travel skincare: a compact six-step routine that survives long flights

Long flights used to be my beauty nemesis: swollen eyes, tight skin, and that tight, dull complexion that makes you feel like you landed on another planet. Over the years I've pared down my in-flight routine to a compact, six-step plan that actually fits in a carry-on and keeps my skin calm, hydrated and presentable after hours in recycled air. It’s simple, practical and built around products that either double up or travel well. Below I share exactly what I do, why each step matters, and how to adapt it for short-haul hops or ultra-long haul journeys.

Why a six-step routine?

I believe a travel routine should be realistic: it shouldn’t take an army of jars, and it should survive cramped tray tables and tiny bathroom sinks. Six steps feels like the sweet spot — enough to address cleansing, hydration, barrier support, and targeted needs (like eye care and SPF on arrival) without becoming an elaborate ritual. Each step is portable, fast, and effective when performed mindfully.

The six steps (and my favourite travel-friendly picks)

• Hydrating mist: for a quick pick-me-up and to counter cabin dryness.
• Gentle cleanse (or balm wipe): remove grime without stripping.
• Light serum: hyaluronic acid or niacinamide for immediate hydration and barrier support.
• Moisturiser: a compact cream that locks in moisture.
• Eye care: cooling gel or lightweight cream to reduce puffiness.
• Barrier balm or oil: an occlusive layer for long flights or overnight.

For reference, some products I’ve personally taken and liked: Avène Thermal Spring Water (travel can), Bioderma Sensibio H2O wipes for a quick cleanse, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (small decanted bottle), CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion in a travel pot, Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (mini), and a small tube of Weleda Skin Food or the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask as my occlusive step.

Step-by-step: how I do it onboard

I’m a fan of doing the bulk of my routine once I’m comfortably seated, with the plane settled and the cabin lights dimmed. Here’s the rhythm I use:

• Hydrating mist — Immediately after takeoff, I spritz my face once or twice. It feels indulgent and reduces that tight, head-in-a-jar sensation. I keep the can/little spray in my seat pocket so it’s within reach.
• Cleansing wipe — About an hour or two into the flight (or right before landing for shorter trips), I use a gentle, alcohol-free wipe to remove sweat, sunscreen and lingering makeup. If the flight has a proper lavatory with a sink and I have time, I’ll do a light water rinse with a splash of micellar water on cotton pads instead.
• Serum — After patting my skin dry, I apply a few drops of a hydrating serum. Hyaluronic acid is my go-to because it draws moisture into the skin layers, especially useful in a dehydrating cabin environment. I decant into a 10ml bottle to save space.
• Moisturiser — I follow with a thin layer of a ceramide-rich moisturiser to support the skin barrier. For daytime arrival, I choose a lighter lotion; for overnight flights I switch to a richer cream.
• Eye care — I dab a small amount of eye gel under each eye and gently tap to cool and de-puff. If I’m trying to sleep, the cooling sensation helps.
• Barrier balm/oil — My final step is an occlusive: either a tiny almond-sized blob of a balm around the nose/cheeks or a few drops of facial oil warmed in my palms. This seals everything in and prevents transepidermal water loss during the flight.

What I pack and how I pack it

I follow TSA-friendly rules and keep everything under 100ml in a clear travel pouch. Decanting is my best friend — a 10–30ml bottle of serum, a 15–30ml travel jar for moisturiser, a tiny tube for balm, and single-use cleansing wipes.

Timing and tweaks for different flights

Short flights (under 3 hours): I do mist + wipe + serum + light moisturiser. Skip the occlusive unless you’re very dry or flying into a cold climate.

Medium flights (3–8 hours): Add eye care and a thin occlusive after moisturiser. Reapply mist every couple of hours and hydrate internally with water.

Long haul (8+ hours): I treat the flight almost like a mini night: cleanse properly after the meal service, layer serum, moisturiser and then a thicker barrier balm. I also schedule applications around sleep: apply serum and moisturiser before trying to sleep, and top up with mist and eye gel when I wake.

Extra tips that actually help

• Hydrate from the inside out — I aim for a glass of water every hour. Cabin air + low humidity will undo topical work if you don’t drink enough.
• Avoid heavy actives on the plane — I skip strong acids, retinoids and vitamin C during flights; the combination of pressure change and sun exposure on landing can make skin reactive.
• Bring a sleeping mask and pillow — better sleep reduces cortisol spikes that can aggravate skin.
• Manage makeup choices — I travel with minimal makeup: a tinted SPF (for arrival) or a light BB cream. If I have foundation on, I remove it with wipes and reapply a light layer before landing.
• Sanitise hands and high-touch areas — clean hands prevent transferring bacteria to your face during the routine.

When things go wrong

If you wake up with extreme puffiness or redness, a cool compress (I use a chilled gel eye mask) and an anti-inflammatory product like an aloe-based gel can help. For breakouts triggered by travel, spot-treat with a targeted benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid patch once you’re home and can use stronger treatments.

My travel routine is less about perfection and more about resilience — a compact set of steps that protect moisture and calm the skin so you arrive feeling like yourself. I’ll often tweak the products depending on destination (humid vs. arid), but the six-step structure stays the same: mist, cleanse, hydrate, moisturise, eye care, occlusive. Small rituals, big difference.