Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
I’m sitting in the airport lounge, waiting to board my flight to Budapest. It’s a short trip. Two hours and then I’ll be soaking up the sun at an outdoor spa, going for romantic moonlight walks by the Danube, and snacking on chimney cake. I can’t wait.
But… my skin isn’t quite as excited. Plane cabins are DRY. We’re talking around 20% humidity on a typical commercial flight, compared to roughly 40–60% in an office on the ground. On long flights, humidity can drop even lower. No wonder your skin can start feeling tight, flaky and generally pissed off before you’ve even collected your suitcase.
Then there’s sun exposure if you’re sitting by the window, travel stress, disrupted sleep… all the fun stuff. The good news? You don’t need to turn your tray table into a mini spa and spend the entire flight applying sheet masks. Here’s how I take care of my skin before, during and after a flight so I can arrive looking more glowy tourist and less shrivelled raisin.
Why Does Your Skin Get So Dry On A Plane?
Let’s clear up one thing first: flying doesn’t massively dehydrate your entire body. The dry cabin air can make your skin, lips and eyes feel drier, but the UK Civil Aviation Authority says the extra fluid loss from an eight-hour flight is actually pretty small.
Your skin is another story. One small study on long-haul flights found cabin humidity dropped below 10% within two hours of take-off. Skin hydration fell quickly too, especially on the cheeks, where it dropped by as much as 37%. So yes, that tight, dry feeling after hours in the air is real.
But that doesn’t mean you need to spend the flight spraying, masking and reapplying seven layers of skincare. The goal is much simpler: moisturise well before you board, leave your skin alone as much as possible, and top up your moisturiser if it starts feeling dry.
How To Prep Your Skin Before A Flight
The Night Before
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably running around like a headless chicken trying to remember if you packed your phone charger and then running all worst case scenarios in your head. Travel stress is real. I love travelling but just the thought of packing three suitcases, going to the airport and making it to security are enough to trigger an anxiety attack.
What if I lose the plane? What if security stops me? What if they lose my luggage? What if, what if, what if….? There are a gazillion things that can go wrong. All this stress increases the levels of your stress hormones, which can lead to flareups of psoriasis, eczema and acne. Now I’m lucky I don’t have to deal with the first two, but acne is very much a risk for me. One I’d rather avoid.
The night before a flight is NOT the time to decide your pores need a deep cleanse, your pigmentation needs an acid peel and your forehead desperately needs that retinoid you’ve been too scared to try. Your skin has enough to deal with tomorrow. Keep it simple and don’t overwhelm your skin with too many products. I stick to my normal skincare routine and finish with a good moisturiser.
If my skin is feeling particularly dry, I may use a hydrating mask too. Something with hyaluronic acid or ceramides – basically anything that screams MOISTURE. Leave it on for like 15-20 minutes.But it’s a nice extra, not some essential pre-flight ritual that’ll magically protect your skin for the next ten hours.
And yes, getting some sleep helps too. I’m gonna sound like your mum here but GET TO BED EARLY. I know you’re buzzing and probably want to have “just one more drink” to celebrate, but your face will absolutely rat you out tomorrow. Dark circles, puffiness, looking generally dead – not the vibe.
It may also be a good idea to meditate, especially during particularly stressful moments, like before security. I know it doesn’t seem like a skincare tip but I swear it helps!
Related: How To Meditate Your Way To Clear Skin
Right Before You Fly
My pre-flight skincare routine is boring. That’s exactly how I like it. I use:
- A gentle cleanser.
- A hydrating serum, if my skin needs it.
- Moisturiser.
- Sunscreen if I’m flying during the day.
That’s it. Your skin doesn’t suddenly need toner, essence, three serums, eye patches and a sleeping mask because you’ve checked in for a flight. If you love hyaluronic acid, this is a good time to use it. Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds onto water, so it can help temporarily plump and hydrate skin. But always follow it with moisturiser.
