Jenni Gilbert A week or so ago I headed from S+C Sydney HQ to Queensland for a work conference.
It was a quick but very rewarding trip to the excellent Non-Surgical Symposium and involved only relatively short flights either way, but whatever lurgie had been bubbling in the fortnight prior made its presence felt with a sledgehammer a couple of days thereafter …
Lung-purging cough, mammoth migraine, deathbed fatigue (yes, well, I am lifelong Camille-style hypochondriac whose symptoms, real and imagined, have been magnified by access in latter years to self-diagnosis courtesy Dr Google) …
I’d not been feeling 100 percent prior to the conference, with brewing lurgie symptoms (deathbed fatigue et al … cue camellias) but I found the worst insult the assault on my skin.
It felt and looked sucked dry and I was simultaneously beset by deep-seated breakouts.
I cannot help – despite all the advice I have read and been given over the years, and have preached personally and professionally – picking at spots, even those I know won’t result in a satisfying-to-the-human-nature pimple-popping outcome.
I now sport angry red marks/incipient scars and prolonged healing times for my skin.
So it was with great timeliness that I received comms from the team at Ultraceuticals (with whom Team SPA+CLINIC – Jenni and Bernadette – caught up at NSS) about skincare tips for long haul flights.
The physical stress of long haul flights is essentially the equivalent of all the above, as well as skin changes borne of seasonal transitions (ergo, temperature fluctuations and all the artificially controlled measures to “control” this) so reckon this info is good to go for all those contingencies:
TOP TIPS FROM ULTRACEUTICALS
Ultraceuticals global education ambassador Tracey Beeby says: “Winter chills will have many of us flocking to warmer climates for a sun-soaked, relaxing tropical break.
“There’s so many elements on a long-haul flight that will play havoc with skin: from cabin air, the foods served, general travel stress and sleep deprivation.
“It’s no wonder we exit from Customs looking far from fresh. But there are some simple tips we can try to keep the glow in our skin after a flight.” Tracey’s tips include:
- Upgrade your moisturiser to a richer cream for longer flights as well as a good hydration serum. Add sparingly a small amount of your favourite hydration mask around the eye area to help last the distance of your flight and keep those fine lines exaggerated by dehydration away. Try: Ultraceuticals Ultra Replenishing Mask and Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum.
- Try to avoid the overhead air nozzle blasting directly on your face by turning it slightly to an angle away from the face and on a low setting. This will also help overcome dry, sore eyes which also make us look and feel worse. Opt for a herbal tea or plain water – your skin will thank you for it when you land. If you really must drink alcohol to celebrate your holiday ahead with friends, increase your water intake or keep it to just one glass.
- Although not as big a risk of being in a car due to the size of windows, it’s best to apply sunscreen if you’re positioned in a window seat. Windows on planes do not block UVA rays associated with wrinkling and skin ageing. The dose of UVA is also much stronger at 20,000 feet. Apply a good protective daily moisturiser 50+ or block out before your flight that will last up to 24 hours as a safe measure. Close the window blind to avoid the sun’s rays when permitted. Try: Ultraceuticals Sun Active Range or Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser.
- Keep the under-eye area well hydrated with a good hydration serum or energising hydration mask by dotting sparingly around the eye area. Use a balancing mist hydration spray also throughout the flight to keep your thirsty skin plump with hydration. Try: Ultraceuticals Ultra Energising Mask and Ultra Balancing Skin Mist.
- Remember to keep your beauty essential liquids under 100ml when packing carry-on luggage. Ultraceuticals takes the stress out of packing skincare with the limited-edition Travel Skin Essentials set (for each Normal/Dry and Normal/Oily skins) and containing items skin needs to stay healthy, hydrated and protected, all packaged in a stylish cosmetic case. A great retail offering to adjunct your professional treatment offerings.
