I'm a beauty editor and these are my must-have products for in-flight skincare

Skincare is an absolute MUST on a flight, especially a long-haul trip. 

Air travel is notoriously drying for your skin and body — not to mention fatiguing — so it's important to consider in-flight hydration solutions. Drinking lots of water and avoiding salty foods/alcohol certainly help, but what you put on your skin matters. Big time.

As a longtime fashion and beauty editor, I've spent my fair share of time in the air. You can always find me with my size-restricted silicone baggy full of carry-on liquids that will work to rehydrate and sooth my weary skin, both in transit and at my final destination.

After much trial and error, here are a few of my ride-or-die (or is that fly-or-die?) skincare saviours for air travel. 

1. A good serum mist

For years, my go-to skin spritz has been the cult-classic Caudalie Beauty Elixir (the scent, the mist, the results!). While I'll never retire that skin-boosting spray, I have been really leaning in to the No. 1 de Chanel Serum-in-Mist. Featuring red camellia, this face spritz is literally a water-like serum. So, basically, you're applying a skincare step while on the go. It provides a big dose of hydration to skin and give a glass skin-like finish when applied over other skincare products. A must-try!

2. A lip-loving gloss or balm 

Dry lips are bad at the best of times. But on a flight? Nearly insufferable. I love a soothing balm or oil on the plane. Nothing too slicky or pigmented, as ideally, I'd like to sleep during the flight and don't want to have to worry about smearing or smudging. This KissKiss Bee Glow Oil from Guerlain ($54) delivers a cocoon of moisture to lips along with a pretty shimmer (the shade Pearly Rosewood is my fave). Featuring lip-loving ingredients like Corsican honey and hyaluronic acid, it's a true travel partner.   

3. A sanitizer spray 

While not exactly skincare, a santizing hand spray is an important step in an in-flight skincare routine. I mean, your skin is going through enough on a long-haul flight. Do you really want to introduce more grime and bacteria with dirty hands? Nope. I always carry a Touchland Power Mist ($14) with me when I'm on the go. The formula smells amazing, isn't drying, and disappears without a trace on hands. 

4. An all-over salve 

You could pack single-use face masks for your flight. Or, you could bring along a skin-repairing and barrier-boosting product like the Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream ($26.90) to add moisture on your flight, and also use it as a daily spot treatment or overnight mask once you arrive. Rehydrating your skin can take longer than a day, which is why I love to pack something to soothe my skin longer term. Plus, this restorative cream can be used on the face, hands and other dry areas. Featuring the brand's Thermal Spring Water, it also has copper and zinc sulfates to limit skin contmination.