5 top skincare tips for jetsetters

Want to know 5 top skincare tips for jetsetters? As whether you’re a seasoned flyer, or a once-a-year vacation-er, we’ve all experienced the negative effects flying can have on our skin. Stepping off the plane, our faces all too often feel dry, dehydrated and dull – not the holiday look we had planned! So we decided to team up with Korean beauty and lifestyle blogger Vicky Lee to find out how we can look flawless in-flight every time. With a thriving beauty business at sorabelle, four children and extensive work and family commitments between London and her hometown of Seoul, Vicky knows first-hand the effects regular flying can have. ‘Flying is a massive stress on the skin, as the combination of cabin pressure and low humidity dries out the cellular structure. This results in exacerbated problems such as puffiness, redness and inflammation, unless handled with a proper beauty routine,’ she says. So what can we do?

Remove your make-up

You may be inclined to keep it on in-flight, but Vicky advises going natural when it comes to make-up. ‘Before you board, don’t forget to remove all your make-up with a gentle cleanse and exfoliation, as this ensures skin is clean and can breathe on flight.’

Moisturise!

‘The lack of moisture in the plane’s cabin literally pulls water out of the top layer of your skin, so it’s essential to moisturise and lock-in as much hydration as possible!’ says Vicky. ‘Creamy moisture masks or heavy-duty moisturisers applied liberally are an absolute must for soothing the skin.’ But which one’s are best? ‘Replace your day cream with a richer moisturiser, such as Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream and apply all over, concentrating the product on your T-zone and chin,’ explains Vicky. ‘What I love most about this product is that the heavy-textured cream feels surprisingly lightweight when applied, further absorbing deep into the skin without leaving a sticky residue.’

The dry skin hero

If you suffer with dry skin at the best of times, you’ll need to invest in an extra helping hand. ‘If your skin is super dry, try applying a few drops of facial essence, with a couple of extra dabs under the eye; the extra sensitive skin here is even more prone to drying out on flight,’ advises Vicky. The best product? ‘I swear by Innisfree’s Jeju Lava Seawater Essence, as it’s rich in minerals that activate a special hydration energy, working to soften, plump and brighten the skin while keeping the complexion intensely hydrated,’ Vicky says.

Mask it

A solid beauty routine in-flight may sound all well and good, but with a strict 100ml cap on all liquids and an even stricter one-bag-of-liquids-only rule, we’re starting to wonder how we’re going to fit it all in. But there is an answer! ‘As any frequent flyer knows, traveling with multiple liquids can be tricky territory, which is why a single-serving sheet mask makes for the perfect travel companion!’ says Vicky. ‘Look for an intensive moisture-boosting mask with high vitamin and antioxidant content such as Mizon’s Enjoy Vital Time Nourishing Mask. Its rich vitamin B, C, and E complex will help replenish lost nutrients from the harsh, recirculated air.’ And the mask boasts another secret ingredient that makes it perfect for dry-skin sufferers. ‘The addition of hyaluronic acid makes this mask a saviour for dry skin because of its ability to lock-in up to 1000 times more moisture than gel alone, leaving the skin noticeably radiant, soft and crystal clear.’

We know what you’re thinking: applying and removing a mask on a plane doesn’t sound like the wisest idea. However, Vicky maintains it’s stress-free. ‘After removing your mask, you can even rub the excess residue into the complexion for an extra shield of moisture… hassle-free, with even more glow!’

Embrace the mist

Beauty ‘mists’ have long been subject to controversy – are they just glorified water with a hefty price tag? Whether you buy into them or not, Vicky maintains they’re saviours when it comes to on-the-go hydration. ‘A refreshing hydrating mist is a must-have product to keep by your side,’ she says. ‘My favourite is Innsifree’s Green Tea Mineral Mist, as it refreshes and hydrates the skin while smoothing and brightening the surface.’ So when is the best time to spritz? ‘This is the perfect end product to use as you walk off the plane, making it look like you’ve just had a full night’s sleep.’

And this little hero doesn’t only shine on the plane. ‘Don’t forget you can carry this travel-sized spray in your handbag all holiday, as it does a great job at reviving the complexion when the weather is hot as well. What really sets this mist apart is that it contains 100 per cent green tea from the pristine Korean island of Jeju, working to reduce swelling and soothing any irritations thanks to its unique ability to cool down the skin.’