It’s taken me almost five years to feel like I finally nailed my hair and skincare routines to complement my career as a U.S. flight attendant. Travel takes its toll on the body. I struggled for a long time to find what worked for me before getting my hair and skin under control again. Now I’m 28 and feeling younger than ever.
Your beauty regimen should look a little different when you travel due to harsh environmental exposures and unfamiliar climates. These are the products I swear by to keep my skin glowing and my hair healthy around the globe.
16 Hair and Skincare Products I Never Travel Without
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is by far the most important product on this list. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
While you won’t get sunburned by UVB rays on a plane, UVA radiation is amplified at high altitudes. This is what causes wrinkles, aging, and even skin cancer. You’ll be exposed to it whether you sit next to a window or not, so apply sunscreen every six hours or so to ensure maximum protection.
My top choice is the Innisfree Korean Sunscreen SPF 50+ for its lightweight, hydrating formula. Don’t forget to apply it to your hands, too. Korean skincare comes out on top again!
Facial Cleanser
You need to wash your face every single night, especially after spending time in the polluted atmosphere of airports and airplanes. This prevents breakouts and allows your skin to effectively regenerate while you sleep.
Dirt, oil, and makeup weigh heavily on your face after long travel days. The La Roche-Posay Foaming Facial Cleanser is gentle on skin, but tough on impurities. I’ve had excellent results with this product, and I recommend it to my friends and family struggling with acne.
Moisturizer
Another La Roche-Posay product for the win! This brand is praised worldwide for its clinically proven results. I can only attest to how well their cleanser and moisturizer work, but I won’t switch to anything else from here on out. The proof is in the skincare pudding.
Though the La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is a bit on the heavy side, it’s worth going for a denser moisturizer while traveling to give your skin more assistance to repair overnight. I apply a thick layer of this before bed and wake up with bright, hydrated skin.
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C serum works in tandem with your sunscreen to neutralize UV damage and protect your fragile skin barrier from the sun. It also defends against the environmental pollutants that are amplified in the manufactured atmosphere of an airplane. AND it brightens your skin for a more even tone and texture.
The Timeless 20% Vitamin C Serum is enriched with ferulic acid and Vitamin E, two antioxidants proven to protect against sun and environmental damage to the skin barrier. Don’t fall for the $100+ Vitamin C serums. They’re made with the same ingredients and will provide the same results as this one for a fraction of the cost.
Hand Cream
My hands get dry enough as it is. Put me on an airplane for 10+ hours with frequent washes using long-stored tank water and BOOM! Dry, cracked, unsightly hands follow.
This ultra-moisturizing cream from Trader Joe’s is my favorite lotion to keep on hand (pun intended) because it’s made with skin-loving antioxidants like coconut oil and shea butter. Oh, and it smells amazing! I apply it after I wash my hands on the plane to prevent severe dryness and irritation.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is one of the most effective chemical exfoliants thanks to its penetrative molecular size. It helps remove dead skin cells without having to harshly scrub your skin as you would with a physical exfoliant, risking further skin damage. Getting rid of dead skin cells allows other products like serums and moisturizers to work to their full potential. This is a team effort here.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid was recommended to me many times before I actually made this life-changing purchase. Don’t wait like I did! I’ve noticed a massive difference in the smoothness of my skin texture, especially when I’m traveling through different climates. It even helps with ingrown hairs and the appearance of fine lines. This is a super-product!
Liquid Exfoliant
Blackheads don’t stand a chance against Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. BHAs (salicylic acid) in this product work very differently from AHAs (glycolic acid) to bypass natural oils and get deep into your pores to battle acne. I rarely get pimples thanks to this product, and the blackheads on my nose are virtually gone. I’ve also noticed softer fine lines and wrinkles.
Don’t over-exfoliate! You only need to use a chemical exfoliant 2-3 times per week to get results without stripping your skin barrier of vital natural protectors. Try a skin-cycling method, which I discuss in my tips below, for best use.
Hydrating Mist
Hydrating mist is a game changer on an airplane. Your parched skin requires extra love on long flights in a dry cabin. A weightless face spray delivers a powerful dose of rejuvenating moisture.
The Eminence Organic Skincare Stone Crop Hydrating Mist completely elevates my skincare while traveling. I keep it on me throughout the day to refresh my skin when it starts to feel dry mid-flight. Organic ingredients like lavender and jasmine calm and nourish my skin to maintain a hydrated barrier all day long. And it smells so good.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin is the most highly studied anti-aging skincare ingredient in dermatology. It’s a potent retinoid that promotes cell turnover, increasing collagen production and reversing noticeable signs of aging. I only apply Tretinoin twice a week, and I have seen a massive difference in the evenness of my skin tone and the plumpness of my face.
Ask your doctor about starting a Tretinoin prescription. It can be harsh on skin at first, so make sure to start slow, about twice a week. Moisturize heavily before and after application, especially while traveling. Never skip sunscreen after applying Tretinoin, as it makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage.
Styling Cream
I’m all for the slick-back look, especially when I’m going for a sleek, professional hairstyle at work. The DAE Cactus Fruit Cream & Taming Wand is my favorite product to smooth flyaways and frizz all day long. It takes my whole look up a few notches with minimal effort.
