Whether it is for business or a much-awaited holiday, air travel has become a part of our lives. But, like most things in the modern world, flying, too, has its effects on mature skin. Here is how to maintain that perfect skin for the next flight:
Must-haves on the Flight
The UV moisturiser and serum probably don’t make the cut for your hand baggage and are most likely packed into the check-in luggage. In-flight conditions are extremely drying and skin needs to be constantly hydrated. So make sure to include these in your handbag. Most brands now carry travel size options that are easily available. Remember to pack a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB moisturiser, skin oil, quality facial wipes, your favourite serum, eye cream and lip balm.
Serum to Hydrate and Nourish Since airplane cabins have low humidity and pressure, the recycled air robs moisture from your epidermis (the top layer of skin). This makes skin look shallow, dry and tired. The best thing to do is to load your skin with as much hydration pre-flight as possible. Prep your skin with a serum to hydrate and nourish it before applying your UV moisturiser.
UV Protection a Must
Skin, in today’s urban conditions, demands a minimum SPF 30 UVA and UVB moisturiser. This becomes even more of a necessity as you fly at 30,000 feet above sea level. The intensity of UV rays on an airplane is twice the same on the ground. In fact for every 3,000 feet increase in altitude, there is a 15 per cent increase in the UV radiation. Airplane windows filter only the UVB rays, but only minimally filter the more harmful UVA rays. So don’t forget to apply that UV moisturiser liberally on the face and neck. Another option is to apply mineral powder with SPF protection.
Aisle Seat the Best Choice
UV radiation is the number one cause of premature ageing, wrinkles and pigmentation. So try and opt for an aisle seat whenever possible. By sitting away from the window, you can avoid the sun’s harmful effects on mature skin.
Noise Cancellation Headphones to Avoid Skin Fatigue
Noise cancellation headphones make for great travel companion. The constant hum in the plane generally ranges between 95 and 115 decibels, while the normal safety levels are about 85 decibels. This constant background noise accelerates the onset of fatigue and takes a toll on the health of the skin. Noise cancellation head phones can reduce this hum by up to 40 decibels, making the flying experience pleasurable.
So to sum up, while you run through the checklist in your mind and pack the last items in luggage, try and keep five minutes for skincare before embarking on your journey. As skin matures, a little goes a long way and can help fight off and delay wrinkles and ageing. But always remember to enjoy the skin you are in and stay ‘Beauty Eternal’.
Eye Catching
Kiko Milano’s new range of water eye shadows come in compact single units, with the product inside taking the shape of what looks like water ripples. I recently used the pearly coffee shade. To keep the look casual, I used it dry. For a dramatic impact, I wet the tips of the brush and dabbed the product onto the eye. The pigmentation immediately intensified.
The main selling point for me is the creaminess of the product that allows to be smeared effortlessly, with the shimmer brightening the outline of the eye. The eye shadow stays for close to three hours, but begins to fade after that. The mirror inside is a helpful feature, but the lack of an applicator with the product is a drawback. It could be a challenge to get a shaded look with this eye shadow, however for a full coverage monochrome finish, it is perfect.