My In-flight Skincare Regimen: How I Keep My Skin Happy At 30,000 Feet
Lisa Patulny is a beauty editor, journalist, career creative and Italo disco enthusiast. (She’s also a qualified volunteer ethics teacher, so if you’re looking for a D&M on an ethical issue, you know who to call.) She’s passionate about a lot of other things too: sun safety, skincare, fragrance, family (hi kids!), food and travel. Find her on socials @lisapatulny.
This year, I set a new travel PB, embarking on five long-haul flights.
Some trips were for work, and some were for leisure – but all involved whittling down my, ahem, overenthusiastic beauty routine into comically small zip-top plastic bags.
And now? I’m writing this from a tiny apāto in Osaka, where I’ve relocated for a few months.
On the plane, my skin gets drier than Audrey Plaza’s sense of humour, so if I don’t pack the correct skincare in my carry-on, it pays me back with a perioral dermatitis flare. (Rude.)
If you ask me, there’s no better testing ground than moisture-sapping cabin air at 30,000 feet.
So, flying into winter, I knew it was extra important that I nail my in-flight skincare regimen.
Spoiler: I did.
Dehydration? Don’t know her. Dry patches? Bye. Damaged skin barrier? Not on my watch.
So, here are the products I packed in my carry-on that kept my skin happy at high altitude.
Avène Thermal Spring Water.
Fast facts:
- Instantly refreshing: One spritz calms, soothes and instantly revives tired skin.
- Multi-purpose: It’s a toner, it’s a midday pick-me-up, it’s all-day hydration.
- Gentle but powerful: With natural soothing properties, it’s great for sensitive skin.
My mini Avène Thermal Spring Water review:
Maybe the most beloved skin staple on my list, this refreshing spritz needs no introduction.
Packed with soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, it combats the impact of cabin air.
A generous mist helps to calm redness and irritation and re-balance hydration levels. Plus, it doesn’t leave any residue, so you can douse your skin to your heart’s content.
Gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types, it’s a perfect on-the-plane pick-me-up.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Face Mask.
Fast facts:
- Serious glow: This radiance-boosting sheet mask dials up luminosity in 20 minutes.
- Cooling comfort: The mask has an instant cooling effect, which helps to calm redness.
- Ginseng-powered: The brand’s MASTER COMPLEX™ evens tone and smooths lines.
My mini Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Face Mask review:
My newest travel MVP, this sheet mask is like a first-class upgrade for your face.
Infused with three weeks' worth of the brand’s cult First Care Activating Serum, it has an instant cooling and calming effect, which helps to nix irritation before it can kick off.
Unlike some brands, it fits snugly, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping off into your lap.
I like to apply it mid-flight during the quiet hours (read: when the lights go off – I’m not a complete psychopath), then I sit back, stick my headphones in and let the mask do its magic.
The remaining essence doubles as a treatment for hands, neck, or anywhere else.
Don’t waste it! This stuff is liquid gold.
tbh Skincare rebound serum.
Fast facts:
- Barrier repair in a bottle: Packed with a host of ingredients that help strengthen skin.
- Hydration hero: With glycerin and hyaluronic acid, it floods this skin with moisture.
- Bye redness: Soothing ingredients work together to calm irritation and nix redness.
My mini tbh Skincare rebound serum review:
I don’t know how many times I’ve recommended this product – so many!
It’s just so dang good at calming a grumpy skin barrier.
A blend of ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and panthenol, it’s like someone took every supportive skin ingredient out there and then poured them into a single bottle.
I regularly mist my face throughout the flight, then apply a few drops with clean hands.
My skin slurps it up, and it noticeably calms, even after hours in the sky.
If you are someone whose face throws a tantrum at liftoff, trust me, you should try this.
Lanolips 12 Hour Overnight Lip Mask.
Fast facts:
- Ultra-nourishing: It cocoons lips with a non-slip formula for intense hydration all night.
- Moisture-locking: Not only does it hydrate, it also helps to prevent moisture loss.
- Antioxidant protection: Infused with vitamins C and E to repair and protect dry lips.
My mini Lanolips 12 Hour Overnight Lip Mask review:
I like to think of myself as a bit of a lip balm connoisseur.
And I only seek out formulas that are capable of saving even the tightest, flakiest lips. (Why yes, I did take a course of Roacctuane over a decade ago; how did you know?).
Take it from me – a woman with chronically dry lips – this one is the real deal.
Rich in lanolin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, it’s a buttery powerhouse that deeply softens.
Thick enough to get the job done but not especially sticky, it’s designed to last overnight.
And that, my friends, makes it a dream for long-haul flights.
Because nobody wants to dig into their carry-on every hour just to reapply lip balm.
Watch Dermal Therapist Joanna Fleming take us through her holiday skin routine in the YouTube video below:
Dr. Bronner's Hand Sanitizer - Lavender.
Fast facts:
- A handbag essential: For quick and easy sanitisation, with a light lavender scent.
- Gentle ingredients: Disinfects without harsh chemicals – great for dry skin types.
- Convenient spray bottle: Nicer to use than a gel, mist over hands then rub it in.
My mini Dr. Bronner's Hand Sanitizer review:
We all know that planes are grotty, germy places to be.
So, I would never dream of getting on a plane without a bottle of this in my bag.
This sanitiser disinfects without drying out the skin. (Important when you’re using it a lot.)
It’s actually made with glycerin, which helps to hydrate while cleansing.
I’m not a fan of lavender generally, but the scent is so mild it doesn’t bother me. (If you’d prefer, it’s also available in peppermint.)
Plus, part of me hopes that it’ll do some aromatherapy magic to help get my kids to sleep.
The Goodnight Co Good Morning Essential Oil Roll On.
Fast facts:
- Mood uplifter: Infused with invigorating essential oils, it really revitalises the senses.
- On-the-go refresh: Compact and easy to use, it’s perfect to stash in your carry on.
- Energising: The blend is designed to help you feel awake and alert – a flight must-have.
My mini The Goodnight Co Good Morning Essential Oil Roll On review:
Speaking of aromatherapy magic!
I genuinely think that taking essential oil rollerballs on long-haul flights is a cheat code. They are such an easy way to boost your mood when you’re in cramped quarters.
This one is zingy and zesty (eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint,) which is really refreshing.
I’ll apply it to my pulse points or even just dot it straight under my nose. I also swipe it on the back of my neck and at my temples if I get a pressure headache.
I usually only take one scent, but packing an uplifting one and a calming one would be genius.
tbh Skincare patch it up - large pimple patches.
Fast facts:
- Generously sized: Designed for cystic, inflamed spots, they tackle even deep blemishes.
- Anti-pick: They act as a literal protective shield, keeping hands off, and germs out.
- Multi-taskers: Reducing redness and post-breakout marks? Yep they do that too.
My mini tbh Skincare patch it up - large pimple patches review:
If you get breakouts every time you travel in the air, you should probably grab a pack of these.
They’re designed to cover and treat cystic acne, speeding up the healing process.
They also cover the spots, protecting them from germs and other external irritants. (Bonus: you won’t absent-mindedly touch them with your dirty plane hands.)
With 40 patches per pack, you can share them with everyone else in your row.
If you feel weird about wearing them in public, please know that they’re barely visible.
You’ll be so glad you packed them – they really do speed up the life cycle of the pimple.
For more travel beauty inspo, check these BIQs out next:
