Solo travel has many advantages: You can make your own itinerary without consulting anyone else about what they want to do or where they want to go for dinner. You can wake up and fall asleep—even loll about on a beach—whenever you please. And one of the biggest perks? Taking over every inch of closet and bathroom counter space without hesitation.
That said, getting away with multiple suitcases (and toiletry bags, for that matter) might fly on a girls’ trip or couples getaway, but try traveling solo and see how much fun it is schlepping three bags through an airport, into a taxi and up to your hotel room without an extra set of hands. Which is why I’ve become pretty strategic about what earns a coveted spot in my carry-on.
As a former makeup artist and beauty editor turned freelance travel writer, I’ve spent the better part of my career covering the best of both worlds, from testing the latest skincare and makeup launches at Seventeen and Life & Style to sharing travel-friendly beauty finds for InStyle, Brides, Brit + Co and Parade. And now that I’m working on my second book for Rizzoli, focused on the world’s best solo trips, let’s just say I’ve had plenty of opportunities to put my packing philosophy to the test.
My rule? Pack light, but smart. From multitasking skincare that pulls double (or quadruple) duty to clever little lifesavers that make traveling solo a whole lot easier, these seven beauty and toiletry essentials have survived my real-world, sky-high testing.
Related: A Minimalist Toiletry Packing List for Women Over 40
A Minimalist Toiletry Packing List for Solo Travelers
111SKIN Mix & Mask Face & Eye Masks
111SKIN
The beauty of a solo trip is being able to fully embrace self-care maxing without having to share bathroom counter space or having a care in the world about walking around your hotel room in a bright blue face mask. You can 100% do you at all times, which is why I always pack my favorite 111SKIN face masks that look sort of alien-esque but transform tired, jet-lagged skin into a glowy, perky, depuffed complexion ready to seize the day.
Best of all, they have a Mix & Mask set that allows you to customize your picks. My favorites are the Cryo masks (the blue ones seen here, which depuff and refine with a cooling hydrogel base) and the Black Diamond lifting and firming ones, which are arguably the most intense-looking. So if you’re too shy to mask at 30,000 feet, there’s no shame in working on your skincare game once you deplane and unpack.
Get it on 111Skin.comVIO2 Mouth Tape
VIO2
Moving on to a different type of mask, one for the mouth, I can’t say enough about this medical-grade adhesive tape. Even Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan, praising its ability to encourage nasal breathing while sleeping. And I, too, am a convert. Besides the fact that my husband makes fun of me when I wear it next to him at night (something I can blissfully avoid on solo work trips), I’ve found that I sleep more soundly when I use it, without waking myself up with the occasional choking snore. Even better? I feel more rested and ready to explore the next day.
Get it on Ulta.comClé de Peau UV Protective Cream with SPF 50+
Clé de Peau
Also on my packing list: SPF. I don’t know about you, but I tend to be way more active on solo trips (workout classes, walking everywhere, the occasional horseback ride if I’m on a press trip), and that usually involves spending plenty of time in the sun. As my dermatologist, Doris Day, MD, puts it, applying SPF once in the a.m. really isn’t enough. You need to be diligently reapplying every two hours when outdoors, or immediately after swimming or sweating, so I always pack a TSA-approved tube of Clé de Peau’s UV Protective Cream with SPF 50+. It doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin and, best of all, it never feels Sahara Desert dry, as other sunscreens can. That’s thanks in part to its moisturizing formula, infused with botanical skincare ingredients.
Get it on Amazon.comPinch Provisions Minimergency Kit
Pinch Provisions
I call this my “will fix any issue instantly” pouch. Pinch Provisions was the all-time fix-it pioneer when they launched these Minimergency Kits—which pack 17+ tiny solutions to life’s little emergencies into one adorable pouch: Band-Aids, stain remover, dental floss, earring backs, deodorant towelettes, extra buttons and breath freshener, to name a few. Basically, a lifesaver to have on hand in your carry-on or plane bag when you don’t have a friend or partner traveling with you to ask, “Hey, do you happen to have a…?”
Get it on Revolve.comUrsa Major Individually Wrapped Essential Face Wipes
Ursa Major
Non-drying facial wipes are a godsend when you’re on the move, especially individually wrapped mini ones you can stash in your backpack or fanny pack when you need to freshen up and don’t want to deal with a bulky package of 20. And while I’m normally anti-single-use anything for solo travel, these 4-in-1 cleansing, exfoliating, soothing and hydrating wipes are made from bamboo rather than plastic-based fibers. Plus, the brand is Certified Plastic Negative, so at least there’s some good news for Mother Nature! Did I mention they’re vegan and cruelty-free, too?
Get it on Amazon.comTouchland Dye-Free Trio Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray Set
Touchland
Yes, these colorful, flat hand sanitizers blew up during COVID thanks to their celeb-loved packaging, but they’re one pandemic-era habit I’m not giving up anytime soon. Their slim design makes them way more bag-friendly than a bulky sanitizer bottle, and the formula includes moisturizing ingredients that won’t leave your hands feeling parched. Perfect for when you can’t get to a sink but feel the need to clean your hands after a ride on questionable public transit or a trip through airport security.
Get it on Amazon.comLanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
Lanolips
A multipurpose salve never leaves my side on the plane, in my hotel or on the go. Lanolips is a forever fave since it does quadruple duty: quenches dry lips, nourishes rough cuticles, softens dry elbows and helps soothe minor skin irritation from adventures in the wild—aka the airport. Or, you know, actually on a hike. It’s the kind of product that truly earns its spot in a minimalist toiletry bag.
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Related: Thinking of Traveling Solo in Retirement? Travel Advisors Name 4 of the Safest Regions to Start
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