At the end of an overnight flight, the mirrors in airline bathrooms are the ultimate truth-tellers. They show every crease and line and prove that nothing – bar an all-night drinking and clubbing session – dehydrates skin as much as a long-haul flight.
On flights, I want products that can solve all sorts of issues; I’ve long been a fan of Christophe Robin’s Intensive Regenerating Balm but this year there are a couple of new contenders.
Cult British make-up artist and facialist Frances Prescott has produced Tri-Balm, a joyous multi-tasker. At 70g, in my dreams, there will be a smaller travel version (I really do like to travel light) but in the meantime, this triples up as a cleanser, exfoliator and moisturiser, bringing hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and Vitamin E and blackcurrant plus beeswax as cleanser.
The end result feels like silk on the skin and there’s a touch of geranium oil to help in the wind-down process. In the confined space of an airline cabin, that you apply straight to your face from the twist-up container is a bonus.
From the Pre-Empt series, Perricone MD’s Fixer Solid Oil feels like a misnomer; the texture is more gel-like than oil but it tackles everything from cabin-dried skin to flyaway hair. In a 20g jar, it brings green tea, turmeric, olive leafs and cress sprouts into the mix. The scent is light which is a thoughtful thing on a crowded flight. It also has a primer-ish quality when it comes to putting on makeup afterwards.
These two share another inflight bonus. They’re solid until they come into contact with skin, thus cutting down on the possibility of a cream-filled inflight bag
Two liquids have gained a place in my carry-on luggage. At the moment, Nadur’s Stop The Clock Super Berry oil delivers the richness I need at 35,000 feet, along with Acai Goji Berry seed oil; it’s best as a night oil. Lighter, fresher Skin Design’s H2O Intense Luxe serum is more of a morning pick-me-up. I find it calming, non-sticky and refreshing.
Nothing, but nothing, however, will make our skin look better than a few hours sleep.
Skincare supplements and smart nutrients are the fastest evolving area of skincare. Utmost Me’s Neuro Rest brings natural sources of melatonin, including grape skin and Montmorency cherries, L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP plus chamomile and magnesium
However, the newest potion in my armoury is also the cheapest one; BetterYou’s Magnesium Goodnight spray. Some people, me included, feel a slight tingling afterwards (the recommended amount is five to ten squirts, but it soon wears off and when I use it, I’m rewarded by some solid inflight shut-eye. The 100ml bottle will last months (£12.20), the 15ml travel size should see you through a two-week summer break and the flight back and some to spare.
Since every journey ends with an arrival and with some 15ml travel admirably suited to carry-on luggage is Olverum bath oil. Created in 1931, it’s highly concentrated formula includes a soothing blend of lime, geranium and lavender.
