This is why you should never skip SPF before a flight
It's pretty frightening, actually...
It's pretty frightening, actually...
While sheet masks and drinking lots of water may not be the biggest travel beauty secrets ever, we bet you'd never considered needing SPF while you fly.
A 2015 study published in JAMA Dermatology found that pilots who flew for just under an hour at 30,000 received the same amount of radiation as a 20-minute session on a sunbed, Byrdie reports.
Yikes.
Although very few of you reading are likely to be airline pilots, if you're sitting in a window seat while you fly you could experience the same amount of exposure; UVA rays, harmful rays from the sun, aren't blocked by plane windows.
These rays are responsible for causing wrinkles, ageing and damage to cells in the deepest layers of the skin – something which can cause cancer.
Even more terrifying? More light is reflected if you fly over clouds or snow, which could worsen the effects.
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So if you'd rather not fly with the blind closed for the entire flight duration, the solution is to slather yourself with the best sun cream you can get your hands on.
A good sun cream will ensure that you're protected from both UVA and UVB rays, preventing sun damage while you fly. Be sure to cover every area exposed – not just your face!
Better make sure you carry a travel size bottle in your hand luggage, too...
Lucy is a freelance beauty editor and contributor at Marie Claire, and has written for titles including Glamour, Refinery29, Popsugar, woman&home and more. She was previously Marie Claire’s junior beauty editor. During her career, she’s covered everything from backstage beauty at fashion week to interviews with famous faces like Drag Race royalty and Little Mix. As for her beauty ethos, she’s a big advocate for not having to spend a fortune on beauty products to get good results, and when she’s not got beauty on the brain you’ll find her reading or hanging out with dogs.
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