How to Pack Toiletries for Travel: The Complete Guide

There are two approaches when you get ready to pack your toiletries for travel: All-in-one bags or separate pouches. It depends on your preference, how much luggage you bring, and whether you’re flying.

Either way, start by gathering all your travel toiletries together, including what you're going to pack them in.

All-in-one travel toiletry bags

When considering toiletry bags, you want to look for something lightweight and water-resistant, if not waterproof. You'll have a choice of either a bag that hangs or one that sits upright on the counter.

If you carry a lot of toiletries, the BAGSMART Toiletry Bag the WDLHQC Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag, or the July Large Toiletry Bag are good choices.

If you can get by with a little less space, the small Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag is a winner for a hanging bag. If you prefer a stand-up bag, check out the Peak Design Women’s Toiletry and Cosmetics Bag (which can also hang).

Travel toiletry pouches

If you want to pack all your toiletries in one piece of luggage, then separate your toiletries into smaller pouches or bags. That way, you can snuggle them in between other items in your luggage. For example, you could have a small bag each for your first aid kit, makeup, shaving kit, hair supplies, etc.

One problem with small travel bags or pouches is finding waterproof ones. So, if you’re concerned about anything leaking, put it in its own Ziploc bag before putting it in your pouch. Or eliminate some of your liquids. For example, use dry shampoo instead of liquids, toothpaste tablets instead of a tube of toothpaste, and solid deodorant instead of liquid.

I love Cotopaxi bags—so colorful!—and the smaller of their Cubos del Dia Travel Cubes would fit this purpose. You can use the large one as a packing cube for clothes and miscellaneous items.

And Tom Bihn (my fave for top quality) has a variety of cubes and trays of different sizes. I use the Travel Tray if I’m not flying. If I'm packing my toiletries for air travel, then I use a combination of an All-Fabric 3D Organizer Cube for non-liquids and a Clear 3D Organizer Cube for liquids. And I've recently started using the Ghost Whale Organizers, which come in a variety of sizes.

Special considerations for liquids

The right bag will help eliminate the stress of packing your toiletries. Whether you choose an all-in-one toiletry bag or separate pouches and small bags, look for waterproof or water-resistant bags to contain any potential spills.

Get the best bags you can afford. It will be worth the extra cost if you arrive at your destination with nothing spilled. If you use zip-lock bags, remember they can leak, so be careful.

Travel-Sized Toiletries

Opt for travel-sized containers since they don't take up a lot of space, and if you're flying, they comply with TSA's regulation of bottles no larger than 3.4 oz.

Transfer your lotions, shampoos, face wash, and other liquids into these containers, and label them clearly with a waterproof pen to avoid mix-ups. I learned this lesson after applying night cream to my hair instead of hair paste. Yep.

If you’re not concerned about ultra-light packing, my favorite way to pack my moisturizer, night cream, and makeup is with Cadence capsules. Reusable and environmentally friendly, these various-sized capsules can be transported together or separately so you can tuck them in empty spaces throughout your luggage. You can order labels for the top, or you can create your own labels.

If I'm flying, though, I prefer to travel carry-on only. So then, I use Palette by Pak for my makeup. I ordered one with the long-handled spatula, and it’s super handy for scooping the last drops out of bottles and jars at home. I’ve been using the Palette for over a year and haven’t had any problem with leakage.

For sunscreen, moisturizer, etc., I use GoToobs and GoTubbs by Humangear. There’s never been a spill with any of them, either.

Another option friends have recommended are the leak-proof Kitsch Travel Containers. The nice thing about them is they pack flat. Some have complained about them being tricky to fill, though, so you may need some patience (not one of my key strengths).

A favorite idea from some of my readers is to use old contact lens cases. Label them with permanent markers, as sunscreen, toothpaste, and hair gel can look the same after a few days on the road! And paint clear nail polish over the label so it doesn’t come off during travel.

If you’re taking travel-sized bottles or generic empty bottles and jars, consider removing the top and putting some saran wrap over them. Then, put the top on again to help prevent leakage. At least put them in a Ziploc bag in case they come open during travel.

And don’t fill any bottles all the way to the top. Changes in altitude cause changes in pressure, so you need to leave 20% or so for the liquid to expand.