The one thing we all know about flying is this – it’s terribly exciting, and it dries you out to a husk.
For this reason, you are always advised to stay well hydrated, especially on long flights. Drink water regularly, at least once every hour, because airplane air is very very dry and drying both to your insides and to your skin.
In the past, and as I know many people still do, I’d get on board, rip open a sheet mask and leave it on to treat my skin in-flight. There will be the usual fun photos of you looking all scary, or pretending to scare your seat-mate. But really, I think that joke’s a little passé these days, now that sheet masks have become the norm.
Instead, after some experimenting in a few recent flights (4 hours and up) I have found THE BEST solution for your in-flight skin hydration regimen – and it’s not sheet masks! :P
Why use an Overnight or Sleeping Mask in flight?
First, if you are the self-conscious sort, overnight or sleeping masks are practically unnoticeable on skin. If putting on a sheet mask means you feel like you attract unnecessary attention, you can still treat your skin without the embarrassment.
Second, overnight masks or sleeping masks do not dry out as quickly as a sheet mask. The thing about sheet masks is that you are NOT supposed to put them on your skin till it dries out and falls off. You are only supposed to leave it on for about half an hour (for the more saturated paper ones or hydrogel types) and then remove it, before it starts to dry.
The logic to that is, when you leave the drying sheet mask on your skin, there is a possibility that you may end up drawing moisture AWAY from your skin instead. You don’t want that!
Third, overnight masks or sleeping masks are designed to infuse your skin with hydration and nutrients over long hours. Ever wondered why they’re called ‘overnight masks’ or ‘sleeping masks’? They’re used when you go to sleep, and used overnight.
RELATED READING: I consider sheet masks like fast food. Why do I say so? READ HERE
Overnight Masks and Sleeping Masks are more hydrating for skin
What I have learnt over time is that my skin prefers the benefits of a cream type mask that you wash off, or in the alternative, an overnight mask. These days, I notice most brands calling it an “Overnight Mask” as opposed to a “Sleeping Mask”.
When these sort of masks were popularized by Korean brands, they called it a Sleeping Mask, with the popular Laneige Sleeping Mask leading the pack. These days, I don’t use that anymore, because it’s far too light for me now. But for those with oily or combination skin types, it is a pretty decent option.
What I have noticed is a new proliferation of ‘overnight masks’ in the market from both Western and Asian brands. I’m always happy when a good product becomes mainstream. It means we now have more options! :D
Because these sort of masks are made to be used over long hours i.e. overnight, I find that they seem to be more hydrating, infuse skin with more hydration, and plumps up skin better too.
Overnight Masks and Sleeping Masks can be left on for long hours
Because they are made to be left on overnight, and assuming that you get your regulation 8 hours of sleep, I’d posit therefore, that you can leave these masks on for at least 8 hours, with no side effects, unlike with a sheet mask.
I thought about this once, when I was in a 6 hour flight, and I had not brought a sheet mask with me in-flight. Instead, what I did have in my toiletries bag was an overnight mask.
I then figured that putting something on was better than not putting anything on, so I slapped it on, and left it on.
Much to my happy surprise, I realized that my skin was happily calm, hydrated and plumped despite the drying cabin air. All this, without any stickiness or dripping essence associated with sheet masks, and the attendant looks you may get from fellow passengers.
Since then, that’s what I do – get on board, clean my face, slap an overnight mask on, and enjoy my flight, knowing that my skin is being protected and fed nutrients and hydration. Yum! :D
A brief in-flight skincare routine using an Overnight Mask
This post isn’t about my in-flight skincare routine per se, but more of how I’d incorporate using an overnight mask.
- Wash my face in the toilet before boarding, and then mist liberally and apply a generous layer of an overnight mask. Board.
- Alternative. When in flight, use some pre-moistened cotton pads (or moisten them with your favourite micellar cleansing water), wipe all over your face to cleanse, mist and then apply an overnight mask.
- After a few hours, or before landing, use pre-moistened cotton pads (moistened with your favourite micellar water) and wipe your skin a few times until it feels clean. Then, proceed with the rest of your skincare routine.
Another plus point from using an overnight mask on skin is that it protects your skin from all the icky things in plane cabin air. And, for those of you who prefer using natural skincare, there are options available in the natural skincare range, like The Herb Farm Hydrating Overnight Mask.
There are fewer ‘natural’ type sheet masks available in the market, because sheet masks need preservatives to keep them fresh.
