Dragon ww2 raf pilot hat ... Help moisturising ?
 

Hi there. Just joined. I work at a college near where Spitfire aircraft were built and so am working on building a 1/6 scale spitfire. I just bought a RAF figure, off ebay which i recieved a couple of days ago.

The simulated leather pilot hat/helmet with strap, is evidently dry as small flecks of whatever the hat is made from readily come off, when adjusting.

The hat almost feels like really thin leather, but i guess is plastic. Apart from keeping the figure out of sunlight and avoiding any more damage, has anyone got an idea on how i could moisturise whatever the material is made from. Bady oil maybe ... i don't know ?
Appreciate any help.