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A selection of SkinCeuticals skincare products displayed on a silver suitcase, including a vitamin C serum, a hydrating serum, a corrective essence mist, and a sunscreen.

Sky High Skincare: The Impact of Flying on the Skin and Expert Tips for Maintaining Healthy Skin While Flying

Explore the impact of flying on your skin and the importance of sky high skincare! From pre-flight to post-flight, we provide expert tips and a recommended routine with dermatologist-tested products, to keep your skin hydrated and protected while travelling.
Creation Date: 08 May 2024
Update Date: 04 Jun 2025

The Impact of Flying on The Skin and The Importance of Skincare


Expert Skincare Tips When Flying


Skincare Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling


Key Concerns to Think About When Flying


Our Recommended Routine for Flying, With Dermatologist Tested Skincare to Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Protected



The Impact of Flying on The Skin and The Importance of Skincare

The skin can become dehydrated on an aeroplane due to recirculated air, high pressure, and air conditioning. That’s why it’s imperative that you make sure your skin is adequately hydrated before, during and after the flight. This will ensure the skin barrier does not become compromised.

Another big skin concern when sky-high is UV radiation. When you fly at high altitude, you are closer to the ozone layer which puts your skin at greater risk of sun damage. That’s why you should protect it from UV with a broad-spectrum sunscreen and re-apply every few hours if travelling long haul.


Expert Skincare Tips When Flying


Pre-Flight Skincare Tips

The best way of preparing your skin for a flight is by following your usual routine while ensuring you’ve applied sufficient hydrating formulas. Dermatologists recommend cleansing and toning before adding an antioxidant, hydrating serum, and moisturiser. If you’re travelling in the daytime, you should end your routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Flying overnight? Switch this step for a very hydrating and nourishing night cream to compensate for any moisture loss.

In-Flight Skincare Tips

Flying draws moisture from the skin so it’s important to re-apply a hydrating serum and moisturiser to your skin every few hours. If you’re flying during the day, you should also re-apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every few hours. This will protect your skin from UV radiation which is very powerful at high altitude. Don’t forget to also re-apply a moisturising product on your lips every 2-3 hours as this will prevent your lips from becoming chapped and dry.

Post-flight Skincare Tips

After flying and arriving at your destination, cleanse the skin and re-apply your usual skincare routine. Bacteria can thrive in recycled aeroplane air, so it’s important to clean away any pollutants that have attached to the skin. Follow this with an vitamin C antioxidant serum to defend the skin against free radical damage and a hyaluronic acid serum and moisturiser to ensure your skin’s hydration levels are topped up.

A bottle of Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist on a neutral background, designed for soothing and hydrating skin.

Skincare Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling

While LHAs and exfoliants such as retinol are an important part of a skincare regime, it’s advisable to skip these while travelling. Your skin will be going through a lot as it switches between climates and may become more dehydrated than usual. That’s why it’s best to avoid anything that may cause irritation or additional water loss.

Key Concerns to Think About When Flying

UV protection, hydration and avoiding dryness are the key concerns to think about when flying. As such, ensure your in-flight beauty bag contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen, antioxidant serum to protect it from environmental aggressors, a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, and a moisturiser.

Our Recommended Routine for Flying, With Dermatologist Tested Skincare to Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Protected



Step 1: Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum

SkinCeuticals has a range of antioxidant serums formulated for the needs of different skin types. Choose the formula that suits your skin concerns, such as C E Ferulic for visible signs of ageing, Phloretin C F for discolouration, and Silymarin CF for blemishes, and apply it before you take off. These effective topical antioxidants neutralise free radicals and protect the skin against oxidative stress that can be created by environmental aggressors such as plane fumes and UV light.

"When it comes to antioxidants, SkinCeuticals is the only brand that I recommend."Dr. Emma Craythorne, Consultant Dermatologist



Step 2: Phyto Corrective Essence Mist

Refresh your skin throughout your flight (even over makeup!) with SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist. Botanical extracts, glycerin and hyaluronic acid help to reduce visible redness, repair the skin barrier, and improve the skin’s hydration levels by 69%*.

"Phyto Corrective Essence Mist is an ideal everyday option for those wanting to hydrate and soothe the skin whilst calming visible redness." –  Dr. Wassim Taktouk, Aesthetic Physician

*Instrumental test, 27 subjects



Step 3: Hydrating B5 Serum

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 serum is clinically proven to amplify and maintain the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels. This helps to restore the natural appearance of plumpness, smoothness, and firmness in the skin and prevent it from becoming dehydrated during and after a flight.

"Hydrating B5 serum provides hydration to the top layers of the skin by the way of the humectant effect of hyaluronic acid drawing moisture into the skin."Dr. Ana Mansouri, Aesthetic Doctor



Step 4: Emollience Moisturiser

Formulated with essential oils, lipids, and natural extracts, SkinCeuticals Emollience Moisturiser will help you restore and maintain moisture during a flight. It’s also beneficial for use at high altitudes and absorbs into the skin quickly and easily making it ideal for using in-flight.



Step 5: Advanced Brightening SPF50

Ultra-light and residue free, SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening SPF50 uses 1% Tranexamic Acid and 2% Niacinamide to improve skin clarity and brightness, reduce the appearance of discoloration, and protect the skin from UV induced damage. Regular application during your flight will ensure your skin is protected from UV rays on and off the flight.

"The SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense SPF50 is one of my favourite sunscreens to recommend in clinic. It provides broad-spectrum UV protection, and contains niacinamide and tranexamic acid to address UV-induced skin discolouration. It’s suitable for all skin types and my patients love it as it treats and prevents hyperpigmentation."Dr. Derrick Phillips, Consultant Dermatologist



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Creation Date: 10 Aug 2020
Update Date: 22 Apr 2025
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