Air travel… the excitement of discovering new horizons and experiencing unforgettable moments. But before you can dive into your vacation, there’s that one unavoidable step: the flight. And once you’ve landed, your first instinct is probably to rush to the shower to shake off the travel fatigue. But before you hop into that hot water, know that this habit might not be doing your skin any favors. A flight attendant shares with us the reasons why this post-flight routine is less than ideal and how to properly care for your skin after a long journey.
Airplane Skin: The Dehydrated Skin Effect of Flying
Before you jump into that hot water, let’s first talk about what actually happens to your skin during a flight. If you’ve ever flown long-haul, you’ve probably noticed that your skin feels a bit weird once you land. It might be tight, dry, and sometimes even break out with a few pimples or oily spots. This phenomenon is what we call “airplane skin”.
Why does this happen? It’s pretty simple: the air inside an airplane is extremely dry. As Cristina Psomadakis, an NHS dermatologist explained for CN Traveller: “humidity levels really drop in planes and recirculated air can contribute to overall dryness of our skin”. In the cabin, the humidity is typically around 15 to 20%, while on the ground it’s between 40 and 60%.
This dry air sucks out moisture from your skin, stripping away its natural oils and weakening its protective barrier. The result? You’re left with dull, dry skin that feels anything but fresh. But it doesn’t end there.
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Why a Hot Shower Is a Bad Idea?
You might think that after a long flight, a hot shower is just what your body needs to feel relaxed and refreshed. Well, in reality, it’s the opposite. When you expose your skin to hot water, you’re essentially dissolving whatever protective layer is left. Your skin becomes even drier, and it compensates by producing excess oil to protect itself. What happens next? You end up with an oily, irritated, and unbalanced complexion.
But that’s not all. Hot water also disrupts your skin’s microbiome, the good bacteria that keep it safe and balanced. When this delicate balance is disturbed, your skin becomes more vulnerable to infections and irritation.
“You can’t completely prevent the effects of flying on your skin, however trying to get your skin and body as healthy and hydrated as possible before a flight is a great idea,” Dr. Psomadakis noted.
So, What Should You Do Instead?
Now that we’ve busted the myth of the post-flight hot shower, what should you do after your flight to keep your skin happy and healthy? The key is to hydrate. First things first, skip the hot water. Opt for a lukewarm or cool shower, and don’t spend too much time under it. You don’t need to linger in the water for ages to feel clean; a quick rinse is all you need.
Once you’re out of the shower, it’s time to hydrate. Apply a generous amount of moisturizer as soon as you step out of the shower. The more you moisturize on slightly damp skin, the better your skin will lock in that hydration.
If you have especially dry or dehydrated skin, consider using a nourishing oil or a hydrating serum. These will help replenish and strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, leaving it soft, plump, and glowing.
