Toiletries for Travel

January 23, 2025

As the founder of En Route to Rêverie travel atelier, it is safe to say I have mastered how to pack. One thing I am always packing with great care and efficiency are my toiletries. When it comes to packing, there are nice to haves and there are need to haves. Today’s post will cover the must-have toiletries I need to have with me when I am traveling and all the ways I prefer to pack them.

Must Have Toiletries for Travel

Downy Wrinkle Releaser

Given how I loathe ironing and use this stuff around the clock at home I never leave without a travel size bottle in my suitcase. I have gone through bottles and bottles of this stuff and converted every friend I have ever traveled with, too!

Summer Reading Books

SPF

I always, always pack SPF and this is my favorite one for on the go face touch ups in particular.

For when I need body SPF, I will either check a larger SPF in my suitcase or wait to buy one when I arrive in the destination if I only packed a carry on.

Celine Makeup Bag

Makeup

A few makeup minis I always, always travel with? This Saie primer I can’t be without + the Charlotte Tillbury Flawless Filter I love to layer over it before I apply my beloved Erborian BB Cream and/or my favorite Armani Luminous Foundation , the best One/Size setting spray that makes makeup last all day on long travel days spent out exploring, this bronzer/highlighter duo that does double duty, my favorite little contour stick, my favorite cream blush (+ this powder blush that layers well over it!), one of my go-to lip combos of this liner + lipstick, my favorite setting powder and this little eyeshadow palette that’s versatile. 

Check out my full guide on How to Pack Makeup for Travel.

Eye Cream

While at home I use a different eye cream for A.M. and P.M., while traveling I just bring one and let it work the morning and night shift.

A.M. Moisturizer

I like a dewy, glowy moisturizer in the morning so I rely on a mini size of my favorite whenever I travel.

P.M. Moisturizer

Every holiday season, I stock up on gift sets of my favorite Caudalie products so I have minis to last my travels throughout the year – particularly their evening moisturizers I love!

Cleanser

To wipe off the day. This one melts off makeup like no other in particular so I don’t have to worry about bringing makeup removing wipes or anything similar.

Serum

At home I’ll use all sorts of serums depending on my skin’s needs but usually when I travel I opt for just my go-to Vitamin C serum to use first thing in the morning after cleansing.

Setting Spray

I need my makeup to last all day when I am traveling so I swear by setting with this spray or this one.

Retinol

I don’t want my skincare routine to fall by the wayside when I am traveling so I always bring my retinol with me.

The A313 Vitamin A cream is beloved by French women for its ability to serve as a retinol for plumping fine lines and makes skin look fresh. I’ll admit, I didn’t like it much at first but I’m quite sure they have reformulated it to make it less sticky/tacky. Now I can’t live without it or travel with out it. I use it almost every night and like to layer it underneath my favorite night cream.

Lip Balm

My lips get so dry when I travel so I am always slathering on a thick, restorative lip balm. I travel with several tubes so I always have it on hand. 

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

This stuff is so great to serve as in-flight mask and moisturizer in one. You don’t have to remove it so it is perfect for travel and it helps fight the dehydration I often experience on long flights.
 
Alternatively, I’ll wear it at night as an overnight mask if my skin is feeling parched.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

I never get on a plane without this. It is great for rehydrating skin but also refreshing makeup on long travel days spent out exploring. On hot days, it feels amazing to spritz yourself with, too.
 
Or, you might consider their Grape Water which is even better when traveling in hot climates. 

Deodorant

An obvious must-have.

Hand Sanitizer

I never want to be without some wherever I go. This one is truly the best and so portable.

Travel Essentials

Shampoo

I want my hair to look and feel as it usually does and I can’t rely on hotel toiletries for this as you never know what you’re going to get! As such, I always travel with my own shampoo and conditioner. This is the scalp cleanser I always travel with.

Conditioner

This is my most used conditioner so I just stock up on travel sizes of it to bring with me.

Hair Mask

For longer trips, I’ll bring a mini hair mask to restore and revitalize my hair mid-trip. I like the Kerastase products for minis to travel with.

Hairspray

For staying power I always bring this hair spray. Especially because it can be hard to come by in the places overseas I am regularly visiting.

Razor

I use this razor at home and then keep a second in my travel case so I never forget it!

Toothpaste and Toothbrush

Many hotels may not have toothpaste at the ready so I always travel with a Marvis Mini.
 
And for a toothbrush – while I swear by my Oral-B electric toothbrush at home, I don’t want to travel with it. So, instead, I opt for a lightweight and battery powered pulsar toothbrush for my travels.

