If you travel a lot, you probably know the struggle: either your skincare routine falls apart on the road, or your suitcase turns into a sticky mess while you try to keep it going.
Honestly, I used to be a total mess myself when I traveled.
My combination skin already likes to change its mind, and a new climate, dry plane air and a different water supply don’t make it any calmer. With a handful of products and a routine I love, packing used to feel way more stressful than it should.
So here are the 5 tips that made packing skincare for travel so much easier for me – I hope they make your next trip simpler and a lot more enjoyable, too.
Tip #1: Switch From a Liquid Cleanser To a Balm Oil Cleanser
This is one of the first and simplest tips to try when packing skincare for travel.
If you’ve ever packed a liquid cleanser, you know how tricky it is.
Most cleanser bottles simply aren’t made for travel, so the caps loosen, the pressure changes, and you open your bag to find everything coated in foam.
Even a bit of tape around the lid doesn’t always save you, because suitcases get thrown around a lot more than we’d like to think (I learned that the hard way).
That’s why I switch to a cleansing balm. A lot of people think balm cleansers are only for dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin, but many of them are gentle enough to work for most skin types – my combination skin included.
The best part for travel? A balm is solid, so it won’t leak all over your clothes.
And if you’ve never used one, don’t worry – it’s just as easy as a regular cleanser. Massage it onto dry skin, add a little water so it turns milky, and rinse.
There are a lot of cleansing balms out there, so take a moment to read the ingredients and pick one that suits your skin (and if your skin is sensitive like mine, try it at home before the trip, not on day one of your vacation). If you’re not sure which type of cleanser your skin prefers in general, my guide on cleansing milk vs. face wash might help.
If you're shopping for your first one, a cleansing balm in a solid, screw-top tub is a travel-friendly pick that won't slosh around your bag.
Tip #2: Presoak Cotton Pads with Toner
If you’re on a long trip, you know that moment when you just want to freshen up – and toner is the perfect way to do it.
At home, most of us use cotton pads and a full-size toner bottle, which isn’t ideal for travel: it takes up space and, just like a liquid cleanser, it can leak.
Instead, presoak a few cotton pads with toner and seal them in a small zip-lock bag so the toner doesn’t evaporate.
I like to keep those little zip-lock packs together in a clear toiletry bag, so airport security is quick and nothing gets lost at the bottom of my suitcase.
I love how handy this is when I need to refresh my skin on the go – just grab a pad and swipe. Make only as many as you need for a few days, though, so they stay fresh and clean.
Tip #3: Pack Eye Cream in a Contact Lens Case
Traveling can be exhausting, but you don’t want to look tired when you’re heading somewhere important.
A lot of us think more product means better results, but with eye cream, a tiny amount really is enough.
That’s why there’s no need to bring the whole jar with you.
Instead, fill a clean contact lens case (a new one is best) with eye cream – just enough for the days you’re away. Use a clean fingertip or a little spatula so the cream stays hygienic.
If a lens case feels too improvised, a set of tiny travel jars works the same way and is great for small amounts of moisturizer too.
The mini package barely takes up any space, and it’s so easy to dab on the go.
Tip #4: Switch Facial Oils From Glass Bottles to Travel Dropper Bottles
Facial oils like rosehip seed oil, marula oil and jojoba oil usually come in glass bottles, which can easily break in a suitcase.
I’d rather not carry the original bottle around – one crack and it’s a headache for the rest of the trip.
If you travel often, decant just the amount you need into a small, leak-proof travel dropper bottle.
Little amber glass dropper bottles are perfect for this: they're small, they block light, and the droppers make it easy to use just a few drops.
Those dark glass bottles are there for a reason – they protect the oil from light – so pick an opaque travel bottle if you can, keep it away from heat and sun, and don’t pour the leftovers back into the original bottle. Small amounts also mean you’ll use them up while they’re fresh.
Tip #5: Mix Serum with Moisturizer
Mixing your serum with your moisturizer is my favorite shortcut when I’m traveling and don’t have time for a long skincare routine.
Just add a drop of your favorite serum to your moisturizer in your palm and apply them together. It lightens your travel bag and cuts your routine down to a minute.
At home, I still layer my products the usual way – serum first, then moisturizer (here’s my guide on how to layer skincare). Mixing is a travel shortcut, and I’d keep it to simple hydrating serums – strong actives like vitamin C or retinol are better applied on their own.
A simple hydrating option like a hyaluronic acid serum is my kind of travel serum, because it mixes easily into almost any moisturizer.
Bottom Line
These tips make packing skincare for travel so much easier than before.
You shouldn’t have to give up on your skincare just because you’re on the road – in fact, a simple, practical routine is what keeps my skin from getting stressed while I travel.
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