If you’ve ever travelled long haul, you’ll know that flying can sometimes take its toll on your skin. This is mainly due to decreased humidity – which is normally around 40 to 70 per cent but falls to about 20 per cent inside an aircraft – along with much lower air pressure than at sea level, both of which can have a dehydrating effect.

But there are plenty of ways to tackle these issues. We looked at some of the leading lights in the world of beauty blogging for inspiration – and offer our pick of their favourite recommendations.

1. Create a ‘moisture magnet’ with a clear face mask

For a completely comprehensive on-board beauty regime, there’s no better place to start than the online video guide of celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge, whose tried and tested process leaves her skin looking like a million dollars.

‘I turn any plane journey into a spa opportunity,’ says Lisa, who talks us through all the different products she uses, and why they’re particularly good for air travel. Our favourite tip is her recommendation to use a clear face mask – barely visible on the skin – such as the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque or Sisley Express Flower Gel. ‘It creates a sort of hydrating ‘net’ when it forms over the skin,’ says Lisa, and if it leaves us with anything close to her dewy complexion then we say it’s definitely worth a try.

2. Try a serum for an antioxidant boost

Renowned British beauty expert Caroline Hirons is an absolute mine of information on all things skincare, and a globally qualified advanced facialist to boot. Her recent feature on looking after your skin while flying came after a long haul journey of 20 hours, and one of her suggestions is to use a serum to counter the environmental changes that occur inside an aeroplane.

Her personal recommendation is the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum which gives the skin what she describes as a ‘massive antioxidant boost’.  According to Ole Henriksen, this collagen booster is like giving your skin a high powered dose of vitamin C, and contains grapefruit, orange, green tea and rosehips extracts. Little wonder it smells so delicious.

3. Pack a tube of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream

It’s the not-so-secret staple of celebrities, models, make-up artists and plenty of us ordinary folk too, and Hayley Carr –otherwise known as London Beauty Queen – knows exactly how to put Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream through its paces.

For its amazing ability to hydrate the skin, Hayley suggests applying the cream to your face after removing your make-up and letting it slowly sink in during the journey. But another of her recommendations is to use it as an aftersun too – equally as useful when you’re en route to a tropical destination like Mauritius.

4. Use a mist to stay hydrated

Phoebe Montague of the popular fashion and style blog Lady Melbourne shares plenty of ways to help keep your skin in peak condition while flying, and as an Australian she is more than familiar with the concept of ‘long haul’.

We love her advice to use a hydrating mist to soothe, cool and refresh the skin, and Phoebe’s personal recommendation is Australian brand Sukin’s Hydrating Mist Toner. Sukin’s products are brimming with the natural goodness of healing herbs, active botanics and nourishing nut and seed oils, and are widely available outside Australia too.

5. Get a golden glow

Popular skincare and cosmetics retailer Cult Beauty asked beauty expert and make up artist Lynn Taylor to share her top tips for flying long haul. Alongside more suggestions for dehydration-busting creams and mists, Lynn also recommends helping the skin gain or maintain a gradual sun-kissed glow with Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Alpha Beta Glow Pads.

These are designed to be used every second or third day, and can help build up a beautiful colour in layers, from pale gold to deep bronze. Best of all, they’re great for prolonging your post-holiday suntan, so don’t forget to save a few for your return flight.

Flying to Mauritius soon?

If you’re travelling in our Business Class cabin, look out for our complimentary range of toiletries from luxury German brand Aigner.

Visit our website to check flight availability or make a booking.