Perhaps you prefer to do a DIY sheet mask in-flight with a compressed paper sheet mask and your favourite lotion or essence. Will that be better? You may wonder.
My view is no, it isn’t. The reason is that these sorts of DIY lotion masks tend to dry up very quickly – within 10 minutes usually. Sure, you can argue that you can use a thicker lotion. But then you’d take longer to soak the mask and it’d be messier too.
Quicker, more hygienic and more beneficial, in my view, to simply use an overnight mask :)
Do you use a mask in-flight as part of your in-flight skincare routine? Which sort?
I sometimes bring a sheet mask or two when I travel still, because you can chill them, and they are a nice treat after a long day of sightseeing, especially if you’re somewhere warm. They have their uses – like fast food ;)
Paris B
Was gifted the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask and tried it on my last long hauled flight, loved how my skin looked upon arrival. So supple, smooth and “alive” looking even though I felt so tired haha! I loved how it came in a tube form too. Keen to try Herb Farm when I can get my hands on it.
These lovely overnight masks just seem to hug and nourish the skin especially in such dry air as in airplanes! This was something I wish I had discovered years ago when I travelled long haul more than I do today :P
I just had a long flight last week and unfortunately due to hectic schedule, I sacrificed on skincare during flight time and the entire trip ! Am feeling so guilty now. I love this simple routine you shared and will look forward to using it on my next trip.
Definitely keep it in mind! You don’t have to leave it on all through the flight of course. You can clean it off part way and then put on your regular skincare. Flights really make my skin suffer but I have observed that often, I’m the only one digging out my skincare pouch the minute the seatbelt sign goes off LOL Makes me wonder how everyone else deals with the dry air and especially the flight attendants!
Another thumbs up for Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight mask. I have been looking around for overnight masks and don’t find many options. I wanted to try Laneige but Sephora Beauty Advisor told me not to as it’s more suitable for younger skin, rather light. I look forward to your recommendation, Paris.
I am so vain that I do not remove my makeup on long haul flights, I just apply a heavier moisturizer before cc cream and I find those layers protect the skin better, less drying than just clean skin.
The Laneige Sleeping Mask (in the blue tub) is quite light. The Time Freeze one (silver tub) feels better for me. I’ve used the Sulwhasoo Overnight Revitalizing Mask as well. But I love that one LOL! When I travel, I am quite a slob :P These days, if it’s for work, I make a little more effort and put on some makeup just before the plane lands. But otherwise, I head off to the immigration looking exactly like my passport photo – not terribly flattering LOL!
I used the Sulwhasoo mask on my flight to Europe (13hrs) and my skin still look so good while on transfer to another flight. I was a bit surprised skin looks hydrated and really nice cos that was the first time I used such overnight mask onboard a flight. Pure love!
Yay for masking in-flight AND for using the Sulwhasoo mask! :D I love it and isn’t it a lovely surprise to see fresh skin looking back at you even if you feel like death? LOL
Drool…. applying mask on flight, wow ! When there’s a kid tagging along in every trip, masking in plane is a luxury that I can never had.
I apply overnight mask in the afternoon at home when my girl is taking her nap, and I go on with my chores and wash it off after i finish whatever I was doing or until i remembers. Yikes ! XD
LOL You know, perhaps not with a sheet mask, but putting on an overnight/sleeping mask is quick and easy. Can do it in the toilet while you creep off for some alone time :P And why not to masking while you work? :D Might as well treat the skin while you clean :D
I could never do the sheet mask thing on a plane. I’ve taken them along with me a few times, but have never actually used them. I get too self-conscious sitting so closely to other passengers (the joys of economy flying!) and it just feels silly (especially if it’s a day flight LOL).
I LOVE the idea of applying the overnight mask on your skin before boarding, so you’re not in anyones way. And it makes total sense that an overnight mask would last longer on your skin and be more protective as well as moisturising. Can’t wait to try this on my next trip :)
LOL Yes I do get conscious too. I used to just apply thicker moisturiser. Not sure why I never thought about using an overnight mask! :D Try it, and I hope it makes your skin lovely and comfortable in-flight :)
Uriage Sleeping Mask it’s quite nice and only 12€. A thin layer of vaseline over the top to lock in moisture and you’re good on keeping skin hydrated.
Hmmm We do have Uriage here (at least I hope we still do!) and I didn’t know they have a sleeping mask too. I’ll have a look and see if the local counters have them. I do doubt it, because they aren’t very well stocked, and look quite neglected a lot of the time :(