Exactly What a Seasoned Traveler Packs (& Doesn’t Pack) In Their Holiday Toiletries Bag
I'm Adore Beauty's resident beauty newbie. Before working at Adore, I was travelling the world for 4 months with just one tiny tube of Jurlique moisturiser. I washed my face with warm water and used olive oil as a deep conditioning treatment. Oh, how things have changed!
I’ve been travel-obsessed for as long as I can remember.
Was I always a beauty-obsessed? Nope.
I started working at Adore four years ago as a complete beauty newbie.
Pre-Adore, I would look at my face in the mirror after a trip to Asia and think, “what the hell are all those new brown spots on my face?”
Now? I know it’s pigmentation and - thank god - I know what products will help fade it.
I've spent more time overseas than at home in the last year, so if you're reading this looking for tips on what (and what not) to pack for an upcoming trip, I've got you.
Here's exactly what I pack for my travel skincare routine and travel haircare routine, along with some other toiletries tips so you save space for cute outfits!
What to Pack for the Plane.
Let's start from the moment you get on your flight.
Planes have very low levels of humidity, which causes the skin to feel super dry because it’s not retaining as much moisture.
You’ll also notice bloating on flights due to the pressure at high altitudes, which expands the trapped air in your gut.
Overall, I am usually extremely uncomfortable flying.
Here is what I pack in my carry-on toiletries to make it much more bearable:
1. Sheet mask.
Hada Labo Moisturising Facial Sheet Mask 20ml is my current favourite sheet mask because it contains their trademarked Super Hyaluronic Acid™.
This provides ultimate hydration, plus these sheet masks are super affordable.
2. A hydrating face mist.
Face mists not only add moisture to the skin, but they also wake you up after a lil nap.
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner 50ml is my pick because it comes in a 50ml size for travel.
3. A lip mask.
I never shut up about the cult Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 20g - it’s deeply hydrating with a combination of coconut oil, shea butter and murumuru seed butter.
4. Moisturiser.
I have oily skin, so I just bring my regular gel moisturiser. But dry skin-havers, pack Viviology Ceramide Moisturiser 50mL in your carry-on bag.
The thick but not too thick cream never feels greasy, and it’s 50ml, so perfect for carry-on.
5. Eye drops for dry eyes.
We don’t stock eye drops at Adore, but it’s a MUST for your carry-on.
Don’t forget to pack your glasses if you wear contact lenses like me.
6. Water.
You should drink a small bottle every hour or two. Also, try to avoid caffeine and alcohol which are both diuretics.
I always pay extra for an aisle seat so I can go to the bathroom whenever I want!
7. De-gas.
This contains simethicone which helps to break up the gas bubbles in your gut. Also try to also avoid fried foods and salt pre-flight.
Listen to more of Hannah's skin advice on how to prevent dryness and puffing when flying in the BIQ Uncensored podcast episode below:
What to Pack In Your Toiletries Bag.
First tip: Always pre-book 25kg of luggage if you're flying a budget airline.
Trust me, 25kg isn’t much, so my second tip? You have to prioritise based on your biggest beauty concerns.
As an example, makeup-wise, I’ll just pack Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil and Benefit Hoola Glow Shimmer Bronzer because I don’t really wear makeup on holidays.
My main concerns are managing my melasma (heat-induced hyperpigmentation) and my naturally-coarse, frizzy hair.
Identifying your main concerns will help ensure every product in your travel toiletries bag serves a purpose.
My Travel Skincare Routine.
As I’m usually trying to escape cold weather, my travel skin care is very much built around reducing the appearance of pigmentation, which flares up in the heat and sun.
Here’s what I pack in my skincare toiletries bag:
1. Gentle cleanser.
If you’re only bringing one cleanser, opt for a gentle one you can use daily.
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 250ml comes in multiple sizes, including a 50ml if you only have carry-on luggage.
2. A serum for hyperpigmentation.
I usually opt for a serum with multiple active ingredients to reduce the number of serums I need to pack.
Look for chemical exfoliants, vitamin C, antioxidants, retinoids and niacinamide.
