Skincare for Long-Haul Flights

Skincare when we travel needs a boost, and it’s about more than products.

We all know how drying cabin air is on planes and we feel its effects so much more on long-haul flights. There is notable reduction in humidity than we are used to. This can lead to inflammation and breakouts.

Taking care of our skin on flights especially longer than five hours begins before we board and continues past the flight.

-> Are you more sensitive on planes that have wifi enable? Studies have shown how non-native EMFs disturb us on a cellular level. We looked at this in our article on magnesium.

suggestions for Skincare When we Travel

Hydrate

Everyone has heard this and knows – hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Hydration begins before the flight. I also take more liquids the gate as well, even though it means going to the bathroom a few more times before boarding. I take a pinch of celtic salt before drinking water to mineralize.

Drink filtered water with electrolytes or just with a few pinches of celtic salt. If you like Himalayan pink salt, Earthley has an electrolyte powder. Another option is Shilajit, which is full of bioavailable trace minerals. I like the ones from Fractal Forest, which offers several kinds of Shilajit. Wild American and Himalayan Shilajit drops. Because I travel with a selection of tincture, sometimes I don’t have room for the Shilajit drops. If I’m travelling with my husband, he lets me add a few more items to his quart-sized bag.

Eating juicy fruits like watermelon is also a great way to hydrate though I tend not to eat fruits on planes.

Minimizing alcohol and caffeine prior to the flight helps as well as not drinking either on the flight if you’re prone to fatigue. Sometimes, I’ll go for a small glass of wine when I’m feeling good so I feel it out.

Prior to my recent trip, I started working on improving my internal hydration so I had something on hand when I landed. I’m taking two herbal blends – Bone Renewal and Supreme Hydration. These are great as it helps with constipation if you’re prone to digestive upset when you travel. This is internal skincare when we face the travel challenges such as new foods.

I usually take a combo of Bone Renewal and Supreme Hydration a couple of times everyday. In the first few days of my trip, I took it more times. And I opt for soup and herbal teas whenever it’s an option.

Supreme Hydration was designed to hydrate internally and externally, promote healthy digestion, and cool and soothe the body.

Details

Bone Renewal tea is a blend of Chinese and Ayurvedic bone-mending herbs to remove toxic heat, improve hydration, and increase absorption.

Details

Hydration also means moisturizing the skin. Some people absolutely swear by misting their faces onboard. People also do masks on their long flights. There are easy sheet masks or something like Living Libations’ Frankincense Honey Mask.

I love the Kalima Cleansing Mask from Leahlani. It’s a purifying coconut mask that I mix with the Solar Rose Water from Sun Potion. While not handy for travels, I do a mask before and after my trips.

Take Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the foundational vitamins. It doesn’t get as much “airtime” now that there are constantly changing marketing darlings. This doesn’t mean it isn’t still important for our health. It is.

Our immune system can weaken when we are stressed. Excitement is also stress, never mind what the body goes through when we deal with airports, flights (even short ones), questionable airplane food, new environments, etc.

I have a couple types of Vitamin C that I like, such as the Vita-C tincture from Earthley and Micro-C from Vimergy, which is what I use taking it to bowel intolerance. I love Vita-C as it’s from natural sources and tinctures are easy to take anytime, anywhere.

Fruits are also a natural source of Vitamin C and I look for the super juicy ones for hydration as well.

-> Did you know Earthley has a reseller on Amazon? This means that Earthley’s beloved tinctures, creams, and other herbal products can reach more people. Get their Vita-C.

Relax & Destress

Being relaxed before the trip helps prep the body for the ravages of a long-haul flight. Whether this is booking in a therapeutic massage or relaxing massage, or doing a self-massage, it realigns the body physically and energetically and addresses muscle strain. I have a regular gua sha and lymphatic drainage practice that I ramp up prior to the trip. To help with lymphatic drainage, I use the Lymphatic Cream. I also bring a selection of tools with me, along with the cream, which is great for clearing sinuses.

Looking for dry brush recommendations? Check out these brushes I love, love.

If possible, I book hotel rooms with a bath so I can relax after a long flight. I also travel with magnesium lotion, which promotes sleep as well as helps with muscle strain, both of which can come up when travelling. Magnesium gets depleted when we are stressed and since it’s needed for so many functions, travelling with it is recommended. Read more about magnesium.

I’ve been using Goodnight Lotion for the past several years. Their original is with lavender essential oil and they also have seasonal scents, such as Blue Bliss and Blueberry Vanilla. I get the “sensitive” which does not have added scents/oils. The scent-free version of Goodnight Lotion is the choice for pregnant women and infants as well. Apply a pea-sized amount to the inner thighs or belly about fifteen minutes before sleep. When I’m extra tired, I put on a little more.

Clean Skincare

Switch to natural skincare with these ideas.

The skin is the biggest organ and we quickly take in what we put on our skin. Minimizing chemicals is an easy way to reduce burdens on our body. It means having less for the body to process and eliminate. To support liver function, consider Earthley’s Liver Love. As a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner, I also do Self-Help (application of Jin Shin on myself) regularly. Holding the thumb and each of the fingers on the flight helps the energy and physical bodies to adapt as we move quickly through time and space.

I have a simple skincare routine, especially as I wear very little makeup. For more than a decade, I’ve been using rms beauty’s Uncoverup Concealer. For more coverage, I use Lily Lolo BB Cream.

When I landed at my destination on my most recent trip, I asked on Threads for people’s best tips. Hydration was the top suggestion. Others – exfoliate, hyaluronic acid, Korean skincare, lots of moisturizer, and resting (regulated and quality sleep).

What are your best skincare tips for travel and long-haul flights?

I’m available for Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions and consults. This beautiful energy modality is what we can call cradle-to-grave support as it can help with so many challenges, conditions, and transitions. Releasing energetic blockages, for example, is also an important part of skincare when we travel.