Why does my skin look so bad after flying?

“When we fly our skin becomes dehydrated, especially on long-haul flights,” explains Consultant Dermatologist Dr Justine Hextall. “Essentially the recycled air in the cabin is incredibly drying. This lack of moisture starts to affect our skin barrier and we see an increase in trans-epidermal water loss.



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Blame water retention for that post-flight puffiness. Inactivity as well as too much salt intake (thanks, airport snacks) during a long flight causes water retention, which shows up as facial puffiness, says Tanzi, or as we'll call it, bloat. Once you land, aim to get a bit of exercise, even if it's just a brisk walk.

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You'd think that this is the reason we often end up looking worn out at the end of a long flight. However, it goes a lot deeper than the long waits and jostling through crowds. The air that circulates in airplanes is dry and oxygen-poor, dehydrating your skin— even on short routes—and leaving you looking haggard.

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Power Up with Hyaluronic Acid Using a gel-based mask or serum that features hyaluronic acid as a primary ingredient to help revitalize tired skin post-flight. As a skincare ingredient, hyaluronic acid increases your skin's ability to retain moisture [1].

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Traveller's thrombosis (economy class syndrome) is a condition that occurs when you have to sit in the same position for a long time, such as when on an airplane. Traveller's Thrombosis can occur if you stay in the same position for a long time without much movement.

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Aerotoxic syndrome relates to ill-health effects associated with breathing contaminated air in an airliner cabin. Researchers have associated aerotoxic syndrome with exposure to substances such as engine oil and hydraulic fluid.

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Sitting down in a tight seat for 13+ hours can sometimes lead to circulation issues, including swelling in the feet. According to The Healthy, the chance of your body forming blood clots increases when blood isn't moving correctly, such as when onboard a long-haul flight.

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“My best recommendation is to apply moisturizer before getting on the plane to act as a barrier to the environment.” Dr. Zeichner recommends Vaseline All Over Body Balm, which can be used to create a protective seal over the skin (including your face, body, hands, and cuticles).

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Hassani recommends only using three skincare items for the duration of your flight: a hydrating lip balm, a hand cream and a broad-spectrum SPF. Use the lip balm and hand cream as needed, and be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours (with clean or sanitized hands!)

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10 Ways to Look and Feel Fresh After a Long Flight
  1. Bring a Change of Clothes.
  2. Move Around. ...
  3. Keep Essentials on Hand. ...
  4. Plan your Sleep. ...
  5. Stay Away from Caffeine and Alcohol. ...
  6. Hydrate with an In-Flight Drink. ...
  7. Kleenex Wet Wipes. ...
  8. Wear an Overnight Face Mask. If you want to feel fresh after a long flight, where an overnight mask. ...


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Believe it or not, an hour of flight time is akin to spending about 20 minutes in a tanning bed. Except, instead of achieving a healthy tanned glow, all it does is just deteriorate your skin condition. Sun exposure is actually one of the key reasons for the skin to lose its elasticity.

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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. “Use cold compresses for any puffiness,” says Dr.

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Studies have shown cabin humidity to be as low as 2 percent. For flyers, that might translate to itchy, tight skin; for those with conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, even a short flight could lead to a flare-up.

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Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.

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