Beauty Tips that You Can Fit in Your Carry-On

My favorite part of the holidays is packing up and traveling with my friends and family. However, flying is actually very damaging to the body and skin. Here are some of my favorite tips to help protect your skin and have you feeling great when you land.

Prepare

Not following the TSA liquids rule is a good way for you to lose your skincare products and start your trip on the wrong foot. Be sure to pack your liquids in a clear, quart-sized bag. The bottles should be 3.4 ounces or under per item and secured tightly to avoid a yucky mess.

Forget the Make-Up

No need to primp your face for the paparazzi because wearing make-up on a flight is just going to give you a nasty breakout. According to Dr. Neal Schultz, an NYC-based dermatologist, flying across different time zones messes with your internal clock and causes it to reset. "It's very stressful to your body, which deals with stress by secreting cortisone from you adrenal gland, but every time the adrenal gland makes some cortisone, it also leaks a little bit of male hormone, androgen, out at the same time. In men who have normally high levels of male hormone, that little bit of male hormone doesn't make any difference. But in women, who normally have low levels of male hormone, that extra little bit of male hormone makes a big difference."

This is why Emily Ferber from Into the Gloss says wearing make-up while flying is a major “no-go”. “Not even tinted moisturizer”, she says. “Not even just a little concealer on that zit just in case you run into an ex or a colleague or your star-crossed lover.” If you are worried about blemishes, she suggests reaching for a pimple patch instead.

Have Wipes on Hand

If you didn’t have time to take off your make-up before your flight, have some make-up removal wipes packed and ready to go. Be sure to also remember your oil blotting sheets because your skin makes up for the cabin’s lack of moisture by producing more natural oils on the face. Having Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Wipes on hand will help you avoid this problem.

Stay Moisturized

The pressurized air in the cabin will suck all the moisture out of your skin so keep yourself hydrate and moisturized throughout the flight. Before heading to the airport, you’ll to want layer skincare from thinnest to thickest. According to Fashionisters, this will push each layer of moisture deeper into your skin and guarantee fresh skin when you land.

Having your moisturizer on-hand is also important so choose one that will give you optimal hydration, like the Clinique Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. Facial spritzers, such as the Evian Facial Water Spray, can also you stay refreshed while you’re on-the-go!

Don’t forget your eye cream either! Actress Kate Winslet expressed it’s importance to InStyle UK by saying, “A good eye cream is really important when you are traveling, busy and stressed—that’s when the dark puffy circles can get you.”

Put on a Mask

Applying a sheet or eye mask is a great way to preventing puffiness, while also giving you glowing, smooth skin. You may look weird but it’s a great conversation starter!

Ice Trick

If you haven’t packed a mask and are worried about puffiness, reach for an ice cube. Smoothy rubbing it over the face will reduce swelling and wake you (and your skin) up before you land.

Avoid the Bloat

Airplane bloat is real and it can leave you feeling uncomfortable and swollen throughout the flight. To avoid this, stick to water! Celebrity nutritionist, Charles Passler, MD, says drinking soda or any carbonated drinks on a flight will “expand the gut, causing an increase of air in the digestive track”. Coffee, a diuretic, can give you the same uncomfortable symptoms..

To be extra careful, pack a probiotic or a magnesium, which can help with fluid retention.

Apply SPF

Being closer to the sun means you’re closer to the radiation. Be sure to apply a layer of sunscreen while onboard to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.