📜 Introduction.

When travelling, taking care of yourself is just as important as packing the right clothes or gear.

Especially on long trips, having your favourite toiletries and beauty products is essentials and can make all the difference without overloading your luggage or wasting money on buying new and unfamiliar products.

In this post, I’m sharing a selection of self-care and beauty products and items. These have proven to be indispensable on my journeys, keeping me feeling fresh and organised wherever I go.

⚠️Disclaimer: The products listed below are Amazon affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through them, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please also bear in mind that prices may vary and products may become unavailable at any time!

The product images are taken directly from Amazon and are not my own pictures.

🛁 Towels.

When I travel, bringing practical and versatile towels is a great amenity. In fact, hostels do not often provide them or charge extra.

This set of 3 multi-purpose towels by Cokwel, availabe in different colours, is perfect for every situation: the large towel (152 × 80 cm) for your body, the medium (80 × 34 cm) ideal for your hair, and the small towel (38 × 38 cm) perfect for your face.

Each towel is lightweight, quick-drying, and fits easily into its own case. It gives you the convenience of always having the right towel at hand for your body, hair, or face, without relying on hostel courtesies.

💰Click here to get yours for only €19.59💰

💇‍♀️ Hair Dryer.

When I travel, one of the most common problems in hostels (and sometimes hotels) is a weak or low-powered hair dryer, which make styling slow and frustrating.

That’s why I always bring my Taurus Studio 2500, a powerful 2400 W hair dryer. It features three temperature settings and two speed levels, perfect for all hair types and for adjusting heat during styling. Moreover, the foldable handle minimizes space in your suitcase or backpack..

Plus, it’s compatible in many countries without an adapter, making it ideal for international travels.

💰Click here to get yours for only €26.99💰

🩲 Menstrual Panties.

For my first long trip to Asia (you can read my experience 2 Months in Thailand: a Journey across the Land of Smiles), I decided to switch to menstrual panties. I was looking for a more sustainable option that matched the kind of journey I had planned.

I own six pairs and still use them every month, not only when I’m abroad. They are much more comfortable than regular pads, easy to wash, and eco-friendly, helping reduce waste.

This set by Nanasphere includes 3 highly rated underwear made from bamboo and organic cotton and is OEKO-TEX certified, safe for all skin types. With 4 ultra-absorbent layers, these panties provide leak-proof protection day and night, equivalent to 3–4 tampons. The antibacterial layers filter odors, keeping you fresh the entire day or overnight.

To clean them, I first hand-wash them with solid soap. Once dried, I put them in the washing machine at 30°C as per instructions. It might sound unhygienic to wash your underwear in a hostel bathroom, but I have seen this practice a lot.

💰Click here to get yours for only €30.99💰

🍶 Liquid Container Set.

One of the smartest travel essentials I always pack is a liquid container set, perfectly designed for flights where only a limited amount of liquids is allowed.

The kit includes 1 spray bottle (60 ml), 1 pump bottle (60 ml), 2 press-cap bottles (60 ml), 2 cream jars (20 ml), 1 pipette, 1 funnel, 1 spatula, and 1 transparent zip bag that keeps everything neatly stored and compliant with airport security checks. Compact, lightweight, and reusable, this set is a must-have to stay organised and stress-free while travelling.

I mainly use them to carry body cream, intimate wash, and day and night face creams. For shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, I now prefer solid bars (see below).

💰Click here to get yours for only €6.50💰

🧁 Solid Shampoo, Conditioner and Soap Bars.

One of most eco-friendly swaps I’ve made in my travel (and daily) routine is switching to solid shampoo, conditioner, and body soap bars.

They last longer than traditional liquid products, are usually cruelty-free, and often made with natural ingredients that are kinder to both your skin and the planet. Personally, I’ve been using the Coconut Rice Cake solid shampoo and the American Cream conditioner bar by Lush. The only downside is that the shampoo tends to melt when exposed to high temperatures. So for warmer destinations, it might be better to opt for other solid alternatives.

For the body, there’s a wide variety of solid soaps to choose from depending on your skin type and personal preferences, making them versatile and practical. Lightweight, compact, and sustainable, they’re a must-have in my travel essentials.

Please note that Lush has neither rewarded me nor supplied me with any products to promote them. This is simply my honest and transparent opinion.

💰Click here to check other Lush products💰

💄 Make-Up.

While make-up isn’t exactly a travel essential, I still love sticking to my skincare routine no matter where I go. Keeping up with my day-and-night ritual helps me feel refreshed, and a touch of make-up makes me feel put together during sightseeing or other travel activities.

That’s why I always pack a small beauty-case with only the must-haves. For me, that means a good serum, day and night cream, mascara, a versatile palette, a couple of lipsticks, some trusty brushes, plus a highlighter and bronzer to bring everything to life. Compact, simple, and just enough to keep me glowing on the go.

My brushes are from e.l.f., and believe it or not, I bought them over 10 years ago! I wash them regularly and they’re still soft and in great condition. Bonus points: e.l.f. products are vegan and cruelty-free.

As for skincare, my go-to serum is from La Roche-Posay, which you can often find on sale on Amazon—a great tip if you want to stock up without breaking the bank. When it comes to make-up, I enjoy combining products from various brands, from budget-friendly finds to higher-end favorites.

Please note that either e.l.f. or La Roche-Posay have neither rewarded me nor supplied me with any products to promote them. This is simply my honest and transparent opinion.

💰Click here to get your e.l.f. brushes for only €61.00 and here for La Roche-Posay serum for €31.99💰

🎈 Conclusion.

Travelling while taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean carrying bulky bottles or sacrificing your routine. By choosing compact, sustainable, and versatile beauty essentials like solid bars, reusable containers, quick-dry towels, and even a powerful foldable hairdryer, I’ve managed to stay fresh and comfortable without overloading my luggage. These small choices not only make travel lighter but also kinder to the environment.

Every traveller has their own rituals. However I truly believe that investing in practical and eco-friendly self-care items can make a huge difference on the road.

💬 And you? What are your must-have self-care products when you travel? Share them in the comments below. Together we can create an even more complete list!

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