#1 Why is skin often dry after flying? 

Dry skin after a flight can be caused by a number of factors,' says medical specialist Malte Schmelter. The humidity in the air is low because of the altitude. The air conditioning on board makes the air even drier. Of course, the condition of the passenger's skin before the flight also has an influence. Anyone coming from a holiday in a sunny destination may have tanned skin, but it will also have lost moisture," says Schmelter. People who have suffered from dry skin for a long time are also often affected.  

 

#2 How to treat your skin before and during a flight    

It is important to moisturise your skin a few days before your planned trip," explains the specialist. Daily moisturisers can help. Drinking water regularly is also important. However, drinking a lot during the flight won't help much. I would then recommend an additional moisturising serum with hyaluronic acid," says Schmelter. The specialist also recommends a good cleansing lotion. Cleanse the skin before landing and then moisturise again. Sun protection is also important. We will look at this in more detail in the next tip.   

 

#3 Sun protection is your best friend 

Above the clouds, freedom must be boundless," sang Reinhard Mey in his chanson. That's what flying feels like: The clouds below and, if you're lucky, the sun shining down on you. But that sun can also be a problem. Due to the proximity of the sun, UV exposure in an aircraft is high, and not all of the rays are filtered through the window. UV-A rays in particular can cause skin damage," explains Schmelter. Sun protection is always useful - especially on long-haul flights. While a sun protection factor of 20 is often sufficient in winter, the specialist recommends SPF 50 in summer or on flights, because those who don't protect their skin with sunscreen and spend a lot of time outdoors often pay the price decades later. The skin never forgets," says Schmelter. People who sunbathe excessively in their twenties often end up with problems such as parchment skin, pigmentation disorders or age spots as they get older. From the age of 50, precursors of skin cancer can also occur more frequently. Which sunscreen is right for you is very subjective. However, you should not be stingy when it comes to applying sunscreen. A good rule of thumb is to apply a hand-length of sunscreen to each part of your body.    

 

#4 Things not to do during the flight 

You packed your suitcase at the last minute and there was a traffic jam on the way to the airport. When you finally get through passport control, you treat yourself to your fourth coffee of the day and try to forget the stress with one of many cigarettes. We hate to break it to you, but this is bad for your skin. Excessive smoking, alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the skin," she explains. But even when it comes to skincare, more isn't always better. Peelings should be avoided a few days before and during the flight. Schmelter is referring to chemical peels and active ingredients such as vitamin C or retinol. These active ingredients can make the skin more sensitive. So it's better to take a few days off and resume your active ingredient skincare regimen after your holiday.

 

#5 What about the hype products from social media? 

Have you ever seen a person on a plane with a sheet mask on their face? Or maybe someone who used all those hours for a 10-step skincare routine? You can find hundreds of tips online that are supposed to give you better skin than before the flight. But not all of them are actually good for your skin. ‘For me, sheet masks during the flight are not an uncritical trend,’ says Malte Schmelter. The masks are designed so that users can leave them on their skin for around 15 minutes. However, tips often recommend extending the application time to several hours. ‘I think the benefit here is more likely to backfire. With a sheet mask, the moisture is absorbed after a certain point. The air conditioning can cause the mask and the skin underneath to dry out more quickly.’ There are additional problems if the mask contains active ingredients such as vitamin C or retinol. If the active ingredients remain on the skin for hours, skin irritation can occur. 

Masks that moisturise with hyaluronic acid cause fewer problems. The specialist also believes that the 10-step skincare routine on a flight or at home is not absolutely necessary. ‘I don't think it's practical. Very few people keep it up over a longer period of time.’ The doctor recommends a shorter routine that is constantly adhered to. ‘It makes sense to use a cleanser and then a moisturiser. In the morning, a vitamin C serum under the sunscreen is suitable. A retinol product can also be used every two to three days.’

 

#6 How expensive should my skincare be? 

There is a wide range of prices for facial products. From a few Swiss francs for a cream on the high street to 750 Swiss francs for a concentrated serum at the top end of the market. But how much should skincare cost to get good results? There are many good products available in drugstores and retail outlets today," says Malte Schmelter. However, when it comes to sun protection, the specialist prefers products in the mid-price range. But sun protection in particular is often a case of trial and error. Not every texture is suitable for every skin type. The doctor would save less on products with vitamin C or retinol: "For cosmetics with these active ingredients, it makes sense to buy higher-priced products because the concentration is often better.