I was standing at the bathroom mirror this morning, repacking my carry-on for a trip to London. The kind of flight where you lose track of whether it’s day or night by the time the seatbelt sign goes off.
After years of landing with skin that feels like parchment, I’ve learned something simple: you don’t need twelve products at 35,000 feet. You need the right five.
Start with a Hydrating Serum
The single best thing you can do for your skin on a flight is to get it well hydrated before you even board. I like to layer a hydrating serum under moisturiser and SPF, focusing on ingredients that attract and hold moisture — hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol.
One of my newest travel bag additions is the RoC Hydra+ Hyaluronic Serum Stick. It feels cooling on the skin, it’s completely mess-free, and you can swipe it over your face whenever things start to feel dry. Ideal for flights, beach holidays, hot weather — honestly, I use it everywhere now.
Don’t Skip a Nourishing Moisturiser
I know some people keep their travel skincare barebones, but cabin air is surprisingly harsh on the skin barrier, and a slightly richer cream than usual makes all the difference.
My favourite for long flights is La Mer Crème de la Mer. It’s a splurge, yes — I’ve bought enough $90 serums to know better before reaching for something pricey — but whenever my skin needs serious TLC, this is what fixes it. Redness, irritation, that general inflamed look from recycled air? One layer handles all of it.
For overnight flights especially, I skip makeup entirely and let hydration do the work.
SPF Is Still Essential
If you sit by the window, UV exposure on a plane is higher than most people expect. And if you’re landing somewhere sunny, you want protection from the moment your shoes hit the terminal floor.
One of my current favourites is Mimétique Everyday50 Invisible Face Fluid — it has skincare built in and a gorgeous serum-like texture. You can get 15% off with code REE15.Get 15% off Mimétique with code REE15
SPF sticks have also become one of my best travel discoveries. No spills, no liquid restrictions, no product on your hands. A few I reach for:
- Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF 50+
- Clarins Invisible Sun Care Stick SPF50
Both are brilliant for topping up protection during travel days and throughout a holiday.
Keep Lips Comfortable
My lips are always the first to protest on a flight. A good lip balm doesn’t sound like much, but after three hours in dry cabin air, you’ll be grateful it’s there.
I tend toward richer formulas that provide lasting comfort rather than anything too glossy or lightweight. My go-to is La Mer’s lip balm — another splurge I can’t justify on paper but always do in practice.
If you want something effective with a touch of colour, the REESON Glossing Balms are completely non-sticky and deeply hydrating. They look great too.
Refresh Tired Eyes
Whether it’s an overnight flight, an early morning departure, or just that travel-excitement insomnia, the eye area always gives the game away.
A lightweight eye cream or a pair of hydrating eye patches can help you look more refreshed before you head to baggage reclaim. The Grace & Stella Eye Masks are affordable, effective, and genuinely pleasant to use — they come in several formulas for different concerns. I’d call these one of those little luxuries that aren’t strictly necessary but always feel like a treat.
Don’t Forget Fragrance
This sounds random, but applying fragrance just before landing is one of my favourite travel rituals. After hours in recycled airplane air, a quick spritz of perfume somehow makes you feel instantly more put together and ready to start the trip.
Just keep it light — you don’t want to fill the cabin with something heavy during takeoff.
The Essentials I Always Prioritise
If I had to narrow it down, my non-negotiables for any long haul flight are:
- A hydrating serum
- A nourishing moisturiser
- A light SPF
- A lip balm
These four genuinely keep my skin comfortable and hydrated while travelling, and they don’t take up much room in your bag either.
The Glow Ritual
Pre-Flight Hydration Layering (5 minutes)
Five minutes before boarding, apply hydrating serum → moisturiser → SPF in that order. Let each layer settle for about 30 seconds before the next one. Think of it like a houseplant: water it well before the long dry spell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use my regular skincare routine on a plane?
Yes, but consider switching to slightly richer formulas than your everyday ones. Cabin air is much drier than what you’re used to at home, so a cream that feels heavy in summer might feel just right at altitude.
Is SPF really necessary on a flight?
Absolutely — especially if you sit by the window. UV exposure is higher than most people realise, and if you’re landing somewhere sunny, protection from the moment you arrive matters for mature skin.
What’s the one product I should not skip?
If you can only pack one thing beyond your basics, make it a hydrating serum. It’s the foundation everything else builds on, and it’s the easiest product to layer without feeling heavy.
A little glow, every day — even at 35,000 feet.