In-Flight Skincare: My Long-Haul Routine with Olive Young Favourites
In-Flight Skincare (기내 스킨케어): My Long-Haul Routine with Olive Young Favourites
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| My real in-flight skincare line-up. Light layers, barrier creams and landing cushions that survive a seventeen-hour flight. |
I have lived half my adult life inside an aeroplane. During my Samsung years I was flying between Korea, the US and Europe so constantly that Incheon immigration started recognising my hairstyle before my passport. Thirteen, sometimes seventeen hours in the cabin will humble even the most disciplined skincare person. My face would start the flight looking normal then slowly collapse into a dehydrated steamed bun somewhere over Alaska.
Somewhere between Seoul and Seattle I realised this. If I was going to spend this much of my life in the sky, I needed a proper in-flight skincare routine, or in Korean, 기내 스킨케어 (in-flight skincare). It became a personal survival project.
I used to be that passenger. The one who carried a full-size beauty pouch, applied half my bathroom mid-flight, and once terrified the poor man next to me by unfolding a sheet mask in the dark. I was not trying to film a horror movie. I was just trying to hydrate.
Thankfully I am blessed with two secret weapons. One of my closest friends is a dermatologist, and when I lived in London I worked with a brilliant beauty editor who still gives me brutally honest skincare opinions. Between them, I learnt that long-haul skincare is not about expensive bottles. It is about ingredient logic and barrier intelligence.
Recently I have been obsessed with the "MD-style" products you can find at Olive Young in Seoul. The everyday, friendlier cousins of clinic formulas. Same idea, softened for daily use so your barrier stays happy. Perfect for travel because cabin air is basically a giant moisture vacuum.
This is my full in-flight skincare (기내 스킨케어) routine. Tried, tested and repeatedly corrected across too many London–Seoul flights. Now with my chaos moments and my favourite landing cushions included.
Night before flying: preparing the base
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| Night-before-flight line-up. Cleanse, hydrate and seal everything before facing cabin air. |
If I want to land looking remotely alive, the work begins at home. The night before a long flight I give my skin the kind of attention usually reserved for people I am in love with.
I start with a good cleanse. First I melt off the sunscreen and make-up with a cleansing cream. Then I follow with the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Bubble Cleanser. It is a gentle foam, slightly acidic, and uses mild surfactants with glycerin so my face feels clean but never tight. That balance is crucial before flying because a stripped barrier plus cabin dryness is a recipe for disaster.
If my skin has been congested, I sometimes swap to the Stridex BHA Foam Cleanser. It has salicylic acid to unclog pores and soothing plant extracts so it does not burn. I treat it like a deep-clean option, not something to use recklessly before a flight.
The next step is hydration. Torriden Dive-In Serum is my faithful sidekick here. It has multiple weights of hyaluronic acid so different layers of the skin get hydrated at once, and panthenol helps keep the barrier calm. It sinks in instantly and never feels sticky.
Retinol nights happen a few days before travel, never right before. When I do use retinol, I use the IOPE Retinol Super Bounce Serum. It blends different retinoids with moisturising ingredients and madecassoside so the skin adjusts more gently. It is brilliant for texture and fine lines, but absolutely not something I pair with cabin air.
To seal everything, I use the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream. It is one of the best Korean barrier creams I have ever used. Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids arranged to mimic the skin’s natural structure. It is basically a shield. If my skin feels irritated, I switch to La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5, a thicker, cocoon-like balm with panthenol and madecassoside that soothes everything overnight.
- Double cleanse gently, especially if you wore SPF and make-up.
- Add a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid and panthenol.
- Seal everything with a barrier cream containing ceramides.
- Avoid strong actives like retinol right before flying.
- Pack mini sizes of your essentials so you are not that person with a suitcase of skincare.
Flight morning: keep it simple
Airport mornings are always rushed, so my routine has to be quick.
I lightly cleanse, add a layer of Torriden for hydration, then a thin layer of Aestura cream on the cheeks and drier areas.
For SPF, I reach for La Roche-Posay Uvidea Tone-Up. It is light, brightening and feels like skincare rather than make-up. Most importantly, it does not suffocate the skin before heading into dry cabin air.
