Skincare on the plane: the cabin guide

As the vacation season approaches, luggage organization raises the question of the toiletry kit. Flying may be part of the trip, but it's also a real test of strength for the skin's ecosystem. The cause: the pressurized air of airliners, where relative humidity generally plummets below 20% (compared to 40-60% in a healthy terrestrial environment).

This extremely dry climate induces immediate water stress. Through the physical phenomenon of evaporation, the water contained in the superficial layers of the epidermis is literally sucked up by the ambient air. This is known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and from the very first hours of flight, it leads to tightness, marked discomfort and a permanently dull complexion.

The water mist fallacy: beware of false good ideas

Faced with this in-flight dehydration, the most common reflex is to regularly spray a mist of water on the face. From a dermatological point of view, this gesture is counter-productive in such a dry atmosphere.

Without a fatty substance to retain these water molecules on the skin's surface, sprayed water evaporates instantly. Worse still, as it evaporates, it takes with it the water naturally present in the epidermis, accentuating the dehydration of the cutaneous barrier. To protect your skin on board, the key is not to add volatile water, but to seal in existing moisture.

The PERS "Pre-boarding" protocol

To transform your skin into a hermetic shield against the cabin air, your skincare routine must be minimalist but highly strategic. The aim is to saturate the epidermis with protective lipidic agents just before boarding.

1. Preparing the ground gently

Before take-off, it's best to travel without make-up. Cleansing with PERS Cleansing Duo (Radiance Cleansing Balm followed by Soothing Cleansing Gel) frees the skin of impurities, oxidized sebum and pollution residues, without altering its pH or stripping its protective hydrolipidic film.

2. Create a biological dressing with Crème Riche

This is the key step in your travel routine. Apply a generous layer of PERS Rich Cream to the entire face and neck. Packed with physiological active ingredients and highly lipid-replenishing, its enveloping texture doesn't just moisturize. It artificially recreates faulty intercellular cement and forms an occlusive protective film that prevents water from evaporating, despite the cabin's pressurization.

And during the flight? Stay minimalist

No need to handle multiple bottles on your flight tray. Just leave your Crème Riche to work while you travel. For the rest of your vacation, simply pack your favorite travel-size serums in your carry-on bag.

The day after your arrival, you can resume your virtuous cycle: Vitamin C Serum 10% in the morning to counter the oxidative stress of travel and sun, and Pro-Retinol Serum 0.3% in the evening to boost cell regeneration after jetlag fatigue.

Things to remember

A successful airplane skincare routine is based on essentialism. By swapping the accumulation of products for a generous application of Crème Riche before the flight, you prevent the cabin climate from draining your water reserves. Preserving your skin barrier at high altitude is the first step to landing with a fresh, rested and radiant complexion.

Scientific sources