The Essential Toiletries for Travel

By Travel + Leisure and Travel + Leisure Staff
August 21, 2017
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Courtesy of Respective Brands
Admittedly, stocking your Dopp kit’s not the most exciting point to check off your pre-trip prep list. To which, we’re going to suggest something revolutionary.

Instead of making a drive-by to grab whatever’s available in the travel-sized aisle on your way to Departures, curate a set of your favorite indulgences in 3.4-ounces or less and keep it ready to go at a moment’s notice.

With better-than-everyday results and stylish packaging, you’ll see an opportunity to use these standout beauty and grooming products as a bonus, not a chore.

From cult-favorite creams to small-but-mighty styling tools, these are the tiny toiletries our editors couldn’t stop talking about. Check out the full line-up of 2017’s Ultimate Travel Essentials.
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SK-II Facial Treatment Mask

Credit: Courtesy of SK-II

SK-II’s masks live up to the hype, leaving skin soft and bright. Bonus: they tend to deter chatty seatmates.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $17

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Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Credit: Manfred Koh; Still Life Stylist: Judith Trezza with RJ Bennett Represents

Dab some on dry lips or use it to slick down unruly brows, soothe wind-chapped cheeks, or make calloused feet soft and sandal-ready.

To buy: target.com, $3

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Buly 1803 Pommade Concrète

Credit: Manfred Koh; Still Life Stylist: Judith Trezza with RJ Bennett Represents

This thick lotion’s delicate scent and painterly packaging are an instant mood-lifter during a long day of travel.

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $50

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Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloths

Credit: Courtesy of Koh Gen Do

Even waterproof mascara is no match for these hydrating cloths. They're formulated with mineral-rich water from the Yumura Hot Springs of Izumo, Japan and skin saviors like white birch sap, so you can cleanse and soothe all in one.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $39 for 3

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Laundress Stain Solution Packets

Credit: Courtesy of The Laundress

Keep a single-use packet in your carry-on in case of red-wine spills. It's a touch less convenient than pen-style stain removers, but in our tests it trounced the competition for actually undoing the damage wrought by Brunello and bolognese.

To buy: thelaunderess.com, $1

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Weleda Skin Food

Credit: Manfred Koh; Still Life Stylist: Judith Trezza with RJ Bennett Represents

This cult favorite is intended for body, but when the delicate skin on your face is parched after a long flight, a creamier moisturizer is vital. It goes on like spackle, but you're guaranteed to wake up glowy.

To buy: amazon.com, $12

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Avene Thermal Spring Water

Credit: Courtesy of Avène

Just one spritz takes you from haggard to dewy in an instant. Sure, it's a little silly to mist yourself with water mid-flight. But follow it up with a mask or a moisturizer and you'll be the lone passenger looking (and perhaps more importantly, feeling) fresh-faced after 15 hours in midair.

To buy: amazon.com, $9

8 of 17

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk Natural Tint

Credit: Courtesy of Klorane

Spray this stuff into greasy roots before bed and you'll wake up with fresh, bouncy hair — and no trace of white residue.

To buy: sephora.com, $10

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Sephora Collection Mini Blast Travel Ionic Blow Dryer

Credit: Manfred Koh; Still Life Stylist: Judith Trezza with RJ Bennett Represents

It’s as if Sephora hit your high-end Italian model with a shrink ray, making it tiny, light, and affordable without minimizing performance or design. With two speeds, 1,200 watts, dual-voltage capacity, and a rubberized matte finish, it’ll be your favorite travel accessory, even when you’re home.

To buy: sephora.com, $26

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Peter Thomas Roth

Credit: Courtesy of Peter Thomas Roth

Does anyone actually remember to reapply sunscreen? You will with this pocket-size brush-on version. Unlike lotion formulas, this kind won't spill in your bag, mess up your makeup, or leave you with a ghostly pallor.

To buy: sephora.com, $30

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Marvis Aquatic Mint

Credit: Courtesy of Marvis

Never underestimate the power of small indulgences — like fancy toothpaste — to make you feel human while traveling.

To buy: amazon.com, $6

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Jao Brand Refresher Not Just For Hands Sanitizer

Credit: Courtesy of Jao

This spray kills germs, smells good (it's made with essential oils like clary sage and lavender), and doesn’t sap your skin of moisture.

To buy: anthropologie.com, $10

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T3 Compact SinglePass

Credit: Courtesy of T3

This to-go straightener is smaller than most, and it auto-detects the appropriate voltage, so you’ll never have to pack a converter — or worse, fry your hair — again.

To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $89

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Mason Pearson Pocket Bristle Brush

Credit: Manfred Koh; Still Life Stylist: Judith Trezza with RJ Bennett Represents

Stylists swear by boar bristles for adding shine and bounce, and Mason Pearson's handmade brushes have long been the gold standard.

To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $120

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Kiehl's Crème With Silk Groom

Credit: Courtesy of Kiehl's

Use this non-greasy styling aid as a frizz tamer, beard conditioner, or a super-smoothing leave-in treatment.

To buy: kiehls.com, $24

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Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules

Credit: Courtesy of Elizabeth Arden

These single-use serum capsules are great for saving space in your Dopp kit: you can pack the exact number you need, and they give you extra insurance against spills. Twist one open daily to banish bags and dark circles.

To buy: elizabetharden.com, $60 for 60 capsules

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F'lint Retractable Lint Roller

Credit: Courtesy of Think Product Lab

This retractable roller is a must-have for business travelers — or really, anyone with an affinity for dark colors and pet cuddles. It makes quick work of lint removal, and the self-contained design won't stick to everything in your bag.

To buy: amazon.com, $10

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By Travel + Leisure and Travel + Leisure Staff