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21 Top Toiletries Packing List Items for 2024 + What NOT to Bring

21 Top Toiletries Packing List Items for 2024 + What NOT to Bring
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One thing you definitely don’t want to forget when traveling is your toiletries! At the end of the day, there is no magic one-size-fits-all toiletry list that’ll work for everybody, but repurchasing items in foreign countries can get expensive and you don’t want to risk throwing away your favorite products because they exceed the TSA limits.

If you’re traveling by plane, bringing your necessary toiletries with you on board is a good idea, in case of lost luggage or if you need to freshen up mid-fight. From deodorant to floss, make sure you check this list twice before leaving home!

21 Top Toiletries Packing List Items for 2024 + What NOT to Bring
See our product selection criteria and guidelines here.

What Toiletries to Pack – 21 Essentials

  • 1. Hanging Toiletry Bag

    Hanging toiletry bags are a game-changer. Once you travel with them, you will never go back to the days of spilled shampoo in your suitcase or digging to find a toothbrush. This creates a shelf-like system in any bathroom, simply by hanging it on the door, shower, or a hook. I use it for camping or when there is zero countertop space, it really saves my sanity! And it holds the entire family’s essentials (haircare, skincare, makeup, towels, etc.).

    Hanging Toiletry Bag

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Deodorant Wipes

    Unfortunately, travel can leave you feeling sticky, sweaty, and stinky. These wipes really help alleviate that feeling without harsh chemicals and without leaving a sticky residue. They have a nice scent and come in little packets, so you can carry a few with you in case you need them during the day.

    Deodorant Wipes

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Natural and Gentle Solid Sunscreen

    The Sun Bum brand is known for its gentle and effective skincare products, and this solid sunscreen is no exception. Not only is it as effective as other, more chemical-laden sunscreens, but it’s also extremely good for your skin. This product even boasts natural agents that help prevent premature aging! It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, easy to apply, and smells nice to boot. I can’t get enough of it when I’m in the sun.

    Natural and Gentle Solid Sunscreen

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Folding Toothbrush

    Any space that can be saved in your luggage is valuable, and a folding toothbrush is handy for that purpose. It’s also great because instead of having to bring along a separate sterile toothbrush cover, your toothbrush folds into itself to protect the bristles without any extra accessories!

    Folding Toothbrush

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Itsy Bitsy Razor

    In keeping with the space-saving theme: look how tiny this razor is! It may not seem like much, but if you think about the length of standard razors, a shorter version tends to be much easier to pack and won’t have to be shoved awkwardly into a too-short toiletry bag or plastic baggie. This set comes with a handle and two blade heads and will deliver the quality shave that can be expected from Venus brand products.

    Itsy Bitsy Razor

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. Motion Sickness Patches

    If you’re prone to any motion or sea sickness, these patches are stellar! On days when you’ll be bobbing up and down on any boats, driving down windy roads, or flying by on high-speed trains – these will be a huge relief to any nausea or dizziness you experience. We field-tested many brands and these holistic patches came out on top!

    Motion Sickness Patches

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. Travel Shampoo and Conditioner

    This shampoo and conditioner set is just awesome. This formula includes Vitamin E and other high-quality ingredients to help you pamper yourself while protecting your hair. It can be safely and effectively used on keratin-treated hair, color-treated hair, and even extensions.

    Travel Shampoo and Conditioner

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 8. Quick-Dry Travel Towel

    We use travel towels for all of our travels! Since it dries 10x faster than cotton, it’s very muti-purposeful and easy to reuse throughout the day. It can double as a sweat rag, makeup remover wipe, microfiber cloth, beach blanket, and more.

    Quick-Dry Travel Towel

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 9. Dry Shampoo

    If you haven’t tried dry shampoo before, you should. It’s becoming common knowledge that washing your hair too often is not very good for it. When you’re traveling, sometimes you can’t wash your hair as often as you’d like anyway! On the other hand, we all know the gross feeling of having dirty hair. Dry shampoo is like magic for these situations. I use my spray version at least once a week to absorb excess oils at the roots of my hair so that I don’t have to strip the healthy oils from the lengths and ends of my hair by washing it. Perfect for on-the-go!

    Dry Shampoo

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 10. Aluminum-Free Deodorant

    Your underarms are hugely related to your lymphatic system, and these nodes fight against cancer. Since they can absorb toxins more easily than other parts of your body – ensure that your main deodorant is all-natural and aluminum-free. This one smells amazing, comes in many scents, and is unisex for both men and women.

    Aluminum-Free Deodorant

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 11. TSA-Approved Travel Bottles

    If you’re a big enough fan of your usual products to want to bring some along with you instead of opting for travel-sized products, I highly recommend using these flexible, leak-proof silicone travel containers. They’re easy to fill, pack, squeeze the product out of, and clean. They’ve quickly become my favorite containers to use, and because of the silicone, I don’t have to worry about them being squished or cracked and popping open in my suitcase.

    TSA-Approved Travel Bottles

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 12. Awesome Makeup Case

    When traveling with makeup and other beauty products, it’s important to keep them safe en route. Clattering about can cause your favorite products to crumble or become otherwise ruined. I personally don’t want to have to replace my entire collection after every trip, so I use this great little makeup case to keep everything divided and safely cushioned for the trip! It’s a small investment to keep your expensive brushes and makeup products in good condition.

