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Travel & Leisure / Kristin Kempa
Anyone who’s adventure-bound — whether headed on a weekend camping excursion or a month-long beach stay — will need to make smart and strategic packing decisions, especially when it comes to toiletries. The best travel toiletries are portable, multi-functioning, and convenient, to help you maintain an effective grooming routine with fewer, smaller items than what you’re used to using at home.
From compact skincare products to versatile hygiene essentials, we’ve culled the best travel toiletries in every category. And, keeping the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids in your carry-on luggage in mind, we’ve swapped some traditionally liquid items for solid alternatives to make packing even easier.
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It’s lightweight, convenient, and sustainable.
It may not be as effective at removing makeup as other solutions.
Whether you’re trying to cut down on liquid toiletries for your carry-on luggage or you’re just trying to avoid potential spills in your bag, non-liquid products are very convenient for travel. This tried-and-true powder face wash comes in 100 percent biodegradable individual-use packets, so it’s easy to pack the exact amount you need for your trip.
Plus, they’re slimmer and more lightweight than even a miniature bottle of liquid. The water-activated unscented face wash turns into a foam with an ultra-fine sandy texture that cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes your skin.
The Details: 30 packets, 2 x 3.5 inches each
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It delivers long-lasting hydration in a travel-friendly tube.
Some skin types may be sensitive to salicylic acid.
Between the dry air in plane cabins and climate changes in a new environment, traveling can be taxing on your skin. This small but mighty tube of petroleum-based face cream delivers eight hours of hydration to help keep your skin soothed, dewy, and moisturized. Meanwhile, it’s formulated with vitamin E to repair damage caused to the skin barrier and salicylic acid to promote gentle cell turnover for healthier, smoother-looking skin. A bonus: this purse-friendly product doubles as a balm for cracked and chapped lips.
The Details: 1.7 ounces
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The multi-tasking formula eliminates the need for multiple creams.
Be sure to layer SPF on top.
When you travel, multi-tasking products are your best friend as they allow you to lug fewer items overall. That’s why we love this prebiotic moisturizer, which can be used on your body, hands, and face. It’s packed with a combination of shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide to replenish lost moisture and soothe dry skin. The non-greasy, non-sticky formula is non-comedogenic and safe for sensitive skin.
The Details: 2.5, 6.8, or 13.52 ounces
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It won’t count against the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons.
It’s pricey.
Another convenient multi-tasker, this nourishing cleansing bar can be used both on your body and face. And feel free to toss this ergonomically-designed soap bar in your carry-on luggage since it won’t count against the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. The fragrance-free vegan cleanser is safe to use on sensitive skin, and it’ll leave your epidermis feeling hydrated and never stripped. It uses chamomile extract to help balance and even your complexion.
The Details: 3.85 ounces
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It’s enriched with vitamins, antioxidants, and soothing chamomile.
If you’re prone to sunburns, you may prefer a higher SPF value.
Whether you’re headed beachside or hitting the ski slopes, dermatologists agree it’s imperative to protect your skin from the sun with SPF 30 or higher whenever you’re spending time outdoors. This sunscreen is formulated like a lightweight serum, so it has none of that greasy, sticky feeling of traditional sunscreen, nor will it leave a white cast on your skin. It’s formulated with zinc oxide (which is safe for sensitive skin), smoothing and plumping squalane, and a vitamin E-based antioxidant complex that helps protect skin against free-radical damage.
The Details: 1.7 ounces
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It has a comfortable, lightweight formula.
There is a faint mineral smell.
When we tested 20 different travel-sized sunscreens, this nourishing, non-greasy SPF 50 formula stood out above the rest. We particularly loved the lightweight, liquid formula, which felt more like a lotion than a sunscreen and was not as heavy or sticky as old-school sunblock tends to be.
Plus, we were able to get plenty of use out of just a small dollop of the zinc oxide-based product, making the 3-ounce a better value for the price. It offers 80 minutes of water-resistance, so it’s a great pick for beach or pool trips. Plant-based ingredients including shea butter help moisturize and soothe skin.
