Part of packing your carry-on luggage in a smart way means including the right skincare products. While you may be tempted to bring your entire vanity, you’ll need to cut out unnecessary steps and pare down your skincare routine for travel. 

The upside is you can use the space for that extra pair of shoes you were hoping to squeeze in. The caveat is that you have to be very mindful of what you need. Not all skin types require the same beauty products, which is why we talked with NYC-based board-certified dermatologists Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, and Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD to get the lowdown on what skincare products are non-negotiables for travel. 

Below, the experts break down which skincare essentials should always have a spot in your toiletry bag based on your skin type, in addition to their top picks for each category. All the products are available on Amazon Beauty, that way Prime members can take advantage of  two-day free shipping.

Dermatologist-approved Travel Skincare Products

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $14 (originally $16)
• Cetaphil Redness Relieving Daily Moisturizer, $18
• EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen, $22 (originally $23)
• Sisley Velvet Sleeping Mask, $107 (originally $170)
• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen, $38
• Humphreys Clarifying Witch Hazel Cleansing Pads, $12 (originally $15)
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer, $19
• Melach 33 Hyaluronic Botanical Mist, $26
• Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsule Serum, $54 (originally $56)
• Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Cream, $76

The most common mistake the dermatologists find that travelers make is overpacking beauty products.  

“You really just want to stick to one of each of the basics: a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and SPF,” Dr. Engelman told Travel + Leisure. “More specialized or less-frequently-used products  like scrubs, facial treatments, and multiple types of serums or moisturizers don’t necessarily need to come along with you.”

Skin Type: Sensitive

If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Engelman recommends packing beauty products that have gentle and calming ingredients to “help alleviate any redness or reactivity that can pop up during travel.” 

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil is a favorite brand of Dr. Engelman for people with sensitive skin. This facial cleanser has a fragrance-free formula that won’t irritate skin, and uses vitamins B5 and B3 to provide hydration for up to 48 hours. Plus, she says it’s “great for helping to keep skin balanced and even-toned despite external stressors.”

Cetaphil Redness Relieving Daily Moisturizer

You can keep redness at bay when you slather on this face moisturizer before a day of exploration. It’s a two-in-one skincare product that will deliver hydration to your face in addition to protecting it from damaging UV rays thanks to the addition of SPF 40. You can get moisturizer and sun protection without having to pack two separate products.

EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen

Speaking of sun protection, it’s not just for beach getaways. Dr. Engelman points out that you’re also exposed to the sun’s UV rays while you’re flying (looking at you window seat lovers).

“This applies even if you aren’t sitting in direct sunlight,” she said. “Being closer to the sun and ultraviolet radiation can cause greater free radical damage and a higher risk of skin cancer.”

This means packing SPF products is crucial. Mudgil prefers EltaMD’s facial sunscreen for its fragrance-free formula and inclusion of zinc oxide, a physical sun blocker that’s gentle on sensitive skin. 

Sisley Velvet Sleeping Mask

This sleeping mask is especially useful for long flights, according to Dr. Engelman because you just apply it and let it soak into your skin (no washing off required). It uses saffron flower, shea butter and botanical oils that can help soothe skin — especially if you’re experiencing redness. And, she finds it works great as an overnight mask, or for giving skin a quick 10 to 15-minute refresh.

One five-star reviewer even praised the “smooth and velvety” texture that they noted makes it an effective moisturizer.

Skin Type: Oily and Combination

Unfortunately, oily and acne-prone skin tend to suffer more from breakouts during travel, according to Dr. Engelman, due to stress and “sub-optimal skin conditions on an airplane,” like shared cabin air, and surfaces that hold a lot of bacteria. To help minimize breakouts though, Dr. Mudgil advises people with oily and combination skin pack only non-comedogenic and oil-free skincare and makeup. 

“Opt for a gentle, balancing cleanser to replenish moisture while removing excess sebum and impurities, and an oil-free moisturizer to help keep skin balanced and shine-free throughout the trip,” Dr. Engelman suggests.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen

Dr. Mudgil considers sunscreen to be the most important step for your skin, when you’re traveling and when you’re not. 

“Whether you’re sitting on the beach (under an umbrella hopefully) or skiing, don’t forget sunscreen,” he said. He recommends Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen, especially for oily and combination skin. It has an oil-free formula that applies clear, so no white streaks or white cast are left behind, and it’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Humphreys Clarifying Witch Hazel Cleansing Pads

These cleansing pads will clean your skin after a long day of outdoor adventures, plus, they don’t require you to squirt your skincare into a separate TSA-approved bottle. The natural witch hazel will help purify skin by removing bacteria and excess sebum, the biggest contributor to breakouts. And, its compact size makes it easy to throw in a backpack or tote to take with you on hot wilderness retreats.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer

This Neutrogena moisturizer is a favorite of Dr. Engelman for oily or combination skin because of its lightweight and oil-free formula. Instead of making your skin feel weighed down and greasy, it’ll provide up to 24 hours of hydration, which is a plus if you’re on an overnight flight and can’t perform your normal nighttime skincare routine.

Skin Type: Dry

When you have dry skin, your biggest obstacle while traveling will be the airplane’s dry cabin air that Dr. Engelman warns can “quickly pull moisture out of skin, leaving it feeling tight, dehydrated, and irritated.” 

She explains that airplane cabins tend to only have 20 percent humidity, whereas the ideal range — which is what your skin prefers — is between 40 and 60 percent.

“This causes the skin to become dry and irritated in as little as a few hours. Cabin pressurization also results in less oxygen absorption into the bloodstream, which can cause skin to appear dull,” Dr. Engelman said. “On top of that, airplane surfaces tend to hold a lot of bacteria, which when paired with dry, shared cabin air makes acne breakouts much more likely.”

To help offset this, you’ll want to make sure you have a hydrating face mask or face mist both on and off the plane to give your skin a quick boost. 

Melach 33 Hyaluronic Botanical Mist

Rather than carry a bottle of moisturizer with you at all times, Dr. Engelman recommends keeping a face mist handy instead. It’ll be especially helpful for any walking tours that require you to be away from your hotel for long hours. That way, when you go to reapply sunscreen, you can also give your face a quick spritz of hydration while you’re at it. 

This face mist is a personal favorite of hers for its use of Cristalhyal, a type of hyaluronic acid that’s “clinically proven to increase skin’s water content by 45 percent in eight hours and maintain long-lasting hydration,” she explains.

Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsule Serum

“Dry skin types should also make sure to bring a nourishing serum and moisturizer,” Dr. Engelman said. “[These capsules] deliver a potent dose of hyaluronic acid and ceramides to keep skin moisturized and protected” with each use. 

And unlike traditional bottled moisturizer, the Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules are individually packaged, allowing you to throw however many you need into a purse, backpack, or carry-on without taking up much space.  

Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Cream

To lock in moisture at the end of your skincare routine, Dr. Engelman loves Medik8’s Advanced Night Ceramide Signature Night Cream, “which contains a multi-ceramide complex and [ingredients] to deeply hydrate and support a strong barrier.” That way you can rejuvenate your face after a long day of outdoor excursions.  

Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment

This lip balm has a simple scent-free formula that Dr. Mudgil suggests keeping on hand — especially when you’re sitting on a plane. Your lips shouldn’t be forgotten when you moisturize, especially since skin rapidly loses moisture up in the air. This ointment can provide a layer of protection that’ll prevent chapped lips during travel and throughout your visit.

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