Posted on Friday, 9 November 2018

Travelling, whether long-haul or regular short-haul, can put significant strains on our skin. Lack of sleep, dietary changes and atmospheric differences can all result in dry skin, blemishes, flushing and more perceptible wrinkles.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the impact of travel, and help your skin look its very best.

In a recent Forbes article, facialist to Gwyneth Paltrow, Michelle Williams and Colin Firth gave some useful skincare tips for those who travel regularly.

Linda Meredith, who has worked in the beauty industry for 40 years, said skin can be impacted by both flying and the changes in diet associated with overseas holidays or business trips.

Linda said, "Dehydration will increase during any flight, more so long haul, so drinking more water is necessary, but protecting the surface from losing moisture is also important."

She reminded travellers not to be surprised if their skin reacts to new foods.

Air travel skin care

Linda recommended drinking plenty of water and taking a hydrating mist for short haul flights, which can be applied to the skin if it begins to feel tight. For long-haul flights, Linda said make-up should be removed and hydrating mist spray should be applied, along with an anti-oxidant balm.

She also recommended packing an oxygen mask for application when you reach your destination.

How do oxygen face masks work?

Oxygen or 'bubble' face masks are applied to the skin in liquid form. They bubble up and penetrate your pores, cleaning them out and giving skin a radiant glow.

What about skin differences between men and women?

Linda Meredith has her own skincare brand, but she doesn't create different products for men and women. While male skin is thicker due to "higher levels of testosterone", and "may produce more sebum", she says "men and women can have similar issues with their skin." She points out that "genetics, climate and diet" have mostly influenced how our skin has evolved, not gender.

Quick fix concerns

Linda believes there are a lot of "quick fix" skin care products on the market, some of which may help in the short term, but over the long term could be damaging to the skin and may cause premature ageing.

'Microblading' - the process of using tiny needles to create a semi-permanent tattoo on the eyebrow, could "in certain clients, increase hair growth and the possibility of sun damage."

Linda Meredith's travel skincare tips summarised:

l  Drink plenty of water

l  Use a hydrating spray for air travel

l  Remove make-up for long-haul flights and use an anti-oxidant balm

l  Pack an oxygen mask for use at your destination

More ways to improve your skin

The following tips could help your skin look better - without make up:

l  Remove dead skin cells with an exfoliator.

l  Use a high SPF sunblock (at least SPF50) to prevent sun spots, sunburn, premature ageing and to minimise skin cancer risk.

l  Stay active - regular exercise helps you stay calm and balances cortisol, which can accelerate ageing. It also boosts circulation, delivering much-needed nutrients to the skin.

l  Eat a well-balance diet with plenty of protein - important for skin repair.

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