Picture this: You’ve settled into your seat for a long flight abroad, and you notice an adjacent passenger peeling open a face mask to gently apply it before taking off. Moments before the plane lands, they remove the mask and proceed to apply a serum, moisturizer and SPF. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario—it’s one of TikTok’s latest skin-care trends. Get ready to land, and airplane skin-care hashtags, featuring in-flight routines, are blowing up on the app. While the trend is fun to watch, it sparks a simple question: Does your skin really need a full-blown routine while flying? “Airplane skin-care routines have gained popularity due to the unique environment of air travel, which is typically low in humidity and can be dehydrating for the skin,” says Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD. There’s value in taking care of your skin while in the air, especially on long flights, but the current trend may be romanticizing what a good routine looks like. Ahead, we tapped three dermatologists to weigh in on the trend and share the pros and cons of airplane skin care.
Featured experts
- Anna Chacon, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
- Dr. Rachel Nazarian, board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Brooke Jeffy, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, AZ
What is the airplane skin-care trend?
Face mists to refresh and hydrate skin are common while flying, but this trend takes things to the next level. On TikTok, the airplane skin-care hashtag displays in-flight routines with several steps, which typically include sprays, toner pads, face masks, moisturizers and lip products. Some are an abbreviated version of a morning shed routine, while others focus on viral sheet masks. There’s also a trend dedicated solely to landing. This trend follows the same format of popular “get ready with me (GRWM) videos and usually includes skin care and makeup routines completed before landing.
Is skin care on an airplane necessary?
The experts agree that skin care during your flight is actually isn’t a bad idea. “It’s absolutely highly recommended to apply skin-care products on planes. These flights can be quite damaging to skin, mostly due to the lack of humidity and the recirculated air,” says New York dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian. Scottsdale, AZ dermatologist Brooke Jeffy, MD, adds that the recirculated air in plane cabins is so dry that it’s important to keep your skin hydrated while flying. Maintaining hydration should be the focus here. However, as Dr. Chacon notes, complex routines with many products aren’t necessarily better. “A skin-care routine during a flight can be helpful, particularly on long-haul journeys or for individuals with dry or sensitive skin. But intense routines with products that may irritate the skin can become unnecessary and challenging, especially in confined spaces,” she says.
Does flight length matter?
Dehydration can occur regardless of flight length, especially for those prone to dryness or irritation. As you’d imagine, the issue can be exacerbated during longer travel times. “The length and duration of the flight can influence the need for a skin-care routine. Long flights increase exposure to dry cabin air, making hydration and barrier protection more important,” says Dr. Chacon. In that vein, prioritizing a routine utilizing hydrating products and ingredients is ideal. “If you’re on a long-haul flight or are traveling overnight, an abbreviated routine focused on hydration will be beneficial,“ says Dr. Jeffy. She adds that a hydrating face mask, which has become a staple in this trend, is reasonable but not necessary. At best, she says they’re good for killing time.
How to build a good airplane skin-care routine
Maintaining your skin’s health while flying starts before you set foot onto the plane. In the hours before boarding a long flight, Dr. Nazarian recommends hydrating skin from the outside by washing with a very mild cleanser and avoiding anything harsh, such as chemical peels or exfoliative brushes that may weaken the skin barrier. “Next should be a cocktail of potent antioxidants to neutralize all the free radical damage you’ll be exposed to in the air—think vitamin C to neutralize free radical damage and vitamins E and B3 to lock in moisture,” says Dr. Nazarian. While on the plane, it’s highly recommended to limit touching your face as airports and airplanes are notorious hotbeds for germs. Mists and spray serums formulated with hyaluronic acid are best for maintaining hydration levels and can be applied without touching.
The airplane skin-care trend shows no signs of slowing down. Like many viral trends, it has major shock value and hits a nerve. If you’re going to participate, keep in mind that an in-flight skin-care routine requires two main elements: hydration and protection. Hydrating from the inside out, moisturizing your skin beforehand to strengthen its barrier and utilizing SPF are the essentials of any skin-care routine, including one in the air.
