How to Reset Your Skin After a Long Flight: Travel Skincare Tips That Actually Work
How to Reset Your Skin After a Long Flight
We’ve all been there: you step off a long-haul flight, glance in the mirror, and… yikes. Tight, dry, dull skin that makes your under-eye circles look like they’ve been working overtime. As someone who travels often for destination weddings, I’ve learned (the hard way) what works and what doesn’t when it comes to post-flight skin recovery. Whether you’re heading straight into wedding weekend or just back to work after a red-eye, here’s how I reset my skin after flying—and how you can too.
What Happens to Your Skin on a Plane?
Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, usually hovering around 10–20% humidity (that’s desert-level dry). Pair that with recycled air, lack of movement, and disrupted sleep, and it’s no wonder your skin revolts.
You might notice:
- Dry, flaky patches
- Puffy eyes
- Dullness
- Breakouts from sitting in makeup or touching your face more than usual
The good news? With the right routine, you can bounce back fast.
✈️ Before You Fly: Skin Prep Checklist
Resetting your skin actually starts before takeoff. Here’s what I do:
- Hydrate like it’s your job. Drink water starting the day before travel, not just while you’re in the air.
- Skip heavy makeup. Go bare-faced if you can. If not, opt for a light tinted SPF and skip foundation.
- Apply a good moisturizer or sleeping mask before boarding—something with ceramides or squalane to lock in moisture.
- Bring facial wipes or micellar water to cleanse mid-flight, especially if it’s overnight.
🛬 Post-Flight: My Step-by-Step Skin Reset
When I land (especially if I’m heading straight to a client dinner or venue walkthrough), this is the routine I swear by:
- Cleanse gently. Use something hydrating and soothing—not the time for exfoliants.
- Hydrating toner or mist. I love one with aloe or chamomile to calm my skin down.
- Sheet mask or hydrating serum. If I have time to sit for 15 minutes, a mask is my go-to. Otherwise, I pat in a serum with hyaluronic acid.
- Seal it in. Moisturizer is key—bonus points for something rich but not greasy.
- Depuff. A chilled jade roller or under-eye patches feel amazing after flying.
Optional: A touch of tinted SPF or light makeup if I need to run to an event.
🌿 Ingredient Spotlight: Hyaluronic Acid
This ingredient is a post-flight must for me. It helps draw water into the skin (it can hold up to 1000x its weight in water!) and makes a huge difference in how plump and refreshed your face looks.
My favorite Hyaluronic Acid:
Alternatively, look for it in serums, masks, or moisturizers. I love the pure stuff. And always apply it to damp skin for max effect!
✨ A Personal Favorite
I once flew back-to-back redeyes from Hawaii to NYC to photograph a wedding, and by the time I landed, my skin was mad. I had a couple breakouts from wearing a mask for 10+ hours, plus flaky dryness. What helped me recover fast: a gentle cleanse, layering a hyaluronic acid serum under a thick moisturizer, and lots of water. I skipped foundation and let my skin breathe, and by the next morning, it looked (and felt) so much better.
A Few Skin-Saving Extras I Never Fly Without
If you’re someone who travels often—whether for weddings, work, or wanderlust—having a go-to travel skincare kit is a game-changer. I always keep a few essentials in a small pouch that stays in my carry-on no matter what:
- A mini facial mist: I love something like the Evian spray or a rosewater mist to give my skin a quick refresh mid-flight.
- A rich overnight mask: Laneige and Summer Fridays both have travel-friendly sizes that leave skin feeling plush and calm by landing.
- A clean pillowcase or travel wrap: If I’m flying long-haul and plan to nap, I bring a silk pillowcase or wrap to avoid that grimy, stale airplane seat fabric on my face.
- Hand cream + lip balm: Because somehow the plane air zaps the life out of everything from cuticles to lips.
These little touches make me feel more like myself when I land—especially if I’m heading straight into meetings, a shoot, or family time.
One Last Reminder: Be Gentle With Yourself
After a long flight (especially one across time zones), your body and skin are adjusting to a lot. It’s totally okay if your skin doesn’t bounce back immediately. Resetting your skin is not about perfection—it’s about helping it feel supported, hydrated, and calm again. Give it a little love, keep things simple, and let it come back to life in its own time.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a 10-step routine to bring your skin back to life after flying—but a few intentional steps can make a huge difference. Hydration, gentle products, and skipping the harsh stuff are your best friends. And if you can, give your skin time to breathe before layering on makeup again.
Happy travels—and glowing skin ahead.