DAE uses clean and hydrating ingredients that leave my hair feeling healthy and nourished after a long day on the airplane. And the cactus fruit scent smells divine! It’s the perfect travel size to keep in your purse so you can touch up your do throughout the day.
Shampoo & Conditioner
I never use the shampoo and conditioner supplied at my layover hotels unless I’m certain that they’re luxury quality and made with harmless ingredients. I’ve only found that at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver so far!
Biolage is the best haircare brand for fine hair like mine. The Ultra Hydra Source product is designed to deeply condition very dry hair. Even if you don’t typically have dry hair, remember that arid airplane cabins take their toll. I take travel-sized containers of this shampoo and conditioner with me on every trip so I can stay consistent and prevent scalp irritation.
Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a must on long-haul flights. A few spritzes at the roots can take you from feeling greasy and dirty to polished and fresh.
My hair gets greasy if I go one day without a wash, so I’m a big fan of the affordable and effective dry shampoo from MONDAY. It instantly absorbs hair oils and revives my look back to professional standards without leaving that unsightly white residue behind.
Silk Pillowcase
Most hotel pillowcases are made of cotton blends and washed with harsh chemicals. I bring my own pillowcase to prevent irritation and damage on my layovers. You never know how clean your hotel bedding really is, anyway!
The Adubor 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase works wonders while you sleep. Silk fibers are much gentler on hair and skin than comparable materials, leading to fewer fine lines, wrinkles, and hair breakage. This pillowcase also stays cool all night, helping you sleep more comfortably. I highly recommend switching to silk pillowcases to prevent bedhead and aging.
Face Mask
Self-care at an affordable price point? Say less. These KONEUK Sheet Face Masks stay in my suitcase by the dozen. A pack of 14 masks costs less than $8!
I use these masks once or twice a week after finishing my normal nightly skincare routine to relax before bed. They’re incredibly hydrating, leaving my skin feeling plump and refreshed after a dry day on the plane. These are the most affordable sheet masks I’ve found with the cleanest, least irritating ingredients.
Glazing Milk
BYOMA Milky Toner
This toner takes my skincare up a notch when flying to foreign environments.
Glazing milk, though not necessarily essential for your daily skincare routine, adds another layer of hydration to your travel regimen. I love how moisturized my skin feels after pressing 6 to 8 drops on my face and neck.
While I’ve been using Hailey Bieber’s Rhode glazing milk (I got it as a gift!), the BYOMA Milky Toner is half the price and just as reliable as the aformentioned overhyped label. This product takes my skin one step closer to that soothed and refreshed state I seek after long-haul flights in harsh environments.
Healing Ointment
I’m convinced there’s nothing Aquaphor can’t do. This tried-and-true skincare gem is perfect for chapped lips, cracked hands, and any other dry skin. Keep this in your travel bag in case your skin gets unusually red or irritated on the go. Aquaphor is praised for its effective versatility and is clinically proven to alleviate dehydrated skin.
6 Tips for Maintaining Your Skin and Haircare Routines on the Go
Get TSA-Friendly Containers Instead of Buying Everything Travel-Sized
My travel toiletry bag
Most of the products on this list come in full-sized containers. Make sure to buy a travel toiletry kit of TSA-approved containers under 3.4 ounces. That way you’ll never risk having non-compliant items taken away at airport security.
Hydrate From the Inside – Drink Water!
Water is life! It’s essential for skin and hair health because it improves blood circulation, which delivers imperative nutrients to those cells. The more water you drink, the more your body can repair the damage done by outside factors. It also boosts skin elasticity, which lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Sunscreen is Your Best Friend at 40,000 ft
Applying my sunscreen as part of my routine
Sunscreen is imperative on any daytime flight, as mentioned in my product breakdown above. UV intensity nearly doubles at cruising altitude. So I’ll say it again: the best way to prevent harmful skin damage is to never ever skip your sunscreen on a flight. And don’t forget to reapply every few hours!
NEVER Use the Water from the Sink on the Airplane
Please, for the love of God, never use airplane sink water to wash your face or brush your teeth. When 250-gallon tanks are refilled, the water already in the tank frequently becomes exposed to unsanitary conditions. Though disinfected to meet aviation standards, these water systems regularly test positive for bacteria, no matter what airline you fly.
Plus, that potable water might sit in the airplane for six months before the whole tank gets properly flushed and cleaned. Use bottled water in the lavatory if you need to refresh yourself mid-flight.
Keep Everything in One Skincare and Haircare Bag to Stay Organized
My hanging toiletry bag
Hanging toiletry bags keep everything organized on the go. Small containers and products get lost in the abyss of your suitcase when loosely packed with all of your other belongings. Keep everything in one easy-to-find place to make your skin and haircare a breeze wherever you roam.
Try a “Skin Cycling” Routine
Rotate your more powerful skincare products throughout the week to prevent stripping your skin and creating conflict with product results.
Here’s how I do it:
This has worked wonders for my sensitive skin, but experiment with different timing to see what works best for you.
***
Dry airplane cabins and long travel days have nothing on you now. Your skin and hair will thrive throughout your adventures with these 16 products in your bag.
Looking for more tips to keep your travels comfortable? Up next, read Sky’s article on her favorite red-eye flight essentials.