The Details: 3 ounces
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The long-lasting bar is equal to approximately 24 ounces of liquid shampoo.
The rose, lavender, and spearmint scent may not be for everyone.
Not only are shampoo bars more environmentally friendly (due to lack of plastic packaging) and more cost-effective (since you typically get more washes out of a bar than a bottle) than their liquid counterparts, but they’re also a mess-free, TSA-friendly option for travel.
We especially love this all-natural pick because it can also be used as a body soap, a lubricant for shaving, or for hand washing clothing items such as socks and underwear. The 100 percent vegetable oil formulation doesn’t strip the natural oils from your hair and naturally conditions it, so many people find they don’t need to use an additional conditioner after shampooing (and can therefore pack one less item).
The Details: 3.5 ounces
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It softens and moisturizes hair while controlling frizz.
It's expensive.
When subjecting your hair to new environments while traveling, it can easily get dried out. This creamy and luxurious conditioner deeply softens and nourishes stressed hair and works to restore moisture. It’s formulated with moisturizing jojoba, health-promoting green tea, and sage, which supports hair follicles. Just a small amount of this color-safe conditioner goes a long way, making it an effective choice for travel (and it helps to balance out the hefty price tag).
The Details: 1.7, 9, and 33.8 ounces
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This all-in-one hair serum hydrates dry hair and protects against heat damage.
Be sure to travel with the lid so the press pump doesn't get bumped accidentally.
This regenerating serum is the only hair care item you'll need to pack in your toiletry bag (besides shampoo and conditioner, of course). It's designed to hydrate and replenish dry hair while acting as a heat protectant for up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit. The main ingredients all have specific purposes, too, including strengthening prickly pear seed oil, nourishing tucuma butter, and castor oil to provide a healthy shine that won't leave your hair looking or feeling greasy. You only need to use a small amount so the tiny bottle takes up very little room and lasts a long time.
The Details: 1.7 ounces
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This compact item includes two styling tools in one.
It may feel a bit flimsy.
A hair brush can be a tricky item to pack due to its awkward shape and bristles, which can get caught on and damage vulnerable items such as knit sweaters. This combination tool includes a hair brush and a fine toothed comb in one, so you can address all your hair styling needs with a single item. The best part is that it folds up into a compact tool that won’t risk snagging other items in your luggage. When folded, it becomes a pocket-friendly size that’s easy to stash.
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It protects hairstyles against humidity.
It can make your hair feel a little crunchy.
When you’re traveling, it’s impractical to pack various hairsprays, gels, and styling creams for a variety of hairstyles. Instead, rely on a single product which has numerous uses. This small but mighty hairspray has plenty of hold to keep your tresses securely in place no matter your activity.
The volumizing spray provides fullness, lift, hold, and shine, and it’s suitable for use on all hair types. If you’re headed to a hot or humid location, rest assured that the product’s humidity protection will help keep your strands from frizzing for up to 72 hours.
The Details: 1.5, 10, or 16 ounces
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It’s formulated with moisturizing aloe vera.
The scents are strong.
Whether you’re boarding a long-haul flight or trekking through terrain where you won’t encounter a sink for quite a while, hand sanitizer will help keep your hands clean. This flat container is extra convenient because it slides nicely into a pant or purse pocket — or you can clip it to a key ring or lanyard. The aloe vera-based formula is moisturizing, and each bottle contains 500 sprays. Choose from delicious scents like lemon-lime spritz, frosted mint, and citrus grove.
The Details: 1 ounce
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It comes with a travel case for safe packing.
The short handle may be tougher to maneuver than a larger one.
With a mini handle and a nifty travel case, this razor is easy and safe to toss in your toiletry bag and won’t take up too much space. The pivoting head gets into tough-to-reach areas for a smooth, close shave. The three-blade razor is surrounded by water-activated gel bars that release a rich body butter lather, guarding your skin against nicks, cuts, and irritation as you shave — and eliminating the need for an additional shaving cream.
