Ask Away: Tips for mile-high skincare

Whatever you do, don't wipe your face. Photo / Getty

Eleanor Barker answers your travel queries.

In my last column "How to handle long haul in economy" I said: "It's not a great idea to bring an empty bottle on a flight with the expectation that flight attendants will be able to fill it for you — they can't keep up with requests like that." A flight attendant gave me that advice — but it's not quite right, if my inbox is anything to go by.

It's a great, hydrating, planet-serving idea to bring an eco-bottle or keep-cup with you on your next flight. Fill it in the gate area and flight attendants will fill or refill it for you on the plane — most hosties will be delighted not to contribute more plastic cups to the world's landfills.

One email read: "Try to imagine 250 passengers in economy all needing a plastic cup, and then using it once, and then needing another one, and another, over a 10-hour flight.

"We frequently see stacks of glasses on passenger trays five or six deep, all used only once and now stuffed with rubbish so unusable."

Another weighed in: "I'm a flight attendant and encourage people to use their bottles and travel cups. Always happy to fill up and so are my colleagues. I want everyone to know they absolutely should come down the back galley (when seatbelt signs are off) and get their bottle filled. Or ask us in between meal times and I will grab your bottle and fill for you!"

How can I stop my skin from breaking out on every flight I take?
Rebecca

Once upon a time I wiped my makeup away with alcohol-based wipe before my flight back home, anticipating a clean face and a good sleep. So far, so good right? Wrong.

The hostie of the airline I was travelling with noticed my rapidly forming rash and after finding out what I had done (removing grease but weakening my skin barrier at the same time), said I would have been better off with a full face of makeup.

"There are nasty germs up here that your pores won't like" she said. We all see people using face wipes or washing their faces on planes and in airports. If you're one of us, stop now.

Sara Brown, Professor of Molecular and Genetic Dermatology and Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow at the University of Dundee agrees with the hostie's advice. "The environment on a flight is challenging in terms of dehydration as well as new bugs, so her advice is good!"

A good preventative is the Kiwi staple, Sudocrem (or any barrier cream, really). Barrier creams are primarily used for nappy rash but are very versatile.

The final word goes to Auckland University's Dr Amanda Oakley, awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of her services and contribution to dermatology, who recommends plain, old-fashioned moisturiser.