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It’s advice touted by influencers and airline employees alike: a good skincare routine will leave you feeling refreshed after a long-haul flight.
But this ‘escape hack’ could actually be “more harmful than helpful,” according to one dermatologist.
Holiday experts Travel Republic asked expert Bella von Nesselrode whether a full skincare routine is a good idea.
She said it’s something you should probably avoid in the cramped and less sanitary conditions of an airplane.
Instead, Bella advised travelers to “avoid touching their faces to avoid transferring bacteria and dirt from their hands to their skin,” and to regularly sanitize hands to reduce the risk of spreading germs.
It’s no secret that airplanes are germs.
Seat headrests in particular are often exposed to sweat, oil and dirt from previous passengers, which contributes to the build-up of bacteria that can clog pores and cause breakouts, Bella warned.
Airplane bathrooms, which are shared by hundreds of people, can also harbor bacteria, so they are not an ideal environment to attempt a full cleaning.
Bathrooms shared with hundreds of people can also harbor bacteria, making them a less than ideal environment to cleanse your skin.
A few more tips Bella shared: She always carries antibacterial wipes to clean the headrest, tray table and phones. She also suggested wearing minimal makeup so that the skin can breathe.
So when should we do our skin care while we travel?
Bella says pilots should do this before they fly. She also recommends some facial yoga after the flight.
“Plenty of facial yoga will help your skin recover after the flight. My favorite move: tilt your head back, look up at the ceiling and ‘kiss the air’ eight times. Repeating this set three times will clear the face and then again formed. a long period of sitting,” she said.
“Adding plenty of facial massage with a cleansing balm, so as not to strip the skin, a rich moisturizer and facial oil, ideally with a gua sha, will also help.”
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