I'm excited to share this list since I get a lot of messages asking my go-to products that I swear by. Here are my 10 Travel Beauty Essentials you need in 2021. These are always with me, no matter the destination.
1. SUNSCREEN
A good sunscreen is non-negotiable for me, and I believe it's the most essential "beauty" product one must-have. I love THINKSUN Every Day Face Sunscreen because it's free of harmful chemicals, incredibly moisturizing, and great for sensitive skin. Enriched with Vitamin C & E, this sunscreen is also water-resistant (80 minutes), designed for everyday use. (TSA compliant - 2fl oz). If you need something stronger, I highly recommend THINKBABY Safe Sunscreen. This award-winning sunscreen is technically made for babies but never underestimate its power.
2. Face serum/moisturizer
I'm utterly obsessed with Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face serum. I have always been a fan of La Roche Posay, and this serum (also anti-aging concentrate) locks in moisture, leaving your skin plump to the touch. Because of my travels, my skin takes on a lot. From different climates, long haul flights to air pollution, I'm always in need of a long-lasting hydration serum. Now, I rarely look tired, after discovering this product, my skin feels hydrated, and it seems very healthy too.
3. EYE MASKS - OR EVEN BETTER: GEL PATCHES
Got Chanel bags under your eyes? Worry no more, ma' friend. Patchology Moodpatch Tea-Infused Aromatherapy Eye Gel is the bomb dot com. After a long haul flight or not so good night of sleep, I put these eye patches on, and in just 10 minutes, I can feel my eyes depuff. Made with Calendula, Lavender & Primrose Extract, these three calming flowers leave the under-eye area smooth and detoxified. I felt in love with Patchology a couple of years ago and always make sure to bring these patches with me anytime I travel.
4. Lip balm
During my last trip to Japan, I discovered the best lip balm I have ever tested. I kid you not; the Nivea Deep Moisture Honey Flavor is the best thing out there. I used it until there was absolutely zero left on the stick and freaked out for a moment when I thought I wasn't going to find it in the USA. Nivea has a US version of the Honey flavor lip balm, but If you are going to give this a try, I REALLY recommend going for the Japanese version. It's a bit more expensive, but it's so durable you won't regret it. It literally feels like you are putting honey on your lips.
5. HAND CREAM
Another non-negotiable for me is a good hand cream. My favorite is the L'Occitane Nourishing & Intensive Hand Balm. I always keep it handy (literally, ha!), especially when flying because I'm regularly washing my hands, so it gets pretty dry. This specifically hand balm has allantoin, which is used as a moisturizer to treat any skin cuts, cracks, irritation, and even burns. I was sold the first time I ever tried it.
6. Dry shampoo
This "life hack" is a dear friend of mine! I was skeptical about dry shampoo when I first heard of it, but after trying Batiste Mini Dry Shampoo Tropical, this is now part of my almost daily life. When you are always traveling, you don't want to spend your time in the hotel room, blow-drying your hair. I have curly hair, so that means at least an hour to get it to look presentable, ha! Not to mention when it's wintertime; I don't always feel like washing my hair. For those reasons, dry-shampoo is a lifesaver and travels with me anywhere I go.
7. ALL PURPOSE WIPES
Another thing I always have with me when traveling is wipes. DUDE Flushable Wet Wipes can be used for pretty much anything. Don't let the name push you away; these are not just for men; ladies are also invited to the party. Packed with vitamin E & Aloe, these wipes are fragrance-free and very soothing for your face & body. The wipes are individually packed, and it's sewer safe.
8. HAIR GLUE
Yep, you read that right. This precious little item is my greatest latest purchase. Hear me out - this awesome Hair Finishing Stick takes care of that messy baby-hair-wanting-to-take-off-all-the-time look. This non-greasy gel is clear and suitable for all hair types. Made with natural ingredients and as small as a mascara tube, you can throw it in your purse and use it on the go. During my travels, I don't have much time to style my hair, sometimes just I put it on a bun, and this product gets rid of any baby hairs, stray ends, or flyaways.
9. DENTAL FLOSS
Yes, but not just any dental floss. Biodegradable Dental Floss With a Refillable Glass Holder is just awesome. I bring this little guy with me wherever I go, and it makes me happy that it is eco-friendly and produces zero waste. Now, I see how this is not cheap, but think about it. Flossing is something super important that you should do daily, and the regular dental floss you see out there is NOT recyclable. That's right, so imagine how much waste you are producing every day just by flossing.
