The right way to use face mists on long haul flights
Singapore — Face mists have reached a prerequisite status in the cabin skincare pouch since forever. Almost every magazine, blog, beauty editor or celebrity brand ambassador has recommended the use of face mists in airplanes to help keep your skin hydrated. And it’s no wonder. Face mists have the ability to instantly refresh and wake up your senses, a welcomed companion in any skin-drying environment.
READ MORE:
The most damaging skincare mistake almost everyone makes: It’s not skipping sunscreen
Met Gala 2019: The best, most outrageous and 'campest' celebrity looks
James Charles Fallout: Everyone Who Has Spoken Out Against Him Amid Drama With Tati Westbrook
However, misting your face doesn’t actually keep it hydrated. “Misting with water during a flight is useless because it evaporates,” explains makeup artist Larry Yeo who holds a specialist diploma in cosmetic science.
Here’s why: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the humidity level in airplane cabins is usually less than 20 per cent. This lack of humidity, meaning lack of water vapour in the air, causes the skin to become dry as it loses moisture to the dry environment.
Face-Misting The Right Way: A better way is to use a hydrating toner instead of regular face mists as they are more hydrating. More importantly, whether you’re using a face mist or toner, you need to follow with a face moisturiser to help prevent moisture from disappearing to the surroundings.
Your Inflight Skincare Routine: If your skin gets dry easily and you want to leave the plane with clear, supple skin, you should also skip makeup, especially when you’re on a long-haul flight. Here are the other things you can do to keep your skin hydrated and comfortable throughout your time in the air.
Remove Makeup: If you must wear makeup before boarding the plane, clean it off once you are in the air. The easiest and most effective way is to clean off all grime and makeup using cotton pads soaked with micellar water at your seat. Try the Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution, which is specifically formulated to deeply clean and soothe skin that is sensitive, reactive and intolerant. Better yet, this comes in a cabin-friendly 100ml-size bottle, too. Priced at S$15.90 (100ml), S$28.90 (250ml) and S$41.90 (500ml).
Mist Away: After removing makeup, hydrate the skin with a hydrating face mist. This also helps to prep the skin for skincare that follows. Try Laneige Water Bank Moisture Mist, S$22 (70ml), Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, S$48 (40ml), and Dior Hydra Life Fresh Reviver Sorbet Water Mist, S$66 (100ml).
Apply Antioxidant Serums: There are a lot of skin-damaging free radicals floating around in the cabin air. To protect your skin, apply an antioxidant serum after your mist. Try the multi-tasking DrGL Essence Anti-Aging, S$168 (50ml), a lightweight soothing and strengthening serum that can be used over the eye contours, face and neck, and AHC The Aesthe Youth Serum, S$48 (30ml), counters premature wrinkles and sagging with its age-delaying formula.
Moisturise to Seal in Moisture: To help skin retain moisture, and keep it supple and moisturised, apply a face moisturiser after your mist and serum. Try Innisfree Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Capsule Cream, S$35 (50ml), and Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream, S$96 (30ml).
Finish With Sunscreen: Whether you’re seated at the aisle, middle or window seat, it is important that you always use sunscreen after you moisturise. Why? You are now closer to the sun, exposed to higher levels of UVA rays that can penetrate windows in the plane and damage your skin. Opt for lightweight formulas like Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Mild Milk SPF 50+ PA++++, S$39.90 (60ml), and Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA++++, S$56 (30ml).
