Studies Show New Skin Cancer Risks for Flight Crews—Now This Pilot Won’t Fly Without This $13 Sunscreen

You shouldn’t fly without applying SPF either. 

By Kristy Alpert

I grew up in an era that didn’t necessarily prioritize skincare…at least not those of us who grew up in the lakeside suburbs of Dallas, Texas, in the early ’90s (I remember painting my initials on my body with sunscreen so the letters would show up bright white against my sunned skin). But my childhood of unprotected sun exposure went beyond the yard; my father was a Delta pilot, and I have spent a large chunk of my life in the air. 

Now, as a professional travel writer who is married to a military pilot, I spend just as much (if not more) time on planes—but I’m much more diligent about sunscreen application. In fact, several recent studies have found higher rates of skin cancers among airline employees and frequent travelers. Back in the day, not many pilots I knew were prioritizing sun care, but the pilot community I know now has begun to take sun protection more seriously, especially as even the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) now acknowledges that the incidence of skin cancer among flight crews is twice that of the general population. 

“I don’t think I ever wore sunscreen flying with the military,” Jonathan Recor, a first officer for Delta Air Lines who logged 13 years flying for the U.S. Air Force, told Travel + Leisure. “It just wasn’t something I considered a threat, considering all the other things I was concerned about as a military pilot. It wasn’t until I started flying commercially that I realized how important it was to protect from the sun and how great of a risk skin cancer is to the flying community.” 

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After Recor’s dermatologist found a spot of basal cell skin cancer last year, he upped his dermatology full body scans to every six months and began wearing Neutrogena Clean Face Oil-Free Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 and SPF sleeves while flying in case he missed any spots or didn’t have the chance to reapply. 

“Being at 10,000 feet puts you at a higher risk for UV damage since you are physically closer to the sun,” explained Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor of dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “First off, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection (both the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommend this). Make sure to wear long sleeves. If you’re sitting by the window, bring down the window shade to block the sun. UVA light penetrates right through window glass, so you are putting yourself at risk for sun damage, even when inside on an airplane.” 

Another important tip: Reapply often. Dr. Zeichner suggests reapplying every two hours while on board, adding that the best sunscreen is the one you actually use. 

“Pick a product that you are comfortable with,” he urged, “both mineral and chemical sunscreens are effective, but you should look for products that have the words ‘broad-spectrum’ on the bottle. This means that the sunscreen protects you both against UVB and UVA rays.”

Here are some pilot-, flight attendant-, and traveler-approved brands for keeping your skin safe in the air.

Neutrogena Clean Face Oil-free Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 

$18$13 at Amazon

Recor prefers this oil-free SPF for his face while flying. “It works great, doesn’t get into my eyes, and isn’t oily,” he explained. It’s also well within current TSA size requirements, so it’s easy to reapply during longer flights. 

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 

$14$9 at Amazon

Another Neutrogena pick, this SPF 70 sun lotion comes recommended from a pilot who left it a five-star rating on Amazon. “As a pilot, we get bombarded with radiation from the high altitude,” they wrote. “This product is great for when I work.” The shopper continued, “It applies almost clear, doesn’t leave a greasy look [and] smells great and lasts a while.” 

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 2-pack 

$32 at Amazon

Perfect for travel and fliers who forget to add their SPF after their moisturizer, this pilot-approved Cetaphil face cream covers all your bases with its SPF 50 protection. It’s also packed with vitamin E and glycerin to replenish moisture and fight off sun damage while it shields your skin from UV rays. 

Solbar PF Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 2-pack 

$27 at Amazon

Both frequent fliers and pilots trust this Solbar Sunscreen to protect their skin. According to one traveler, “it gives noticeable protection” with its paba-free (para-aminobenzoic acid, a chemical compound once commonly found in sunscreen but has decreased since the FDA deemed it harmful) formula. They added, “I love using this one on my face. It keeps me from having sun damage at my age.” 

CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 

$10$9 at Amazon

Sunscreen sticks are an easy way to protect your skin during travel without worrying about TSA liquids restrictions. With its mineral SPF 50 protection, this CeraVe stick works hard in the air to keep your skin safe from UVA/UVB rays, and it goes on clear for quick reapplication. In their review, one frequent flier said, “I bought this for traveling, and it is super lightweight and can be tossed into any bag for the day.” 

Banana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50 Lip Sunscreen 

$7$6 at Amazon

Lips need protection too from the sun’s rays, and this SPF 50 formula moisturizes dry lips while keeping them safe from the sun’s rays. What’s more, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it comes in a convenient two-pack, and it’s earned a stamp of approval from a flight attendant: “[I] wear this every day because the UV rays are 10 times more harmful [in a plane] and this really works, and it also makes your lips moisturized throughout the day.”