When travelling on long haul flights our body and specifically our skin is exposed to many abnormal factors that can disrupt the harmony of bright, clear and hydrated skin. By understanding these factors, we can proactively take care of our skin before, during and after long-haul flights to ensure it maintains its health and condition.
Dehydration and Sebum Overcompensation
The most common way a long-haul flight will affect your skin is by causing dehydration which leads to dull, dry, irritated, and red skin. This dehydration is initiated by low levels of humidity. Normal humidity levels in our day-to-day life usually sit somewhere between 40% and 70%, however, aeroplane cabin humidity levels typically sit around 20%, which is less than half the humidity level our skin is accustomed to. Air in the cabin is made up of approximately 60% fresh air and 40% recycled air, with the fresh air being brought in containing naturally low humidity levels due to the high altitude.
Low humidity levels are a key factor leading to skin dehydration on long haul flights as it can increase the rate at which moisture evaporates from the skin. When the skin is dehydrated it is also common for it to overcompensate for the lack of moisture by producing more sebum (oil), which ultimately disrupts the delicate balance of the skin’s natural moisturisation process and can contribute to break outs. The most effective way to combat both skin dehydration and sebum overcompensation is to moisturise your skin before and throughout your flight to assist your skin in maintaining harmonic hydration. The Emma Lewisham Supernatural Sleeping Mask is an extremely effective product to help you maintain hydrated skin during your long-haul flight. In addition to your skincare, it’s important to support your skin by drinking lots of water.