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Sky-high self-care: wellness made simple

Maria Asaad
Health and wellbeing, Shopping,
There’s nothing like booking a holiday and basking in the sun, sea and sand to reset both mentally and physically. And as great as holidays are for some much-needed TLC, it can start much earlier from the minute you set foot into the airport. There’s no need to be itching through your day of travel and on the edge of your seat to reach your holiday destination. Now the relaxing and unwinding can start within the terminal walls with the array of wellbeing products we have here at Heathrow.

Fuel up before you fly off

Itsu has a brand-new breakfast range that is filled with tasty options to get your day off to the best start before your travels. There are super healthy and nutritious options like protein-packed egg-pots and nutrient-dense porridge to fuel you for the day. You can energise further by pairing it with a coffee to eat in or you can grab and go to enjoy on your flight.

There are also a number of other healthy and nutritious options across the several dining options here at Heathrow to keep you fuelled up for longer. 

Crispy Duck Salad, Wild Olive T4 airside

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Duck with smashed cucumber, Asian slaw, roasted red peppers, spring onion, mint & red chilli, finished with soy & ginger dressing, hoisin and a squeeze of lime.

Kale Kick, Giraffe T3 & T5 airside

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A refreshing blend of kale, spinach, mango & apple juice.

Coconut Granola Bowl, The Curator T3 airside

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Crunchy oat granola with coconut yoghurt, peach & apricot compote, blueberries, toasted coconut chips, pomegranate seeds & mint.

It’s always a good idea to stock up for a flight (especially a long-haul one) so check out these wellness products that’ll make your 10-hour flight more comfortable and help you land feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated.

Fortnum and Mason have a range of delicious tea bags that can provide warmth and a boost of comfort and hydration during your flight. 
Boots wellthy electrolytes give you a boost of hydration that is worth it’s weight in wellness when dehydration hits high in the skies.
boots
boots
boots

Track your wellbeing while you travel

There are also a number of wellness products that help you track all the important stuff and make sure you're on top of the things that matter (which can be harder to keep up with)! Wellbeing tech can quietly do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Heathrow’s InMotion and WHS has a great selection of smart watches and Oura Rings, and they’re perfect for keeping your mind and body on track during travel days.

Why they’re so helpful?

Because long travel days can mess with your sleep, stress levels, hydration, and general rhythm. A smart watch or Oura Ring turns all those invisible changes into something you can understand, and act on.

Smart Watches
 
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A smart watch is great if you want more real‑time insights. It can help you:

  • Monitor your hydration reminders.
  • Track your steps around the terminal.
  • Keep an eye on your heart rate before and after flying.
  • Stay on top of your travel‑day wellbeing at a glance.

Together, they make looking after yourself feel effortless, like having a wellness buddy that travels everywhere with you.

The Oura Ring
 
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The Oura Ring is like having a tiny wellness coach wrapped around your finger. It’s brilliant for tracking:

  • Sleep quality (super helpful if flights mess with your routine)
  • Recovery levels
  • Stress signals
  • Daily movement

It basically nudges you towards small, healthier decisions throughout your trip, without ever feeling intrusive.

If you’ve ever stepped off a plane feeling like your skin aged five years somewhere over the Atlantic… you’re not imagining it. Cabin air is dry, UV rays sneak in through the windows, and your skin is basically begging for a little help.
Skincare on a flight isn’t just a luxury — it’s actually one of the best ways to keep your skin (and you!) comfortable, healthy, and glowing while you travel. Here’s why it matters so much:

Why your skin struggles in the air

The air in planes is extremely dry - cabin humidity can drop to 10–20%, which is far lower than what your skin is used to. This pulls moisture from the skin, leading to:

  • Dryness and tightness
  • Flakiness
  • Increased sensitivity

Skin barrier becomes compromised - when moisture decreases, your skin’s protective barrier weakens. This can make it more reactive or cause breakouts once you land.

UV exposure is stronger at higher altitudes - even through plane windows, UV rays can penetrate. SPF is recommended even on flights — something many travellers don’t realise.

So, why skincare on your flight?

Skincare helps you:

  • Stay hydrated: Moisturisers, hydrating serums, and face masks help replace the moisture lost in the cabin air.
  • Protect your barrier: Using nourishing creams or oils keeps your skin comfortable for the duration of the flight.
  • Avoid post-flight breakouts & irritation: Hydration and gentle skincare calms stressed skin.
  • Look and feel refreshed: A simple routine keeps you glowing, not grey and tired, when you land.
  • Stay protected: Wearing SPF even on the plane shields you from heightened UV exposure.

 In‑flight skincare ingredients

When you’re choosing skincare for a flight, look for ingredients that hydrate, protect, and calm your skin in dry cabin air. Here are the best ones to focus on:

1. Deep Hydrators

These ingredients pull water into the skin — essential when humidity drops on the plane.

Hyaluronic Acid
  • Holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
  • Instantly plumps and combats tight, dry skin.
Glycerin
  • A humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
  • Great for long‑haul flights where your skin dries out gradually.
Aloe Vera
  • Lightweight hydration.
  • Soothes irritation caused by recycled airplane air.

Recommended products: 

2. Barrier Strengtheners

The dry cabin air weakens your skin barrier. These ingredients help replenish it.

Ceramides
  • Reinforce your skin’s moisture barrier.
  • Prevent dryness, flaking and irritation.
Squalane
  • Mimics skin’s natural oils.
  • Locks in hydration without greasiness.
Fatty Acids & Oils
  • Nourishing.
  • Ideal for keeping skin soft and supple throughout the flight.

Recommended products: 

3. Protectors (yes, even on a plane)

UV exposure is stronger at altitude because you’re closer to the sun.

SPF 30+
  • Opt for mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide).
  • Protects against UV rays through plane windows.
Antioxidants

(Vitamin C, Vitamin E, niacinamide, green tea)

  • Help fight oxidative stress from UV exposure.
  • Keep skin bright and prevent dullness.

Recommended products: 

4. Soothing & Anti‑Inflammatory Ingredients

Flying can irritate skin, especially if you’re prone to sensitivity.

Niacinamide
  • Reduces redness.
  • Strengthens the barrier.
  • Balances oil levels.
Centella Asiatica 
  • Calms stressed or reactive skin.
Chamomile
  • Gentle on sensitive skin.
  • Reduces puffiness and irritation.

5. In-Flight Mask Ingredients

If you like using hydrating or sheet masks mid‑flight, look for:

  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Panthenol (B5)
  • Algae extracts
  • Urea (low %)

These keep skin hydrated for hours without clogging pores.

Heathrow wellness products (that can actually help!) 

The good news? Heathrow is full of products that make mid‑air skincare feel effortless — and a bit luxurious. Here’s a friendly guide to the products you’ve listed and why they’re perfect for flying.

shop wellness products

For an extra 10% off selected wellness products, Reserve and Collect online ahead of your travels.