The Travel-Sized Beauty Products I Pack for Every Trip

You might not think glass skin is possible while traveling with all the potential stress-inducing X factors, but Anua has come to our rescue with this PDRN cream. If you’re not yet familiar, PDRN is a salmon sperm–based skin care ingredient lauded for its healing capabilities. It was initially intended for use after treatments that disrupt the skin barrier, like microneedling, but it’s started showing up in many Korean skin care products. Aside from the skin-calming effect from the PDRN, the 10 types of hyaluronic acid in this cream deeply hydrate, while collagen helps smooth and strengthen the skin.

This cream absorbs into my skin so fast, yet still leaves it feeling (and looking) plump and glowy. I love to layer it on at night and wake up to that glass-skin effect in the morning. It also works well under makeup.

If you’re someone who tends to break out when they travel (raises hand) or experience rosacea flares, then this moisturizer is for you. It will help repair a damaged skin barrier as well, say, after you’ve spent too much time in the sun without reapplying SPF.

I used to be a die-hard cleansing balm person until I tried this cleansing oil from Sulwhasoo. This Korean skin care gem works just as hard as the best cleansing balms I’ve tried but feels lighter on the skin, and genuinely leaves it more hydrated after I’ve washed it off. 

When I first pumped it into my hand, I thought there was no way it could be effective because it was so watery, but the second it touches actual water, it foams beautifully while melting away even the most stubborn waterproof makeup. It has a lovely light, fresh scent as well, but I understand some of you may prefer to keep it fragrance-free. 

I try to use it a few times a week before I travel, so my sebum is already in check before the chaos starts. And if your skin reacts on the way, the green tea in the formula will help calm any redness. It also leaves my skin brighter, which is always what you want when taking photos on vacation.

Milky sunscreens are all the rage right now; they blend in quickly and seamlessly, leave behind a lit-from-within glow, help makeup look flawless, and rarely leave a white cast. I’ve tried several, but this one from Korres stands out from the rest. It has a high broad-spectrum SPF, yet feels like nothing on the skin. It also disappears completely within seconds of rubbing it in.

It’s filled with skin-loving ingredients, like niacinamide and yogurt, which contains proteins and probiotics to protect and nourish. There’s also 10 percent zinc oxide in there, a mineral sunscreen that acts as a physical sun barrier from the minute you put it on.

You know when you need to run out the door only to remember you forgot to put on sunscreen? Happens to me at least once a week, but this SPF mist comes to my rescue. It feels incredibly light (unlike some body sunscreen sprays, IYKYK), dries so fast, and even acts like a setting spray or primer. It’s ideal for everyday use and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

It’s also a chemical sunscreen, so you should wait 15 minutes before heading out into the sun for it to be effective.

In case you haven’t tried it yet, the hype over Supergoop’s sunscreen is real. This stuff feels incredible and makes my skin look better than I thought it could without makeup. The mattescreen variety is ideal if you have oily skin or want a sunscreen that acts like a primer (aka blurs pores). It comes in four shades designed to adjust to your exact tone in 60 seconds and leaves skin looking velvety smooth. I love that it’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, but I do wish you got more product for the price.

Tinted sunscreen doesn’t always mean a sunscreen that acts like makeup; in this case, it’s more about its ability to disappear into the skin. EltaMD’s formula does that with aplomb and feels amazing on the skin.

It comes in two “universal” shade ranges designed to blend into every skin tone as well as a clear variety that just vanishes. It leaves behind a lovely glow that looks gorgeous under makeup (it’s a great primer), and never feels sticky or tacky. “A tinted mineral sunscreen is one of my favorite multitaskers because it gives sun protection, light coverage, and helps streamline makeup,” says Libby.

I particularly like that it’s safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin (no excessively oily formula here). It also includes niacinamide to help mitigate any redness. While it is somewhat pricey, a little goes a long way. It also isn’t water-resistant, so best for days when you won’t be beaching or sweating much.

I love that it’s cruelty-free, free from parabens and sulfates, and the bottles are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.

Taking aerosols on a plane can be tricky. I’ve never been flagged by TSA with a mini-sized one, but anything teetering on the 3.4 oz line can be confiscated. This nonaerosol dry shampoo from K18 is the perfect compromise. It gives you all the benefits of a great aerosol dry shampoo (no white cast, a clean-scalp feel, lift at the roots) without the strong spray factor that can lead to buildup.

This leave-in conditioner is my secret weapon for keeping my hair frizz-free when I travel, even in humid climates. I put it in right after I shower (just a dime-sized amount), then style as usual, and my normally frizz-prone hair stays smooth. The delightful-smelling formula (think elevated floral/woodsy) also protects hair from heat and breakage. 

If you want a bit more frizz control and added shine, the hair oil in this pair is the answer. The oils in the formula act like a hydrating shield against frizz-causing humidity. It even makes my hair color look more vibrant. 

Sure, hotels (and some vacation rentals) provide shampoo and conditioner, but you never know what you’re going to get. Sometimes it’s lovely and luxurious; other times it’s, well, not. If you’d rather not take a chance, I highly recommend bringing this compact shampoo-and-conditioner set with you. Monday is a great, budget-friendly hair care line, and its shampoo and conditioner truly feel more expensive than they are. 

The formula contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter for nourishing moisture that also smooths strands. It doesn’t contain sulfates or parabens, is pH-balanced, and dermatologist-tested.

Traditional deodorant is all fine and dandy, but what about when you need it in places other than your pits? There aren’t a ton of mini-sized options available in the full-body deo category yet, but these wipes fit the bill. They’re aluminum-, paraben-, and sulfate-free, and come in three refreshing but not overpowering scents.

I love that you can just tear one off, slip it into even the smallest purse, then take a quick trip to the restroom to refresh any part of yourself. When traveling in the summer, especially via long car rides, a deodorant you can use anywhere to mop up sweat and odor can be a lifesaver.

Real talk: Chafing happens when it’s hot outside. No matter your body type, you’ve likely experienced that horrible sticky burning sensation at one point or another. Thankfully, Megababe caught on to this predicament and created this cute little anti-chafing stick. It’s derm- and gynecologist-approved, so it’s safe to use near your nethers, and the formula includes ingredients like aloe and grapeseed oil to create glide and soothe on contact. I love that it’s aluminum-free, never feels greasy, and fits in practically anywhere, even a jean pocket.