Minimalist Travel Skincare: Essentials for a Compact and Effective Routine

Packing skincare for a trip can be hard. All those bottles take up precious room in your suitcase, but at the same time, you don’t want to sacrifice any step in your skincare routine.

On top of that, you have TSA restrictions to think about. If you’re just bringing a carry-on, you have size limitations too.

In this article, we’re sharing the ultimate minimal travel skincare guide, including what essentials you need to bring for your travel skincare routine.

1^st May, 2025

From BIOTHERM

Why a minimalist skincare routine is perfect for travel

You don’t have to pack your entire at-home skincare routine when you travel. Keeping it minimal and light is the way to go to save space in your luggage and avoid spills. Don’t worry: you can still keep your skin looking glowy and healthy on-the-go, even with a minimal set of products.

By choosing the most important essentials with the most versatile and effective skincare ingredients, you’ll maintain your healthy skin no matter where you go.

How to pack skincare for travel (without overpacking)

Stick to the three most essential steps in your skincare routine: cleansing, hydrating, and sun protection. Start with these steps, and if you have more space in your luggage, add more targeted toners, serums, or masks.

Whenever possible, use travel-size versions of your skincare products, such as a tube version. If none is available, get some travel-size containers that are under 100ml each to add your products into, creating your own travel-size versions.

It’s also a great time to bring some skincare samples that you’ve been collecting!

Don’t forget to put all of your skincare into a clear plastic bag that is TSA-compliant.

Pro tip: Bring multi-tasking products that are two-in-one, so you can bring half the amount of product and save space. For example, the Biotherm Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF 30 is both an anti-aging moisturizer and SPF in one product.

How to travel with skincare products

If you can manage, pack all of your skincare products in your carry-on or hand luggage. Since you’re in charge of carrying your bags the entire journey, you can take extra care. Sometimes airline or airport staff may handle your check-in bags with less care, so fragile containers could leak or break.

Avoid damage from happening at all by packing your skincare in secure, sealed bottles or pouches that are made for travel. Avoid glass packaging since it might break during your travels.

If you’re bringing your own travel-size containers, don’t forget to label them! You don’t want to forget what’s in every bottle or pouch once you reach your destination (after all, most skincare products are either white creams or clear liquids).

The travel skincare essentials for a vacation-ready skincare routine

Here are the must-have skincare products to pack to keep your skin clean, radiant, and healthy every day on vacation:

1. Bring a gentle cleanser that can remove impurities and excess oil. You can use the same cleanser day and night.
2. If you wear makeup, don’t forget to bring a dedicated makeup remover. The Biosource Cleansing Micellar Water is an excellent choice for travel with its no-rinse formula.
3. If you have space in your suitcase, bring a multi-purpose face serum, such as the Life Plankton Regenerating Serum. It hydrates, regenerates, and protects the skin, giving you multiple skincare benefits with one product. While this step is optional, it is recommended.
4. No matter where you’re traveling to, whether hot or cold, bring a moisturizer that’s suitable for your skin type. Hydration is essential, especially when you’re flying in dry airplanes. We recommend the Aquasource Hydra Barrier Cream Tube to hydrate and protect your skin barrier while flying, especially with its convenient carry-on friendly size.
5. Bring a face sunscreen and body sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. Save room in your suitcase by packing the Biotherm Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF 30, which is a two-in-one moisturizer and SPF.

And that’s it! These skincare essentials are compact and effective for maintaining healthy skin on-the-go.

Travel skincare tips for different destinations

It’s important to consider your travel destination when packing your vacation skincare. Going somewhere with a dry climate? Double up on hydrating products, such as this Aqua Bounce Super Concentrate and the Aquasource Cica Nutri Cream Tube. Cleanse your skin with Aquasource Hydra Barrier Cleanser to protect your skin barrier from the harsh environment.

Going to a hot, humid destination? Avoid clogged pores and breakouts by using light, refreshing products. Cleanse daily with this Biosource Purifying Foaming Cleanser and top it off with the Aquasource Hyalu Plump Gel Tube.

Heading somewhere cold and snowy? The Aquasource Hydra Barrier Cream Tube, Life Plankton Regenerating Serum, and barrier-protecting cleansers will be your best friend to protect your skin.

Pro tip: Apply a sheet mask on the flight to keep your skin healthy and hydrated for the journey. Planes are notorious for wreaking havoc on your skin with its dry air and lack of air circulation.

Follow this travel skincare guide and you’ll have no problem maintaining your healthy, glowy skin no matter where you go.

Have a fun trip!