The Best Travel Size Toiletries. Without The Mess.
Looking for a method to stop overpacking your carry-on liquid allowance? Or, perhaps you want to make your toiletries last longer or be more eco-groovy. Either way, look no further! Solid toiletries are a great way to eliminate the stress of separating and measuring your liquids while also being sustainable and environmentally friendly. Sounds pretty practical, right? Yeah, we think so too.
We'll be taking you through some different types of solid toiletries that you can use for liquid-free (or mostly liquid-free) travel. And while we think these solid toiletries are great for one-bag travel, you're preferences may differ. Don't worry. This list is more of a guideline—you do you.
Speaking of guidelines, head over to the FAQ section in case you have questions about solid toiletries. Making the switch can be intimidating, but less so when you're guided with the correct, helpful answers.
So, without further ado, let's jump right in.
Pro Tip: Cut the solid moisturizer bar into smaller sizes to customize for the length of your trip and save space in your pack.
If you’re tired of squeezing lotion into an already-packed toiletry kit, Bite’s Body Balm Solid Moisturizer offers a simpler alternative. This vegan, unscented balm comes in a reusable aluminum case with replaceable cartridges. It works best when applied to wet skin, which helps it spread more easily, though it can feel a little drier than traditional lotion and is easy to over apply. Still, the solid format has obvious travel benefits. There’s no bottle to leak, and it won’t take up precious space in your 3-1-1 bag. The compact case is also easy to stash in a toiletry kit, making this a convenient option for travelers looking to ditch another liquid.
Traditional sunscreen can be messy to carry and reapply, but Brush On Block SPF 30 takes a different approach. As the name suggests, this mineral sunscreen comes as a translucent powder with a built-in brush, letting you apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection without getting the stuff all over your hands. The compact 0.12-ounce container takes up very little space, while its refillable design lets you replace the powder without replacing the brush. It can also be applied over makeup without the obvious white cast associated with some mineral sunscreens. Just remember to use enough powder for proper coverage. Once you get the hang of it, this is a convenient, mess-free travel sunscreen.
The Vasarii nakd. Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone takes a minimalist approach to deodorant. Made from potassium alum crystal, you simply wet the stone before rubbing it over your underarms. It’s unscented, compact, and completely solid, so it won’t eat into your precious liquid allowance. There’s more effort involved than with a conventional deodorant, though. We found that it takes multiple passes per underarm for a satisfactory application, so this isn’t exactly swipe-once-and-go. Once applied, it can keep odor under control throughout the day. Depending on whether you get a full- or travel-size version, the crystal lasts for many months or even years with regular use, making it a long-lasting option for minimalist toiletry kits.
Other Alternatives
We really dig the solid toiletries, but maybe they’re not your style. If that’s the case, there’s plenty of options out there that could work for you.
Go Toiletry Free
Okay, don’t go completely toiletry free. Although a thorough baby wipe bath can keep you clean(ish) while on the go, it’s not a great long-term solution. But you can buy everything you need when you get to your destination. Now, you may not find the exact products you’re looking for—especially if you’re traveling to more remote areas—so keep that in mind if you’re not the gambling type. Maybe do some research first. That way you can pack just those hard-to-find items.
Make Your Own
For all you DIY or home-baking folks out there, homemade toiletry recipes are available all over the internet. Some made with ingredients you probably already have. While we haven’t tested these recipes ourselves, if you’re resourceful and have time to experiment, this could be your kind of thing.
FAQ
Why are solid toiletries better for travel?
Solid toiletries can make packing simpler, especially if you’re trying to keep your travel bag light and your TSA-compliant 3-1-1 liquids bag under control. They take up less space, don’t count toward your liquid allowance at airport security, and are usually less prone to leaking all over your toiletry kit. Plus, you can bring just what you need without hauling around a half-empty bottle.
Do solid toiletries last longer?
They can. Since solid toiletries are generally more concentrated than their liquid counterparts, a single bar can last through multiple trips and dozens of uses. How long it lasts depends on the product, how often you use it, and whether you let it dry between uses. Keeping your bar dry when it’s not in use goes a long way toward making it last. So, don’t leave them in a puddle of bathwater in your hotel.
Are solid toiletries good for the environment?
They can be, but they aren’t automatically more sustainable. Many come with little or no plastic packaging, and their concentrated format means less water and less packaging to transport. That said, ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, and shipping all factor into a product’s overall environmental impact. We’ll say this much: the solid toiletries we’ve tried should be more environmentally friendly than buying the travel-size liquid equivalents available at convenience stores.
Do solid toiletries work as well as liquid?
They can! A good solid toiletry can work just as well as a liquid version, although the experience can be a little different. Shampoo bars, solid soap, deodorant, moisturizer, and other products can take some getting used to, particularly if you’re accustomed to squeezing everything out of a bottle. Application is the biggest challenge, since rubbing a solid is trickier than spreading a liquid. It’s not rocket science, though, and we got used to them fairly quickly after a trip or two.
Pack It All Up
So, there we have it, some of our favorite solid toiletries to help you travel stress and worry-free (at least when it comes to your Dopp kit). And while we think these solid toiletries are great for one-bag travel, you’re preferences may differ. Don’t worry. Discover what works for you and use these tips to minimize your liquid allowance and maximize your travel experience!