Toiletries Packing List

When it comes to packing lists, I operate under the assumption that if you pack underwear and your necessary toilette, you’ll survive. Clothes are much easier to find/replace than your personal care items (and undies are just a necessity to get anything done while traveling). With that in mind, I like to have a toiletries packing list to remember the basics, skip the un-necessities, and take care of everything in between.

Before breaking it down, I have to share how much I LOVE this toiletries bag. It’s roomy, malleable, and plastic-lined to prevent leaking outside of the bag. It’s also made with recycled plastic, making it a stylish recycled product!!

Toiletries Packing List

A few key things to nailing your toiletries packing list is to omit “extras” that might be nice but aren’t necessary and to downsize (literally – smaller sizes) as much as possible. You can check out my list of the best travel bottles and containers- all refillable. Some are generic containers, others are specific items from brands.

VITAMINS & MEDICATIONS – An obvious one, but the most important one on your toiletries packing list. Make sure to take enough for every day of travel. For International trips, we also like to put a few days of vitamins and medications in our carryons just in case our luggage gets lost (again!).

I like to use mini Stasher bags for my vitamins and medications – small, easy, and bendable – and it keeps everything safe and dry. Read my Stasher Bags review.

DENTAL CARE – a basic one. This includes floss, toothbrush, and toothpaste (travel size). Sadly the natural toothpastes we use don’t have a travel size, so I usually buy another brand. I also like to switch it out for these toothpaste tablets, however, which don’t take up much space and diminish in size with use. Also – not liquid!

My kiddo’s toothpaste is a tricky one. He doesn’t like the strong flavors of the available kids toothpastes in travel sizes. I usually just put some of his toothpaste into a little sealed travel container to use instead.

I did just discover (and order) these refillable toothpaste tubes, so that may be a revolutionary breakthrough if they’re as great as promised.

NAIL CLIPPERS, TWEEZERS, & RAZOR– small and wildly necessary when the time comes. Nail clippers, tweezers, and razors are allowed on planes (though sadly not safety razors as they have the removeable razor blades).

BAND AID & NEOSPORIN – I’m not usually one to plan for catastrophe (big or small), but a couple bandaids and some ointment take up such little room and we always end up having a need for at least one of them.

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER – If you’re ok with hotel offerings, then skip this one for sure, but me and my hair aren’t. I don’t do well with a strong scent and the “conditioning shampoo” situation just doesn’t work for all my hair.

The most sustainable option is to take shampoo and conditioner bars. You can read my shampoo bar review but just know I genuinely like them and you can already tell I’m picky.

The other option is to have refillable containers for your preferred products. Thankfully my beloved Innersense has travel sizes for mine that I can refill as needed from my refill pouches. Read my Innersense review here to see if they’re right for you!

MINI BAR SOAP – We love bar soaps and I’m often find with hotel offerings, but I always like to take a small one (a sample size or even just a small sliver form a bar at home) in case there isn’t one where we end up (and I’m yet to find a hotel or AirBnB with legitimately clean beauty natural bar soaps.

FACE WASH – Now we’re going to get into travel size items that are generally non-negotiables for people, including me. The Beautycounter Cleansing Oil is my tried and true. And I’m thrilled to have a travel size of my favorite skincare line.

For your cleanser, look at these silicone travel bottles.

TONER & SERUMS – I’m combining these together as my travel container recommendations will be the same. First of all, this is where we start to minimize if you’re a skincare lover like I am. Toner and my morning and evening serums are all I include in my toiletries packing list. Other favorite serums and even the best exfoliating mask will stay home awaiting for my return.

Sealed container with droppers are my go to for these types of liquid products. These amber glass bottles with droppers come in 0.5 and 1.0oz sizes and are perfect!

Find your perfect serum(s) in this post on the benefits of facial serum!

MOISTURIZERS – These containers are better for creams and thicker items (just make sure to get the lids on).

SPF – I’m a HUGE fan of SPF clean tinted moisturizer, using them as both SPF and part of my minimalist makeup routine (at home and when traveling). These don’t replace moisturizers in my skincare routine, but they happily do the SPF and the makeup step!

See why I stopped wearing foundation and now just use the tinted SPF option!

LOTION/OIL (SMALL) – This one is always the trickiest for me. I usually opt for a silicone travel bottle or a small container to put my lotion or body butter. There are lotion bars, but I fear they’d be too heavy for my skin.

HAIR STYLING PRODUCTS – this one is whatever you need. Again, try to cut back and use the fewest products as possible. Again, all my Innersense styling products are available in travel sizes (most refillable).

HAIR BRUSH/COMB – Take what you need. I’ve actually found a smaller hair brush that still wonderfully gets through my hair but takes up a little less room in my toiletries.

HAIR TIES & BOBBY PINS – the mandatory basics if you ever wear your hair back!

The only thing I will say about the makeup below is that I’ve now started using makeup that doesn’t require tools or brushes to apply, cutting way back on the space needed.

MASCARA – see the best natural mascara

BLUSH – cream blushes are buildable and a lifesaver. I love this blush stick (in couchette) and this liquid blush (in guava).

HIGHLIGHTER – Try a creamy highlighter balm like day glow.

BROW PENCIL – Love this all-in-one brow pencil by Westman Atelier.

Toiletries Packing List

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