Learn how to pack these essential travel toiletries and download a handy travel toiletries checklist here.
Essential Travel Toiletries to Pack for a Trip
The world is split into two types of people. Those who get by with just a bar of soap. And those who rely on a more detailed set of travel toiletries.
When it comes to packing toiletries for travel, it helps to have a toiletries checklist. You can get your copy of that here.
It also helps to have some tips and tricks. I’ve spent decades gadding about as a professional travel writer and I’ve made all the mistakes you can make. Getting ready for a new trip can be exciting. But quite hard at the same time if you find yourself with goop spread across the inside of your suitcase or you’re missing a lotion that your skin depends on.
It sounds hard to believe, but you can narrow it down only to a few essential travel toiletries. This way, you can travel lighter and leave more room for great souvenirs.
I have a foolproof method that helps me pack the most important things for my travels, and today I am happy to share it with you.
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What do you mean by toiletries?
What are we talking about when it comes to travel toiletries anyway?
The general concept of toiletries refers to substances and tools you use to take care of your body. It is the arsenal of cosmetic products designed to keep you clean and well-groomed. Or, as Cambridge Dictionary explains, prevent you from smelling unpleasant.
Yet, other objects came to be included in this category, like a hair drier, a curling iron, or makeup. The reason? They usually go together in the travel bag.
Taking Toiletries on a Plane: What Are the Rules?
Airports have strict check-in rules, especially when it comes to transporting liquids. So, the first step before packing for your upcoming trip is to check your airline’s website for the travelling rules they have. The problem is with liquid toiletries, as you can carry only a limited volume in your hand luggage.
Most companies will let you bring up to 100 mL in your carry-on bag. If you bring more than that, you will need to put them in your checked bag. In both cases, you must place them in a ziplock bag to avoid spillage.
Airport security is pretty strict, so you should pack only travel essentials if you don’t want to pay more to have your bag checked.
Moreover, for long flights, you may need to have your toiletry bag at hand for a quick freshen-up, so you should ensure it goes in your carry-on.
Here’s a guide to the best carry on luggage for women to help you prepare for your next trip.
Note: the rules around taking liquids on planes are changing as of June 2024 with the installation of new technology at major airports across the UK and beyond. This requirement to remove liquids from your carry on luggage when you pass through security will eventually be lifted, and the 100ml limit will be extended to 2 litres. However, there’s no firm date for this and so, in the meantime, it’s best to play safe and play by the old rules. You can find more information about the changing restrictions here.
Packing Your Travel Toiletries
This method isn’t complicated at all. The secret lies in establishing some categories and identifying the specific items that go into each of them.
Tip: I always try to reduce the volume of liquids to the bare minimum. So, I recommend replacing liquid toiletries with their solid equivalents every time it is possible.
Oral Care Products
Toothpaste and toothbrushes are not always provided by hotels, so you should bring some with you. One option would be to pack a regular toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste.
But, to save room for other liquids, you can also throw some toothpaste tablets in a small bag. They are compact and easy to use on the way, especially if you go camping.
I also pack dental floss for dental hygiene. And mouthwash. You can’t put a price on your health and, having once developed a dental abscess in Mexico years ago, I’d rather not go through that again.
Face & Body Wash Products
These travel toiletries are the easiest to leave at home. I never carry body wash with me unless I’m self-catering (in which case, you need the self-catering checklist) as you can easily find a decent brand in any hotel. Unless you have sensitive skin, you can double the body wash as a face wash and have one personal item less to pack.
If you do have sensitive skin, however, it makes sense to bring your own facial cleanser. I now have rosacea so benefit from cleansers like cetaphil.
Skincare Products
If you have a polished skincare routine, then it’s tempting to throw all your favourite beauty products into your luggage. But not even the best toiletry bag can hold everything, so it’s a good idea to slim things down.
For example, instead of packing a body lotion, a facial moisturiser, and an eye cream, why not go with a natural oil (olive or coconut) and cover more areas? You can even use it on your hair at the end of the day and have a glamorous look as you leave your hotel room the next morning.
Tip: Natural oil can even replace lip balm.
I also tend to leave face wipes and face masks at home. It’s just one more thing to carry.
Hair Care Products
Hotel shampoo is often decent, so you can rely on it to keep your hair clean and nice. But you have other options if you are staying at an Airbnb, for example, and are not sure you will find shampoo there.
