Travel hacks: 6 in-flight essentials to pack in your carry-on

It’s travel day! You get to the airport, board your plane and then you realize — all of your essentials are in your checked luggage. Whether you get a sudden headache or have extra-chapped lips, it’s important to have what you need on hand. And with the focus on packing for the trip, it’s often lost on people to pack for the flight.

Conquer any travel day with these six items you’ll appreciate having easily accessible.

1. First, grab the SPF

Have you ever felt particularly warm sitting in a window seat? That’s because while the glass of plane windows blocks UVB rays, it doesn’t block UVA rays as successfully.¹ Especially when you’re at a high altitude, it’s important to protect your skin from cancer-causing sun rays. Aveeno® Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50 is formulated with naturally sourced zinc oxide and pure oat essence, which provides powerful sun protection against UVA and UVB rays. This sunscreen stick can easily be applied with one hand and glides on skin for protection without the mess — making it the perfect travel-friendly option.

2. Don’t forget your headphones and electronics

Perhaps the most important part of your carry-on: headphones and electronics! To pass the time on the plane, you may want to download a podcast on your phone or a movie on your laptop. To ensure the trip doesn’t get off to a rocky start, you’ll want to double-check that your devices are charged, and you have the appropriate headphones.

Pro tip: If you plan to watch the seatback TV during the flight, make sure to check what type of headphone jack your plane will have on your airline’s website — you may need an adapter!

3. Always be prepared with pain relief

We’ve all felt the struggle — you’re on a long flight and that cranky muscle ache flares up. If you (or your travel companion!) feel an oncoming headache or backache, you’ll want to have a pain reliever close by that acts fast. MOTRIN® Dual Action with TYLENOL® is a 2-in-1 pain reliever that can temporarily relieve minor aches and pains due to headache, toothache, backache, menstral cramps, muscular aches and minor pain of arthritis.

4. If you’re headed on a long flight, try a pair of compression socks

If you’re headed on a longer flight where you’ll be sitting for prolonged periods, wearing a pair of compression socks can help improve your blood flow and reduce pain and swelling in your legs. They can also lower your chances of getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a kind of blood clot, and other circulation problems.²

5. Never underestimate the power of fresh breath

The best part of a flight? The snacks! But with the food and beverage cart — plus the dry air — can come bad breath. Consuming certain foods, like dairy, can actually feed the naturally occurring bacteria on your tongue, resulting in odor.³ And while it’s not often you see passengers bring a toothbrush into the restroom, it’s good to have an option close by for when you need a refresh. Try LISTERINE® POCKETPAKS® Oral Care Strips, which instantly dissolve on the tongue, or LISTERINE® POCKETMIST® Oral Care Fresh Breath Spray, a non-aerosol oral mist. Both products kill 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath, according to laboratory tests, and are available in Cool Mint® and Freshburst® flavors.

6. Finally, bring moisturizers for your skin and lips

Have you ever noticed your skin can sometimes get particularly dry or irritated after a long flight? Rest assured, it’s not your skincare routine turning on you: airplane cabins are known to have extremely low humidity.⁴

When you’re packing your carry-on, opt to include a water-based cream, like Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Water Cream to combat the dry air. The lightweight face moisturizer is formulated with hyaluronic acid, a dermatologist-recommended hydrator that binds to water and holds it within the skin’s surface. Plus, natural moisturizing factors — like amino acids, electrolytes and essential lipids — help smooth and keep your skin hydrated for 72 hours, so you’re not struggling with dry, dull skin upon arrival.

Pro tip: don’t forget your smile! The Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine will put an end to the discomfort of chapped lips and comes in 14 colored shades so you arrive at your destination looking fresh-faced.