Bio Oil Dry Skin Gel: My Secret Remedy for Air Travel Woes!


There seems to be a tiny misconception out there that I’m “always on vacation”. Never one to pass up a moment to troll –
It’s true; I’m a travel writer by trade. And this means that my family travels frequently – on average, once or twice per month. My boys are definitely living their best lives (there’s no doubt about it) but for me, it simply means that my office changes scenery, and often, time zones.

Over the years, the effects of air travel have started to catch up with me. I often have what I call a “day after migraine” (which usually disrupts the first day on my itinerary), and trust me when I say that my skin is rebelling: it’s dry, flaky and can have patches of irritation. In fact, it’s taken such a toll on me that I’ve finally decided to spring into action! I’ve formulated an action plan of how I can stay on top of skin woes. Read on for my best tips to keep your skin happy before, during and after flights!

1. Stay hydrated. There is a remarkable lack of humidity in airplane air – we know this! In fact, humidity levels while in flight are close to 10 percent, as opposed to the normal 30 or 40 percent. It’s a no brainer: make sure you load up on liquids before your flight.

However, life happens and you’re not always able to ensure you’ve stayed on top of your hydration needs. If you find yourself feeling dehydrated while on board, try coconut milk powder! Coconut water is a natural electrolyte. In fact, a study found that coconut water was even more effective at replacing lost fluids than sports drinks or water. Plus, it contains less sodium, sugar and calories than sports drinks, while providing more potassium, which can help to relieve muscle cramps – definitely a bonus in cramped economy-class seating! Simply mix coconut milk powder with a glass of water for an instant electrolyte. (Tip: keep it in its original packaging to avoid questions in the security line, ha!)

2. Indulge in a little aromatherapy. For every hour we spend in an airplane, and especially when we travel across times zones, the body’s natural rhythms can become increasingly disrupted. You may begin to feel different symptoms such as fatigue, headache, irritability, ear/sinus discomfort… and even depression. Aromatherapy to the rescue!
Inhaling peppermint essential oil promotes a clear head, calms the stomach and can also help suppress nausea which is sometimes associated with air travel. Using lavender essential oil during or after a long flight can help reduce travel anxiety, relax the mind and promote peace and calm (so you can get much needed rest). Eucalyptus/tea tree essential oils can keep allergies at bay and reduce airborne germs and bacteria (trust me, there is A LOT of bacteria on airplanes!).

3. Protect your skin. Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel is my miracle in a jar! The new Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel is a breakthrough gel-to-oil formulation created to combat dry skin, and is particularly effective in staving off the drying effects of flying! The unique texture/composition of this product is really what sets it apart from other moisturizing products such as creams and lotions; made with very little water (only 3% compared to 70%) and significantly more oil, the gel is packed full of active ingredients.
So, why is 3% water such a big deal? Because our skin has a layer that repels water, water as an ingredient in skin formulations is actually of no use to dry skin. An oil-based formulation is much more effective to treat dry skin as it locks in the moisture and provides the hydration needed. I use Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel all over my body before flying, paying particular attention to my cheeks. Yep, I use it on my face! Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel is non-comedogenic (does not block pores or cause breakouts) so it’s a perfect all-over moisturizer.

Watch my What She Said Segment below for more information about combatting the effects of air travel:

Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel is available in 3 convenient sizes – 50ml, 100ml, 200ml – and the packaging is super easy to open, so you can take as much or as little as you want (a little goes a long way!). It’s available in drugstores across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall and Walmart, and you can purchase it online at www.freshglow.ca or www.amazon.ca.

This post is sponsored by Advanced Innovations Inc., distributors of Bio Oil. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.