A Flight Attendant Shares the Must-Have Products She Always Takes in Her Carry-On
Jessica Clark is a journalist and the Food and Travel Editor at Mamamia. With 15 years of experience across news, TV, and lifestyle media, Jessica focuses on solving real-life problems for women through "need-state" travel hacks and meal-planning shortcuts. A firm believer in the power of a quirky hotel and a quick, veggie-loaded dinner, she creates content that balances daily logistics with a healthy dose of adventure.
Let's be real: spending 13 hours in recycled cabin air does something to a person.
You board the plane with your dignity intact — maybe even with clean hair, a functioning face and at least some faith in your immune system — and you land looking like you've been shrink-wrapped, dehydrated and haunted by the mere concept of time zones.
Which is why it almost feels offensive that flight attendants manage to step off a long-haul flight looking… fine. Awake. Composed. And like their skin hasn't been slowly evaporating from the inside out.
Qantas International Business flight attendant Amy Sanders is one of those people, and when it comes to surviving long-haul flights, she's not here for gimmicks.
She's here for the practical stuff, the kind of stuff that actually works when you're literally trapped in the sky, running on sleep deprivation and watching as your face slowly enters its "dry autumn leaf" era.
For Amy, it starts with one small thing that lives permanently in her bag.
Let's find out more...
Best Skin Products for Plane
A Facial Mist
"I always make sure I have a hydrating facial mist in my bag to refresh my skin during flights whenever it feels dry."
But if you are hoping for a wildly glamorous routine filled with five different serums and a jade roller, she's about to bring you right back to Earth.
Because the real secret, according to Amy, is painfully simple.
"Most importantly, I make sure to drink plenty of water before and during the flight to keep my skin hydrated from within," she said.
"I give our customers the same advice! One thing passengers rarely do, but really should, is stay hydrated and move around during the flight.
Drinking water and stretching your legs can make a huge difference in how you feel when you land. It helps with circulation, reduces fatigue and even minimises jet lag."
Which is maybe the most flight attendant thing ever: helping strangers stay moisturised from the inside out while the rest of us (read: me) are drinking exactly one cup of water and then snacking on salty pretzels at 30,000 feet.
Adore Beauty Editor picks:
A Hydrating Moisturiser
When it comes to what every traveller should pack, Amy's answer isn't dramatic, but it is the kind of thing that instantly makes you rethink the chaos happening in your carry-on right now.
"One travel essential I never go without is a good facial moisturiser," she said.
Not a face mask. Not a fancy "in-flight cream" (wait, do those even exist?). Just a moisturiser — the dependable bestie of anyone trying to arrive at their destination looking vaguely human.
"It's especially important on long-haul flights to keep your skin hydrated and is an easy way to freshen up before landing."
Adore Beauty Editor moisturiser picks (*These are all mini, travel-friendly versions of your full-sized faves):
A Trusty Concealer
No matter how experienced you are, long-haul flights leave their mark — on your face, under your eyes, in your soul — so there is one hero product she never travels without.
"I always keep my concealer with me," she said.
"After a break or a long night flight, it's perfect for a quick touch-up before landing to hide dark circles. It's a small product that makes a big difference."
Adore Beauty Editor concealer picks:
More In-Flight Tips
Book In for a Pre-Flight Manicure
If moisturiser is her non-negotiable, Amy also has one beauty item she thinks you can ditch completely — and it's not just because it's unnecessary; it's because you literally aren't allowed to use it.
"One product you can skip is nail polish or remover. Did you know these are actually considered dangerous goods and can't be used during a flight?"
Instead, she recommends customers book in for a pre-flight manicure instead, and if you need a touch-up, ask your hotel concierge for recommendations when you arrive at your destination.
How to Beat Jet Lag
There's also the matter of jet lag (you know, the thing that turns you into a shell of yourself and makes 3pm feel like 3am and 3am feel like you've been awake for seven years straight).
Amy's approach is, of course, direct and determined, which is probably why she survives this job.
"My go-to jet lag hack is staying awake until I can go to bed at a reasonable local time," she said.
"This helps me adjust to the new time zone quickly. And if I start feeling exhausted during the day, I'll take a short 20-minute nap to recharge, but never longer."
It's a lesson many of us have learnt the hard way, because a "quick nap" can so easily become a two-hour coma followed by waking up confused, sweaty and convinced it's the next day.
So, if you're about to board a long-haul flight and wondering how to arrive with skin that hasn't completely given up on you, Amy's advice is super simple: mist, moisturiser, water and movement.
And maybe concealer, if you want to look like you've slept.
Sometimes the most elite travel tips aren't that glamorous after all, but they're the ones that actually work.
*This article was originally published on Mamamia
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