There’s a new kind of in-flight ritual taking over TikTok: mid-air skincare. Think serums layered between meal services, sheet masks mid-movie, and a level of dedication that suggests long-haul equals spa time. Two things strike me. First, these routines rarely factor in the realities of travelling with children, where your priorities skew more towards snacks and survival than a 10-step regimen. And second, is any of this actually doing your skin good, or is it simply content dressed up as care?
Because while cabin air is undeniably punishing, not everything trending at altitude is worth decanting into your carry-on. Here, experts break down what your skin genuinely needs mid-flight—and what falls firmly into the realm of performance.
