For a weekend away, pack cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen, plus anything you use daily and would miss. Leave new products and optional extras at home. For carry-on bags in the US, liquids generally need to be in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in one quart-size bag.
The travel essentials
- Cleanser, or micellar water if sinks are uncertain.
- Moisturizer, maybe slightly richer for planes and air conditioning.
- Sunscreen, especially for beaches, snow or long days outside.
- Lip balm.
Optional, if you use them daily
- Your morning serum.
- Your eye product.
- Your evening retinol. Consider skipping it on a short trip, especially somewhere sunny. Missing a couple of nights is fine.
What to leave at home
- Anything new. Travel already changes climate, water and sleep, so it’s a bad time to discover a reaction. Introduce products at home.
- Exfoliants and masks.
- Duplicate products.
Carry-on liquid rules
US airport security generally limits carry-on liquids, gels and creams to containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, all in one clear quart-size bag. Check the current rules for your airport and airline before you fly. Full-size products can go in checked luggage.
Decanting safely
- Use clean, dry travel containers.
- Label each one with the product name.
- Decant only what you need, and don’t pour leftovers back.
- Take a photo of the original ingredient list and directions.
- Light-sensitive products such as retinol and vitamin C are best kept in opaque containers, or in their original packaging if it is small enough.
Packing to avoid leaks
- Leave a little air space in containers.
- Put a small piece of plastic wrap under lids.
- Pack liquids in a zip bag.
On the trip
- Planes: cabin air is dry, so moisturize before and after.
- Hot climates: reapply sunscreen and keep products out of the sun. Storage tips.
- Cold climates: a richer moisturizer and sunscreen for snow glare. Adjusting for weather.
- After workouts or swimming: rinse and moisturize. Skincare after a workout.
Further reading: American Academy of Dermatology: How to apply sunscreen · FDA: Shelf life and expiration dating of cosmetics
A short Ozera travel kit: 001 Copper Peptide Cream for morning and night, with your own cleanser and sunscreen.
Photography: Annie Spratt / Unsplash. Editorial photograph.