Flying on commercial airlines is no easy feat. From navigating bags to running to make a tight connection to waiting in neverending TSA lines, traveling via airline can be daunting at best. One hurdle you might not have considered is how to protect your skin when you fly. And no, we don’t mean zipping up in a hazmat suit. We’re talking about how to keep your skin hydrated on a plane. It’s easy to become dehydrated on a plane. Airplanes circulate a significant amount of outside air in order to keep the indoor air fresh and healthy to breathe. Unfortunately, this constant onslaught of fresh outdoor air keeps humidity levels way down, which means that your skin dehydrates faster than normal. Keep reading to get some valuable tips on how to keep your skin hydrated on a flight. Why Is Skin Hydration So Important? Like all of your body’s cells, your skin cells are made mostly of water. When your skin is dehydrated, it can do more than just create dry, itchy skin. In fact, skin dehydration can lead to several other issues, including: Increased chance of breakouts Tight, uncomfortable skin Increase development of wrinkles Increase development of dark circles Redness Inflammation Not only can dehydrated skin make your face and body look worn and dull, but when your skin is dehydrated, chances are high that your body is dehydrated, too. Of course, we all know the dangers of dehydration. Migraines and lethargy are some of the problems that occur with dehydration, but a serious lack of water can also lead to more dangerous situations like fainting or even organ damage. Don’t let dehydration get you down. Step off the plane radiant and glowing with better skin hydration before and during your flight. Use Technology Time feels different on a plane. Between snoozing for hours and binge-watching your favorite shows on your laptop, it can be easy to forget to drink water. Luckily, there’s an app for that. Before your flight, download a water tracking app to remind you when to take that next swig. There’s no shortage of water tracking apps to choose from. Though some require a subscription, most are free. Play around with your options before settling on a pick before your flight. Up Your Nutrition to Keep Skin Hydrated on a Plane There are more ways to stay hydrated other than drinking water. In fact, it’s important to get hydration from other sources to enjoy benefits like electrolytes, fiber, potassium, and more. It should come as no surprise that consuming a hefty quantity of fruits and vegetables will do wonders for your hydration intake. If you’re looking for especially water-dense foods, always go for fruit like cantaloupe or watermelon. Additionally, vegetables like cucumbers are mostly made of water. However, be wary of international laws, as some countries and states forbid bringing in specific fruits and vegetables. If you plan to stock your carry-on with fruits and veggies, check with your destination’s local laws first to avoid a fine or having to toss your food in the trash. Another way you can use nutrition to help protect your skin when you fly is by adding chia seeds to your diet. Chia seeds absorb 30 times their weight in water, which means that they aid tremendously with water regulation in the body. Eating a serving of chia oatmeal or chia avocado toast is a great way to stave off skin dehydration. Say No to Coffee The next time the flight attendant comes by with a tray of coffee, resist the urge to grab one. Coffee and other caffeine-based drinks are diuretics, which means they actively deplete your body of its hydration. Can’t deny that soda or coffee? If you do need an extra boost of caffeine, be aware of how even small amounts can dehydrate you, and make it up by drinking extra water. Consider Supplements Even though our bodies are made of 90% water, most people struggle with consuming enough of it. For some, drinking water feels more like a hassle or inconvenience. If you’re like this, consider adding a hydration supplement to your toolkit. There are plenty of brands to choose from. Perhaps the most convenient choice is a tablet that you can swallow with a few sips of water or fruit juice. Use Moisturizer Tackle airplane dryness from multiple angles when you bring moisturizer on the plane. Moisturizer replenishes your skin with water and vital nutrients. Not only that, but most moisturizers work as a barrier between your skin and the air outside, keeping all that moisture in your body longer. That’s why using lotion and moisturizer is such an effective tool in regular skin care routines. If you’re new to the moisturizer world, don’t feel intimidated. There are plenty of great options out there. From coconut oil to lotion to body butter, make sure you bring some form of moisturizer on the plane to prevent your skin from drying out. Drink Coconut Water Speaking of coconut oil, coconut, in general, combats skin dryness because coconuts are filled with nutrients that keep the body properly hydrated. Though the taste can take some getting used to, coconut water is an excellent way to keep your body hydrated during a long flight. Not only is it refreshing, but coconut water also contains powerful nutrients like electrolytes and potassium to keep you as hydrated as ever. And because it’s so popular, you’ll likely have no problem locating a bottle of coconut water in the airport terminal. Leave the Makeup at Home We get it: Some of you feel naked without your daily application of foundation, blush, and other makeup. However, when you fly, consider ditching your makeup bag, even for a little while. When you cover your skin with thick foundation, you prevent it from breathing correctly. While this isn’t a huge problem during your day-to-day life, you want to give your skin all of the help you can on a long flight to prevent too much dehydration from occurring. If you must wear makeup, consider taking it off at some point during the flight and reapplying it right before you land. Even just a few hours of breathing without makeup can help your skin achieve better hydration. Use Rose Water For moments when you need a little extra boost, consider spraying your face and skin with rose-infused water. Rose water is famous for healing skin, reducing irritation and inflammation, and boosting healthy skin cells. In fact, rose water has been used for skin health for hundreds of years, and is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages. While you can purchase a travel-size bottle of rose water easily enough, you can also make it fairly easily. This also gets you through security faster — simply bring rose petals with you and then submerge them in water post-TSA to have your own carry-on bottle of hydrating, soothing rose water for the flight. Would you rather have it in a lotion? Try our rose hip sleep mask to rejuvenate you while you sleep on the plane. Hydration Tips Pre-Flight While most of these tips are on how to keep your skin hydrated on a flight, there are also many steps you can take the night and day before your flight to set your skin up for success. For example, it’s important not to drink heavily the night before. Alcohol is notorious for dehydrating your body, especially the next day. Treat your body (and skin) right by avoiding alcohol the night before your flight. Other things you should avoid the day and night before your flight are: Excess chocolate Too much caffeine Sugary drinks Always make sure you get enough sleep, too. Being properly rested is directly correlated to your body’s overall health, and is especially important for skin health and preventing airplane skin. Even if you have the jitters before a long flight, try your best to get adequate sleep so your skin is glowing from start to finish. Before You Go Sick of having that flaky, dull airplane skin? Skin care and hydration are important for maintaining a healthy glow, and remembering to treat your skin during that long, dry flight is key to achieving your skin goals. Using tools like water supplements, water tracking apps, less makeup, and less caffeine are great ways to combat airplane dryness. If you’re looking for high-quality moisturizing, check out all of the products available from Whish. With gentle, hydrating ingredients, we can protect your skin all the way from the TSA line to baggage claim. Browse our high-quality moisturizers and skin products and make sure your skin stays healthy from the beginning of your journey to the end.