I know I’m not alone in saying that the lack of moisture in an airplane cabin at 30,000 feet tends to make my skin go crazy. How to keep skin looking hydrated and blemish-free post flight seems to be the lingering question no one can answer without a 12-step, travel sized routine.

While an intensive, aviation skincare routine seems magical, at times it can be a little unrealistic, especially for those jetsetters out there who need to send a few more emails or catch up on sleep (or the latest episode of The Bachelorette—we don’t judge). Skincare might come second to those priorities, but we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t take an on-flight aesthetician to make sure your skin stays super hydrated. With just a few products, your skin can be glowy in a matter of minutes.  

So, whether you’re a weekly traveler or just planning an impromptu summer getaway, we’ve got you covered. No matter your skin type, follow these easy tips to ensure you’ll step off the plane with radiant, glowy skin— even post red-eye. 

But Before You Board… 

The preliminary step is to prepare. If you don’t feel like emptying all the contents of your carry-on in the aisle (I’ve done this, and I’ve earned a few scowls from my fellow seatmates—would not recommend), then your best bet is to make sure your skin is slicker than a baby seal pre-flight.

First, remember to gently exfoliate that day, so your skin doesn’t flake while on the plane. Not a good look. Dead skin cells become drier in the air and can actually keep your perfectly curated, travel-sized products from penetrating into the skin. Long story short, if you don’t exfoliate your skin before a flight, nothing is going to stick no matter how much you spritz. 

After your skin is successfully scrubbed, all you have to do is remove your makeup (a hydrating wipe is especially fit for flights), apply one of your favorite serums, and pile on the moisturizer before you even board.  

Break Out The Hydrating Mask 

Yes, wearing a sheet mask on the flight might earn you some stares. But as the air turns drier in the cabin, your skin may become flaky and irritated, or your skin might overproduce oil to compensate, resulting in an extra oily T zone or clogged pores. A hydrating sheet mask mid-flight will do your skin some good, swear by us. 

Give Yourself an Entrance With That Face Mist

It may look a little *extra* as you spritz some rosewater into the air, but a face mist might be one of the most important steps for glowy, bouncy skin post flight. It’s easy, portable, and can be reapplied whenever you feel your skin needs that extra something. Just remember to seal the hydration in with a face oil or moisturizer after spritzing—the dry air at cruising altitude can suck the water from your skin in double the time. 

Face Oil: Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

Right after spritzing, pat on a nice face oil in order to make sure all the hydrating properties from the mask and face mist are sealed into the skin. Feel free to re-apply the oil whenever you’re feeling especially dry. 

Dark Circles? Where?

The skin under your eyes is especially thin, which can make it prone to dryness and puffiness post flight. An eye cream or serum are a necessity—especially during the end of long flights—for hydrated skin and an awakening boost that will ensure the only bags you see are the ones you’ll flag down in baggage claim. 

Et voilá! Five simple steps for a face ready to tackle any long-haul. For optimal results, just remember to drink plenty of water (bring an empty water bottle to fill up on the plane), swipe on some lip balm (your pout dries out, too!), and try to schedule some shut-eye in between that Handmaid’s Tale binge. Here’s to a smooth and safe flight—in the air and for your skin. 

Contributed by: Jamie Schneider