What Does Flying Really Do to Your Skin and Hair?

Did you know cabin air on planes is drier than the Sahara Desert (less than 20 percent humidity)? It’s a bit ironic: We travel to escape, relax and rejuvenate, but the actual journey to our resort or city damages our skin and hair along the way, often meaning we need to spend even more time refreshing ourselves.

In fact, even a flight as short as 90 minutes can dehydrate our bodies (and no, we’re not just talking drinking water).

Flights may be sabotaging your holiday look, but there are easy ways to ensure your skin and hair remain healthy and moisturized when flying.

Short Flights (One–Three Hours)

On short flights, your lips, hands and ends of your hair tend to dry first. Stay hydrated by applying hand cream before even boarding. Onboard, apply SPF lip balm and run a bit of leave-in conditioner through the tips of your hair.

Medium Flights (Four–Seven Hours)

Medium-haul flights often cause dull skin, scalp dryness and under-eye puffiness. Incorporate a hydrating facial mist every hour and stick to drinking water. If you have longer hair, swap your hair tie with a silk scrunchie to prevent breakage.

Long Flights (Eight–12-Plus Hours)

Expect deep dehydration and potential climate shock on long flights. Don’t fret, there’s still ways to keep your hair and skin healthy. For hair, braid it or cover with a silk scarf. Avoid heavy makeup, layer a serum under moisturizer and use SPF right after landing.

“Cabin air is brutal – drier than most deserts – yet most people don’t prepare for the effect it has on both skin and hair,” noted Fresha, a booking platform for salons and spas around the world, which compiled these hacks. “Hydration isn’t just about drinking water. Small tricks, like swapping a tight ponytail for a loose braid or using SPF lip balm mid-flight, make a huge difference in how you land.”