Beauty essentials work harder on the road than they do at home. Cabin air can leave your face tight before you land, and an afternoon in the sun or the wind does the same to the rest of you.
This list covers seven products, from a moisturizer for the flight to a dry shampoo for the mornings you skip a wash. Here’s what to pack and how each one helps on the road.
Beauty Products You Should Always Pack
Finding the right products your skin loves can take some time. Once you have them, these seven cover the beauty side of your toiletries bag.
Of course, you may want to look for travel-size containers to pack light. Some brands even offer travel-size portions or small samples you can take along with you.
1. Face Moisturizer
A good face moisturizer is especially important when traveling.
Airplane cabins and dry climates can leave your skin feeling drier than usual.
Dry skin can make fine lines more noticeable.
This oil-free moisturizer by Clinique comes in a 0.5-ounce travel size that fits easily in your liquids bag.
A lightweight, non-greasy formula is especially handy for daytime use.
2. Body Lotion
Don’t stop moisturizing at your face. Your whole body can feel dry and itchy when you’re traveling. That’s especially true when you spend time in the sun, in windy cities, or arid climates, so keep your skin hydrated while traveling.
A good body lotion can help relieve that dryness. The Blue Lagoon body moisturizers are worth a look.
But if you’re worried about spills, the handier option is The Pharma-C Company’s Baby Oil Wipes. Unlike cleansing wipes, these actually apply moisturizing baby oil to your skin. I recently received a sample to try, and they smell and feel wonderful!
I especially like the idea of using them on my legs and hands after a day at the beach, or whenever my skin needs a little extra moisture during winter travel. The resealable pack of 60 is easy to tuck into your beach bag or luggage without worrying about spills.
3. Detox Mask
A clay or charcoal detox mask can help remove excess oil and surface buildup.
I especially like this purifying mask made with volcano ash and charcoal because it clarifies and soothes skin, but also because it travels easily. The masks come in an affordable pack of 10.
4. Hydrating Sheet Mask
A hydrating sheet mask is an easy way to give your skin some extra moisture after a long travel day.
It’s also a good excuse for a little downtime once you arrive.
Sheet masks usually come in a small package, so you can easily fit them into your travel bag.
This affordable pack of 24 masks provides a variety of fun scents and ingredients to suit your mood and needs.
Pop one on the evening you arrive at your destination and your skin will feel so much better.
5. Spot Treatment
For any blemishes that pop up while you travel, you’ll want a spot treatment you know works for your skin type.
Everybody’s skin is different, so you may want to try a few before you travel.
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You’ll find many spot treatments out there. Common ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur.
Bring a treatment you’ve already tried rather than experimenting with something new on vacation.
6. Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo gives your hair a quick refresh when you don’t have time for a wash.
It absorbs excess oil and can give your hair a little more volume.
Living Proof dry shampoo is a handy option after a long day of exploring.
Plus, it doesn’t leave a residue or film on your lovely locks like some other dry shampoos.
Trust me, it really can be a lifesaver when you’re on the go!
7. SPF Lotion
Sunscreen deserves a permanent spot on your packing list.
That’s because nobody wants a sunburn while traveling. Ouch!
Worse, sunburns can cause lasting skin damage.
You can take steps to protect your skin by wearing a hat and clothing that covers your body.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply according to the label.
This is especially important if you’re traveling to a sunny place in the winter when your skin isn’t used to the sunshine.
If you’re heading somewhere with coral reefs, check local sunscreen regulations. Many brands label products as reef-safe sunscreen, but the term isn’t standardized, so look for formulas made without oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Sun Bum offers broad-spectrum sunscreen formulas, including their UVA/UVB sunscreen with vitamin E.
How to Pack Your Beauty Essentials for a Flight
Packing skincare for a flight starts with deciding what you need within reach. Keep your moisturizer and lip balm in your carry-on, inside the quart-size bag TSA requires for liquids and creams.
Everything else can travel in your checked bag. Decant your favorites into small travel containers and seal each one in its own zip-top bag, so a leak stays contained.
To avoid overpacking, bring the products you use every day at home and leave behind anything you’re hoping to try. A travel-size version of your routine takes up far less space, and you can usually pick up anything you forget once you arrive.
Final Thoughts on Beauty Essentials
Once you’ve found beauty products that work for you, travel is no time to leave them behind. Pack your favorites in travel-friendly sizes, and you’ll have what you need to feel comfortable and refreshed throughout your trip.
For more ideas, check out this easy guide to planning your travel glow-up.
FAQs
What beauty essentials should you pack for travel?
The beauty essentials worth packing for most trips are a face moisturizer, body lotion, sunscreen and a spot treatment you already trust. A detox mask, a hydrating sheet mask and dry shampoo are worth adding when you have room.
Can you bring skincare products in your carry-on?
You can bring skincare products in your carry-on on US flights as long as each liquid or cream is in a container of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and everything fits in one quart-size bag. Larger bottles go in your checked bag.
How do you keep your skin hydrated on a flight?
The simplest way to keep your skin hydrated on a flight is to apply a lightweight moisturizer before you board and again before you land. Drinking water during the flight helps too.
Do you need reef-safe sunscreen?
Some destinations require sunscreen made without certain reef-harming ingredients; Hawaii, for example, bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate. Because “reef-safe” isn’t a regulated term, check the ingredient list rather than the label.
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Next Steps
If you enjoy traveling and want to learn more about beauty on the road, give the following articles a read next:
- 5 Common Beauty Myths About Skin and Aging – Know Your Facts!
- 11 Easy DIY Beauty Products In Your Pantry That Will Boost Your Confidence
- Travel Beauty Essentials for the Traveling Fashionista [7 Easy Secrets]
- 3 Simple Ways to Get Glowing Skin Over 50 for A More Youthful Image
- Youthful Appearances: 7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Skin Young
- How to Keep Skin Hydrated While You Visit Beautiful Dry Climates
- How to Look Your Best Everyday On Vacation: 7 Easy Tips “To Go”