When I was younger, I would always wear makeup on a plane. Not only did I grow up surrounded by the impossible beauty standards of the ’90s/Noughties, but the rom-coms of that era also fed me (and many others) the lie that my future husband would conveniently wind up in the seat next to me – or that I’d fall into his lap during turbulence in some kind of meet-cute situation.
The thought of meeting my soon-to-be spouse bare-faced, then, was unthinkable.
But fast-forward to 2026, and attitudes have (thankfully) shifted. No longer are we so focused on covering up our skin as we are protecting and nourishing it. It’s commonplace to see passengers load up on under-eye patches and sheet masks, especially on long-haul journeys, and it’s a universal fact that Gen Z loves a good pimple patch – to the point it’s become a sort of status symbol to wear them in public.
There is another positive about this movement, though. By avoiding makeup on a plane, we are saving our skin from a lot of unnecessary trouble (plus it claws back a good 30-40 minutes in the morning if you’re already dashing to the airport).
Why you shouldn’t wear makeup on a plane
As dermatologist Dr Angela Tewari explains to Condé Nast Traveller, on a flight, the atmosphere – with air filters, air conditioning and fluctuating temperatures – can be quite dry.
“There’s a reduction in the amount of moisture and humidity in the environment, which means that overall, for our skin, there is significant water loss. Throughout a long flight, it can feel dry and tight, and the atmosphere can also disrupt the skin barrier,” she says.
When it comes to wearing makeup on a plane, the expert warns that, while it may seem like a good thing to do or part of your daily routine, it can actually make it that much harder to add moisture back into the skin.
“If you’re also prone to spots, then a different environment will make it that much worse,” she adds. “And if you’re wearing makeup with iron oxides and pigment, it may feel a bit irritating on the skin and block your pores. The environment on a plane, combined with fluctuating temperatures, may also cause pores to dilate.”
What to do instead
“If you really must wear something, go for a non-comedogenic foundation,” Dr Tewari recommends. “But my advice would be: if you are wearing makeup, consider wiping it off with micellar water and adding a thick moisturising product with prebiotics, lipids, such as ceramides, and free fatty acids. You can also consider a face mask.”
