Yee ha! Your bag is packed, your passport is valid and you’ve got the feeling that you’re about to land directly into the best time of your life. While it’s easy to get distracted by which bikini to pack (all of them) and thoughts of cute cabana boys, it pays to spend a bit of thought and preparation on how your skin will handle the harsh cabin elements of the plane trip. Think recirculated air, less than 10% humidity (our body is most comfortable at about 50%), and you can see why your skin can end up stressed, dry and irritated; not the best start for your holiday snaps, aka your new Facebook profile picture.
Pre-Plane Trip Prep
Prepare your skin for the harsh environment it’s about to enter by boosting hydration levels in the lead up to your departure. If you’re not already, get friendly with your water bottle and aim for approximately 2 litres a day to hydrate from the inside out. While air travel may not have been around in the Dreamtime, Li’Tya certainly know how to nurture from the outside with their Tasmanian Kelp Hydrating Mask (part of a travel kit, $53), sure to get your skin perfectly plump for takeoff. Still want more moisture? Apply Kosmea’s Certified Organic Rosehip Oil ($24) before bed, compressing a hot towel on top of your application for deeper absorption. Tip: Continue this ritual in-flight; calming and beneficial for your skin.
In-Flight Artillery
Keep yourself occupied while you wait for the next movie to start with these hydration heroes, all under the regulation 100ml limit. Pick and mix to create your perfect aeroplane beauty bag.
Spritz on Botani Soothing Facial Mist to refresh and hydrate, making sure to lightly pat into the skin; leaving the water on your face to be evaporated by the air conditioner can dry your face out more than before. Be Genki offer mists to suit your mood, so if you’re on a red eye and looking for some shut-eye, their Tranquility ($24) blend will ease you into sleep, whereas their Vitality spray is perfect for reinvigorating before landing.
A non-comedogenic, oil free and light moisturiser will make sure your skin doesn’t feel too gluggy with all the extra TLC and rosehip oil boosts you’ll be giving it. A’kin Vital Hydration Gel Crème ($35.95) fits the bill perfectly.
Stave off jet lag with Sodashi Jet Lag Recovery Gel and Mist ($51). Massage the gel into pulse points every three hours, and mist face and body when you need a lift.
Lips are often the first to show physical signs of dehydration, so keep them supple and crack-free with regular application of Perfect Potion Soothe Lip Balm ($14.95). More of a finger-in-the-pot girl? MOR Lip Macaron in Sorbet ($12.95) has your index finger covered and your lips hydrated in too-cute packaging.
Jurlique Love Balm ($15) is the perfect all-rounder. ‘Wherever feels dry, apply’ is the manta for this little tin of super salve. Tip: Apply to nostrils to prevent that itchy, dry feeling heavily air-conditioned environments can cause.
Even if you’re not in First Class, you can still get a taste of the luxe life with the divine Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream ($28). Thick, rich and supremely hydrating – and breathe in the calming lavender scent for some DIY aromatherapy.
You’ve got your lips sorted; now it’s time to pay attention to your limbs, because let’s be honest, scaly, rough legs just don’t feel good. OP Therapy Body Hydrator ($18) contains Emu Oil to deeply hydrate and nourish your skin to be cabana boy ready.
Escape the less than pleasant scent of the person seated in 24B by making sure your own fragrance is the only one you’re enjoying. Urban Rituelle Botanical Perfume ($14.95) is a sleek 12ml, organic, 97% natural fragrance that won’t aggravate allergies. Your neighbours will surely appreciate that. Choose from relaxing Vanilla, Lavender and Geranium or energising Lemongrass, Lemon Myrtle, Grapefruit and Eucalyptus.
And when the hostie comes around? Ask for water or fruit juice, and avoid caffeinated tea, coffee and alcohol (no matter how long that baby screams), all of which can accelerate dehydration and increase bloating.
Dry, red, itchy eyes are another aeroplane ailment, so keep them bright and hydrated with eye drops. Pop a few of Optive Sensitive lubricant single use container eye drops ($12.45) into your purse, and use as needed. You’ll walk off the plane looking relaxed and refreshed, guaranteed.
Safe and happy travels!
Image credit: Kathryn Sprigg
