Travelling at high altitude can take a heavy toll on our skin and hair, especially on long-haul flights. This is because the pressurised air in the cabin has extremely low humidity, which dries out skin and can leave hair feeling static and flyaway. With humidity levels as low as 4%, this can also dry the membranes of the nose, mouth and throat (this helps to explain why food always tastes so bland on an aeroplane!).
Fortunately, there are ways to counteract the uncomfortable effects of air travel. Drinking plenty of water is important of course, but not so much that you find yourself making endless visits to the toilet. If you follow our five tips, we hope you’ll arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy your trip.
1. Before you leave. When you’re getting ready to go to the airport, don’t apply heavy foundation or concealer. If you want to wear make-up, stick to a light BB cream. Pack a few essentials in your cabin bag – remember you can only take liquids in containers that hold no more than 100ml, and these must be placed in a single clear plastic bag as you pass through airport security. In your plastic bag include cleanser, moisturiser and a water spritzer.
2. Cleanse after take-off. Once the plane is in the air, take a moment to cleanse all make-up and impurities from your face. Micellar water is great, or try Eternal Skincare’s Aloe Cleanse & Soothe Facial Wash. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients such as organic Aloe Vera, Chamomile and Calendula. Simply massage a small amount onto your face and use your water spritzer to wipe off.
3. Moisturise. Choose a moisturiser with a high concentration of active ingredient. Eternal Skincare’s Aloe Super Hydrating Moisturiser is a botanically-based, luxuriously rich hydrating cream which is perfect for use during a flight. Our larger pots are 225ml, so you’d need to decant some into a small container to get through security. If this seems like a hassle, we also have a 100ml tube, which is sold as part of a gift pack, including a 200ml tube of Facial Wash and a muslin cloth.
4. Relax with an eye mask. It might be tempting to spend hours scrolling through your phone or watching the airline entertainment, but try to take the opportunity to rest. Hydrating under-eye masks have become popular in recent years, and could help reduce puffiness and dark circles.
5. Get ready to land. A quick spritz of water and a reapplication of moisturiser will freshen up your skin as the plane begins its descent. If your hair is flyaway, rub a tiny amount of Aloe moisturiser in your palms and smooth down your hair. Just a touch, to achieve the sleek rather than greasy look!
We hope you have fun on your travels and come back with a healthy glowing complexion, with a little help from Eternal Skincare.
To find out more about our natural skincare products, visit our online shop.
