Summer is almost here, and that means sun, sea, sand and much-needed holidays. Yay! That brings a few skincare travelling tips questions: how do you pack your skincare for travelling? What are you going to bring with you in your carry-on bag? What are you going to leave at home?
You definitely need sunscreen. And a cleanser. And an anti-aging serum. And, your entire skincare routine, basically. But how to make it all fit into a small carry-on bag – and without breaking the draconian restrictions on liquids, too? You need to pack smart, my beautiful friend. Here are my top skincare travelling tips and how to pack your skincare products with you when you go on holiday:
Skincare Travelling Tip #1: Figure Out What You Need
Everything, I know. But you can’t bring everything, so let’s start with the essentials. Mine are a cleanser, a moisturizing sunscreen, an antioxidant serum, a lip balm, a night cream, and a body lotion. Your list may be different. For example, if you have dry skin, you’ll want to pack your fave daytime moisturizer or hydrating serum to the list.
Don’t forget to bring along any prescription products you’re using. If you suffer from acne, it would be a good idea to pack a salicylic acid exfoliant or your fave spot treatment. If you’re mid-treatment with something like tretinoin or azelaic acid, don’t skip it. Just make sure you also pack a barrier-repairing moisturizer and layer on SPF religiously. Traveling can throw your skin out of whack, so keep your routine as close to normal as possible (within reason).
What to leave at home? Toners, eye creams, masks, scrubs, and even most serums can be left at home. Most hotels provide shampoos and body washes, so there’s no need to bring those too. I never do.
Related: 5 Unnecessary Skincare Products You Shouldn’t Waste Your Money On
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Skincare Travelling Tip #2: Choose The Right Products
Now you know what to bring along, make sure those products are suitable for the climate of your destination. If you’re going somewhere hot and humid, go with a lightweight moisturizer. But if the weather’s dry and cold, you’d better pack a heavier moisturizer or you’ll return home with dry and flaky patches on your skin!
Also think about how much time you’ll actually be outside. If you’re walking around all day sightseeing or hiking or just sweating through a new city, bring a sunscreen that can keep up: something long-wearing, water-resistant, and with solid UVA protection (not just a random SPF number slapped on the front). Reapplying SPF? You better. Bring one you’ll actually use on top of makeup, like a mist or a cushion compact. If it feels annoying or sticky, you won’t do it.
Doing more of a city trip? Pollution is a thing. Grab a serum with antioxidants like niacinamide or green tea. They’re like a shield against all the grime your face is gonna collect from traffic fumes and general city grossness.
And don’t forget the A/C. Planes, hotels, taxis… it’s cold air 24/7, and it dries you out fast. Toss in a facial mist or a light hydrating serum, something that gives your skin a quick drink without feeling greasy. And if your trip has you bouncing from beach to mountains, don’t pack one heavy-duty cream and call it a day. Go for stuff you can layer. A light serum plus a midweight cream gives you options. Travel skincare needs to be flexible, just like your outfit changes.
Skincare Travelling Tip #3: Switch Liquids With Solids
If you can, opt for solids or even wipes instead of liquids. They’ll definitely get past security and there are no restrictions on them. If you prefer to bring along your own shampoo and body wash, make a trip to a Lush store beforehand. They have so many cute bath & body products that work really well and are airplane-friendly, too. If you don’t wear much makeup, you can also take your cleansing wipes with you (but only if the trip is short!).
Here’s something no one talks about: solids make packing so much easier. No leaks, no plastic bag drama, no “oh crap, this is 120ml” panic. You just chuck them in your bag and move on with your life. Plus, most of them last forever. A shampoo bar can outlive three mini bottles easy. And if you’re going somewhere a bit wild (like camping, road-tripping, or staying somewhere without a proper bathroom), a solid cleanser or balm means you’re not screwed if there’s no running water.
Skincare Travelling Tip #4: Opt For Multitasking Products
Another trick I use to save time in my carry-on bag is to opt for multi-tasking products, like a tinted moisturizer or BB Cream. If I bring my own conditioner, I’ll also use it as shaving cream (makes my skin so soft!). Other great multitaskers: cleansing balm that doubles as a hydrating mask, a lip balm you can use on cuticles, or even a facial oil that works on split ends. The goal? One product, multiple uses, minimal clutter.
Skincare Travelling Tip #5: Go Mini
Even if you don’t break the liquid restrictions, skincare products are so heavy they can make you go over the weight limit for your luggage. I don’t want to risk paying a heavy fine because my suitcase slightly exceeds the weight limitation, so I leave my full-size products at home.
But I still want to bring their contents with me, so I pour them into handy travel-size containers. This trick is also handy if you can’t bare the thought of leaving that beloved mask or toner at home. Just make sure they all fit into a quart-size zip lock bag. Oh, none of the individual products can exceed 100ml. Yes, these silly rules were obviously made by men.
If you’re not a fan of decanting, you can go to your fave beauty store or ask for samples. Some brands also sell travel kits with sample sizes of their best-sellers. It’s a great way to try them without breaking the bank. And here’s a sneaky trick: hit up beauty counters right before your trip and ask for samples of products you already love. You’d be surprised how generous some brands can be-especially if you’re a regular customer.
Wait… Can I Just Skip Skincare While I Travel?
Sure. If you want your face to rebel. Travel messes everything up (sleep, food, water, your entire vibe), and your skin’s like “excuse me??” Breakouts, dry patches, random irritation… it’s all fair game. You don’t need your full routine, but bring the stuff that keeps your face from falling apart. Cleanser, SPF, and something that hydrates. That’s it. Treat it like brushing your teeth – basic survival, not self-care.
Should I Bring My Actives Or Leave Them At Home?
If they’re strong (like retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C), you might wanna skip them. Travel already messes with your skin. You’re tired, dehydrated, probably eating weird stuff, and your skin’s like “what the hell is going on.” Tossing actives on top of that can make it freak out even more.
If your skin’s super chill and used to them, cool, maybe you bring one. But if you’re going somewhere hot, sunny, or your skin’s already acting up? Leave it. Bring something calming instead, like azelaic acid or niacinamide. They still do something, but won’t push your skin over the edge.
And if you’re on a prescription and have to bring it? Just drown yourself in SPF. Like, bring the one you’ll actually reapply, not the one that looks cute in your bag and never gets used.
How To Deal With Leaks (Because Nobody Wants Sunscreen All Over Their Clothes)
One word: decant with protection. If you’re transferring products into smaller containers, don’t forget to tape the lids or use a bit of plastic wrap under the cap before screwing it shut. For store-bought minis, pop each bottle into its own zip-top bag. Yes, it’s annoying. Yes, it saves your clothes from being ruined by exploding moisturizer. Thank me later.
Can I Bring Sheet Masks On A Plane?
Yes, and they’re actually one of the best things you can pack. Sheet masks are individually packaged, under 100ml, and won’t count toward your liquids if they’re sealed. On long-haul flights, they can help rehydrate your face and make you feel like less of a crusty goblin when you land. Bonus points if you refrigerate them before the flight for a cooling treat. Just maybe don’t slap one on mid-flight unless you want to scare your seatmate.
Do I Need To Change My Routine While I’m Away?
Not unless you’re going somewhere totally different. if it’s just a couple days, bring what you always use and call it a day. But if you’re heading somewhere super hot, freezing, dry, whatever – yeah, maybe leave the spicy stuff at home. Your skin’s already gonna be confused. Just keep it simple, keep it calm, and don’t bring anything that’s ever pissed your face off before. Now is not the time to experiment.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to pack your whole bathroom. Just bring what actually keeps your skin from losing its mind. Sunscreen, something to wash your face, something that hydrates. That’s it. Don’t overthink it, don’t start testing new stuff, and for the love of god, reapply your SPF. The end.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
