11 space-saving, travel-sized beauty essentials to help downsize your routine

11 space-saving, travel-sized beauty essentials to help downsize your routine

Credit: Courtesy of brands

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11 space-saving, travel-sized beauty essentials to help downsize your routine

By Holly Bullock

2 years ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

3 min read

Always find your liquids bag is overstuffed at the last minute? These space-saving beauty essentials will help you slim down your skin and body care routine for low-stress packing.


Does anyone really like packing? Sure, choosing outfits for a trip might (might) be fun, but if you’re flying short-haul without a checked-in bag – and therefore can’t decant your bathroom cupboard into a wash bag and call it a day – downsizing your beauty routine to fit into a 20x20cm freezer bag never feels easy.

Whether you end up shedding essentials or being overly optimistic about what you can squeeze in – only to find yourself urgently disposing of excess products in the line for airport security – finding solutions that work can be tricky.

UK airports may be set to let go of the 100ml rule in 2024, but until then, the good news is that miniature-sized multi-tasking products do exist, and they can make your night-before packing feel infinitely more simple. Whether it’s serum in capsules that can be decanted by the day, under-eye masks that will instantly refresh air-con-struck under eyes, the chicest mini toothpaste around or a shampoo bar that will save on liquids, here are the washbag essentials we’ll be relying on this summer…

L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil

L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil

More nourishing than a typical shower gel, this shower oil works like an oil cleanser for the face, transforming into foamy milk when it hits water to gently clean without stripping. Plus, the marzipan-esque almond scent is heavenly.

Shop L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil at L’Occitane, £7

Buy now

Gallinée Prebiotic Cleansing Bar

Gallinée Prebiotic Cleansing Bar

Formulated to suit the face and body, this gentle bar can be used in place of a typical cleanser, with a mix of prebiotics to support the skin barrier and lactic acid to exfoliate.

Shop Gallinée Prebiotic Cleansing Bar at Cult Beauty, £13

Buy now

No7 Advanced Ingredients Facial Capsules

No7 Advanced Ingredients Facial Capsules

Glass serum bottles can be difficult to transport, which is what makes these vitamin C capsules so well suited to travel. Just add a capsule for every day you’ll be away and break off the top when you’re ready to use.

Shop No7 Advanced Ingredients Facial Capsules at Boots, £19.95

Buy now

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF50

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF50

Supergoop’s white cast-free facial SPF has won a legion of fans thanks to its lightweight, invisible texture – and this mini travel size makes the perfect holiday sun cream.

Shop Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF50 at Cult Beauty, £17

Buy now

The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA

The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA

If your skin gets dehydrated or dry from air-con and SPF reapplication, this simple, unscented moisturiser will add plumpness with a hydrating layer of hyaluronic acid and amino acids.
Buy now

Marvis Travel Ginger Mint Toothpaste

Marvis Travel Ginger Mint Toothpaste

This cult toothpaste brand is renowned for its chic packaging and interesting flavours – its mini ginger mint tube is a step up from the classic mint.

Shop Marvis Travel Ginger Mint Toothpaste at Look Fantastic, £3.85

Buy now

JVN Hair Complete Conditioning Mist

JVN Hair Complete Conditioning Mist

Tend to air dry your hair more on holiday? Jonathan Van Ness’s JVN travel-sized conditioning mist will help hair feel smoother and more hydrated with hemisqualane and hyaluronic acid.

Shop JVN Hair Complete Conditioning Mist at Space NK, £10

Buy now

Jo Loves Hand Sanitiser and Hand Lotion Duo

Jo Loves Hand Sanitiser and Hand Lotion Duo

Hand sanitiser might be a travel essential, but alcohol-heavy formulas can be drying – this duo tube from Jo Malone-founded Jo Loves is ideal for cleaning and nourishing parched hands, with a spicy scent you’ll quickly fall for. 

Shop Jo Loves Hand Sanitiser and Hand Lotion Duo at Space NK, £25

Buy now

111Skin Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Mask

111Skin Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Mask

If eye cream feels too bulky to merit a spot in your liquids bag, these refreshing under-eye patches make the perfect stand-in for instantly pepping up tired skin after a flight or long day.

Shop 111Skin Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Mask at Selfridges, £12

Buy now

Rowse Perfect Balance Shampoo Bar

Rowse Perfect Balance Shampoo Bar

Rather than taking a bottle of shampoo, packing a shampoo bar will help you cut down on liquids. This hydrating bar combines jojoba and avocado oil with shea butter to nourish hair while gently cleansing.

Shop Rowse Perfect Balance Shampoo Bar at Rowse, £23

Buy now

Topic Skincare Discovery Kit

Topic Skincare Discovery Kit

If you don’t have time to cherry-pick mini products, this customisable kit is for you – choose your skin type and fragrance preference (scented or unscented) and receive everything you need for a holiday skincare routine.

Shop Tropic Skincare Discovery Kit at Tropic, £30

Buy now

Images: courtesy of brands

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