Ask any frequent flier: There is such a thing as beauty flight essentials. Maybe you’re on the red eye or flying halfway around the world (and yes, battling a toddler the entire time). Whatever the situation, a few key products will make all the difference in how you look (and even how you feel) post-flight. Here are the beauty flight essentials you need to be at your very best.
More Skin Care Products to Try:
7 Products You Need In-Flight To Look (and Feel) Fresh
Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil
Skin sapped of moisture is the most common post-flight complaint. Because air inside the pressurized plane cabin is so dehydrating, your skin may appear lackluster and dull by the time you land. Take steps to combat this effect by following my tried-and-true in-flight moisturizing technique. I begin with Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil ($50), a lightweight emulsion that sinks right in and leave skin dewy soft. It's enriched with nourishing oils derived from macadamia seed, marshmallow, avocado, and jojoba. My dry skin thanks me every time I apply this miracle worker.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè
Moisturizer is your BFF when you're in flight. I'm partial to REN Ultra Moisture Day Cream ($44), an antioxidant-rich emollient that protects skin from the harmful free radicals associated with cosmic radiation exposure during a flight. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin softer for longer, while the rich consistency envelops skin with a comforting blanket of moisture. Another crowd-pleaser is Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè ($16), which doubles as a makeup remover.
Clinique All About Lips
Lips, too, have a tendency to dry out very quickly in flight. Alleviate the dreaded case of chapped lips by exfoliating them prior to applying moisturizer. You don't need an expensive "lip scrub"; a toothbrush does an incredible job of sloughing off dead skin and smoothing out lips. Then I apply Clinique All About Lips ($22.50), which is an anti-aging, nourishing lip treatment that leaves my pout as soft as suede and ready for lip balm, lipstick, or lip gloss.
glō minerals The Mint Balm
I've found that the lip problem can be so severe that my usual lip balms simply won't do. I swear by glō minerals The Mint Balm ($13.50) because it's full of softening oils, like hemp seed and meadowfoam, plus mango seed butter. My lips are left supple and consistently smooth throughout the flight. (Bonus points for SPF 15 content---always a plus when you're on the ground!)
Cost Plus World Market Almond Vanilla Paper Soap
Dry hands, too? Say it ain't so! Unfortunately, yes, everything from tip to toe can suffer the unfortunate wrath of humid air. And if you happen to be germaphobic or are simply guzzling a ton of water (which you absolutely should do) and hitting up the restroom nonstop, you'll likely wash your hands in flight more than you care to admit. Since airplane soap can be drying, tote along your own. I love Cost Plus World Market Almond Vanilla Paper Soap ($1.99 for 25 sheets), which smells lovely and has an instant hydrating effect on skin.
Organic Doctor Virgin Coconut Oil Hand & Nail Cream
Follow with a hardcore hand cream, like Organic Doctor Virgin Coconut Oil Hand & Nail Cream ($12.49). Deeply hydrating, this cream feels wonderful on even the most cracked skin. It sinks in quickly, leaving hands baby soft without the greasy finish so typical of heavy-duty hand creams. It also hydrates dry feet---another in-flight issue---like a charm.
Fresh Sugar Cherry Tinted Lip Treatment
Though I am a makeup fiend, I steer clear of the "full face" when I'm flying. If I do want to look a bit more pulled together, I use Olay CC Cream Total Effects Daily Moisturizer ($24.99), which is lighter than a foundation but still provides great coverage. My skin looks pristine, and a slick of colorful lip balm, like Fresh Sugar Cherry Tinted Lip Treatment ($22.50), is all I need to disembark with confidence.