These ingredients won’t just reduce the appearance of pigmentation, but they’ll also help with texture, brightness and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
I like these three serums because they’re packed with active ingredients:
- Aspect Pigment Punch+ 30ml contains vitamin C, a derivative of hydroquinone, an antioxidant, a peptide, niacinamide and lactic acid.
- Aesthetics Rx Ultimate Serum 30ml contains niacinamide, lactic and citric acids, salicylic acid and white mulberry, hibiscus and cucumber extracts.
- Alpha-H Midnight Reboot Serum 50ml contains granactive retinoid, glycolic acid, a peptide, an antioxidant and ferulic acid.
3. A hydrating serum (optional).
If you have space, make your second serum a hydrating one.
You’ll want to look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to keep your skin feeling healthy and happy.
- Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense is my bougie hydrating serum pick.
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - 30ml is my favourite affordable hyaluronic acid serum.
4. Gel moisturiser.
Humidity and hot weather can stimulate excess oil production, so I opt for a gel moisturiser when travelling.
I have two recommendations, both of these also give the skin a glowy, plump look:
5. A light body moisturiser.
It's tempting to forget about body cream, but if you're spending time outside in the sun and sea, it's a must.
CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion 236ml is the BEST for travel because you can use it for face and body.
It is ultra hydrating but lightweight, so perfect for hot weather. The pump can also be locked, so it won’t spill all over your toiletries bag.
6. Sunscreen.
I think everyone should find an SPF that they want to wear every day.
Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen 75ml is the one I pack.
The hydrating SPF 50+ also doubles as a lightweight moisturiser, and it's easy to reapply.
Oh, and don’t forget to pack a hat and sunnies!
7. Face tan (optional).
I’m so happy Adore are now stocking Tan-Luxe because, repeat after me, tanning is your skin cells in trauma.
TAN-LUXE THE FACE 30ml is my favourite face tan. It comes with me on every trip and is responsible for my holiday glow.
My Travel Hair Routine.
One of the reasons I love travelling is my hair always looks better.
I don’t know if it’s the sweat or the sea water, but there’s something about travelling that gives my curls more definition.
Curly and frizzy hair can be hard to manage, so here are my non-negotiable travel haircare products:
1. A shampoo suitable for daily use.
Don’t just pack your purple shampoo! You’ll want to have a shampoo you can use everyday.
Travelling in warm weather can make you sweat a lot, so you might find yourself washing your hair more frequently.
I'm in Bali right now and K18 Peptide pH maintenance Shampoo 250ml came with me, you can read my K18 review here.
2. Hydrating hair mask.
I have a few favourites to help manage that Hagrid hair frizz:
3. A detangling brush.
If you have long, thick or curly hair, The Wet Brush Original Detangler Classic - Black is a must.
I use this in the shower straight after applying my hair mask to get all the knots out of my hair.
4. A leave-in styling product.
Choose a styling cream based on your main hair concern. Here are my top picks:
- Kerastase Curl Manifesto Creme de Jour Anti-Frizz Cream 150 ml is your go-to if you’re looking for more defined curls.
- VIRTUE Un-Frizz Cream 120ml is my all-time favourite if you want to manage frizz and air dry your hair on holiday.
- Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Heat Protection & Frizz Reduction Nourishing Hair Serum is great if you’re looking for an all-rounder with a lighter serum texture.
5. My hair straightener.
No matter how light I need to pack, my straightener is coming with me.
GHD Unplugged Black Cordless Travel Hair Straightener would be a smart investment for regular travellers like me.
I try to leave my hair natural as much as possible, but a straightener always fixes a bad hair day.
And that’s it! Get yourself a functional toiletries bag and some packing cubes, and you're sweet!
P.S. A word of warning about over-packing.
Because I work in beauty, I usually bring more serums than I need and three different shampoos.
This is totally unnecessary, so it's always good to remember you can easily get away with travelling with only the products listed above (or less).
And always buy your bulky stuff like body wash once you arrive!
If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you’ve got a trip booked soon.
I hope you have the best time!! It’s well-deserved after the last couple of years.
Keen to know more of the products Hannah is using on her travels? Check out these
articles below:
