Soothe skin before, during and after a flight with skincare from Cetaphil, Kiehl’s, Neutrogena
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There's plenty to love about travel, but the toll it can take on your skin certainly isn't on that list. That's because the low-humidity, recycled air in a plane's cabin sucks the moisture out of even the dewiest skin. Plus, changing climates or dealing with jet-setting stress may cause dull skin, redness or acne flare-ups. If you're tired from your journey, you might have a side of red eye to go along with those skin concerns. Let's not forget oily, limp hair, too.
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Luckily, there are a host of hardworking beauty products available in travel sizes you can stash in your carry-on, so you can prep skin pre-flight, plus treat any areas of concern after takeoff and upon arrival at your destination, even when your typical skincare routine isn’t possible.
1. For soothing chapped lips and skin: Lano The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
If your lips are dry, dermatologists say an ointment, like the Lano The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, is your best bet. These solutions seal in water longer than waxes or oils to help chapped, cracked lips heal faster and retain moisture, so they don’t dry out again. This particular balm is a great pick because it’s clear and fragrance-free, so you can use it on other areas of the body, like your cuticles or cracked elbows.
2. For a quick hydration boost: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist
When you need a pick-me-up mid-flight, reach for the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist. The watermelon scent is a nice olfactory treat, but the real skin-soothing benefits come from the hyaluronic acid in the ultra-fine mist. This hydrating ingredient absorbs 1,000 times its weight in water, which means it helps your body hold onto any moisture—key to keep skin supple for longer.
3. For a more moisture: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
When the plane’s dry air begins to wreak havoc on your skin, reach for a rich cream, like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, to repair your skin barrier. For parched skin, a cream is superior to lotion, because it’s thicker and has higher oil content, according to the AAD. While seeking out the best face moisturizer, I felt this cream lived up to the hype because its silky formula spreads easily and provides hydrating benefits that last upward of six hours. Snag this in a mini size to make it TSA-friendly at 2 ounces.
4. For puffy eyes: Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel Cream
While any moisturizer can help rehydrate any area of the face, including the delicate under-eye, a dedicated cream helps address specific concerns associated with this spot, such as puffiness. The quick-absorbing Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel received more than 44,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.5-star rating thanks to its ability to hydrate the skin with hyaluronic acid and smooth and brighten with licorice extract and a “vitamin complex.”
5. For acne flare-ups: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original
Don’t let a big pimple slow the pep in your vacationing step. These small but mighty patches are made of medical-grade hydrocolloid, a fluid-absorbing, anti-inflammatory material that absorbs fluid and pus to help shrink zits. Just pop a sticker on the affected area for a no-fuss spot treatment.
6. For dry hands: Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
After testing the best hand creams, we crowned the Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve our Best Overall pick. The creamy formula is thick enough to deeply moisturize dry, cracked hands. Still, it’s non-greasy and lightweight, absorbing into the skin quickly and without much effort. The moisturized feeling lasts well throughout the day, too, despite inevitable hand-washes. Even a purse-friendly 2.5-ounce tube will last you quite a while.
7. To keep hands clean: Touchland Glow Mist Rejuvenating Hand Sanitizer
Do your part to try to banish acne flare-ups before they happen. A big part of that? Keeping your hands off of your face—especially if your hands are dirty from traveling through the airport. If there’s no sink in reach, the Touchland Glow Mist Rejuvenating Hand Sanitizer can help eliminate germs and bacteria that can lead to acne-causing bacteria. It doesn’t hurt that it smells extra nice with notes of lychee, strawberry, black currant, rosewater and more.
8. To prevent split lips: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Like the under-eye area, the skin on the lips is particularly delicate and prone to dryness from air travel or harsh climates. This hydrating mask claims to smooth the lips with antioxidants, protect them with vitamin C and moisturize them with coconut oil, murumuru seed butter and shea butter. With regular use, the brand claims you can expect fewer fine lines and less dryness and cracking. You can grab this in seven scents: “Original” (berry), “Peppermint,” “Gummy Bear,” “Vanilla,” “Sweet Candy,” “Pumpkin Spice” and “Mango.”
9. For concealing dark circles: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
In tests of the best concealer, we at Reviewed gave this product the Best Overall accolade. The full coverage, satin-matte formula boasts an incredible 16-hour wear time. It also comes in 30 shades to help you choose the closest match for your skin. For best results, apply a little bit with a damp sponge.
10. For refreshing skin: Neutrogena HydroBoost Facial Cleansing Wipes
Whether you want to take a day’s worth of makeup off before a red eye flight or simply want to wipe off any impurities while on the go, these Neutrogena HydroBoost Facial Cleansing Wipes can help. They can't fully replace washing your face, but each towelette is infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and micelles (cleansing agents) to clear the skin of dirt and oil.
To revive hair: Moroccanoil Mini Dry Shampoo
Though you may want to reserve this spray for a post-flight bathroom trip as a courtesy to those around you, this dry shampoo is a must-have for dry and dehydrated strands. The fine mist spray contains argan oil to moisturize as it de-greases. The result is clean, silky and voluminous—not chalky. It also comes in both light and dark tones to match hair. Plus, reviewers adore Moroccanoil’s sweet scent.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Skincare for flying: Hydrate with Cetaphil, Kiehl’s, Neutrogena