You can pack dry shampoo or a solid shampoo bar to reduce liquid volume. If you are loyal to a certain liquid shampoo brand, at least make sure you buy it in travel size.
If you have long hair that needs extra care to stay detangled, you can use hair oil instead of conditioner, which can be the same as the oil you use for your body.
For special events taking place during your travel, you can bring hair spray. Yet, if you are just visiting and eating out, it may not be worth carrying it to another country.
Makeup
Consider replacing your liquid foundation with a solid or powder product. If not, buy a travel-size container and carry with you just enough foundation you will need for the trip.
Bear in mind that in hot countries, you will sweat (sorry, glow) and your make-up is quite likely to slide off. If you’re heading somewhere hot and humid, perhaps leave it at home.
If you’re a TV broadcaster heading on a business trip, well, make room for the magic stuff.
Perfumes & Deodorants
No one likes to smell bad, so make sure that your deodorant makes it onto your travel toiletries checklist.
Stick deodorants are easiest to transport but you can also take aerosols, too.
When it comes to perfumes, take a travel-sized version of your favourite or else just leave it at home. Lots of people find that they develop sensitive skin in different climates with perfume, so it’s rarely a handy thing to have with you.
Other Accessories
Your toiletry kit could also include hand sanitiser, nail clippers, or hair ties. If you will be sleeping in a tent, then packing toilet paper and a first aid kit may not be a bad idea. You can also bring your hair drier, but if you’ve booked a hotel room, this may not be necessary.
On top of that, I’d add tweezers, sunscreen and a pot of vaseline to cover most eventualities.
How to Pack to Save Space
The number of essential toiletries you should take with you depends on a series of factors.
Will it be a short trip or a longer trip? Is it just a weekend getaway? Where will you be staying, and what toiletries you can find there? Ask yourself these questions and use your common sense to determine what to bring with you.
Also, to save space in your small bag, buy a set of reusable travel bottles and don’t carry a lot of shampoo or body lotion across the world.
Your Travel Toiletries Packing List
Here’s the travel toiletries checklist at a glance. Don’t forget you can download the full travel toiletries packing list here.
Oral Care Products
- Toothpaste/ Toothpaste tablets
- Toothbrush
- Mouthwash
- Dental floss
Face & Body Wash Products
- Body Wash
- Soap
- Oil
- Loofah (pocket size)
- Face Wash/Scrub
- Feminine Wash
- Shaving Cream
- Razor
- Hair Removal Cream
Skincare Products
- Eye Cream
- Face Moisturizer
- Body Moisturizer
- Body Powder
- Sunblock
- Hand Moisturizer
- Hand Sanitizer
Hair Care Products
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Leave in Conditioner
- Dry Shampoo
- Styling Gel/Mousse
- Hair Spray
- Hair Smoothing Cream
Makeup
- Makeup
- Makeup Remover
Perfumes & Deodorants
- Perfume (not really recommended)
- Deodorant (highly recommended)
Other Accessories
- Comb/Brush
- Styling Brush/Styling Comb
- Flat Iron/Straightener
- Blow Dryer
- Curling Iron
- Nail clippers
- Toilet paper
- First-aid kit
- Hair ties
It would be remiss of me as a former doctor, not to highlight the need for sunscreen. Sure, not every time you pack your toiletries for travel will mean you are heading to a sun-drenched paradise. Speaking of, check out our guide to packing for a cruise here.
But, we’re advised to wear SPF 15 on most days, even the cloudy ones in Britain (and there are a lot of cloudy days.) So make sure you have at least that, if not higher, in your toiletries bag.
Likewise, check if you will need bug spray, especially if you’re heading to a country where mosquitoes carry diseases.
Handy Packing Gadgets for Travel Toiletries
Beyond the toiletries themselves, there are a few handy gadgets you should consider packing to make your life easier.
A Hanging Travel Wash Bag
A hanging travel wash bag can be a lifesaver if you want to have all of your toiletries on hand when taking a shower but don’t wan’t the hassle of unpacking them all in the bathroom first.
Refillable Travel Toiletries Bottles
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, when it comes to packing liquids, it’s best to travel light. If you’re someone who relies on specific products, refillable travel toiletries bottles are the perfect solution.
A Toothbrush Cover
Small but mighty, a toothbrush cover takes up almost no space but can make you feel much better about the hygienic implications of transporting your toothbrush all over the place.
Personally, I’ve never been bothered either way but I know plenty of people who swear by them!
