Pilot-Approved Skincare Strategies for Frequent Travelers
Who better to offer skincare advice than airline pilots, who endure the moisture-depleting environment of cabin air and navigate rapid climate and time zone changes regularly? These conditions can significantly stress the skin, leading to dryness and irritation. Delta Air Lines pilots Larissa Vculek and Paul Janowicz have shared their professional insights on maintaining skin health while traveling, providing a foundation for selecting effective beauty products to enhance your travel routine.
Essential Skincare Principles for Travel
According to Vculek, the cornerstone of travel skincare is hydration, particularly during winter months. "Moisturizing is key," Vculek emphasized via email. "Hydrate your skin as much as possible before flying into cooler climates." She also stressed the non-negotiable importance of sunscreen application, regardless of the weather. "I always put on SPF," she added. "Whether it's in my tinted moisturizer or foundation, it's important to wear it daily even in cold climates!" These expert tips aim to help travelers keep their skin healthy and hydrated during flights.
Note: The experts consulted for this article do not necessarily endorse the specific products mentioned unless explicitly stated.
Top Product Recommendations for Travel Skincare
Based on the pilots' recommendations, here are some highly-rated products to consider for your travel skincare kit:
Moisturizers for Intense Hydration
Paul Janowicz prefers thicker, cream-based moisturizers for colder climates, as they provide longer-lasting hydration compared to gel formulas. "For colder climates, I find that the thicker, cream-like moisturizers stay on my skin throughout the day versus gel-like moisturizers that tend to be absorbed quickly," he explained.
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: This bestselling product is praised by reviewers as a "godsend" for dry skin. Its rich formula contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to deeply nourish and repair the skin barrier, making it ideal for long travel days. It can also double as a hand cream.
- Weleda Skin Food: A cult-favorite among skincare enthusiasts, this moisturizer features a nourishing blend of glycerin, lanolin, and plant oils like sunflower and chamomile. It effectively hydrates the face, hands, and body with a little going a long way.
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm: Designed to soothe cracked or chafed skin, this balm combines glycerin, shea butter, and vitamin B5 for all-over use on the body, face, and hands.
Hydrating Serums for Extra Nourishment
Larissa Vculek advocates for double-moisturizing at night in cold climates and using hydrating serums with antioxidants. "If my skin is looking... dry, I will also use a hydrating serum at night... [with] age defy[ing] antioxidants that have clean, simple ingredients to help against breakout[s]," she wrote.
- Blume Meltdown Oil: This lightweight serum is packed with antioxidant-rich oils like rose hip seed and black cumin seed, which hydrate, brighten dark spots, and soothe acne due to their antibacterial properties.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum: An oil-free option that uses glycerin and hyaluronic acid to quench dry skin without clogging pores, offering quick absorption and a lightweight feel.
- The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum: A bestselling formula that delivers fast moisture to plump fine lines and repair the skin barrier, without a sticky residue.
Sunscreen for Daily Protection
Vculek reiterates the critical role of sunscreen in both flying and daily activities. "Always remember to wear SPF," she advised. "It's important to wear it daily even in cold climates!"
- Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30: This popular option provides broad-spectrum protection without leaving a white cast, and includes hydrating ingredients like jojoba and avocado oils.
- Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40: Known for its clear application and matte finish, this sunscreen also contains antioxidants like red algae to moisturize and soothe skin, doubling as a makeup primer.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen SPF 100: Formulated for sensitive skin, this milky formula absorbs quickly and offers high-level protection.
Lip Care and Travel Essentials
Janowicz recommends packing a "mini" skincare routine for travel, including lip balm. "I recommend packing a ‘mini’ skin care routine to use while traveling and reapplying moisturize[r], chapstick, etc. before you board," he said.
- Aquaphor Lip Repair: A classic lip balm that soothes chapped lips with shea butter, glycerin, and castor seed oil, providing essential hydration for travel.
- Travel Containers: Vculek suggests using travel-sized containers to organize skincare products. Options range from basic leakproof sets to splurge-worthy magnetic containers for easy packing.
Cleansers and Refreshers
Janowicz emphasizes the importance of having a cleanser and moisturizer/sunscreen combo while traveling. "[I] make sure to always have a cleanser and moisturizer/sunscreen combo with me [when I travel]," he noted.
- Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water: A gentle cleanser that removes makeup, dirt, and oil without rinsing, making it convenient for travel. Its travel-sized option is perfect for on-the-go use.
- Facial Sprays: Janowicz finds facial sprays refreshing during long flights. Tower 28's SOS spray, with antibacterial hypochlorous acid, soothes and strengthens skin, while Mario Badescu's aloe and rose water spray offers a hydrating pick-me-up.
- Face Masks: Though not always carried, masks like Cosrx's snail mucin sheet masks provide intense hydration and support the skin barrier during travel, with easy application and disposal.
By incorporating these pilot-tested tips and products into your travel routine, you can effectively combat the drying effects of air travel and maintain healthy, glowing skin no matter your destination.
