It’s a luxury to step on-board a flight and head off on a long awaited holiday. But flying to your destination can be taxing on your health, and your skin.
We’ve all arrived feeling bloated, bleary-eyed from jet lag, with a parched complexion and dry lips.
Now, one beauty expert has explained how where you sit on an aircraft can impact your skin. Beauty and wellness platform Fresha has combined expert insights and cabin airflow patterns to understand which seats are most likely to leave passengers with dehydrated, tight or irritated skin before they even reach their destination.
According to Danielle Louise, beauty expert on the Fresha app, humidity levels inside an aircraft cabin can fall below 20%, making the air drier than the Sahara Desert.
Combined with recycled air, increased UV exposure in-flight at cruising altitude and hours of sitting still, some seats create the perfect conditions for moisture loss and a weakened skin barrier.
“Most people spend time choosing the right moisturiser before a flight, but very few think about where they’re sitting,” says Louise.
Window seats expose your skin to significantly more UV radiation, even when you’re flying through cloud. At cruising altitude you’re much closer to the sun, and UV rays penetrate aircraft windows far more easily than many people realise. Combined with extremely dry cabin air, this can leave skin feeling dehydrated before you’ve even landed.
The front and rear of the aircraft also experience greater fluctuations in airflow and humidity. If you’re already using ingredients like retinol or exfoliating acids, your skin barrier can become even more vulnerable during a long flight.”
Even aspects like sitting next to the the colder cabin wall all contribute to moisture loss.
The best (and worst) seats on the plane for your skin
Worst for skin: Window seats, due to increased UV exposure and reduced airflow while flying.
Best for skin: Aisle seats in the middle of the cabin, where airflow is more stable and humidity fluctuations are less severe.
Most dehydrating area: The first and last five rows of the aircraft, where airflow and temperature change the most. The greatest fluctuations in cabin pressure, airflow and humidity occur here.
Surprising finding: Seats directly above the wings experience the smallest changes in humidity during the flight.
Less post-flight irritation: Centre-block seats are associated with less tightness and dryness after flying.
How to protect your skin at 35,000 feet
“People often blame jet lag for dull, uncomfortable skin after a flight, but dehydration is usually the biggest culprit,” confirms Louise. “Preparing your skin before you board is much more effective than trying to fix the damage after you land. A few simple changes, from choosing the right seat where possible to protecting your skin barrier before flying, can make a noticeable difference.”
She recommends the following before and during your flight:
- Avoid retinol, AHAs and BHAs for 24 hours before flying to reduce the risk of irritation.
- Apply a rich barrier cream before boarding rather than waiting until you’re already in the air.
- Use a hydrating facial mist instead of cleansing wipes, which can disrupt the skin barrier.
- Wear SPF, even on evening or overnight flights, as UV rays still penetrate aircraft windows.
- Start drinking water before take-off instead of waiting for the drinks trolley to arrive.
