How to Save Your Skin After Coming Off a Flight

By Erin Lukas
Updated Dec 01, 2016 @ 5:00 pm
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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PSA: The holidays are almost here. While it is the season to eat as much as you want, when you want, with those you love most, chances are you’ll be taking a flight to get to the festivities. Nothing crushes the holiday spirit quite like a busy airport and the effects that flying has on your complexion. Since stale, dry cabin air can leave your complexion feeling like sandpaper, we’ve rounded up the necessary skincare steps you should undertake pre-boarding, in the air, and most importantly: the damage control for your post-flight complexion. Here, we have our favorite products we’ll be using to revive our skin after flying during holiday season—and the rest of the year.

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Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

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$48
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If you’re taking a red eye or early morning flight and plan to sleep, thanks to Murphy’s Law you’ll be seated next to a crying baby. Since your eyes are the biggest giveaway of how tired you really are, treat the area with detoxifying eye patches that minimize puffiness and dark circles.

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Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Masks x4

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$95
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The key to keeping skin hydrated and having a relaxing flight is a moisturizing face mask. Not a fan of in-flight masking? Pop one on once you get to your destination.

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Pixi By Petra Hydrating Milky Mist

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$15
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If you can’t bring yourself to apply a pull face of products mid-flight, a refreshing, moisturizing mist will do the trick. Even better: You can easily freshen up with another spritz as you wait for your luggage at the baggage carousel.

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PCA Skin Dual Action Redness Relief

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$115
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Stress from making it to the gate on time to board can show up on your skin, too. Since the only thing worse than dry, flaky skin is red dehydrated skin, calm irritation by applying this repairing serum allover. 

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Dr. Roebuck's LIPS Lip Balm 

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$8
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Your lips need some post-flight TLC, too. Keep them soft and smooth from when you’re in the Uber to the airport to well after you’re back on land.

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Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment 

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$28
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As if sucking all of the moisture out of your skin isn’t enough to deal with after a flight, the stale cabin air can also bring on breakouts. Before hitting the lights after you’re settled at your destination, dab on this potent, but gentle spot treatment powered by sulfur on blemishes to zap them overnight.

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May Lindstrom The Youth Dew Hydrating Facial Serum

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$105
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There’s nothing like a serum to quickly overall your complexion. This blend of 20 plant and botanical oils quickly absorbs into skin so you look fresh and dewy—and not like you just spent most of the day at an airport.

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Pai Kukui & Jojoba Bead Brightening Exfoliator

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$44
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When you’re partaking in your nighttime skincare routine after your flight, make sure you include an exfoliator to slough away dead, dry skin.  Pai’s formula is mild so that it won’t aggravate temperamental complexions, but still will get the job done.

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By Erin Lukas