours in order to see the maximum benefit.

During Your Flight

What you eat and drink during your flight will have a significant impact on how your skin looks and feels when you get off the plane. Too much caffeine will serve as a diuretic, stripping the skin of crucial moisture. Also try to avoid salty foods, which tend to cause puffiness in the skin.

Some experts also recommend using a sheet mask during the flight to restore hydration. However, it is important that your skin is clean when you apply these masks or they could have the opposite effect. These masks work best if used in the last hour of the flight.

For longer flights, bring along your favorite skincare products in small and leak-proof containers and reapply as necessary. In addition to using a moisturizer packed with emollients and humectants, a spritz of hyaluronic acid will pull water into the skin while boosting its retention properties. Additional products to pack in your carryon include lip balm and hand cream.

Improving the overall circulation in your body will also do wonders for your skin care goals. Selecting an aisle seat will give you more room to spread out and give you a chance to walk up and down the aisles to keep your blood flowing. Other tips include wearing compression socks to prevent blood from pooling in your feet and being intentional about getting up every hour and walking around as much as you can, especially on long flights.

After Your Flight

Do not stop caring for your skin just because you are back on the ground. The first thing that you should do when you’re able is to thoroughly cleanse your face to remove any environmental impurities that may have built up over the course of your travel. A cleanser containing salicylic acid is particularly helpful in helping to minimize acne breakouts. Taking a lukewarm shower will also help to strip away this grime. Be careful not to let the water get too hot or you will remove crucial moisture in the process.

Once your skin has been thoroughly cleansed, it is time to moisturize with your favorite product. This will help to replenish hydration stores. An eye cream containing caffeine has also been shown to reduce puffiness in this part of the face.

While on your trip, be sure to keep your skincare routine as consistent as possible. Bringing along your usual products and applying them at the same time that you normally do will help to minimize disruptions. and above all, try to relax. Don’t let the stress of travel keep you from enjoying a fresh and glowing complexion.

Do you have a travel skin-care regime that you swear by? Tell us about it in the comments below!