Best Picks:
- NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex ($43.00): Still one of my favourite hydrating serums when my skin needs a serious moisture boost. It has more than a dozen forms of hyaluronic acid. That’s a lot of moisture! Available at Cult Beauty and Niod
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($9.90): A cheaper, fuss-free option if you just want extra hydration without blowing half your holiday budget on a serum. Available at Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta
- Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster ($39.00): A good option if you want hyaluronic acid plus barrier-supporting ingredients in the same formula. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Hyaluronic Acid For Skin
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
How To Take Care Of Your Skin During A Flight
Here’s where skincare gets weird. Somewhere along the way, flying became an excuse to perform an entire facial at 35,000 feet. Personally? I’d rather watch a movie. Here’s all you need to do on a flight for your skin:
Reapply Moisturiser If Your Skin Feels Dry
I used to reapply hyaluronic acid serum and moisturiser every 90 minutes on a flight. These days, I think that’s overkill. If I’ve moisturised properly before boarding, I leave my skin alone until it actually starts feeling dry.
On a short flight like my two-hour trip to Budapest? I probably won’t apply anything at all. On a long-haul flight, if my skin starts feeling tight halfway through, I’ll add another layer of moisturiser.
You don’t have to keep reapplying hyaluronic acid. A moisturiser does more of the heavy lifting here because it helps slow water loss from your skin. If your skin is VERY dry, you can also dab a little petrolatum or another occlusive balm over particularly dry areas and your lips. No hourly skincare alarm required.
Do You Need A Face Mist On A Plane?
Nope. Face mists feel lovely. They’re cooling, refreshing and make you feel like you’ve got your life together even when you’ve been sitting in seat 34B for seven hours. But they’re not my first choice for keeping skin hydrated.
Spraying water or a watery mist over your face doesn’t replace a moisturiser that actually helps slow moisture loss. If you love your mist, use it. I just wouldn’t rely on it to stop your skin drying out.
What About Sheet Masks?
You can use one. You can also NOT terrify the person sitting next to you. Your choice. Seriously though, sheet masks aren’t essential. They’re basically a very inconvenient way of delivering hydrating ingredients to your face. If you enjoy the ritual, knock yourself out. If you don’t fancy spending half an hour looking like a serial killer at 35,000 feet, moisturiser works just fine.
Wear Sunscreen
Can I tell you a secret? I hate sitting by the window. Sure, the view is nice, but it’s too close to the sun for my taste. UV rays are more intense at higher altitudes. Add the thinner air that can’t screen harmful radiation as well and you’ve got a recipe for sunburns and wrinkles. Thankfully, plane windows block most UVB. UVA is sneakier. Some of it can still get through, especially if you’re glued to the window on a daytime flight. So yes, I’m wearing sunscreen anyway. And yes, I’m pulling the shade down too.
Best Picks:
- EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 ($43.00): Its silky texture is pretty lightweight and sinks in quickly without turning your skin into a greasy mess. Plus it’s water-resistant. The catch? It does leave a slight white cast on the skin. Available at Dermstore and Walmart
- Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 ($39.00): My fave mineral sunscreen, it’s super lightweight and doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind. It’s suitable even for oily skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
- Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($45.00): A mineral tinted sunscreen that’s lightweight enough for even oily skin. Available at Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, and Skinceuticals
Related: Do You Really Need To Reapply Sunscreen Every 2 Hours?
Post-Flight Recovery
Right, you’ve landed! First up: wash your face but be nice about it. Use something creamy and gentle – your skin’s been through enough already. You just wanna get rid of all that gross airplane air and grime without making things worse.
Then absolutely DROWN your skin in hydration. Hyaluronic acid serum, thick moisturizer, maybe even both because why not. If your face is looking angry and red, chuck on a soothing mask. Anything with aloe or centella will sort you right out. Anything with aloe or centella can help calm down irritation and inflammation.
FAQ: Your Flight Skincare Questions Answered
Should I wear makeup on a plane?
