Should I wash my face on the plane?

Clean your skin.
If not, it'll have an even harder time breathing than it already is (thanks, stale, recirculated airplane air) and the hydrating products you apply won't sink in as much as they could. I'd also recommend not washing your face in the airplane bathroom if you can avoid it.



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Skin care during the flight Depending on your flight time, you'll probably want to top up your skincare to replenish lost water and lipids. Cleanse off existing skincare with some micellar water, and use a face mist to dampen your complexion. Repeat your hydrating serum, and follow up again with a rich face cream.

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“After you get off a flight, thoroughly wash your face with a soap-free hydrating cleanser to remove any dirt or oil from the airplane,” Dr. Zeichner recommends. Then apply a moisturizer to help hydrate and repair any damage to the skin barrier.

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Apply a Face Oil Every Hour
Applying a few drops of well-formulated face oil every hour during your flight will dramatically help your skin retain moisture. This is seriously effective, especially when it comes to long international flights.

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The Impact Air Travel Has On Your Skin Dehydration: airline travel is one of the fastest skin dehydrators. Dullness: flying can take away your glow. Sun Sensitivity: sitting in a window seat gives you extra exposure to closer UV rays. Extra Eye Baggage: the puffy bags under your eyes can get worse.

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If you do happen to pick up bacteria or fungi that's not your own, this may lead to itchiness and bumps on the skin and scalp. Showering after flights is probably a good thing—regardless of the length! —if only to have that clean feel after being cooped up in a cabin.

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First, the humidity of an aircraft's cabin dips below 20% while the typical humidity in a home is more than 30%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). “When the skin is exposed to low ambient humidity, it becomes dehydrated, leading to [a] dry, dull, tight feeling and even itchy skin,” Friedler explains.

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When choosing what to wear on a plane, look for stylish tops made with natural fabrics, such as cotton, silk, wool or linen, which will allow air and moisture to pass through. Moisture-wicking man-made fabrics are an equally savvy option.

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Airplane acne is a real thing, and many travelers are affected by it. The dry air on airplanes can irritate your skin, no matter what type you have. For those with already dry skin, the air on a plane can exacerbate the dryness, while those with oily skin could produce excess oils to compensate for the dryness.

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The only problem is, besides that warm breeze and feeling the sun on your face, air travel also has some less pleasant associations, like dryness and puffiness. When “flight face” strikes, it pays to know how to deal with it (or better yet, prevent it happening in the first place).

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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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For example, many stick deodorants and antiperspirants come in sizes under 3.4 ounces, so it's fine to bring in your carry-on bag. However, roll-ons tend to be larger, meaning they must be packed in checked luggage.

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Frequently Asked Skin Care Tips While Traveling
When you're traveling, it's important to remember that any liquids, gels, creams, and pastes can only be taken in carry-on luggage in containers of 3.4 ounces or less, and they all must fit in one quart size clear ziplock bag.

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During Your Flight
As for the rest of your skincare routine, look for serums and moisturizers that contain humectants (like hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and sodium PCA) and emollients (like shea butter and squalane). “These will draw water from the air and seal it into the skin,” Yadav says.

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Use a serum with hyaluronic acid which keeps the skin's moisture levels high and maintains healthy cellular function. L'oreal Revitalift Replumping Ampules come in handy flight-friendly single-use ampules which are useful as it's tricky to decant a serum. Then to seal that moisture in use a face cream over the top.

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Don't use airplane bathroom water to wash your face (which you should do before putting anything on it).

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Prioritize Shower + Personal Care the Night Before
This is especially helpful when prepping for early morning flights.

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Wash. If you are travelling and decide to wash your hair, you should do it one day before and let your hair air-dry. Washing your hair the same day you are travelling allows dust to stick to your wet hair and the city pollution will make it dry. So plan your hair wash a day before travelling.

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“This means that the skin on your face and body can become incredibly dehydrated, even on a short flight.” The consequences can appear in the form of oily skin, breakouts and puffiness, as the skin desperately tries to hang on to water and compensate for the arid conditions.

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