Plane Ahead: How to Care for Your Skin Before, During, and After a Flight

Woman using Clean AF Wipes For Travel

Have your ticket booked? Great! Now grab your carry-on. It’s time to avoid dry skin, puffy eyes, and chapped lips with these TSA-friendly treatments

Before You Board:

Go ahead—grab that epically overpriced water after clearing security. And head to the nearest restroom and prep for takeoff with our Clean AF Facial Cleansing Wipes. Loaded with Vitamin B5 to moisturize, Biotin to create a glow from within, and Folic Acid to detoxify and purify pores, these disposable sheets will purify your pores, moisturize dehydrated skin, and give you an all-around glow. This cleanse pre-flight will prevent any makeup, sweat, and dirt from being trapped in your pores.

During the Flight:

Perk up eye gels green tea restoring and hydrating in-flight plane skincare

The secret to forgetting you’re flying 36,000 feet above Earth? Using eye gels during a flight can help to moisturize and restore the delicate skin around your eyes in ten minutes flat, which can be particularly susceptible to dryness and puffiness when flying. The dry, recycled air on airplanes can cause dehydration and inflammation in the skin, which can lead to puffiness, dark circles, and other signs of fatigue.

Eye gels like the Moodpatch™ Perk Up Eye Gels can help to combat these issues by delivering a concentrated dose of hydration and nourishment to the skin around your eyes. The Green Tea in the eye gels can help to reduce puffiness and inflammation, while the Pine Leaf Extract can provide antioxidant protection against environmental stressors. The White Mulberry can help to brighten dark circles, giving your eyes a more refreshed and awake appearance. We call that a win-win-win!

In addition to their skincare benefits, the Moodpatch™ Perk Up Eye Gels can also provide a mood-boosting effect. The invigorating scent of Bergamot can help to energize and uplift your mood, making you feel more alert and refreshed during the flight.

Overall, using eye gels during a flight can be a simple and effective way to moisturize, restore, and refresh the delicate skin around your eyes. They can help to reduce puffiness, brighten dark circles, and provide a mood-boosting effect, making them a great addition to your in-flight skincare routine. Don't worry, if you're not feeling a self-care moment in-flight they work great post-flight too!

After You Land:

As soon as the flight attendant says, “Thanks for flying with us,” swipe on our Lip Service Gloss-to-Balm Treatment. This two-in-one treatment starts as a gloss and slowly melts into a soothing balm AKA the exact nourishment your lips need to counteract the cabin’s stale air.

Using a facial sheet mask to hydrate your skin after a long flight can combat dryness and help your skin in a number of ways. As we mentioned earlier, flying can have a dehydrating effect on your skin, leaving it feeling dry, tight, and flaky. This can lead to a variety of skin issues, including irritation, inflammation, and premature aging.

Facial sheet masks are a great way to combat these issues because they are specifically designed to deliver a concentrated dose of hydration and nourishment to your skin. The mask sits on your face for a period of time, allowing the ingredients to penetrate deep into your skin and provide intense hydration.

Patchology flashmaques illuminating hydrating and anti-aging face sheet masks 5 minute self-care

Facial sheet masks can be particularly beneficial for combatting dryness after a long flight because they often contain ingredients that are specifically targeted at hydrating and soothing the skin. Using a facial sheet mask after a long flight can also be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, helping to relieve stress and promote a sense of calm and well-being (see our Chill Mode Hydrogel mask). By taking some time to focus on your skincare and relaxation, you can help to combat the effects of flying and give your skin the care and attention it needs to look and feel its best.

The Ultimate Thirst Quencher for dry skin is our FlashMasque Hydrate 5-Minute Sheet Mask to combat dehydrated skin and soothe those dry patches on your face post-flight. Other sheet masks take up to 20 minutes to work, but this advanced masque material accelerates the delivery of essential ingredients in just 5 minutes. Hydrate has Hyaluronic Acid to improve elasticity and smooth your skin, Vitamin B5 to soften, smooth, and moisturize, and Betaine to retain moisture for superior hydration. 

Using a facial sheet mask to hydrate your skin after a long flight can be an effective way to combat dryness and help your skin recover from the effects of flying. By delivering a concentrated dose of hydration and nourishment to your skin, facial sheet masks can help to restore its natural balance, leaving it looking and feeling refreshed, revitalized, and healthy.

Flying High with Hydrated Skin: Three Tips

Flying can be exciting, but it can also take a toll on your skin, especially when it comes to staying hydrated. The dry, recycled air in airplanes can leave your skin feeling dehydrated and dry. If you're a frequent traveler, you may already know that maintaining healthy, hydrated skin while flying is essential. We'll share some tips for keeping your skin moisturized and avoiding dry skin on a flight.


woman drinking water with lemon slices staying hydrated
1. Drink Plenty of Water 


One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your skin hydrated during a flight is by drinking plenty of water. The dry air on the plane can dehydrate your body, leading to dry and dull skin. Aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water for every hour you're in the air. If you're not a fan of plain water, consider bringing a reusable water bottle with you and adding some lemon or lime for flavor.

2. Skip The Makeup 

Another way to prevent dry skin while flying is by moisturizing your skin before you take off. Apply a good quality moisturizer to your face, hands, and any other exposed areas of skin. Look for products that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera. If you have particularly dry skin, consider applying a facial oil before your moisturizer to lock in extra moisture.

3. Skip Alcohol and Caffeine 


woman holding travel mug with coffee take care of your skin and skip in flight
While it may be tempting to indulge in a cocktail or a cup of coffee on a flight, it's best to avoid alcohol and caffeine if you want to keep your skin hydrated. Both alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate your body, leading to dry and dull skin. Instead, opt for water, herbal tea, or a fresh juice.

    Why Skincare Matters When You Fly

    Skincare is important post-flight to stay hydrated because flying can have a dehydrating effect on your skin. The dry, recycled air on airplanes can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture, leaving it feeling dry, tight, and flaky. This can lead to a variety of skin issues, such as irritation, inflammation, and even premature aging.

    By taking care of your skin post-flight, you can help to restore its moisture balance and keep it hydrated. This can help to prevent dryness, irritation, and other skin issues that can be caused by flying. Moisturizing your skin with a good quality hydrating mask to replenish the moisture that was lost during the flight. Drinking plenty of water can also help to hydrate your body from the inside out, which can benefit your skin as well.

    In addition to moisturizing and hydrating your skin, it's also important to cleanse your skin after a flight. Airplanes can be full of germs and bacteria, and the recycled air can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Cleansing your skin with a gentle, non-drying cleanser like Clean AF can help to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from your skin, leaving you clean and refreshed.

    Overall, taking care of your skin post-flight is essential to keep it hydrated, healthy, and glowing. By following a simple skincare routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, and hydrating your skin, you can help to restore its natural balance and protect it from the effects of flying.

    And that’s it—mission accomplished. Not only do you look certifiably fresh, the start of your vacay is just an Uber ride away.