Whether you are flying economy, business, first class, or by private plane, you’ll want to look and feel your absolute best when you arrive at your destination.
Looking after your skin during your holiday is just as important as the act of enjoying the holiday itself. However, there are also measures you can take in advance to ensure your skin is beautifully primed and hydrated before you leave. Whether you are visiting a sunny destination or spending a week skiing, preparing your skin before departure will leave it better equipped to deal with the cocktail of travel, temperature changes, and climate.
Equally, the main goal for skincare on the return from your trip should be to repair, rejuvenate and restore the skin to its proper levels of hydration whilst maintaining that healthy holiday glow.
Here, Holly Mason of the Skin Investment Clinic in Surrey provides some top tips on how to holiday-proof your skin to ensure you come back looking as good and relaxed as you feel.
Plan and Prepare
- The week before your holiday – exfoliate your body and apply a moisturiser daily. This will keep your skin looking smooth and flawless on holiday.
- If you use a retinoid cream – stop using it the night before you travel and during your holiday as it can increase your skins sensitivity to sunlight.
- Do not get a chemical peel treatment at least 2 weeks before going on holiday – choose a facial instead. My clients love an oxygen blast facial to intensify the holiday glow and feed the skin with lots of nutrients which they are going to lose during the travel experience.
Pre Flight TLC
- Drink plenty of water prior to the flight – the more moisture you have within, the more hydrated your skin will be.
- Have a shower at home before flying and do your whole skincare routine at home – I would strongly recommend using a Hyaluronic Acid serum before flying – I love Mesoestetic Ha Densimatrix 30ml
How flying affects your skin
The aeroplane cabin can be brutal on your skin. The air is dry and full of germs and the sun is stronger at high altitude. Skin can be exposed to UV rays and the risk of sun damage to your skin can be high, with UVA light penetrating through the windows. The humidity level in planes is significantly lower than what our skin is most comfortable with – the lower humidity levels can leave skin feeling dry or even oily as skin produces more oil to compensate for dryness. The lower air pressure and high altitude reduces the amount of oxygen your blood carries and lower oxygen flow can make your skin appear dull and lacklustre.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
- If your skin feels dry on the plane, reapply the hyaluronic serum or apply a hydrating face mask.
- Give yourself an in-flight facial – I love applying a hydrating overnight mask during long haul flights. My fave is Agologie Hydra Replenishing Sleeping Mask. You can also opt for a sheet mask if you would prefer, these guys have some great ones.
- Make sure you put on sun protection factor (SPF) on board – not just when you land as the UV rays can be very strong and penetrate through the window when flying. I love and always recommend Heliocare 360 Oil Free Gel.
- To improve dull complexion or puffiness – give yourself a gentle face massage.
- Rich eye creams are great to maximise skin hydration when you are asleep on the plane.
- Fly make-up free.
- Rejuvenate your skin with a facial mist – I love a rose spray such as Acqua di Rose which is super refreshing.
When Landed
- As soon as you arrive, make sure you pay attention to your skincare routine – double cleanse to unclog pores – replenish with creams and serums.
- Apply sun cream.
- If skin feels puffy use a cold compress on your face.
On Holiday
- Always use a cleanser that is gentle on your skin to avoid stripping the skins natural oils and always follow up with SPF when stepping out into the sunshine.
- Don’t start using new products whilst on holiday – holidays are not the time to try new samples as you don’t want to deal with negative reactions while abroad.
- Remember to regularly apply lip balm – preferably with SPF.
- Stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day- normally 10am – 2pm and cover up if you can.
- Sun cream is your skin’s best friend. Obvious but often forgotten. The best thing you can do for you skin is use a good sun cream to protect your skin from premature ageing and to keep moisture in. SPF 50 is ideal for face and body and reapply frequently throughout the day. Some are waterproof but it’s always sensible to reapply after swimming.
After Holiday
- Over exposure to harmful UV rays generates free radicals. These excessive free radicals (oxygen molecules) cause cell damage. The more damage these cause, the higher the chance of developing wrinkles, unwanted pigmentation, chronic illness and other diseases including skin cancer.
- Our Oxygen blast treatments are incredible for restoring your skin – celebrities have long been swearing by oxygen facials before and after holidays to add a dose of glow to their skin. Victoria Beckham and Kate Middleton are massive fans. Oxygen treatment involves applying a highly pressurised stream of oxygen that is packed with skin nutrients like hyaluronic acid making the skin look plumper, smoother, and dewier.
- As for any post-holiday pigmentation concerns – I would recommend a course of chemical peels, but this should not be done until at least 2 weeks after you return.
- When your golden tan starts to fade and you go back to your normal make up routine, book in for a deep skin facial with us. If you have used a lot of oily sun protection products, then have this treatment as soon as you get back.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy your holiday! You can rest in the knowledge if you follow these steps that you will be taking good care of your skin. Now go and soak up some rays and have a much needed dip in the ocean (just don’t forget your SPF).
Holly x
Holiday offer!
The first five Meon Valley Travel clients to book a pre-holiday facial with Holly will receive a complimentary Heliocare 360 Oil Free Gel worth £31 to take away with them. Just mention this article when making your appointment.
www.theskininvestmentclinic.com
T: 07887 855539
Meon Valley Travel
01730 711010
[email protected]
