“Many travellers overlook the need for sunscreen during flights, but UV radiation is actually stronger at higher altitudes,” confirms Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London. “The windows on airplanes do not provide adequate protection against UV rays,” she continues. In fact, UV levels increase by 10% for every 1,000m increase in altitude, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). “Without proper protection, prolonged exposure during air travel could potentially lead to sunburn, premature ageing and long-term skin damage.” This is especially true if you’re taking a daytime flight, and if the blinds are up throughout the duration. Combine this with the recirculated cabin air — which is often dehydrating — it’s no exaggeration to say that your skin goes through a lot every time you take to the skies.
With this in mind, we asked a group of dermatologists, facialists and beauty experts to share their top in-flight sunscreen recommendations with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection. Not only do they shield against both UVA and UVB rays, but they have been selected for their ability to keep your skin hydrated and for ease of application (no one wants to deal with leaking sunscreen in a pressurised plane cabin). If you love your window seat view, it is more than worthwhile to add these products to your cart.
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Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 30
“I never thought SPF was necessary on flights considering you’re in a closed environment, but a recent chat with a dermatologist — who revealed that UVA radiation can pass through windows — totally changed my mind. Now, it’s non-negotiable. I’ve written before just how much I rate Supergoop!’s Glow Screen for its ability to breathe life into my skin (that’ll be the glistening pigments) and protect it, too, thanks to broad-spectrum UVA and UVB filters. When I wear it, I tend to skip foundation, and that makes it the perfect travel companion. Wearing foundation on flights only seems to break me out, so I love that this peps up my skin without feeling too heavy. Happily, there are now three new shade additions to the Glowscreen dynasty: Sunset (a deep bronze), Golden Hour (a softer honey hue) and Dawn, which boasts a pearlescent finish. The latter is perfect for my light olive skin.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Deputy Beauty Director
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Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 30, $, available at Space NK
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Balm SPF 30
“I’m normally not a huge fan of sunscreen sticks and find them a bit too heavy, but I always pop this one in my carry-on bag just in case. When I travel, I avoid touching my face as much as I can for fear of spreading germs, so this broad-spectrum suncare stick is perfect for hands-free application. The formula, which contains hyaluronic acid and squalane, adds a protective coat on my skin that keeps it plump and moisturised, even on a long-haul flight. Niacinamide, the super-star ingredient Glow Recipe is known for, is also present to brighten any even skin tone. It feels like gliding a protective lip balm all over your face, and is especially helpful for those often-forgotten spots that need suncare, such as the back of my ears and my eyelids.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
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Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Balm, $, available at Cult Beauty
Beauty Pie Traceless Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 30
“This sunscreen contains zinc oxide [a non-irritating ingredient that blocks both UVA and UVB rays] and niacinamide, which helps to improve tone and texture. Additional antioxidant protection comes from Indian beech seed extract and argan oil, which also supports the skin barrier. The size of the container is 50ml, which makes it airport-compliant and easy to fit in a carry-on bag.” — Dr Hadley King MD, dermatologist
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Beauty Pie Traceless Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $, available at Beauty Pie
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
“This is a gamechanger to take on a flight. It’s small and solid, so there are no worries about leakage and packaging not being able to withstand cabin pressure. It comes in a clear stick, and absorbs quickly without leaving any white cast. You can also top-up easily during your flight. This is another multi-benefit product as it contains antioxidants, which protects against environmental damage and photodamage [damage to the skin caused by UV rays] and hydrates. The product can easily be taken from in-flight to holiday use. It incorporates technology that enhances broad-spectrum protection when exposed to heat, water or sweat.” — Dr Alia Ahmed, consultant dermatologist
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Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+, $, available at Space NK
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Suncream SPF 50
“This cult-favourite La Roche-Posay product has a high UVB protection of SPF 50+ with and UVMUNE400 [a filtering technology against longer UVA waves, commonly associated with skin ageing]. As a non-greasy cream, it’s a great sunscreen for oily skin types as it adds hydration back into the skin from the dry atmosphere. It comes in a pump, so controlling the application is simple and quick. Packaged in a 50ml bottle, it’s easy to pop in your handbag to bring on the plane.” — Dr Shaaira Nasir, consultant dermatologist
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La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Suncream SPF 50, $, available at Sephora UK
Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50
“This primer features a range of humectants and emollients [such as peptides, hyaluronic acid and camellia oil] to hydrate and support the skin barrier, and will work across all skin types. It also contains broad spectrum SPF 50 protection. It gives your skin a satiny finish and sits nicely under makeup.” — Dr Hadley King MD, dermatologist
Shop Cult Beauty
Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer, $, available at Cult Beauty
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30
“This is my go-to travel beauty essential if I’m in a hurry to catch a flight and have no time for skincare. My skin gets really dry and itchy on the plane, and this is the only broad-spectrum sunscreen that makes me feel hydrated and calm without any serums or creams underneath, thanks to ingredients like green tea extract and sunflower seed oil. It has a watery texture that absorbs into the skin quickly without any white cast. Plus, the flat tube design is so compact and takes up barely any room in my travel bag.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
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Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30, $, available at Space NK
Eucerin Sun Face Pigment Control SPF 50
“This Eucerin sunscreen is a great option for flying. It’s been specifically formulated for those with sun damage or hyperpigmentation [thanks to ingredients such as thiamidol, which reduces the appearance of dark spots, and licochalcone A, a substance derived from Chinese licorice root, known to reduce redness and inflammation.] It offers both UVA and UVB protection, and is lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly.” — Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London
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Eucerin Sun Face Pigment Control SPF 50, $, available at Beauty Bay
Heliocare 360° Water Gel SPF 50+
“When choosing a sunscreen for long flights, the formulation should provide hydration to combat the dry conditions onboard the plane, and protect against harmful UVA rays. This is a sunscreen that perfectly meets this brief. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula ensures comfortable wear, and the water gel texture absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky residue, making it convenient for quick application and reapplication in the confined space of an airplane. It provides broad-spectrum UV protection, and is packed full of an antioxidant named Fernblock [an exclusive ingredient to the brand derived from fern extracts] to neutralise free radicals.” — Dr Derrick Phillips, consultant dermatologist
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Heliocare 360° Water Gel SPF 50+, $, available at Look Fantastic
Jurlique UV Defence Daily Lotion SPF 50+
“This sheer, light, moisturising and hydrating SPF will keep your skin protected, juicy and plump for an entire flight. [It contains] a great combination of ingredients to help soothe and hydrate the skin, such as aloe vera extract, vitamin E, glycerin and hyaluronic acid. It floods the skin with moisture and radiance along with [broad]-spectrum protection.” — Justine Masters, The Alternative Facialist
Shop Sephora UK
Jurlique UV Defence Daily Lotion SPF 50+, $, available at Sephora UK
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