Flying is a necessary evil, especially when you want to get to a warmer country than the UK - and who doesn't??

Unfortunately, conditions in the pressurised cabins of commercial aircraft are not good for natural skin care routines. They are dry, full of germs, air conditioned and generally just not very pleasant. To keep your skin in tip top condition on a plane, you need to be prepared and in control.

Before the flight...

Be prepared - make sure you have everything at your disposal to keep you skin hydrated and comfortable. With security being what it is these days we are restricted in what we can take on board a plane. Most skin care companies are aware of this and are pretty happy to produce travel size versions of their top selling products. Even boutique skin care retailers seem to have travel sets of their best products available. Chaps - Don't worry, there are plenty of men's skin care products available these days, even in flight friendly travel sizes. If you can't find any any, just borrow some from you other half...

Hydrating skin care is vital. You'll need plenty of moisturisers, chap sticks, antibacterial hand gel, travel tissues , eye care products (moisturised) and all your usual routine products in handy travel sized packaging (or you can always squeeze a bit out of your full size packaging into small flight friendly tupaware containers).

On the Plane...

When you are in the plane try to stick to your usual skin care routines as best you can. Keep yourself fully hydrated; water is by far the best thing you can drink rather than dehydrating alcohol.

Keep on slapping on the moisturiser, paying special attention to any exposed areas of skin like elbows, face, neck, hands, etc. Lips always seem to suffer in the dry conditions so make sure you keep using your chap stick. The dry atmosphere will play havoc with yor anti ageing skin care routine

When you land...

Hopefully you're going somewhere hot and sunny so you must remember to slap on the sun cream. Do this before you land because you could be outside for some time and there's never any time to apply products during this part of your trip.

And if you have any connecting flights or overnight stays in your trip then you will need to make sure you have some shampoo, conditioner and shower gel handy because the airport hotels don't ever seem to invest in the good stuff..

Above all, relax and enjoy the trip - they say getting there is half the fun and if you're not enjoying it, this will show on your face! Besides, you can always stock up on skin repair products at the other end...