The Best & Worst Plane Seats for Glowing Skin

Beauty and wellness booking platform Fresha has analyzed expert insights alongside cabin airflow patterns to reveal which plane seats are most likely to leave passengers with dehydrated, tight, or irritated skin before they even reach their destination.

Their results show that where you sit on a plane could have a bigger impact on your skin than the products you packed.

Woman sitting in window seat on plane; Best and worst seats on a plane for skin health

"Most people spend time choosing the right moisturizer before a flight, but very few think about where they're sitting,” says Fresha beauty expert Danielle Louise.

According to Louise, humidity levels inside an aircraft cabin can fall below 20%, making the air desert-dry.  Combined with recycled air, increased UV exposure at cruising altitude, and hours of sitting still, some seats create the perfect conditions for moisture loss and a weakened skin barrier.

best and worst plane seats for your skin

How to Protect Your Skin at 35,000 Feet

Louise recommends taking a few steps before and during travel.

woman and son on airplane

• Avoid retinols, AHAs, and BHAs for 24 hours before flying to reduce risk of irritation.
• Apply a rich barrier cream before boarding, rather than waiting until you're already in the air.
• Use a hydrating facial mist instead of cleansing wipes, which can disrupt the skin barrier.
• Wear SPF, even on evening or overnight flights, because UV rays can still penetrate aircraft windows.
• Start drinking water before takeoff, rather than waiting until skin already feels tight or dry.

“People often blame jet lag for dull, uncomfortable skin after a flight," Louise says, "but dehydration is usually the biggest culprit.” 

“Preparing your skin before you board is much more effective than trying to fix the damage after you land. A few simple changes can make a noticeable difference.”