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It can also be used on your feet, thighs, and anywhere else you sweat.
The roll up mechanism can stick and become defective.
When you’re traveling, it’s helpful to pack multi-functioning products that allow you to tote fewer items overall. This full-body antiperspirant helps keep your pits, feet, and any other area where you tend to sweat feeling and smelling fresh for up to 72 hours. Powerful yet gentle, the aluminum-, paraben-, and baking soda-free formula is safe for sensitive skin.
The Details: 2.2 ounces
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It helps ease the stress of mini emergencies.
It doesn’t include pain medication.
It’s always a good idea to carry first aid essentials in case of small emergencies like scrapes or splinters. Don’t let the small size of this health kit fool you: it contains 100 pieces, including numerous bandages, gauze pads, an emergency blanket, a CPR mask, tweezers, a tape roll, and more. Pack the 7.5 x 5.2 x 1.5-inch container in your backpack or purse to address minor injuries on the go without having to stop at the drugstore.
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The TSA-approved bottles come in two different sizes.
You may need to purchase multiple sets to accommodate all your travel liquids.
Some of your favorite toiletries may not be available in travel-friendly sizes. That’s where these nifty refillable containers come in. Available in 2- and 3-ounce sizes (use the larger containers for liquids you use more frequently), the silicone bottles are super simple to fill with your lotions, body washes, shampoos, and more thanks to a larger opening at the top. In our testing, each individual bottle held up well and there wasn’t any spillage or damage after we tossed, turned, and dropped them in our simulations.
The Details: 2 and 3 ounces
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It holds your toothpaste, too.
It’ll count as a liquid if you fill it with toothpaste.
Here’s another useful tool that can replace multiple items. This travel-sized toothbrush comes with a built-in, refillable toothpaste container, which easily releases your preferred toothpaste with the touch of a button. When shut, the contraption keeps the soft toothbrush head clean and protected.
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It doesn’t have any off-putting chemical smells.
It doesn’t come in a container larger than 4 ounces.
When T+L put 16 different bug sprays to the test, this OFF! pick rose to the top of our list. What we love: the highly effective 5 percent picaridin formula has a very light scent and doesn't feel sticky at all, you may even forget you have it on. Plus, the non-leak bottle is easy to use and it disperses a fine, even mist onto skin. The 2.5-ounce size can be tossed in your carry-on luggage or it can fit in your pocket for day trips.
The Details: 2.5 and 4 ounces
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Your hair will smell fresh and clean in between washes.
It’s not cheap.
The less time you spend shampooing your hair on vacation, the more time you’ll get back to enjoy your trip. On days between hair washes, you can use a dry shampoo to freshen up your tresses and say goodbye to greasy strands. Living Proof’s cult favorite version goes a step further by actually cleansing your hair, so it looks, feels, and is clean. The fragrance is nice and not overtly floral or chemical.
The Details: 1.8, 5.5, or 9.5 ounces
Tips for Buying Travel Toiletries
Know which items you truly need
When you pack for a trip, know you won’t necessarily need to have all the comforts of home with you. Prioritize your daily essentials including toothpaste, soap, and deodorant. Consider which items you’ll realistically use, and which ones you can do without (for instance, you may want hairspray for a trip to Paris but not for a camping excursion). If you’re staying at a hotel, think about items you may not be picky about (such as shampoo and body wash) that may be provided by the facility free of charge.
Invest in reusable containers
You may find miniature versions of your favorite products adorable to look at, but they’re not the most sustainable or cost-effective option. Plus, your favorite brands may not even have travel-size picks available. Consider investing in reusable containers in TSA-friendly sizes. That way, you can fill them with the full-sized toiletries you already buy and you can take just as much as you need for the length of your trip.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
For this story, Talia Ergas used her experience as a beauty editor and avid traveler to research the best toiletries in every category. She also selected top-rated items from various product tests conducted by Travel + Leisure whenever possible, to ensure the highest quality selections.
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