Southern Style Cooking: The 5 Products That I Use Before and After Every Flight

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

The 5 Products That I Use Before and After Every Flight

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Health & Beauty

The 5 Products That I Use Before and After Every Flight

There are a lot of things I don't like about flying. The noise, the lack of adequate legroom, and the incredibly dry air are all major annoyances—but the worst part is stepping off a plane and visiting the airport bathroom just to see dry, tired-looking skin and a brand new pimple forming. I've been slowly working my way towards clear skin since 2016 and it definitely took a long time to figure out what combination of products works for my sensitive, acne-prone combo skin.

But after years of trial and error, I finally nailed down a pre-flight and post-flight routine that keeps my skin hydrated, glowing, and pimple-free. It's basically my normal skincare routine, which already focuses on hydration, with a few extra touches like a post-flight sheet mask in the hotel room.

Before diving into my air travel must-haves, I have a few basic rules: fly with a bare face whenever possible, avoid touching my face as much as possible (and only with clean hands), and wipe down non-porous surfaces with a disinfectant wipe (a tip I stole from Naomi Cambell).

Now, with all that said, these are the products that I'll always use before and after a flight.

Eyebrow Razors: In my never-ending journey towards luminous, hydrated skin, I found myself struggling to achieve that apparently poreless glow you see on all the skincare influencers. Until I started shaving my face, that is. It's like dermaplaning: getting rid of peach fuzz and dead skin cells while also helping products penetrate more deeply. Short strokes with a clean eyebrow razor on damp skin does the trick and makes my skin look so much better. You don't even need a fancy razor; I just make sure to wipe mine with an alcohol wipe before and after every use, and I switch to a new one once hairs are being pulled instead of cut.
Hydrating Serum: I have a rotating selection of active ingredients that I apply on a loose schedule, but to combat the drying airplane air, I always add a hydrating serum before moisturizing. The Ordinary is one of my favorite brands, thanks to the simple ingredients and affordable price point. Their Hyaluronic Acid 2% Serum with Vitamin B5 adds another layer of hydration that helps prevent and remedy any dryness I'm experiencing.
Moisturizer: I've been a loyal user of the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream ever since I sampled it in a Seoul clothing store three years ago. The moisturizer is intensely hydrating, but still lightweight enough that I can wear it all year without my skin feeling dry in the winter or greasy in the summer. For even more hydration—and very soft skin—consider the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream. The slimy texture takes some getting used to, but the combination of snail mucin and hyaluronic acid soothes skin while repairing its moisture barrier, and it's perfect for people with sensitive skin.
Sunscreen: No matter the weather forecast or the time I'm flying, sunscreen is an absolute must for me. Because the vitamin C, alpha-hydroxy acid, and prescription retinoid that I use make my skin photosensitive (and I'm already prone to hyperpigmentation), I have become a sunscreen evangelist. My go-to for three years now is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost sunscreen in SPF 50. It leaves my skin dewy (borderline greasy but I don't mind it) and doesn't leave behind a white cast. Just be sure to shake it well because this product separates quite easily. While I'm usually bad about reapplying, If I'm on a long flight with the window open, you bet I'm pulling out my sunscreen every two hours.

	Sherri Gardner Associate Editor

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