Why You Should Take a Shower After Flying
I received the Coconut Shea + Vitamin E Body Collection from Eden BodyWorks for my review. All opinions are my own.
What’s the first thing you do after a long haul flight? I posted a poll on my Instagram stories heading back from my trip to Lisbon, Portugal, and more than half responded by taking a nap, eating food, or exploring what the city offers. Well, I don’t care how exhausted, hungry, or excited to explore a new destination I am, the FIRST thing I do after a long-haul flight is to take a shower and follow up with moisturizing. If you’re not convinced why should you shower after flying, here are my top reasons:
The Airport and Airplanes are Full of Germs
From the touch screen kiosks to the security tray tables, the Airport is FULL of germs. Airplanes are just as dirty. Studies have shown bacteria and viruses living on armrests, seat belts, window shades, tray tables, toilet handles, and more for DAYS. When flying, I do my best to wipe down my seat and everything I will potentially touch like Naomi Campbell. I also wash my hands with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, I use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to minimize the spread of germs.
The Science Behind Airplane Germs
Here’s something that might shock you: researchers have found that some bacteria can survive on airplane surfaces for up to a week. E. coli can live on armrests for up to 96 hours, while MRSA (a potentially dangerous staph infection) has been found lingering on seat pockets for over a week. That’s why when people ask me “should I shower after a flight,” my answer is always a resounding YES.
Think about it – hundreds, sometimes thousands of people pass through an airplane cabin every single day. Each person brings their own germs, touches surfaces, sneezes, coughs, and leaves behind a microscopic trail of bacteria. Even with cleaning protocols between flights, it’s nearly impossible to sanitize every single surface that passengers come into contact with during their journey.
How Flying Affects Your Skin
Beyond the germ factor, there’s another reason why you should shower after a flight: the cabin environment absolutely wreaks havoc on your skin. Airplane cabins have humidity levels as low as 10-20%, which is drier than most deserts! For comparison, the Sahara Desert has about 25% humidity. This extreme dryness pulls moisture from your skin, leaving it dehydrated, tight, and uncomfortable.
When you combine low humidity with recirculated air, sitting in cramped positions for hours, and exposure to all those germs mentioned, your skin is basically begging for a refresh by the time you land. A shower after flight isn’t just about cleanliness, it’s about resetting your skin and body after the stress of travel.
Sweat, Oil, and Travel Grime
Let’s be real; flying is stressful. Whether you’re rushing through security, hauling luggage, or just dealing with the general anxiety of travel, you’re probably sweating more than usual. Add that to the hours you’re sitting in the same seat, and you’ve got a buildup of sweat, oil on your skin that you definitely want to wash off as soon as possible.
My Post-Flight Shower Routine
I take a post-flight shower to reduce the chances of these contracted airborne germs from spreading. I usually pack a carry-on for short trips, but with a free checked bag with Delta, I took advantage and packed my Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea + Vitamin E Body Collection.
If you have been following me for a while, you know that I’ve been using Eden BodyWorks as staple hair products since first going natural so I was excited to try the Eden body collection. Not only does the Eden BodyWorks body collection smell good, but they also keep my hands and body soft, smooth & moisturized. The Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea + Vitamin E body collection comes with a Body Wash, Body Lotion, and Hand Cream. Here’s how I used each item in my post flight shower routine.
Coconut Shea Body Wash
The Eden BodyWorks body wash is enriched with Shea butter and Vitamin E. Its formula is lightweight, washes away impurities, and designed to leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. The non-drying formula cleanses without drying the skin out, which is CRUCIAL after a flight has already stripped your skin of moisture. I like to wet my skin, apply the product on a washcloth, and run it under the water to make it lather before cleansing my body from the neck down.
When should you shower after a flight? Ideally within an hour or two of arriving at your accommodation. I know the temptation to collapse on the bed is strong, but trust me, you’ll feel so much better after a quick rinse.
Coconut Shea Body Lotion
After cleansing with the Eden BodyWorks body wash, I follow up with the Coconut Shea Body Lotion to moisturize. The product is pretty light and a little goes a long way. For the best results, I massage the lotion on slightly damp skin to seal in moisture. This step is especially important post-flight because your skin has been dehydrated for hours in that desert-dry cabin air.
Coconut Shea Hand Cream
My favorite product from the whole Eden Body collection is the hand cream. The hand cream is formulated to soften dry, chapped hands without an oily or greasy feel. Even after I shower, I can use the hand cream throughout the day after washing my hands before meals or using hand sanitizer while in public places if no soap and water are available. The hand cream is a bit thicker than the body lotion, so I suggest applying a nickel size amount.
Your hands are probably the most exposed part of your body during travel, touching door handles, tray tables, luggage, and who knows what else. Giving them extra TLC with a nourishing hand cream is non-negotiable in my book.
Additional Benefits of Showering After Flying
It Helps You Adjust to a New Time Zone
If you’re dealing with jet lag, a shower can actually help reset your body clock. A cool shower can wake you up if you’ve landed in the morning but your body thinks it’s nighttime. Conversely, a warm shower before bed can help relax your muscles and signal to your body that it’s time to sleep, even if you just crossed multiple time zones.
It Removes Potential Allergens
Airplanes filter and recirculate air, which means you’re breathing in particles from hundreds of other passengers. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, these airborne particles can cling to your hair and skin. A thorough shower helps remove these potential irritants before they cause any issues.
It’s a Mental Reset
There’s something psychological about showering after a long flight. It marks the end of your travel day and the beginning of your actual trip. It’s like washing away the stress of airports, security lines, and cramped seats, and stepping into vacation mode.
What If You Can’t Shower Immediately?
Sometimes you land and go straight into a meeting, or you’re crashing at a friend’s place and don’t want to be rude by immediately requesting shower time. If you can’t take a full shower after flight, here are some alternatives:
- Freshen up in the airport bathroom: Use wet wipes or a damp paper towel to wipe down your face, neck, and hands. It’s not a full shower, but it helps remove some of the surface grime.
- Change your clothes: At minimum, change your underwear and shirt. Pack a fresh set in your personal item or carry-on so you can swap out the clothes that have been marinating in airplane air.
- Use hand sanitizer and face mist: Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizer and a hydrating face mist in your bag. They provide a quick refresh when a shower isn’t possible.
- Prioritize hand washing: If nothing else, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water as soon as you can. Your hands touch the most surfaces and are the most likely to transfer germs.
Making Showering After Flying a Habit
The question “should you shower after flying” really shouldn’t be a question at all; it should be as automatic as buckling your seatbelt. I’ve made it a non-negotiable part of my travel routine, and I genuinely feel the difference when I skip it.
Pack your favorite shower products in your checked bag, or invest in travel-sized versions for carry-on trips. Having products you actually enjoy using makes the post-flight shower something to look forward to rather than another chore on your to-do list.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, taking a shower after a flight is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your health and feel better during your trip. It’s not about being germaphobic or high-maintenance, it’s about taking care of yourself and starting your journey on the right foot (or should I say, on clean feet!).
The next time you land after a long-haul flight, resist the urge to immediately faceplant onto the nearest bed. Give yourself 15 minutes to shower, moisturize, and reset. Your skin, your immune system, and your overall well-being will thank you. Plus, you’ll just FEEL better, and isn’t that what travel is all about?
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Fully agreed. A proper shower after a long flight is the way to go.