Traveling can be exciting, but long flights and extended travel days can take a toll on your skin and overall well-being. The dry cabin air, lack of movement, and irregular routines often leave your skin feeling dehydrated, dull, and fatigued. To maintain fresh, healthy skin while on the go, it’s essential to follow a few effective body care tips tailored for travel.
Here are some must-know body care tips for long flights and travel days to keep you looking and feeling your best, no matter where your journey takes you.
1. Stay Hydrated Inside and Out
One of the biggest culprits behind dry, tired skin during flights is dehydration caused by low cabin humidity. Drinking plenty of water is crucial, but external hydration is just as important.
How to Stay Hydrated:
Drink Water Regularly: Aim for at least 8 ounces of water every hour during your flight.
Use a Hydrating Body Lotion: Apply a rich, moisturizing lotion to lock in moisture, especially on exposed areas like hands, arms, and legs.
Facial Mist: Carry a travel-sized hydrating mist to refresh your face throughout the flight.
For long-lasting hydration, consider using nourishing products from BYFT Store’s Body Care Collection, designed to keep your skin moisturized and healthy even in the driest environments.
2. Keep Your Skin Clean with Travel-Friendly Wipes
Long flights can make your skin feel greasy and clogged due to sweat, makeup, and exposure to recycled air. While washing your face in an airplane bathroom isn’t ideal, cleansing wipes are a convenient alternative.
Body Care Essentials:
Facial Cleansing Wipes: Gently remove dirt, oil, and makeup without drying out your skin.
Antibacterial Body Wipes: Freshen up your body, especially during long layovers or when showering isn’t an option.
Hand Sanitizer: Keep your hands clean without over-drying them by choosing a formula with moisturizing ingredients.
3. Apply a Rich Moisturizer Before and After Your Flight
Prepping your skin before takeoff can prevent dryness and irritation. Apply a rich body moisturizer before your flight to create a protective barrier against dry cabin air. Reapply as needed, especially on areas prone to dryness like your elbows, knees, and hands.
Key Ingredients to Look For:
Shea Butter: Provides deep hydration and nourishment.
Hyaluronic Acid: Retains moisture and plumps the skin.
Coconut Oil: Soothes and softens the skin, preventing flakiness.
Pro Tip: Use a thick hand cream to keep your hands soft, as frequent hand sanitizing during travel can lead to dryness.
4. Dress Comfortably and Choose Breathable Fabrics
Your clothing can impact your skin during long flights. Tight or synthetic fabrics can cause irritation, chafing, or even breakouts, especially in warm or humid environments.
What to Wear for Healthy Skin:
Loose, Comfortable Clothing: Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo to prevent skin irritation.
Compression Socks: Improve circulation during long periods of sitting and reduce swelling.
Layer Up: Airplane cabins can get cold, so dress in layers to stay comfortable without overheating your skin.
5. Protect Your Lips and Hands
Cabin air can be particularly harsh on sensitive areas like your lips and hands. These parts often get overlooked but require extra attention during travel.
Lip and Hand Care Tips:
Lip Balm: Choose a moisturizing lip balm with ingredients like beeswax or shea butter to prevent chapped lips.
Hand Cream: Apply a hydrating hand cream regularly to combat dryness from hand sanitizers and dry air.
Cuticle Oil: Keep your cuticles healthy and prevent cracking with a nourishing oil or balm.
6. Don’t Forget Sunscreen
If you’re sitting by the window on a plane, you’re exposed to higher levels of UV radiation. While airplane windows block some UVB rays, UVA rays (which cause skin aging) can still penetrate.
How to Protect Your Skin:
Apply Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before your flight.
Reapply: If your flight is longer than 4 hours, reapply sunscreen to maintain protection.
Wear a Hat or Scarf: For added protection, especially during sunny layovers.
7. Move Around and Stretch
Long periods of sitting can lead to poor circulation, swelling, and even skin dullness. Moving around not only improves your overall health but also helps maintain healthy skin.
Simple In-Flight Exercises:
Ankle Rolls: Improve blood flow in your legs.
Neck Stretches: Relieve tension from sitting upright for long periods.
Walk the Aisle: Take a short walk every hour if possible.
8. After-Flight Body Care Routine
Once you’ve landed, give your skin some extra love to recover from the stress of travel.
Post-Flight Care Tips:
Cleanse Thoroughly: Remove any buildup of dirt, oil, and sweat with a gentle body cleanser.
Exfoliate: Use a mild body scrub to slough off dead skin cells and revive your skin’s glow.
Hydrate: Apply a rich body moisturizer to replenish lost hydration.
Final Thoughts
Long flights and extended travel days can be tough on your skin, but with the right body care routine, you can maintain a fresh, healthy glow no matter where you go. From staying hydrated and moisturizing regularly to using gentle cleansing wipes and protecting your skin from UV exposure, these tips will keep your skin looking its best throughout your travels.
Don’t forget to pack travel-friendly products from the BYFT Store’s Body Care Collection for the ultimate on-the-go skincare experience. Safe travels and happy skin!