This is a sister post to yesterday’s travel make-up one. While I rarely find packing make-up challenging in any way, skincare and perfume can be tricky because of the volume restrictions for air travel. Unless it’s a proper 2-week holiday, I prefer carry-on luggage, so I must try being smart.

My main criteria for travel skin care are that the items must be a) small and b) tried and tested. You really do not want to end up in a hotel in Kazakhstan with a bright red face from that brand new serum you just decided to try. I of course break that rule all the time, but as my skin is not sensitive, usually nothing horrible happens. If you don’t have the skin of an ox like I do, please be more cautious.

So, here we go, for two days:
1. First cleanse: Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm. A lovely, super effective, super gentle cleanser. I bought a mini once as a part of the trial set and now transfer the dark grey goo from the big jar to the small one before travelling.
2. Second cleanse: Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk. It is a good size (it can be bought as part of a set) and does the job. I like the scent, too.
3. Hydrating spray: Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence. It’s not my absolute favourite, but it’s nice and smaller than most – I don’t think this is sold separately in this size, but you can buy this introductory kit. If the seating situation allows, I use this on the plane, too.
4. Evening serum: Sunday Riley Good Genes. I have nothing new to say about Good Genes, except that I received this wonderful travel size as a GWP from Cult Beauty.
5. Morning serum: Emma Hardie Midas Touch Face Serum. I’m not entirely sure yet what I think of this one, but the silly container is actually a good shape for travelling. I understand that two serums seems excessive, but I don’t want to use Good Genes twice a day.
6. Moisturizer: Zelens Z Matrix Energy & Moisture Infusion. I’m not picky with moisturizes, as long as they moisturize. I’ll use this both day and night. (But “Z Matrix”? Seriously, Zelens?)
7. Eye Cream: Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Corrective Eye Serum. Difficult name, easy category, as eye creams come in small pots and bottles – I’ve been known to bring two. The Dennis Gross is good for warmer weather, as it has a light serum texture.
8. Brightening Mask: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask. This is not essential, but I have a very small pot (from the same set as above) of it and it’s handy when travelling has made your skin dull and lifeless.
9. Hair: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. If I can help it, I will not wash my hair in a hotel. I can handle two or three days easily, with the help of Oribe. After that, I try to find a local salon – much easier than travelling with a shampoo, conditioner, styling products, hair dryer and straightener…
10. Perfume: Neela Vermeire Trayee and Hermes Eau de Narcisse Bleu travel sprays. This is where it gets really tricky, as I absolutely need to have at least two perfume choices. I love these two and they are very different, which is good, but what if I need a floral? Or a leather? Why is life so difficult?
11. Samples: in addition to the above, I always take a bunch of samples. Definitely perfume, to have more variety, but also other stuff that looks interesting – like Susanne Kaufmann skincare, for example.
12. Boring stuff: a small Marvin tooth paste, Korres mini shower gel (not essential), Philosophy Hands of Hope (in reality I’d not pack this, I’m just trying to look more responsible in front of the readers), Caudalie Divine oil (for the body), small bottle of contact lens solution (not pictured, as I was going to buy this at the airport).

The best tip is to avoid liquids where you can. I unfortunately don’t like solid perfumes, but if I did, this would solve many problems. Exfoliating pads, nail polish remover pots, refreshing wipes – all these are good for travel. Do I see potential here for another post? Possibly.