Then I board. Usually slightly late. Always moisturised.
In the air: strategy over aesthetics
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| Sometimes the best in-flight routine is just moisturiser, an eye mask and a proper deep sleep. |
People often misunderstand in-flight skincare. It is not about looking glossy. It is about reducing moisture loss and preventing irritation in a space designed to dry you like laundry.
If I boarded with SPF or pollution on my face, I will do a quick cleanse once we reach cruising altitude. The Aestura Bubble Cleanser is perfect because it does not require aggressive rubbing.
Then hydration. Torriden again. One thin layer is usually enough. The tighter the air feels, the more grateful my skin is for this step.
To seal in moisture, I use a small amount of Aestura cream over the serum, focusing on the cheeks, around the mouth and the sides of the face. If the cabin feels icy or if my skin is already fragile, I spot-apply a tiny amount of Cicaplast B5.
On brutal long-haul flights, I sometimes do a sheet mask once the cabin lights dim. Mediheal Tea Tree if I am feeling congested. Mediheal Centella or Madecassoside if I am stressed or dry. Ten to twenty minutes, no longer. Then I tap the remaining essence into my face and neck.
Throughout the flight I use lip balm, hand cream and lots of water. I avoid extra coffee and skip the wine because both make my skin angrier than the air-con.
And honestly. Some of my best in-flight skincare moments are the least glamorous ones. Full cream layer, eye mask on, seat back, and I sleep deeply. What Koreans call 푹 자는 거, a proper deep sleep. Sometimes the best routine is just moisturiser plus sleep.
One hour before landing: waking the face back up
Right before the cabin lights come back on, I do a very quick refresh.
If I feel greasy, I either use a cleansing pad or a tiny bit of the Aestura cleanser. Then a thin layer of Torriden and a soft layer of cream. If it is daytime where I am landing, I apply a small amount of Uvidea Tone-Up for SPF and a natural brightening effect.
Then I cheat the system with cushions. Because no one at arrivals needs to know exactly how chaotic my night was.
TIRTIR Mask Fit Crystal Mesh Cushion . the polished landing look
When I want to look a touch more put-together, I reach for the Mask Fit Crystal Mesh Cushion. The mesh net releases just the right amount of product so it spreads in an ultra-thin, even layer. The finish is cleaner and slightly more refined than the moisture cushion. A fresh, crystal-like radiance that survives baggage claim lighting. Perfect for days when I am going straight from airport to meeting or dinner.
Why this works better than expensive treatments whilst travelling
Years of shuttling between London and Seoul taught me that skin does not respond to price tags. It responds to consistency.
Ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, centella and sunscreen. These are the real long-haul heroes, especially when you live in the sky as much as I do.
If your skin feels comfortable from take-off to landing, you have already won.
Mini FAQ: in-flight skincare questions I always get
Q. Can I use retinol on the plane?
A. I do not. The air is already extremely drying and retinol can make skin more sensitive. I keep retinol for calm, grounded evenings at home.
Q. Do I really need SPF if I am inside the cabin?
A. If you are near the window or landing in strong daylight, I treat SPF as non-negotiable. UV can still reach you through the windows, and you will usually be outside again soon anyway.
Q. How often should I reapply cream during a flight?
A. I focus on doing it well once after take-off, then I top up only if my skin feels tight. Overdoing layers can make you feel greasy and uncomfortable. Listen to your skin, not social media.
Products I used in this routine (not sponsored)
Not sponsored or gifted. Every product mentioned here was purchased by me, used on my own long-haul flights, and added only because it genuinely works for my skin.
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Bubble Cleanser
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| Aestura Atobarrier 365 Bubble Cleanser. My gentle low pH foam for pre-flight and in-flight cleansing. |
What it is: A mild, low pH foam cleanser that uses gentle surfactants and hydrating ingredients to cleanse without stripping.
Key ingredients: Mild cleansing agents, glycerin and moisturising agents to help maintain the skin barrier.
Why I use it for flights: It leaves my face feeling clean and calm, not tight, which is crucial before and during a drying long-haul flight.
Where to buy (reference): Aestura official site and Olive Young stores in Korea.
