If you think a long flight is basically a prescription for dry, dull skin with a side of post-deplaning breakouts, you're not alone. But it doesn't have to be that way. From amazing sunscreens to hydrating mists, below you'll find our favorite TSA-friendly beauty products for landing with your right foot — and radiant face — forward.
Bare Republic Mineral SPF 50 Tinted Sport Sunscreen Stick
You may not slather on sunscreen before you head to the airport, but it's a vital step in your pre-travel beauty routine. In fact, a 2015 study from JAMA Dermatology looked at the amount of UV radiation in airplane cockpits during flight compared to tanning beds and determined that at an altitude of 30,000 ft, 56 minutes of UV exposure is equivalent to lying in a tanning bed for 20 minutes. Protect your skin with this .5 ounce mineral sunscreen which provides you with instant UVA/UVB protection. Intended for daily use, it also has algae, baobab oil, shea butter, and coconut oil to hydrate and nourish skin.
Buy It: Bare Republic Mineral SPF 50 Tinted Sport Sunscreen Stick, $9.99; Ulta.com
Alpine + Sea Jet Lag Hydration Skin Water
Soothe and revitalize dull skin with this mist suitable for both face and body. Made with rose water, organic aloe vera juice, ylang ylang essential oil, and more, the folks meeting you at your destination will wonder if you got an on-board facial.
BUY IT: Alpine + Sea Jet Lag Hydration Skin Water. $32; alpineandsea.com
Bare Republic Mineral SPF 30 Face Lotion
Shield your face from damaging rays from the sun with this unscented face lotion that's free of parabens and GMOs. The lightweight formula won't leave white streaks on your skin, and it's also infused with algae extract and kukui seed and baobab seed oils to moisturize and further protect your visage.
BUY IT: Bare Republic Mineral SPF 30 Face Lotion, $14.99; Target.com
Schique Hydra Glisten Revitalizing Mist
"Plane air is dry. Even though the plane is pumping fresh air into the cabin, the air at that altitude has very little moisture, making it even more dry," notes Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, board-certified M.D, who advises drinking at least a liter for every six hours of flying. "However, even if you consume that much water, you skin may still feel dry. In order to combat this, I recommend spritzing [the mist] on your skin throughout the flight. It will make your skin feel hydrated and refreshed at 32,000 feet," she adds.
BUY IT: Schique Hydra Glisten Revitalizing Spray, $38; schique.com
Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cucumber & Bamboo Eye De-Puffer
If your dark circles look particularly intense after a long flight, this compact stick helps to brighten tired, blah, under eye circles so the only bags you'll be worried about are your checked luggage. Bonus: This de-puffer is fine to use over makeup.
BUY IT: Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cucumber & Bamboo Eye De-Puffer, $9.95; physiciansformula.com
Mighty Patch Acne Patches
Sometimes, we can almost feel that zit growing as we fly to our destination. Instead of applying a pimple cream, apply one of these translucent patches to help heal your blemish and diminish redness.
BUY IT: Mighty Patch Acne Patches, $12.99; amazon.com
Kindred Skincare Co. Body Bâton
Who wants dry and chapped hands after plenty of hand-washing on-board and in airports? Crafted with essential oils, this solid stick moisturizer comes in Lavender, Tangerine & Clove, or Woods. P.S. You can also use it on your lips.
BUY IT: Kindred Skincare Co. Body Bâton, $38; kindredskincareco.com
Dermelect Cosmeceuticals’ Nail Makeover Kit
No time to fit a pre-vacation manicure in? Fix your nails with this genius travel-friendly set that includes Revital-Oil Nail & Cuticle Treatment, Makeover Ridge Filler, 'ME' Peptide-Infused Nail Lacquer, and High Maintenance Instant Nail Thickener. Also, when you need a break from your reading pile, this kit will be a welcome distraction.
BUY IT: Dermelect Cosmeceuticals’ Nail Makeover Kit, $20; ulta.com
a2o Lab Facial Mask - Hydrating
How does dewy, glowy skin upon landing sound to you? Relax with this sheet mask on for about a half-an-hour and voilà. Paraben and fragrance-free, you may want to sneak an extra into your luggage for your return trip.
