How to Care for Your Skin After Traveling

(Because jet lag shouldn’t show up on your face)

If you’ve ever stepped off a plane, looked in the mirror, and thought, “Why do I suddenly look five years older and vaguely dusty?” — welcome. You’re not alone.

Travel is exciting. Airports, adventures, spontaneous selfies. But your skin? Not always a fan. Between recycled cabin air, dehydration, lack of sleep, and changing climates, traveling can seriously throw your skin barrier out of balance.

The good news: post-travel skin recovery doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right routine (and a little help from your favorite PMD devices), you can bring your glow back fast.

Let’s break it down.

1. How does travel affect your skin barrier and moisture?

Airplane cabins are dry. Like, desert-level dry. The humidity inside a plane can drop below 20%, which means your skin is losing moisture way faster than it can hold onto it.

Add in:

• Dehydration from flying

• Lack of sleep

• Changes in climate and water

• Stress and disruption to your routine

…and suddenly your skin barrier is struggling to keep up.

When your barrier is compromised, you might notice:

• Tightness or flakiness

• Dull, tired-looking skin

• Increased sensitivity or redness

• Breakouts popping up out of nowhere

This is why skincare after flying should focus less on “fixing everything” and more on repair, hydration, and gentle care.

2. What’s the first step after a long flight?

Before you reach for every serum you own, start with the most important step: cleansing — gently.

After traveling, your skin is covered in a mix of sweat, oil, sunscreen, makeup, and environmental buildup. You want to remove it without stripping what little moisture your skin has left.

This is where a device like the PMD Clean or PMD Clean Pro RQ comes in clutch. Silicone cleansing tools are ideal post-flight because they:

• Clean more effectively than hands alone

• Don’t over-exfoliate

• Are gentle enough for stressed, sensitive skin

Use a hydrating cleanser, keep the pressure light, and let the device do the work. Think “refresh,” not “deep scrub.”

Once your skin is clean, resist the urge to immediately exfoliate or use strong actives. Your barrier needs support first.

3. Which hydrating ingredients repair travel-stressed skin?

Post-flight skincare is all about layering hydration and reinforcing your skin barrier.

Look for ingredients like:

• Hyaluronic acid to draw moisture back into the skin

• Glycerin for long-lasting hydration

• Ceramides to help rebuild the barrier

• Squalane to seal everything in without feeling heavy

After cleansing, apply your hydrating serum to damp skin, then lock it in with a moisturizer. This simple step makes a huge difference when your skin is dehydrated from travel.

If your skin feels extra tight or irritated, skip exfoliants and retinoids for a day or two. Your future glow depends on giving your skin time to recover.

4. Can devices help revive dull post-travel skin?

Absolutely — and this is where PMD devices really shine.

After flying, circulation tends to be sluggish, which contributes to that dull, tired look. Using a device can help wake your skin back up without irritating it.

Here’s how to incorporate them into your post-travel routine:

✨ PMD Clean Pro RQ

After cleansing, flip to the warming side to help products absorb more effectively. This is perfect for travel-stressed skin that needs hydration to sink in — not sit on top.

✨ PMD Gua Sha

Gentle facial massage can:

• Boost circulation

• Reduce puffiness

• Help skin look more lifted and refreshed

Use it with a facial oil or serum and keep movements slow and light. This is especially helpful for skincare for jet-lagged skin when your face looks puffy after a long flight.

✨ PMD Wave Pro

If fine lines look more noticeable after travel (hello dehydration lines), microcurrent can help give skin a more toned, energized appearance. It’s a great way to look well-rested — even if you’re not.

The key here is consistency, not intensity. Your skin just traveled — let it ease back into things.

5. How to prep skin before future trips to prevent dryness

The best post-flight skincare routine actually starts before you leave.

Here’s how to prep your skin so it’s more resilient while traveling:

Before Your Trip:

• Focus on barrier repair the week leading up to travel

• Use hydrating serums and moisturizers consistently

• Avoid over-exfoliating or introducing new actives

Using a tool like the PMD Clean regularly before travel helps keep your skin balanced and less reactive when conditions change.

During Travel:

• Skip heavy makeup if possible

• Use a hydrating mist or serum mid-flight

• Drink water (your skin will thank you)

After You Land:

• Cleanse gently

• Hydrate generously

• Use PMD devices to boost absorption and circulation

Think of it as a reset — not a rescue mission.

Your Simple Post-Travel Skincare Routine

If you want an easy routine to follow after flying, here’s a quick cheat sheet:

1. Gentle cleanse with PMD Clean or Clean Pro RQ

2. Hydrating serum on damp skin

3. Moisturizer to lock it in

4. Optional device step (Gua Sha or Wave Pro)

5. Rest — your skin repairs itself while you sleep

Travel doesn’t have to ruin your glow. With the right approach to travel skin recovery and a few PMD essentials in your routine, your skin can bounce back faster than your jet lag.

Because memories should last forever — not dry skin.