    Awesome Makeup Case

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 13. Hand Sanitizer Spray

    Hand sanitizer is a must-have when traveling, especially when traveling with kids (they touch everything). I fell in love with spray sanitizer after trying it once, and I much prefer it to the sticky gels that take too long to dry. Alcohol-based sanitizers work by evaporation, so you don’t want to have to wave your hands around and wait a long time for that to happen, right? This spray is perfect, plus it is beautifully scented and not harsh on your skin – or your kids’ skin!

    Hand Sanitizer Spray

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 14. Makeup Removing Cleanser

    Have you heard of the “sleep naked” concept? Well, it’s been studied and concluded that sleeping with makeup on your face ages you incredibly quickly and can even lead to terrible skin conditions. A good makeup remover will be gentle on your skin and do its job thoroughly without stripping your skin of its own natural protective layers. That’s why I love this Bioderma cleanser – it’s an oil-free facial cleansing and makeup-removing water for sensitive or allergy-prone skin, and it feels great to use. Your skin will thank you for using it, even on the most exhausting of travel days.

    Makeup Removing Cleanser

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 15. Packing Cubes

    These suitcase organizers are perfect for any vacation to any destination! Since each cube can be labeled with index cards, you can keep track of shirts, pants, pajamas, socks, essentials, makeup, and more. They’re great for transferring between drawers and backpacks without having to tear apart your hotel room, and this set even comes with laundry bags for your clean and dirty clothes. Booyah!

    Packing Cubes

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 16. Organic Rosewater Spray

    This naturally toning, alcohol-free spray is delightful. A toner balances oils and conditions your skin to help heal and protect it. These are important qualities while traveling when your skin is exposed to all kinds of internal and external stresses! This serum is made from roses and is the perfect way to freshen up, rehydrate, and protect your sensitive skin. It also smells lovely, which adds to the whole self-care ritual.

    Organic Rosewater Spray

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 17. Leave-in Conditioner

    Doesn’t it always seem like your hair gets frizzy, staticky, and a little wild while you’re traveling? Mine certainly does. That’s what these products are for – they’ll replenish, restore, protect, and help you style your hair while you’re on the road. These products are known for their effectiveness and their great smell – reviewers rave about them!

    Leave-in Conditioner

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 18. Solid Shampoo

    Solid shampoo is a fantastic alternative to liquid shampoos and will save you space in your quart-sized baggie when going through security at the airport. Some solid shampoos aren’t as effective, but this particular bar is great. It’s soap-free to prevent stripping of natural oils and to minimize residue It works extremely well and smells nice.

    Solid Shampoo

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 19. Tide-to-Go Pen

    After ruining several tops and pairs of pants by spilling delicious food on them, I’ve learned never to go anywhere without my stain-remover pens. This is especially important when traveling, as you may not have access to laundry services right away to prevent that stain from setting! In my experience, Tide pens work much better than other brands.

    Tide-to-Go Pen

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 20. Biodegradable Toilet Paper

    It’s wise to be prepared for all lavatory-situations you may face. And there are no guarantees that you’ll have toilet paper available at all times. Whether you’re on safari in Africa or at a restaurant in New York City, not everyone stays on top of stocking the essentials. I always bring a couple of rolls of toilet paper, just in case. This brand is degradable so it’s great for campsites where you’re required to leave no waste behind, or squat toilets in less developed countries.

    Biodegradable Toilet Paper

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 21. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

    If you’re flying to your destination, secure your suitcase with these luggage locks before checking them. They are TSA-approved so security can check your bag with their universal keys, but no one else will be able to break into your bags or look through your things. We’ve had items stolen out of our checked luggage, so now we know that you can never be too safe. They also give you peace of mind for backpacks in crowded areas, public lockers, and more.

    TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

    View on Amazon.com ➜

What NOT to take in your toiletry bag

  • 1.Liquids that are unsealed

    The last thing you want is to open up your toiletry bag or carry-on and find a sunscreen explosion! Make sure you tape each bottle closed, and then separate your liquids into a waterproof ziplock bag.

  • 2.Bottles that are larger than 3 oz

    TSA has some pretty strict rules! Make sure you follow all the liquid rules while packing to ensure that you don’t have to throw anything out while you’re in line for security.

  • 3.Anything flammable

    TSA rules aside, it’s probably just a bad idea in general to bring flammable liquids on an airplane.

FAQs about traveling with Toiletries

  • 1. What toiletries can I bring on my carry on bag?

    You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the security checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in a ziplock bag, and separate the bag from your carry-on baggage while going through security screening. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage. For more information click here

  • 2. What are some tips for packing toiletries?

    Go through your daily routine in your head (or pay special attention to it the morning before you leave) and make a list of each thing you use. Pack only the items on that list, and nothing else! Keep an eye out for items that have dual or triple purposes, and definitely leave the “just in case” items at home.

  • 3. There is a lot I want to pack in my toiletry case! How can I pare it down?

    Try to pack makeup/toiletry samples rather than the full products. Put your liquids into even smaller containers that are meant for travel. It’s also extremely helpful to opt for dry or solid forms of your toiletries, such as shampoo and conditioner bars or deodorant wipes.

  • 4. Is it better to bring everything I need or to buy toiletries at my destination?

    It depends on your destination. There are many areas where convenience and local prices for items make it much more worth it to buy some things when you arrive. However, with most destinations, you’ll find that you either can’t get what you need easily, or the pricing on the toiletry items is far higher there than at home. Do a little bit of research before you go if possible, but it’s generally best to pack most of your own stuff.