Iram Mahmood, who has over 12 years of experience as a flight attendant, shared some of her skincare hacks to help you keep a fresh look during a long-haul flight
Ever wondered how cabin crew manage to keep their skin glowing and fresh despite the dry, recycled air on planes and the sleep-deprived nature of their job?
With a whopping 51% of Brits jetting off abroad this summer, many are keen to know how they can stay looking their best while travelling long distances. Enter Iram Mahmood, a seasoned flight attendant with over 12 years under her belt, who teamed up with beauty gurus at Fresha to spill the beans on top beauty and skincare tips for frequent flyers.
Iram’s first piece of advice may sound simple in slapping on some factor 50 sunscreen – but it’s a step many travellers overlook, not realising that harmful UV rays can still reach them through the aircraft’s windows. “Regardless of the country I’m visiting, I wear factor 50 sunscreen every day to sufficiently protect myself for any potential damage and this doesn’t change when I’m in the air,” Iram explains.
“As for my health, we flight attendants are exposed to higher radiation levels than people on the ground, so I’m cautious about staying away from the open windows when it’s a daylight flight. If you are reapplying sunscreen on the flight, I recommend opting for a spray-on SPF to avoid touching your face too much. Our hands can encounter a lot of germs on a plane!”
Next, Iram suggests using sugar to exfoliate lips and hands as it’s great for “minimising pores”. She details: “I pack light during my travels, so I can’t always bring my full skincare products on board. That’s why I usually use sugar to exfoliate before a flight as its gritty texture helps smooth out any dead skin cells. During the flight, it can also be used to bring some moisture to your lips and hands, which will speed up rehydration in your skin!”
Iram shares another secret from her beauty arsenal with hypochlorous acid spray – something she calls the latest raving trend in the TikTok beauty sphere. Teaming up with Fresha, she says: “Hypochlorous acid is a weak acid that is often found in skincare products, used as a disinfectant agent. As you are exposed to a closed area where germs might be high, this can sanitise your face and body while you’re in an area where germs may be high.”
She adds: “As well as hydrating my skin during the flight, I’ve found that Hypochlorous acid can also help relieve and heal a nasty sunburn, so after your flight make sure to pop the product into your beach bag for the rest of your trip.”
Coffee fans might be in for a surprise, meanwhile, as Iram suggests forgoing caffeinated beverages and opting for a caffeine serum instead. Swapping out your morning cuppa for this topical solution can fend off dehydration, while dabbing some under the eyes could work wonders in banishing those pesky bags and shadows, ensuring that early flight doesn’t leave its mark on your complexion.
“I recommend leaving it in the fridge the night before you travel, so that the coldness of the serum aids in reducing puffiness even more,” says Iram.
In addition to this, Iram highlights the necessity of moisturising around the nostrils an area often crying out for a touch-up. Wrapping up her advice, Iram adds: “Air pressure can build dryness around nostrils and lips and cause cracking, so it’s important to re-apply moisturiser around these areas in the air. The low humidity on the plane can also cause sinus problems, so moisturising your nasal passages can help protect against airborne germs.”