Stridex BHA Foam Cleanser
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| Stridex BHA Foam Cleanser. My deep-clean option when my T-zone feels congested. |
What it is: A salicylic acid foam cleanser designed for oily or breakout-prone skin.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid (BHA) to unclog pores, plus soothing plant extracts such as aloe and centella.
Why I use it for flights: I reach for this when my T-zone is congested, but only as a deep-clean step on travel days, never repeatedly in the cabin.
Where to buy (reference): Available in many online shops and some Korean drugstores.
Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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| Torriden Dive-In Serum. My water-light hydration layer that still survives cabin air. |
What it is: A lightweight hydrating serum with different sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules.
Key ingredients: Multi-molecular hyaluronic acid, panthenol and soothing humectants.
Why I use it for flights: It keeps my skin hydrated without any stickiness and layers beautifully under cream in dry cabin air.
Where to buy (reference): Torriden official site, Olive Young and Korean online retailers.
IOPE Retinol Super Bounce Serum
What it is: A retinoid-based serum designed to support elasticity and texture.
Key ingredients: Retinoids, moisturising agents and madecassoside to buffer irritation.
Why I use it for flights: I actually use this on non-flight nights a few days before travel, never in the aeroplane, to keep my skin in good condition without over-sensitising it.
Where to buy (reference): IOPE official site and major Korean beauty retailers.
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
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| Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream. My barrier shield against dry cabin air. |
What it is: A barrier cream that mimics the skin’s natural lipid structure.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in a balanced ratio.
Why I use it for flights: This is my main defence against cabin dryness. It locks in hydration and keeps my face feeling comfortable for hours.
Where to buy (reference): Aestura official site and Olive Young.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
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| La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+. My emergency balm for fragile or over-travelled skin. |
What it is: A rich, soothing recovery balm for stressed or irritated skin.
Key ingredients: Panthenol (vitamin B5), madecassoside, shea butter and La Roche-Posay thermal water.
Why I use it for flights: I rely on this for dry patches or when my skin is feeling fragile after a long day. On flights I use a tiny amount as a spot treatment.
Where to buy (reference): La Roche-Posay official site, French pharmacies and global stockists.
La Roche-Posay Uvidea Tone-Up SPF
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| La Roche-Posay Uvidea Tone-Up SPF. My brightening SPF that feels like skincare, not a mask. |
What it is: A brightening sunscreen with high UV protection.
Key ingredients: UV filters for UVA and UVB protection, plus soothing thermal water and light-reflecting pigments.
Why I use it for flights: It gives a subtle tone-up effect without a grey cast and feels like skincare rather than a heavy sunscreen.
Where to buy (reference): La Roche-Posay and Olive Young stores in Korea.
Mediheal Tea Tree Mask
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| Mediheal Tea Tree Mask. My emergency sheet mask when a breakout is about to board with me. |
What it is: A sheet mask targeting oiliness and breakouts.
Key ingredients: Tea tree extract, soothing botanicals and hydrating agents.
Why I use it for flights: When I feel a breakout coming, this helps calm everything down without over-drying my skin.
Where to buy (reference): Mediheal official site, Olive Young and many Korean mask retailers.
Mediheal Centella / Madecassoside Mask
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| Mediheal Centella / Madecassoside Mask. My calming option when travel leaves my skin tight and stressed. |
What it is: A calming sheet mask for sensitive or irritated skin.
Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, madecassoside, humectants such as glycerin and panthenol.
Why I use it for flights: Ideal when my skin feels tight or stressed from travel. It resets everything and adds a comforting layer of hydration.
Where to buy (reference): Mediheal and Olive Young.
TIRTIR Mask Fit Crystal Mesh Cushion
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| TIRTIR Mask Fit Crystal Mesh Cushion. My airport-to-meeting base for a crystal, polished landing glow. |
What it is: A mesh-type cushion with a more refined, semi-radiant finish.
Key features: Mesh delivery system for a thin, even layer; brightening, long-wearing, polished finish.
Why I use it for flights: This is my "airport to meeting" cushion. It gives a clean, crystal-like glow that looks more polished than a basic base product.
Where to buy (reference): TIRTIR official site, Korean beauty stores and online platforms.
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