You’ve packed your minis, nailed your capsule wardrobe, and scored the best window seat. But, just as you arrive at your destination and finally feel the stress of travel begin to ease off, a breakout appears. Below, we examine what actually causes skin to react when we travel, and whether there's anything we can do to prevent it.
How does flying impact our skin?
Our skin hates surprises. One minute it’s used to your home routine, the next it’s being hit with blasts of air conditioning, dodgy water, climate swings, less sleep, more stress and whatever you ate at the airport. In other words, all those changes confuse your skin’s natural balance. Sometimes it dries out, sometimes it floods with oil. Either way, the result is the same: unwelcome breakouts.
Angela Taylor, Elemis global director of education, explains: “Air travel dehydrates the skin due to the dry, recycled air in the cabin. When your skin loses moisture, it often compensates by producing more oil, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.” Add in a few in-flight wines and a late-night room service pizza, and your skin is primed for pimples.
It’s also about exposure. New climates, plane blankets, and even the constant hand-to-face contact of dragging luggage, touching screens, or applying make-up on the go introduce bacteria your skin isn’t used to. “Frequent hand-to-face contact can transfer bacteria, increasing the chance of clogged pores,” says founder of The Glow Clinic and aesthetics educator, Dr Jennifer Owens. In short, your immune system is busy keeping you upright through jet lag, so your skin barrier takes the hit.
How does going on holiday impact our skin?
Travel isn’t just dehydrating either; it’s also destabilising. “There are several reasons why skin can break out during travel,” says Dr Owens. “The biggest factor is the disruption of your usual routine – from diet and skincare habits to sleep patterns. Poor or irregular sleep impacts hormone balance and stress levels, both of which influence acne development.”
The key issue is inconsistency. “Travel throws your skin’s home routine out of the window,” says Mark Curry, co-founder of The INKEY List. “One night you’re getting eight hours of sleep, the next you’re at a midnight street-food market. The skin likes consistency – when that’s disrupted, it can overproduce oil, get dehydrated, or flare up with inflammation.” Your body wants balance. Throw in climate shifts – from London drizzle to Dubai desert – and your skin struggles to recalibrate. Breakouts are simply the SOS signal.
How to stop travel breakouts
The good news: you don’t have to resign yourself to a host of whiteheads every time you board a plane. A few smart habits and the right products can minimise the issue.
Hydrate before you fly
“I recommend drinking plenty of water, considering electrolyte supplements, and moisturising your skin well before and after flying,” says Owens. Skip that second G&T – it won’t help. Instead, try electrolyte drinks that help balance your minerals and taste great.
Don't touch your face
Wash your hands regularly and resist the urge to prop your chin on your palm mid-flight. If you frequently touch your face, make a moisturising hand sanitiser your new best friend.
Consistency is key
When you travel frequently, sticking to your skincare routine amid all the change is crucial. “Think of it like carrying your home routine in travel-size armour,” says Curry.
Hydrate on return
Cleansing properly after a flight is non-negotiable. Owens likes a hydrating sheet mask after landing – “not on the plane, where it can actually wick moisture away.”
Target oil
A gentle salicylic acid cleanser, morning and night, helps keep pores clear, especially for breakout-prone skin. Stock up on skincare products with antibacterial elements to combat the pesky in-flight bacteria.
Seal it in
Use gel-based moisturisers that help to balance oil and water without clogging pores.
Balance your hormones
Balance stress and hormonal disrupters by supplementing the right way.
