After a long flight, the first thing I want to do is head straight to the shower. In fact my post-travel ritual goes like this: Toss my clothes into the laundry, then take a long hot shower, often in the dark if it’s late, to relax, decompress and rinse off all those nasty plane germs. Sound familiar?
Well, I just read an article on Islands.com that’s making me seriously rethink that habit.
According to dermatologists interviewed by Nicole Cord-Cruz for Islands.com, taking a hot shower after flying can actually make things worse for your skin. While hot water feels great, it strips your skin of its natural oils and when you’re already dried out from the low humidity of an airplane cabin, that combo can leave your skin parched, irritated and more prone to breakouts.
What Is “Airplane Skin”?
Yes, that’s a real term. The dry, tight, uncomfortable feeling you get on your face (and sometimes your entire body) after a flight is caused by the recycled dehydrated air in airplane cabins. Dermatologists say your skin can lose significant moisture during a flight and even more so if you’re already prone to dryness.
So What Should You Do Instead?
Here’s what experts recommend:
Skip the hot water. If you can’t bear the idea of not showering, go lukewarm or even cold. Cold showers not only preserve your skin’s natural barrier but may also reduce inflammation, lower stress and even help beat jet lag.
Moisturize before you fly. Hydrate your skin before you even board the plane. Look for products with hyaluronic acid, glycerin or shea butter.
Use a sheet mask in flight. Yes really. A lightweight sheet mask is travel friendly and helps replenish moisture mid flight.
Gently exfoliate after landing. Sloughing off dead skin cells helps your moisturizer work better. Just make sure you use gentle exfoliants like jojoba beads, not harsh scratchy scrubs.
Finish with a rich moisturizer. Lock in hydration with a barrier boosting cream once you’ve washed up.
If you’re like me and that hot shower feels non-negotiable, try easing into a cooler rinse instead. Not only is it better for your skin but science suggests it can actually help reset your circadian rhythm and make your brain feel more alert, perfect if you’ve just landed in a new time zone.
I will still toss my airplane clothes into the wash ASAP but from now on, I’ll skip the scalding hot shower because my skin will thank me.
KEEP READING
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