BUY IT: a2o Lab Facial Mask - Hydrating, $1 per mask; shopmissa.com
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Towelettes
If you forgot to remove makeup before you fly, these cleansing wipes will remove makeup along with excess oil to keep your skin clean and fresh. The no-rinse formula also works well as a daily cleanser for oily skin.
BUY IT: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Towelettes, $9.99; laroche-posay.us
BIOMILK Probiotic Skincare Nourish & Protect Day Cream
For wonderfully hydrated, smooth skin, befriend this antioxidant-rich cream that's hypoallergenic and formulated with shea butter, green tea, seaweed, vitamin C and E, and other beneficial ingredients. Your skin will most definitely be thanking this free-radical-fighting whiz upon touchdown.
BUY IT: BIOMILK Probiotic Skincare Nourish & Protect Day Cream, $22.99; biomilkskincare.com
sweatWELLth Try Me Kit
Between walking through long terminals to find your gate and sweating in the security line, going to the airport is pretty much like heading to the gym. Which is why this kit, intended for workouts, is a boon for air travel. Each set contains Friction Free, a spray to help with chafing; Power Shower, to help get the day's grime off of you; Lip Quench, to replenish moisture to your lips, No Sweat, to provide added moisture before your day's travels begin; Hydradrench, to help you cool off and provide your skin with more moisture to combat dry-cabin-syndrome.
BUY IT: sweatWELLth Try Me Kit, $38.50; sweatwellth.com
BioSilk Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder
Limp, lackluster hair post-flight will never trouble you again with this potent power that mops up excess oil and gives your hair added volume and texture. So go ahead, seatback and relax, ladies.
BUY IT: BioSilk Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder, $13.10; biosilk.com
Oral Essentials Hydrating Travel Size Mouthwash
You'll be so glad you packed this mouthwash which helps fight dry mouth and gives you great breath. Made with coconut oil, peppermint oil, and aloe vera juice, the formula also has a touch of cayenne pepper for some zing.
BUY IT: Oral Essentials Hydrating Travel Size Mouthwash, $14.99 for six two-ounce bottles; oralessentials.com
milk + honey Everything Oil
Hello, soft skin. The name about sums it up: Use this lovely roll-on oil made with rosehip fruit, evening primrose, and argan oils to counter dry cuticles, condition hair, give your skin a dose of moisture, and even remove makeup around your eye area.
BUY IT: milk + honey Everything Oil, $16; milkandhoney.com
Formulary 55 Vegan Lip Balm
Cracked, dry lips, how we loathe thee. No more! Created with coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E, this paraben-, phthalate-, and sulfate-free chap stick will revive your lips one good-smelling swipe at a time.
BUY IT: Formulary 55 Vegan Lip Balm, $8; formulary55.com
OSEA Sea Vitamin Boost
If your skin needs some perking up, this facial spray uses powerful ingredients like algae, resveratrol, and pomegranate extract to fight aging and give your complexion the moisture it craves. At home, feel free to store in your fridge to lend the product a cooling sensation when you apply it.
BUY IT: OSEA Sea Vitamin Boost, $16; oseamalibu.com
Saison Autumn Hand Cream
Free of petrochemicals, parabens, silicones, and other irksome chemicals, this restorative lotion will bring salvation to your hands on your next flight. The handmade cream uses sweet almond oil atop a shea butter base and won't leave an icky residue on your skin after application.
BUY IT: Saison Autumn Hand Cream, $25; saisonbeauty.com
100% PURE Bright Eyes Mask
Infused with caffeine from matcha green tea to wake your peepers up, this mask works wonders at depuffing eyes. Note: The longer you leave the mask on, the thinner the aloe water-based mask becomes as it delivers active ingredients to your skin.
BUY IT: 100% PURE Bright Eyes Mask, $7; 100percentpure.com
OLIKA Birdie 2-in-1 Natural Hand Sanitizer
This cute "Birdie" contains 10 dry wipes and sanitizing liquid (enough for about 350 sprays) for the 50-something times you'll want to clean off along your travels. You can also use the towelette to wipe off tray tables, window shades, and other commonly germ-infested areas you encounter in an airport and on the plane.
BUY IT: OLIKA Birdie 2-in-1 Natural Hand Sanitizer, $8.99; olikalife.com
