Today I'll be on a long-haul flight to Mauritius to marry Kieran. The dress is sorted, the outfits for the Hindu blessing with his family are packed, and my hand luggage has been through about four drafts.
Because if there's one thing I've learnt from years of travelling (and now from looking after other people's skin for a living), it's this: a twelve-hour flight can undo a lot of good work if you don't plan for it.
So here's exactly what I'm doing. No fifteen-step routine, no miracle products. Just the simple, sensible habits I'd give any bride, honeymooner or holidaymaker in my Ashford studio.
Why flying is so hard on your skin
Cabin air is incredibly dry. Add hours sitting still, salty plane food, broken sleep and a glass of something to celebrate, and most of us step off the plane with skin that feels tight, dull or a bit puffy.
If you're in perimenopause like me, you may notice it even more. Our skin barrier isn't as forgiving as it used to be, and dryness shows up faster.
None of this is a disaster. It just means a little preparation goes a long way.
The week before I fly
I'm not trying anything new. This is my golden rule for every bride. No new serums, no new peels, no "I saw it on TikTok" experiments. Your skin should be calm and settled before you travel, not reacting to something you tried on a whim.
I'm focusing on hydration and barrier support. A good hydrating serum, a richer moisturiser at night and an SPF every single morning. That's it.
I'm drinking more water than usual. Boring, I know. But it really does make the flight easier on my whole body, not just my face.
What's in my hand luggage
Everything goes into a clear bag in travel-size bottles (under 100ml each), so there's no drama at security:
A gentle cleanser or micellar water to take off make-up and the day's grime before I settle down to sleep.
A hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, which helps skin hold on to moisture.
A rich moisturiser or balm that I can reapply throughout the flight.
Lip balm and hand cream. Cabin air dries out lips and hands just as quickly as your face.
SPF. Yes, on the plane. If you're sitting by the window, you're still getting daylight through it.
A soft eye mask and an overnight sheet mask if the lights go down and I can actually get some sleep.
I'll travel with a bare face, or as close to it as I can get. Heavy make-up on a long flight just sits on dry skin and makes it feel worse.
On the plane
Once we're in the air, I'll cleanse, apply serum and moisturiser, and then simply top up moisturiser and lip balm every few hours. I'll keep drinking water, go easy on the alcohol and coffee, and get up for a walk whenever I can. Moving around helps with that puffy, heavy feeling too.
If you only take one thing from this post: keep it simple and keep it hydrated.
When we land in Mauritius
Mauritius is hot, humid and sunny, which is a very different world from Ashford in late October.
My plan once we land:
SPF 50, reapplied regularly, especially after swimming. Sunburn before a wedding is the one thing I really don't want.
A lighter moisturiser than I'd use at home, as humidity means skin often needs less.
A hat and shade in the middle of the day. Not glamorous, but it works.
Gentle cleansing at night to remove sun cream, sweat and sea salt without stripping the skin.
If you're a bride travelling for your wedding
Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular with brides in Kent, and I love that. But they do add an extra layer of planning to your skin.
My advice is to finish any in-studio treatments well before you travel. Microneedling, peels or skin boosters need time to settle, so talk through your timeline with your practitioner rather than squeezing something in the week before your flight. Everyone's skin is different, which is exactly why I always start with a consultation.
And then, once you're on that plane, the hard work is done. Your job is just to protect it.
A little personal note
Writing this, it's starting to feel very real. Kieran and I have been planning this for a long time, and honouring his Mauritian family with a Hindu blessing on the wedding morning means the world to us both. I'll share more when we're back, including how my skin held up and what I'd do differently.
Until then, the studio in Park Farm will be quiet for a little while back working from Friday 6th November.
Planning your own wedding skin, or a big trip?
Whether you're getting married abroad, heading off on honeymoon or just want your skin to cope better with winter travel, I'd love to help you plan it properly.
You can book a consultation through the website, or send me a DM with the word "GLOW" on Instagram and we'll have a chat about what your skin needs before you go.
Liz x