Body Wash

I personally don’t bring my own body wash as I am almost always staying at hotels where this is provided but, should you be booked at a vacation rental, you may not have any body wash or soap available and will want to bring your own. I love this one.

Body Lotion

Another item I personally skip but you may want to consider packing!

How To Pack Toiletries For Travel

I keep all my toiletries for travel super organized and rely on several products to make my life easier. 

Truffle Clarity Cases

This pouch may not look like much but it is a god-send for packing liquids and my go-to toiletry bag. It fits so much (way more than what meets the eye!) and easily is wiped out if any liquids happen to leak. I also love that I can easily see what all is in there and find what I need right away.

It’s been a toiletry game changer for my travels and I now have one in nearly every size they make. I use them to store cords, small electronics and other travel accessories.

Truffle Jet Set Cases

These Jetset Cases are also so good. They fit so much more than you’d imagine! And are TSA approved. I use them for my hair products primarily but obviously they are very multi-purpose.

You may want to consider the Beis Cosmetic Case, too. I don’t own this one but it is well reviewed. I’ve seen a lot of frequent travels talk about loving this cosmetics case on social media.

It’s spill-proof and even comes with a mirror for en route touch-ups. Pretty brilliant. There’s a removable brush holder that pops out, too and truly just loads of helpful storage compartments.

There is also the Away Hanging Cosmetics Case that people love. It is made with water-resistant nylon and a coated spill-proof interior. It’s thoughtfully designed with a small hook so you can hang it on a door or wall and contains three mesh pouches that provide easy storage and convenient access to your favorite travel essentials. There’s also a clear, removable pouch for smaller items or liquid products.

Cuyana Cosmetic Cases

For makeup, this makeup case duo is what I almost always travel with. I store minis of my base makeup products in the small pouch and everything else in the larger case. I like the inner pouch in the larger case for things like Q-tips, hair ties, small travel size perfume bottles, etc. 

For makeup brushes, I recommend using these brush cases. They now no longer get lost in my cosmetic cases and it is a bit more sanitary, too. And they help me save space in my cosmetics cases. They are under $10 and as they don’t fit more than a couple brushes, I would recommend you buy more than one.  For longer trips I pack two of them.

Travel Essentials

How To Minimize Toiletries For Travel

Make a Check List

After forgetting key things like mascara or eyeliner or deodorant one too many times, I created a little toiletries packing list for myself on my iPhone in Notes that includes all the products I need to pack and don’t ever want to be without. You’ll never be without your essential toiletries again if you reference it before every trip!

I made a handy one you can save to your phone or pin for later!

Toiletries for Travel Checklist

Be Aware of Flight Regulations

If you’re planning to travel light and not check luggage you’ll need to be more judicious with how you pack your makeup. Remember that the TSA rules at airports in the U.S. still require all liquids be under 3oz. 

And if you’re traveling internationally, consider where you are flying out of, too. For example, flying out of the UK all of your carry on liquids must fit into one small clear plastic bag and everything must be under 100ml. 

Don’t risk having to lose your expensive makeup and skincare by not being prepared. I’ve seen many a passenger have their beauty products tossed in the trash at airport security!

Buy Minis

There’s really no need to be bringing full size products on a trip in my opinion. I buy minis of all my favorite go-to beauty products for both makeup and skincare so I am never without my favorite products but am not having to bring full size items with me which leaves more room in my travel makeup bags! 

Travel size products should be your go-tos when packing makeup for travel. Sephora has an amazing selection of Minis to shop.

Pack Multi-Purpose Products

Similarly, prioritize multi-purpose products. To ensure you’re not overpacking and adding too much weight to your suitcase, prioritize bringing multi-purpose products such as items that work for both cheeks and lips. I particularly like this bronzer/highlighter duo that does double duty.

Use refillable containers

You may want to consider buying refillable containers for some of your favorite liquid makeup products like your primer or liquid highlighter or foundation. I personally don’t like re-filling them so I usually opt for the travel sizes I buy on Sephora instead.

But it is of course more sustainable to use refillable containers so definitely worth doing if you’re up for it and are especially keen to save space.

Keep Things Organized

I don’t want to waste vacation time rooting around trying to find various things so I am hyper organized with my makeup and skincare.

Everything goes in a designated organizer or pouch and from there it goes into my carry on luggage or carry on luggage.

. . .

If you’d like even more packing help, don’t miss my Packing and Travel Hacks to Swear By and my Must-Haves for International Travel.

And you can of course feel free to ask any questions in the Comments below. I hope you found these tips for packing toiletries helpful!

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