Photo: Shutterstock London Luton Airport is putting a new focus on an often-overlooked part of getting ready for a flight: skincare.
The airport has teamed up with dermatologist and skincare expert Dr Nora Jaafar to offer passengers advice on looking after their skin before and during a flight, as interest in “plane skincare” continues to grow on social media.
According to data cited by London Luton Airport, the #planeskincare hashtag has reached almost 140 million TikTok views, while research conducted by Censuswide in August 2026 found that 80% of UK flyers surveyed consider how flying could affect their skin.
The airport's advice centres on keeping skincare simple, particularly because aircraft cabins typically have low humidity.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority says cabin humidity is generally around 10% to 20%. London Luton Airport says this can contribute to skin feeling dry or tight during a flight.
Photo: ShutterstockDr Jaafar recommends doing most of a skincare routine before getting on the aircraft rather than waiting until the flight is underway.
Her advice is to keep the routine straightforward and use products already suited to your skin type. Low cabin humidity, makeup and changes to normal routines can leave skin feeling dry or uncomfortable during travel.
Passengers should also pay attention to hand hygiene before applying skincare during a flight.
Tray tables, seatbelts, touchscreens and armrests are among the frequently handled surfaces on an aircraft. London Luton recommends cleaning or sanitising hands before touching the face or applying skincare products.
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Passengers with oily skin should not automatically skip moisturiser, according to Dr Jaafar.
Skin can feel oily while still lacking hydration, particularly in a low-humidity cabin. The airport's advice is to choose a lightweight moisturiser or other hydration product appropriate for the skin rather than leaving it without moisture.
The same principle applies to an in-flight routine. Instead of taking a large collection of beauty products into the cabin, passengers can focus on a few essentials.
London Luton suggests travel-size products such as facial mist, moisturiser and lip balm. It also advises passengers to avoid introducing stronger active ingredients, cleansing or exfoliation during the flight.
"It may seem glamourous to recreate a viral skincare routine with serums, cleansers, ice rollers, and LED face masks. But that’s a lot to carry in your hand luggage."
Sun protection is another part of the airport's pre-flight advice.
Dr Jaafar recommends applying SPF 50 before boarding and topping it up when appropriate during daytime travel. London Luton notes that passengers can still be exposed to sunlight through aircraft windows at altitude.
For holidays, the airport recommends at least SPF 30 for outdoor activities, with SPF 50 suggested for people with fair skin or those who burn easily. Sunscreen should also be reapplied every few hours during outdoor exposure.
Passengers travelling through London Luton should also remember that many skincare products fall under airport liquid restrictions.
The airport lists creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara, lipsticks, sprays, gels and toothpaste among items that count as liquids. Skincare products carried through security should therefore comply with the applicable 100ml limit.
For passengers preparing for a flight, the overall message from London Luton's skincare guide is fairly simple: prepare before boarding, keep the routine manageable, stay hydrated and protect your skin from the sun while travelling.