1. Why Flying Dehydrates the Skin And How Hydrating Formulas Help?

You can thank the recycled, low-humidity cabin air for disrupting the skin’s natural moisture balance. This weakens its protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to dryness, inflammation, and sensitivity.

Long-haul flights are especially harsh on the skin as this causes the disruption of circadian rhythms too, impairing the skins’ diurnal sleep and repair cycle, resulting in puffiness, dark circles, and reduced healing capacity.  

Hydrating formulas play a crucial role here. Used consistently before, during and after a flight, they help replenish lost moisture, reinforce the skin barrier and support recovery.

This is exactly why I always travel with simple, barrier-focused products like MV’s Rose Hydrating Mist, Pure Jojoba, and a nourishing treatment oil like our Daily Soother, they work with the skin rather than overwhelming it.

2. How Hydrating Mists Support the Skin Barrier?

Spritzing the skin is more than just a refreshing and grounding experience for the senses, applying a facial mist before the application of ANY skincare product will lower the surface tension of the skin, and enhance the absorption of those nourishing actives. Additional spritzes throughout the flight will prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss), reduce inflammation, and maintain optimal pH - essential for a happy skin microbiome.

A therapeutic mist like MV’s Rose Hydrating Mist or Active Marine Mist is especially beneficial while travelling, as it offers hydration, calming botanicals and antioxidant support in one simple step - making it ideal for repeated use in dry cabin air.

3. The Best Ingredients for In-Flight Skin Hydration

When travelling, I always encourage people to look beyond surface-level hydration and choose formulas that contain actives to calm and soothe, as well as prevent oxidative stress.

One of my favourite ingredients for in-flight skincare is Bulgarian Rose Otto, prized for its anti-inflammatory, hydrating and soothing properties, particularly helpful when skin feels sensitised or reactive after flying.

I also love antioxidant-rich Australian native botanicals, such as Quandong (Desert Peach), which help combat free radical damage and support skin regeneration. These ingredients can be found in our Rose Hero Collection and are particularly valuable when the skin barrier is under stress from environmental changes during air travel.

4. How to Layer Skincare Products While Flying

In-flight hydration works best when care is layered and repeated.

Always begin by spritzing a fine veil of a therapeutic facial mist over the skin to prep and hydrate. Follow immediately with 2–3 drops of a nourishing treatment oil - MV’s Rose Plus Booster or Daily Soother Booster are my personal in-flight essentials, as they help replenish lipids and calm inflammation.

Finish by sealing everything in with a rich moisturiser or balm to lock in hydration and protect against ongoing moisture loss. This layering process can be repeated throughout the flight, always starting with a mist.

Extra hot tip: Hyaluronic acid needs a little extra care when flying. In extremely dry cabin conditions, it should always be supported with a lipid-rich layer (an oil, cream or balm), otherwise it can pull moisture from within the skin, only for it to be lost to the air. It’s a powerful hydrator, when used layered correctly and in the right environment.

5. How Often to Use a Hydrating Mist on Long-Haul Flights?

Spritzing every few hours can help refresh and hydrate the skin during long flights, but misting alone isn’t enough. In dry cabin air, moisture evaporates quickly if it isn’t sealed in.

After misting, always follow with a drop or two of your chosen facial oil such as Pure Jojoba, Rose Plus Booster, or Daily Soother Booster and, where needed, a moisturiser or balm. This combination helps lock in hydration, strengthen the skin barrier and keep skin calm and comfortable until you land.

You can read more about skincare essentials for every climate here