Jetting off? The BSD Guide to Travel Skincare
If you’re lucky enough to be jetting off this summer for some rest and relaxation in the sun, we’re thrilled for you.
Whether it’s a short hop or long haul, flying can take a toll on your skin, increasing dryness, irritation and worsening the appearance of dark marks and hyperpigmentation on Black skin.
Here’s your essential BSD travel skincare tips so you’re fresh faced on landing.
Pack smart
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (5 Pads) £21
You don’t need to empty your entire bathroom cabinet into your luggage, so pack light. Liquid restrictions will also limit you into making smart choices so wherever possible opt for mini and travel sized products. Decanting is never the best idea as it can impact the efficacy and integrity of your skincare.
If space is the issue, then stick to only the basics - cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. If you’re diligent in your skincare routine all year round, a couple of weeks without your most potent active skincare isn’t going to undo your hard work.
Though, if you want to boost the bare minimum, go for an all rounder treatment option - like a brightening and/or gentle exfoliating treatment. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pads (right) with a concoction of lactic acid, retinol and Vitamin C are individually wrapped, compact and easy to pack. Take four or five with you for a two-week holiday and use a couple of times a week to give your skin a glow.
Remember to be diligent with your sunscreen as well and pack a few options such as creams and sprays to keep skin fully protected.
In-flight skincare
Short haul flights are never going to be enough to do a full skincare routine on a plane, so if you can fly make up free, your skin will thank you for it.
Long haul on the other hand, depending on your skin type you may want to feed your skin extra hydration throughout the flight. The trick is to keep it simple and fuss-free. Bio-degradable hydrating sheet masks are easy to pack and will help against to dry plane air. Or your could go for a rich moisturiser that doubles up as a hydration mask - look for humectants and occlusive ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerine and squalene - slather it on and let it all sink in for juicy dewy skin upon arrival. For extra moisture apply a mist before moisturiser.
Always pack your own clean flannel and a mini micellar water to remove any masks or treatments.
You may not like it, but as an aesthetician I promise you the best thing you can do for your skin is fly make up free. Planes are not the most hygienic environments so you don’t want to waste time trying to remove make up. Fly with a clean face, it will make applying moisturiser and sunscreen throughout the flight much easier. You can always apply a bit of make up just before you land if you need to.
Dija Ayodele, Aesthetician and Author of Black Skin, The Definitive Skincare Guide
If you’re flying during the day, remember you’re closer to the sun at 35,000 feet, so sunscreen is a must.
Stay hydrated
Plane air is famously dry (and drying) because this is so little humidity in the cabin. It can be drier than the Sahara Desert! This can play havoc with most peoples skin - worsening dryness, irritation and itchiness or conversely making oily skin even more greasy which can lead to breakouts.
Combat this by staying hydrated by drinking water throughout the flight. If you like to indulge in some high life tipple, balance every alcoholic or caffeinated beverage with a glass of water.
Finally, so many people forget about their lips, hands and feet when flying, but they can get chronically dry too. A rich lip balm will do the trick as well as a hand and foot moisturiser. Just remember to massage excess lotion well into the cuticles to prevent dryness and hang nails.
On arrival at your destination, a good cleanse and moderate exercise is handy to revive your skin and boost sluggish circulation so you’ll be glowing in no time.