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Jessica Chastain keeps these calming wipes in her carry-on for busy travel days
The actress says lavender-scented towelettes keep her feeling refreshed and relaxed while she's flying.
If getting on a plane makes you nervous, you're not alone. The fear of flying, aerophobia, affects up to 25 million adults in the U.S., according to the Cleveland Clinic. For long-term help, experts suggest everything from using breathing techniques and guided meditations to taking a flying lesson. But if you want a quick sense of calm on board, Jessica Chastain shared her own little travel hack: lavender-infused towelettes.
These essential oil-infused towelettes could help give you a moment of calm, whether you're on a plane or doing your makeup during a busy morning at home.
In a video for Vogue in which she shares her hair and makeup routine, the Zero Dark Thirty actress uses an Herban Essentials Lavender Towelette to remove foundation and concealer from her hands. She adds that the towelette is one of her travel essentials too.
"I always take it on the airplane, it's in my carry-on. But it's so great, like if it's a stressful moment, it like resets you," she says, wiping one on her hands and giving it a a big sniff.
The disposable wipes are infused with lavender essential oil — no harsh chemicals — and come individually wrapped. The brand says you can use them on your face, hands or body, or to wipe down an area like a plane seat or tray table. The towelettes come in a few different scents, but lavender is noted for its calming abilities. One small study showed that inhaling the scent of lavender for three minutes can decrease anxiety and boost a person's mood. Of course, lavender just smells good too — and if you don't need one on the plane, you could use it when you land to freshen up.
Chastain appears to be a pro at in-flight relaxation. She said she wears face masks on board as well as eye masks (her go-to brand is SK-II, but she says they're "hard to find") and that she will even drape a breathable scarf over her head to get some decent shut-eye on board. While you may not want to do your own skin-care routine midflight, wiping your hands and face with a lavender wipe seems pretty doable and like a nice little treat.
Amazon reviewers are happy to have these in their bags too. "These lavender towelettes smell great and have just the right amount of moisture to get the job done," said a fan. "I love that they come individually wrapped so they are easy to carry in the pocket or purse. They are decently large and provide a refreshing wipe down after a long flight or long drive. This is definitely a good addition to our travel gear."
"Perfect for freshening up when you're traveling or are in between showers," agreed another reviewer. "My sensitive skin is like a canary in the coal mine for irritants, and I've had zero issues so far. Love the natural ingredients. Be forewarned, they smell strong, so you better loooove the smell of lavender or you won't like these! ... The smell of lavender aids in relaxation (I've used it before to help me fall asleep) so I'll definitely be taking these along on my next red eye flight."
Others echoed the point that there's no mistaking the lavender smell. "The scent is very, very strong!" cautioned this shopper. "I used one of these, walked out of the room, and came back five minutes later and could still smell the lavender lingering in the air."
Herban Essentials
Not a fan of lavender? The towelettes also come scented with lemon (shown), eucalyptus, orange and peppermint.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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