The Best Travel-Size Skin Care
'Tis the season to make your list, check it twice...and show up to the airport a full three-hours early because you never know how long the line at security will be.
Yes, holiday travel is officially upon us. Whether you're headed home from college or traveling from your bed to your couch (and back), there's always time to work some self-care into your holiday routine. And if you're packing a carry-on, or just looking to maximize your luggage space, you'll want to keep your products small so TSA agents don't make you toss your skin-care faves at the gate. (Trust us: It happens and it's heartbreaking every time.)
Luckily, your go-to beauty sites stock plenty of products waiting to go along for the ride. They're tiny, travel-size, and guaranteed to keep your skin hydrated, healthy, and happy, no matter how long your trip. Scroll through for our editors' must-pack picks.
1/16Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask
That multihour flight won't dry out your skin anymore, thanks to Glow Recipe's cult-favorite mask. The gel-like sheet is transparent, so you won't look like you're wearing Jason Voorhees' hockey mask when you turn seat 17C into a spa day. (For extra hydration, slather on Summer Fridays' Jet Lag mask before placing the Glow Recipe mask on your face.)
Shop Now: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask, $8. Sephora.com.
2/16Dr. Jart+ Mask Heroes Face Savers
Stock up on six skin-soothing masks from Dr. Jart+ so that come travel day, no matter the complexion issue, you'll be prepared.
Shop Now: Dr. Jart+ Mask Heroes Face Savers Set, $36. Sephora.com.
3/16Sephora Green Sleeping Mask
If you'd rather not make your masking conspicuous, opt for one of these gels over a sheet treatment. These cute little ampules are perfect for travel. And don't let the name fool you: You can use this mask at any time of day, not just when you catch your ZZZs.
4/16eos Crystal Lip Balm Sphere
How many lip balms have you loved and lost over the years? We thought so. Now, how many of them were shaped like glittering gemstones? Again, we thought so.
5/16Peter Thomas Roth Get Drenched Kit
Why pick just one hydrating powerhouse when you can stock up on three? Everything from Peter Thomas Roth's Water Drench line is packed with hyaluronic acid, which pros swear by for its moisturizing capabilities. Plus, each part of this kit is well under the TSA's three-ounce rule, making them perfect for packing in carry-ons.
6/16Tarte Maracuja Oil
This itty-bitty version of Tarte's best-loved facial oil will help seal in all that moisture you just masked so hard to achieve. Contrary to popular belief, facial oils won't make you break out; instead, they attract the oil in your skin like a magnet, leaving you with clear, soft skin.
7/16Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple Hand Sanitizer
Stock up on a five-pack of hand sanitizer, so that no matter where you are — airport, rest stop, your aunt's house — you can quickly wash up. The seasonal scent is a bonus.
Shop Now: Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple Hand Sanitizer, $6. Bathandbodyworks.com.
8/16First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
If you're about that carry-on life, opt for the two-ounce tube of FAB's best-selling cleanser. If you are committed to checking your bag (gotta have shoe options!), then the eight-ounce value size is for you. Either way, clean skin is all yours.
9/16Burt's Bees Baby Chlorine-Free Wipes
These ultra-gentle wipes are multitasking powerhouses. Scrub off makeup, wipe down your hands (and surrounding surfaces) before eating, and rest assured that there are no weird chemicals in this yellow pack.
Shop Now: Burt's Bees Baby Chlorine-Free Wipes, $9.95. Amazon.com.
10/16Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion
If you're headed somewhere tropical this holiday, you'll need a quality sunscreen. If you're not going somewhere warm, well, you still need a good SPF. Shiseido's formula isn't greasy, is formulated with SPF 50, and will keep your skin safe, whether you're on the beaches or the slopes.
Shop Now: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion, $22. Ulta.com.
11/16Mario Badescu Travel Size Facial Spray
At $5 each, you can stock up on each of these invigorating sprays from skin-care favorite Mario Badescu. Each is formulated with a different need in mind; try the aloe, cucumber, and green tea blend for a hydrating experience post-car ride.
Shop Now: Mario Badescu Travel Size Facial Spray, $5. Ulta.com.
12/16Tatcha Skincare for Makeup Lovers Obento Box
This gift set is a one-and-done way to stock up on skin-care musts, like primer, moisturizer, and a soothing mask. Most holiday gift sets are filled with travel-size products, making them the perfect way to get your faves at a discount. If you're traveling again this holiday season, you'll already be prepared.
Shop Now: Tatcha Skincare for Makeup Lovers Obento Box, $64. Sephora.com.
13/16Sephora Pro Artists Picks
Or pick up this box full of goodies from Sephora, including a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, lip balm, sunscreen, facial peel...the list goes on.
14/16Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Treatment Masque
We wouldn't recommend applying this on the plane or during a car ride, but this is the perfect treatment for when you need to make bath time a little more luxe. Each packet delivers enough product for one treatment, and will leave you with ultra-hydrated hair.
Shop Now: SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Treatment Masque, $3.49. Ulta.com.
15/16Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer
Work this spray through your hair before using any of those hot tools you stashed in your suitcase; it protects your strands against extreme heat. And it does so much more: Grab it when you want help controlling flyaways without weighing down your hair. Oh, and did we mention it smells amazing?
Shop Now: Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer, $12. Sephora.com.
16/16Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo
If you love dry shampoo but hate the way your hair looks after you use it — y'know, like you just coated it in a layer of baby powder? — try Moroccanoil's take. Each product is formulated for either dark or light hair colors to help the product blend seamlessly into your roots.
Shop Now: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones, $10.50. Sephora.com.
