Cabin air is dry, and a long flight gives it hours to work on your skin. I have dry skin, so my routine is built around one idea: keep it simple and keep it hydrating. Here are the five products I’d pack, all small enough for a carry-on.
Four of these I’ve used myself at home. One is a researched pick I haven’t tried yet, and I’ve marked it clearly.
1. Cleanser: Tatcha Mini Rice Wash (50 mL)
Tested. A soft cream cleanser that leaves my skin comfortable rather than tight. Sephora lists it for normal, dry and combination skin. Use it before boarding or once you land.
About CA$26 / US$19.
2. Mist: Tatcha Mini Luminous Dewy Skin Mist (12 mL)
Researched, not yet tested. I chose it because the mini is tiny, so it takes almost nothing from your liquids allowance, and Sephora lists it for normal, combination, dry and sensitive skin. A light mist mid-flight is an easy way to refresh without touching your face.
About CA$30 / US$22.
3. Moisturiser: Tatcha Mini Dewy Skin Cream (15 mL)
Tested, and my favourite moisturiser. It’s rich, which is what dry skin wants in dry air. Sephora lists it for normal and dry skin. Apply a generous layer before take-off and again before landing.
About CA$34 / US$25.
4. Lip: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Tested. Lips dry out fast on a plane, and this is thick enough to last through a long sleep. In Canada it’s currently sold at Sephora as a five-piece mini set, which works well for travel since you can pack just one pot.
About CA$31 for the mini set / US$24 for the full size.
5. SPF: Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick
Tested. A clear stick is easy to reapply without a mirror, and it goes on over makeup. Put it on before you land, especially with a window seat or a daytime arrival. As a solid stick, it doesn’t count toward your liquids allowance under current Canadian (CATSA) and US (TSA) rules, which makes it an easy carry-on pick. In Canada it’s sold as Ultra Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF 50+; in the US, Sephora lists it as Ultimate Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF 60+.
About CA$43 / US$33.
Optional extra: Summer Fridays Mini Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer
I haven’t tried this one yet, but it’s on my list. Sephora lists it for dry, combination and sensitive skin, and it doubles as a mask or a moisturiser.
About CA$35 / US$26.
The routine, step by step
Before boarding: cleanse, then moisturiser and lip mask.
Mid-flight: mist, and more lip mask as needed.
Before landing: moisturiser again, then SPF.
Packing notes
Keep liquids, creams and gels in containers of 100 mL or less, in one clear resealable bag. Solid products such as sunscreen sticks don’t need to go in the bag. Rules can change and vary by country, so check your airport’s current guidance before you fly.
Prices were checked in October 2026 and may change.