Your Travel Beauty Guide: How to Prevent “Airplane Acne”

Airplane acne is very real, and our founder Yu-Chen knows it first-hand as a frequent flyer. Stress compounded with brutally dry cabin air kicks sebum production into overdrive—clogging pores and causing oil buildup that often leads to blackheads and breakouts.  

Here are Yu-Chen’s top tips for maintaining clear skin from take-off to destination.

1. STAY HYDRATED

It’s simple but significant: drink water regularly before, throughout, and post-flight. A chic water bottle that self-cleans, purifies, and keeps your refill cool definitely helps—this is our founder Yu-Chen’s favorite (and not just because it matches our signature pouch.)    

2. MOISTURIZE OFTEN

Hydrate from the outside in, too. Cabin air and changes in your immediate environment can wreak havoc on your skin’s barrier, so keep your complexion calm and nourished with a moisturizing mask or nourishing face cream. .

An Orcé team staple? Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. —or— Monday Born The Seven moisturizer.

3. CLEANSE THOROUGHLY

There’s nothing better than starting fresh. Wash away all that oil and grime by cleansing at your destination, then layering on your skincare or makeup.  

Yu-Chen always keeps a mini Glow Recipe 3-in-1 cleanser in her carry-on to refresh during long-haul flights, too.

4. APPLY MAKEUP THOUGHTFULLY

The makeup you use matters. An oil-free, non-comedogenic foundation like our serum-infused foundation provides buildable coverage without clogging pores. The Experience Set is the perfect trio of minis to travel with. (Plus, you can mix to customize your shade as needed, too.)  

5. NEVER PICK OR POP

Avoid touching your face altogether. If you feel a blemish in its early stages, keep your hands off and throw on a pimple patch instead.   

Use an invisible one for day, and for deeper breakouts, try this.