Traveling, in any form, can wreak havoc on your hair and skin. Air travel can take a particularly big toll on everything. The dry, recycled plane air dries my skin out and even can cause me to break out. Who wants to start a vacation with skin issues? When I’m on longer flights, I like to use the flight to do some skincare. While I don’t go thru my entire skincare routine there are a few things I do to keep my skin hydrated and looking its best. And who doesn’t want to start of their vacation with great skin? So in this post, I am sharing my plane beauty routine!
Plane Beauty Routine
Hydrate
When traveling in general it is so important to drink lots of water. Not only will it help to keep your skin hydrated but it is so good for you in a ton of other ways. While I’m waiting for my flight I like to drink at least 8oz of water. I also bring a full bottle of water with me on the plane. If it is a long-haul flight, I’ll bring even more.
This isn’t to say that I don’t have a cocktail when I travel. I do most of the time on long flights. I just make sure that I am also drinking water alongside it!
Take off all Makeup
Like any other time you are doing any sort of skincare, it is important to start with a clean face. If I’m wearing makeup, I take all of it off immediately because I don’t want anything clogging my pores. If I wear makeup to the airport I will typically go in the bathroom at the terminal and wash it off. This is easier than doing it on the flight. In my carry on I have a small bag with my beauty essentials. I have it for two reasons. Both to use during the flight and just in case my checked bag is lost.
If I am not able to wash my face before, I’ll use micellar water and a cotton pad. I always keep a travel size in my carry-on beauty bag. This quickly removes both makeup and any dirt or oil. While a makeup wipe is tempting to use, I try not to use them. They can be really harsh on your skin and they tend to make me break out.
Add Moisture
Moisture, Moisture, Moisture! Now I add a barrier to protect my skin and add moisture. The best thing to do this is a really moisturizing mask. There are lots of ingredients to look for when picking a mask to keep your skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients and something I typically look for when researching moisturizing skin care. It helps your skin stay hydrated by holding onto moisture on your skin.
The Colleen Rothschild Intense Hydrating mask is my favorite mask for travel. First of all it does its job and really injects my skin with moisture to help it stay hydrated. I like to put it on and keep it on the whole flight. Another reason this mask is great is that it goes on clear so it doesn’t look like you have a mask on. So if the idea of having a mask on in public is a bit embarrassing this is the one to use. The last reason this mask is great for travel is it doesn’t have to be washed off! Once it is almost all soaked in, I’ll massage my skin to get the last bit absorbed.
If you don’t want to go as far as a mask. Slather on a really thick layer of moisturizer. If you are going this route, I would put on the moisturizer after an oil (see below). This moisturizer still protects your skin from the dry air and also add hydration. Anytime I talk skincare, I mention this Nivea moisturizer because it is so thick and really keeps your skin hydrated. It comes in really convenient travel sizes. But any thick moisturizer will do.
Apply an oil
Once the mask I’ve used has fully absorbed, I like to lock it all in with an oil. I have talked a few times about my love for this Vitamin C Serum/Oil. It is one of the few items I always take with me when I travel. Even when I’m wearing little or no makeup, this oil gives me a glow and because it is from Beauty Counter, I know it is a safe and clean product. So its not shocking that I immediately slather on a fair amount when on a plane. I apply it all over my face and neck and just let me skin take it in!
Don’t forget the Lips
My lips are always the first part of my face to dry out. And chapped lips aren’t fun for anyone! Once I have put on my mask, I add a moisturizing lip balm or lip mask next. I always have vaseline in my skincare bag so I use that too. But the specialty lip masks are a luxury I love to use as well.
Extra Points
If I am feeling up for it or if my skin just really needs some extra help there are a few other things I’ll do. Since now we have to wear a face mask during air travel, I’ll use that as a way to wear a face mask or eye gels without everyone seeing it. Many face masks come in two parts and I’ll just put the bottom part on or I’ll fold the mask down. But if you really don’t care about your fellow passengers, wear the full sheet mask.
If I have a few zits or blemishes that need to be treated, I’ll put on one of these patches. They are great to sleep in but a flight also gives them time to work.
Eye gels are a real treat anytime your eyes are dry or puffy! They help calm so many issues and just feel really luxurious. My favorite eye gels are these. They actually feel cool when you put them on! They are the ones I use after I cried and my eyes are really puffy and red.
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