Summer is made for exploring, whether that’s a beach holiday, a city escape or an adventure further afield. But fitting everything into your suitcase — without compromising on your beauty routine — is an art in itself.
Beauty editor Julia Ferrari shares her favourite liquid-free skincare swaps, smart packing tips and travel essentials to help you travel smarter while keeping your skin happy from take-off to touchdown.
Travel Toiletry Essentials
Cleanser: ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm mini
This bestseller remains a go-to for a reason. It melts away makeup, SPF and daily build-up in one step, making it ideal after long travel days when skin needs a thorough yet gentle reset.
Liquid-free alternative: if you’re flying and relying on hand luggage only (a skill in itself), beat the liquid restriction with SBTRCT Clarifying Exfoliator, a solid, mess-free option that still delivers effective exfoliation—perfect for keeping skin smooth without adding to your liquids allowance.
Moisturiser: BYOMA Moisturising Gel Cream
Lightweight yet barrier-supporting this one is particularly well suited to dehydrated, travel-stressed skin without feeling heavy or greasy.
Liquid-free alternative: Balade en Provence balm provides more balm-like hydration in a solid format, ideal for carry-on-only packing.
Lip care: SHEGLAM Crystal Glaze Moisturizing Lip Care
This delivers hydration with a glossy finish, offering both treatment and a low-maintenance beauty touch.
Haircare: The Body Shop Shea Shampoo
A nourishing, travel-friendly option for maintaining soft, manageable hair.
Liquid-free alternative: Solid shampoo bars are a smart swap for frequent travellers—long-lasting, compact, and spill-proof.
Deodorant: Lavera Natural & Strong Deo Stick
Combining gentle, natural ingredients with reliable protection, this is an easy, fuss-free essential.
SPF: Athe Vegan Relief Sun Essence SPF50 PA++++
Sunscreen is a daily non-negotiable – yes even for an urban destination. I love this one for city breaks as it’s super lightweight and leaves an invisible finish that sits perfectly under makeup – something Korean brands are experts at, having to deal with warm and humid climates.
Liquid-free alternative: Suntribe Zinc Stick SPF50 is ideal for targeted reapplication (think nose, lips, and cheeks) without the risk of leaks.
Top tip: If travelling with hand luggage only, buy a full-size SPF at the airport post-security checks to save valuable space and ensure you’ve got enough for the whole duration of your trip.
Travel-soothing wellbeing tips
SOS skincare: Inlight Skin Aid Kit
Like a first aid kit, but specifically for skin: think flare-ups, dryness, or irritation, all of which seem to happen even more when travelling across fluctuating climates.
Jet Lag Sleep Support: Dr Vegan Magnesium Glycinate
Changes in environment can disrupt even the most consistent routines. If you find your sleep routine disrupted when travelling – whether due to time difference or an unfamiliar environment – pack this handy pouch which gives you one week’s worth of support in relaxation and help in easing the transition into better sleep while away.
Sleep support: Ground Wellbeing Sleep Pillow Spray
If you tend to associate a certain home scent with winding down, take that scent with you to bring familiarity to your new bed, wherever you are. This pillow spray adds a sensory, calming element to your evening routine.
Smart travel heroes
Pack light, style smart
How to create multiple outfits with a couple of belts. Peachy Belts offers a clever concept: different coloured belts with interchangeable buckles provide a fun yet practical styling tool, transforming the same dress or shorts into a different look without taking up extra space in your suitcase.
Gut health on the go
Travelling often means relying on convenient but sugar-laden airport snacks that can leave you feeling sluggish and bloated. Pack some of INDI’s bestselling nutrition-rich health bars to feed your gut and improve your digestion. Containing 20 superfoods to fuel your day with slow-release energy, keep your digestion balanced and feeling just as good as it does at home.
Time to squeeze in that book read
There’s a lot of waiting around at the airport or on trains where the Wi-Fi inevitably breaks down. Make the most of that time to read that book you’ve been meaning to pick up. I’m obsessed with beauty books and on my list right now is Bobbi Brown’s memoir Still Bobbi – it’ll be accompanying me to the pool this summer.
Notes from the road: Oops a Daisy Travel Journal
Even if you’re not into daily journalling, there’s something special about recording trips because you tend to experience new locations, food and sights you won’t want to forget. Oops a Daisy’s journal bundle with travel-themed stencils encourages you to document ideas, experiences, and reflections in a fun and personalised way.
Written by Julia Ferrari @freshbeautyfix | Features gifted products.
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