Honestly? Skip it. I know it feels weird but your skin will be SO much happier. If you really can’t handle going bare-faced (I get it), here’s my move: tinted moisturizer with SPF, bit of concealer if you need it, done. That’s literally it. Save the full face for when you land and your skin doesn’t look like the desert. Your photos will be better anyway.
Can I do my full skincare routine in the airplane bathroom?
I mean… you CAN but those bathrooms are tiny and disgusting and there’s always someone banging on the door. Keep it simple. I just take my hyaluronic acid and moisturizer and reapply at my seat. Be subtle about it though. The full routine can wait – your skin will survive a few hours.
What about overnight flights?
Okay so here’s what I do: normal evening routine before boarding (cleanser, serum, moisturizer). Once you’re ready to pass out, slap on an extra layer of moisturizer or a sleeping mask. Some people sleep with nothing but I think that’s mad – your skin needs the help. Just don’t use anything super sticky that’ll end up all over the gross airplane pillow.
How do I pack skincare in carry-on?
The 100ml rule is so annoying, right? Get travel sizes or decant your stuff into little bottles (Amazon has them cheap). Shove everything in a clear ziplock. Makes security way faster. LIFE HACK: solid cleansers and stick moisturizers don’t count as liquids! Changed my life.
Do I really need to reapply products every 90 minutes?
Nah not necessarily. On a short flight like my Budapest one (2 hours), I do my routine before and maybe once during. Done. But on a massive long-haul? Yeah I’m reapplying every few hours because my skin genuinely starts feeling tight and shit. Just see how your skin feels. If it’s fine, don’t stress. If it’s feeling dry, reapply. Don’t overthink it.
The Bottom Line
Taking care of your skin on a plane is much less complicated than Instagram makes it look. Moisturise well before boarding, wear sunscreen on daytime flights, top up moisturiser if your skin gets tight and leave the exfoliating acids and elaborate sheet-mask ritual until you’re back on solid ground. That’s usually enough to stop my skin arriving at my destination looking as jet-lagged as I feel.
Keeping it simple is definitely how I do it. I personally do not like to remove make-up and applying skin care products during a long haul flight, especially since I sit in coach/economy where there is not enough space to do them without bothering my neighbor. I’ve sat beside a woman who removed her make-up at the beginning of the flight and then did her makeup before we landed – the problem was her elbow kept hitting me, her containers kept falling out of the backseat tray, and her mist ended up on my face (I had to tell her not to use mist with scent or perfume because some people can be allergic to it). Before leaving home, I double the amount of hydrating lotion I use on my face. I also use a tinted moisturizer or a tinted moisturizing sunscreen so that it’s easier to re-apply. I do not use foundation and use lesser make-up overall. I also drink a lot of water during the flight.
JD, that’s so rude! I agree, keeping it simple and preparing well before a flight, especially if you don’t have the chance to retouch your skincare, is key.
Hi Gio, may I know how do you reapply your hyaluronic acid and moisturizer on top of your sunscreen and makeup during your flight?
Claire, I don’t wear makeup on long haul flights so I just apply my skincare as normal on top of sunscreen.
I have been falling on this myth that anything skincare products applied after sunscreen will not be absorb by the skin as sunscreen (both chemical & physical) creates a protection preventing them from entering! That was what my demologist told me, sign. I’m so glad that I have found your blog, gave me more confidence on how to use my products properly. I will definitely reapply The ordinary HA and Argon Oil whenever my face is dehydrated! Oh, do I need to reapply my sunscreen after doing so? How about the normal days, are we supposed to reapply our sunscreen every 2-3 hours regardless of indoor/outdoor?
Claire, I would reapply sunscreen every two hours or so on a plane just because you’re so close to the sun up there. For everyday, it really depends on how much time you spend in the sun or near windows. UV rays degrade UV filters, making them ineffective after a while. The more time you spend in the sooner, the quicker the degradation process happens. So if it’s summer and you’re spending quite a bit of time outdoors/working near windows, reapply. If it’s winter, you can barely see the sun and don’t venture outdoors, there’s no need to. Experts must tell you to reapply every 2 hours but the truth is you have to exercise your own judgment.