Travel-size toiletries for the next adventure

When it comes to packing toiletries for a trip, “failure to prepare is preparing to fail,” says Hitha Palepu, a lifestyle guru and author of How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip.

When packing, she notes, people tend to focus on clothing and shoes. But that can mean missing things they really need: Hygiene products, prescription medication and skin care products.

There are also rules from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to consider. Containers of aerosols, creams, gels, liquids and pastes can't have more than 3.4 ounces. They must also fit in a quart-size bag if travelers want to bring them in their carry-on bag. That can mean rethinking everything in the whole beauty, hair care, medical and skin care arsenal.

Travelers should doublecheck rules and restrictions with their airline, airport or travel destination.

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Travel-size skin care products

Most people already have their own skin care routine. Fortunately, many products likely used are also sold in travel-ready sizes.

If travelers can’t find their favorite products, Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, a travel expert and Instagram influencer, recommends packing them in their own travel-sized containers.

Un poco travel-size skin care products people may need include:

Protector solar

For Greaves-Gabbadon, who lives in Miami and travels frequently to the Caribbean, sunscreen is a must. It helps to do a little research here, since different ingredients might work better on different skin types.

A travel-size sunscreen that is broad spectrum and water resistant with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher is a great space-saving product. Sunscreen should be applied every day, whether it's sunny out or not. People can take other sun protection measures, too, including hats and long-sleeved shirts.

Face masks

The humidity in aircraft cabins is low, which can lead to skin dryness. For some relief support, Palepu recommends traveling with a hydrating mascarilla facial. “I like to give my skin a heavy drenching after a long flight,” she says.

Muchas travel-size mask products can be found at local drugstores, but regular sheet masks are perfectly fine as well.

Face lotions, moisturizers and serums

For even more hydration, people can bring a face serum that includes ingredients like ácido hialurónico to moisturize plump travel-worn skin. The regular size of many serums is less than 3.4 ounces, but it's important to check the container before packing it up.

For a full-body treatment, people can pack a travel-size lotion or moisturizer. The hands, arms and legs deserve a little hydration love, too.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, can be used to relieve dry skin, including on the lips and eyelids. It can also help heal injured skin, prevent chafing and rehydrate nails. Vaseline is a great, hard-working skin care product to keep in the toiletry bag.

Face wash and wipes

Rather than pack a bulky bottle, Palepu uses cleansing wipes to remove dirt, oil and makeup from her face while traveling. They are mess- and hassle-free, so they can easily be used while on the go.

Most face wipes come in flat packaging, which means they can effortlessly slide into a pocket in a carry-on bag. They may also fit nicely in a purse or other personal carry-on item. There are also plenty of travel-size face washes available for when travelers reach their destination and are near a sink.

Travel-size hair care products

Much like skin care products, many hair care products come in travel-friendly carry-on sizes.

Shampoo and conditioner

Although many hotels and Airbnb homes will come stocked with champú y acondicionador, it's a great idea for travelers to bring their own. (Different ingredients tend to work better for different hair types.) Dry shampoo is also a handy tool to have for a quick refresh or touch-ups.

Hair oil

Traveling with tons of styling products can mean a bulky bag. Instead, Palepu recommends bringing a hair oil. Not only is it great for scalp massages and split-end repair, but it can also be used for a simple updo. "I will use a dab of hair oil to do a slicked-back bun," says Palepu.

Tratamientos para el cabello

Travelers may need a bit more styling assistance than that. Some curl enhancement, a volumizing mousse or a nourishing hair mask can help after a long journey. People can also find travel-size hair treatment products that won’t take up too much space in their carry-on luggage.

Travel-size first aid supplies and medications

The TSA doesn't require passengers to carry medication in prescription bottles. But states have individual laws governing how prescription medications must be labeled.

To be safe, Greaves-Gabbadon recommends traveling with prescriptions in their original bottles. Palepu recommends having a health care provider write a note. This is especially important if the medication is in liquid form or needs to be kept refrigerated.

When it comes to travel-size OTC medications and supplies, it's best to travel with the items regularly found in a medicine cabinet. Some examples include allergy medication, antibiotic ointment, vendas y analgésicos. If travelers are considering something new for their trip, it’s important they speak with a health care provider first.

