The ultimate long-haul flight beauty essentials

The reality of flying is not as idyllic as this stock photo suggests (Getty)

It’s officially holiday season and if you’re lucky enough to be heading to a farflung destination this summer, it’s time to consider what to pack.

What you place in your hand luggage is key because flying comes with some rather unfortunate side-effects.

You see, while headphones, a glossy magazine and in-flight socks are all great investments, the real essentials will protect you from the inhospitable environment that is an airplane cabin.

From recycled air to germ-ridden surfaces, you’re going to need an assembly of products to make sure you don’t arrive at your destination with dry skin, cracked lips, and a looming breakout.

Here, we take a look at some of the best products that will ensure you remain fresh-faced between time zones, without leaving the comfort of your seat.

This Works, In Transit No Traces, £17, John Lewis

Before you start your beauty routine, it’s important to remove all your makeup and, while it might seem like a lot of effort, your skin will thank you later.

Of course, a full-on cleanse isn’t always possible so on this occasion face wipes are permitted, just make sure to opt for ones that don’t compromise on efficacy.

We suggest investing in This Works’ In Transit No Traces, which is a pack of 60 on-the-go cotton cleansing pads. Infused with water mint, which works as an antibacterial, and sweet almond oil, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, the pads smell amazing and are brilliant at removing impurities and boosting hydrating.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £28, Boots

It’s not just your face that gets dried out on planes, your lips and other areas of skin take a hit too. As such, a multi-purpose product like Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream is a must.

Perfect for when the air-con is pumping, the balm, which is packed with a cocktail of petrolatum, skin-soothing beta-hydroxy and anti-inflammatory vitamin E, works to soothe, restore and clam your skin.

Either use as a lip treatment or warm up in your hands and pat onto your skin to boost it’s in-flight moisture levels.

Charlotte Tilbury, Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask, £18, Cult Beauty

Take advantage of the long flight time to treat your skin to an intensive facemask but forget messy, gooey versions and invest in a sheet mask instead.

Admittedly, they’re not the most inconspicuous of products, so you might want to wait until all the lights have gone out to avoid strange looks from fellow passengers.

Our favourite is Charlotte Tilbury’s Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask which, unlike traditional wet formulas, can be reused up to three times. It’s also packed with floral extracts, oils, peptides and vitamins which will leave your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and tightened in just 15 minutes.

Sunday Riley, Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, £20, Space NK

With around 20 per cent humidity in the cabin air – compared to the usual 40-60 per cent on the ground – flying can leave your skin feeling parched so it’s important to follow a hydrating mask with a moisturiser.

For a top-up, sleeping in a rich cream will help to lock in moisture and protect your skin from the dry, air conditioned cabin.

For this, we suggest Sunday Riley’s Tidal Brightening Enzyme water cream. A water-based formula, it has a cooling and soothing effect on the skin while the addition of naturally derived papaya enzymes works alongside alpha-arbutin to refine and brighten.

It Cosmetics, Your Skin But Better CC Cream, £30, Selfridges

If you want to perk your face up a little for touch down then a CC cream is your best bet. Applying a full face of makeup isn’t the easiest of tasks from a tiny plane seat, so for that reason, it’s a good idea to stick to the essentials.

For this, we suggest a sheer, hydrating base like It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream which helps to smooth, brighten and even skin without clogging your pores or feeling too heavy.

It also has SPF 50, making a great option for stepping out into the summer sun as soon as you land.

Space NK Travel Bag, £24, Space NK

Of course, you’re going to need somewhere to stash all these products and luckily go-to beauty destination Space NK has launched its very own flight-friendly cosmetics bag.

A clear case with a black trim, it’s the perfect travel accessory that means you can instantly find what you’re looking for. While it is designed to use as carry-on luggage, be sure to check your airline’s regulations as they can vary.