10. sleep mask
Sometimes I need a complete blackout to be able to sleep, which is naturally impossible in some places. Planes, trains, boats, even some Airbnb's have no blackout curtains, so I used to suffer a bit. A good sleeping eye pillow/mask was so much needed, and my favorite is the Sensacare Lavender Eye Pillow - made with natural ingredients, the lavender helps relieve tension & insomnia. I love the ergonomic design; it's super soft and multi-purpose (Cold Therapy + Aromatherapy all in one product).
There you go! That's my top 10 Travel Beauty Essential products you need in 2020. I hope you enjoyed this list and please let me know your favorite beauty product as well so I can try it 🙂
Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links to some products, which means at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I personally use all products listed and would never recommend anything I don't love 100%. The commission I get goes to keeping this site updated and free for everyone!
I am a huge believer in sunscreen and using products that contain at least SPF 15 for my face. Even though I am not fair skinned you can never be too careful. I also never leave home with out some sort of lip balm as my lips are constantly chapped. And yeah I’ve used dude wipes before. 🙂 Great list
Love all of the products you have mentioned. It is so important to take care of yourself especially while traveling and being exposed to the sun. I apply sunscreen daily!
This post serves a a really great checklist for anyone on the go, and all of which are easy to pack and use for just about any destination. Great range, extremely practical and well thought through. Thanks for sharing something so useful to fellow travellers.
I love all of these products! I have never heard of the hair glue before, but I am going to try it because I have the worst baby hairs and I never know how to deal with them. I also love your humor, it really adds to the reading experience!
I need to invest in a better travel moisturizer and start traveling with eye masks. I think my skin would thank me
Sunscreen is so important but I always forget! Not this time.
Lovely products that you have mentioned and all essentials that one must always carry. Thanks for reminding. Helpful tips.
Hair glue!!! I have never seen this before. I need it. I also want that eye mask. I looks so comfortable.
This is a fantastic list. I am saving it so I know I’ll have what I need.
What a list of travel items! I especially like that you included lip balm because it is the worst one stuck somewhere with chapped lips!
Those mood patches look pretty amazing and the sleep mask looks like a great upgrade from what I am using now. All of the products you selected look like they are fantastic, thanks for sharing all of these.
It’s so hard for me to keep a healthy skin-routine when I’m traveling, thanks for the list, I need to get some of these products asap|
Really useful recommendations. However, have you tried ‘reef-safe’ SPF? Since moving to Australia, I’ve become really passionate about using SPF without any nasties in it to help protect our oceans, it’s worth checking out 🙂
Hi Jessica, THINKSUN by ThinkBaby is reef safe. Also, their sunscreens have all gone through biodegradability testing and have tested at the highest level of biodegradability per the OECD 301B testing standard 🙂 Thank you for stopping by <3
Love all of these! And not just for travelling — I get super dry skin, especially in the winter, so I want to give several of these products a try. Thanks for the tips!
I swear by my dry shampoo for sure. I’ve got to try those eye mask gel patches and especially the dental floss – I’m always looking for more eco-friendly options!
I’m always interested to read about the things experienced travellers pack. I always end up taking way too many products. Lip balm and sunscreen are always in my bag.
Dry Shampoo is a recent favourite travel product of mine. You’re right in that it saves so much time! I use the Batiste Brunette one since it leaves absolutely no white residue.
I hear you on these. there are some great products here. For me mascara and lip blam are must haves x
I love the eye masks those are a must for me. And the serum looks great i will have a look into it
Reading this made laugh especially the hand cream part. i was in London last summer and couldn’t believe how white my hands were even after applying lotion after bath.
had storm into the nearest store to buy one fast.
What amazing products! I am going to have to try that eye mask. Thank you! I pinned so I look back on it for later!
Love all of these products especially because you included so many eco-friendly goodies. Im trying my best to be more eco-aware this year!
I LOVE the La Roche Posay serum! It leaves my skin so soft! I take it with me everywhere! It’s hard to find a dry shampoo here, and I’m worried about travelling with spray cans. I have never heard of Biodegradable Dental Floss – what a great idea! Such great suggestions on beauty must haves for travel!
I used to have a pretty extensive beauty routine, now I’ve managed to use less products to have a quicker routine that’s easier to maintain. Loved the finishing hair cream, i definitely need 1 or 2 of those because I’ve got some serious baby hair that love to mess around.
Definitely an all you need list! I can’t really imagine my routine without all the above!
Sunscreen is a must for me. I have an annoying sensitive skin.
And having read, this I’m going to.include eye mask.
this list is truly epic and suitable for all of us at least i think for me and i have following it in traveling within Dubai too