Analgésicos

Although there will likely be pharmacies wherever someone lands, it doesn’t hurt to pack a small supply of travel-size pain relievers. They can be especially helpful if someone's prone to headaches on airplanes. They can also help when people visit places where they're unfamiliar with the names or dosages of medications.

Allergy medicine

Palepu packs some allergy medicine if it’s allergy season or if she’s staying with a friend who has pets.

Desinfectante para manos

Given the close quarters, people tend to worry about getting sick on airplanes - especially when placed in close contact with someone who's ill and contagious. Airports in general, some with hundreds of thousands of people passing through in a day, can be germ havens.

To avoid catching something, it's important for people to wash their hands regularly. If soap and water aren't available, they can use an alcohol-based desinfectante para manos with at least 60 percent alcohol. They might also clean the surrounding environment with a travel-sized wipe.

Heartburn and gas relief support products

Traveling can throw off the digestive system and eating habits. This is especially true if people splurge on foods they'd normally avoid or if they're feeling stressed out about the trip.

To help with discomfort caused by acid reflux or heartburn, people may want to travel with the heartburn and digestion support products that work best for them.

Melatonin and sleep aids

While taking a trip can be exciting, it can also result in jet lag, which may throw off someone's circadian rhythm (or internal clock) when they're traveling to another time zone. There's always a chance of being on a flight with agitated babies, loud snorers and rowdy groups of people. These passengers may prevent people from getting a little shut-eye on a long flight.

Melatonin specifically may help with jet lag. While the normal-size containers should be carry-on friendly, some do come in even smaller containers. It also doesn't hurt to throw an eye mask and earplugs into the mix, either. As a reminder, people should talk to a health care provider before using any OTC sleep aids.

Travel-size beauty and makeup products

When it comes to beauty and makeup items, Palepu recommends packing for "the person you are, not the person you want to be." Which is to say, a destination wedding might not be the place to try out those fake freckles someone saw trending on TikTok.

Keep things simple, suggests Greaves-Gabbadon. Bolsos beauty and makeup items in their own quart-size bag. This helps them to be easily removed if someone get flagged by TSA. It also makes for easy access if they need to freshen up on their journey.

Base

When packing makeup, Palepu tries to combine skin care with beauty products. This helps to maximize the space in her toiletry bag.

People can look for a base that can be used for concealer, full facial coverage and skin care all at once.

Kits or palettes

To avoid traveling with a lot of liquids or containers, it might be helpful to just bring one kit or palette.

Bálsamo labial

As already mentioned, traveling can be pretty dehydrating. People can give their lips a little love, and sometimes a pop of color, with a hydrating lip balm. These are typically small, so there's no need for a specific travel-size version. People can reapply every couple of hours to prevent their lips from drying out again.

Perfume

If someone wants to smell good during their travels, they can pack a small roll-on perfume. A full bottle may be too big for a carry-on. It can also be breakable if it's in a glass container.

Travel-size oral care products and toothpaste

Keeping the mouth clean and fresh on the journey is also important. Oral care products come in travel sizes, too.

Most of the big pasta dental brands (think Colgate, Crest and Sensodyne) come in travel sizes. While small, they can last for quite a long time. Travelers can also bring tiny bottles of mouthwash and get a nice travel toothbrush case or cover (discover our guide on how to floss properly for more tips)

Packing and organizing travel-size toiletries

Toiletries should be the last item people add to their carry-on bag, explains Greaves-Gabbadon.

That way, they can easily be removed during security checks and for on-the-go touch-ups and hygiene refreshers. People should consider including feminine care products as well. It also makes sense to separate aerosols, gels and liquids from dry goods, powders and other toiletries.

Some items that may help people pack smarter include:

• Travel-size storage containers. Travel-size containers or tubes can be used to store special liquids that don't come in travel-size versions. People can fill them up with their preferred face creams, lotions, shampoos and more.
• Makeup bag. The TSA limits the aerosols, gels and liquids in a carry-on to 3.4-ounce containers that can all fit in a quart-size bag. A clear toiletry or makeup bag of 1 quart size can be helpful in making sure people are compliant with this TSA rule, however, it is always important to check the specific rules of your airline, airport or destination.

"There is so much about travel that is out of your control," says Palepu. "But what I put in my suitcase is in my control."