Packing toiletries is an art. Bring too little, and you’ll be hunting down travel essentials instead of enjoying your vacation. Pack too much, and you risk airport security rummaging through your belongings.

Smart, space-saving packing makes all the difference—especially with limited luggage room. The key? Using functional bags, travel-size bottles, and a minimalist approach to personal care products. In this guide, we’ll show you how to pack efficiently, offer a printable checklist, and share expert tips to make your self-care routine completely travel-friendly.

---

What Type of Luggage Can I Bring on a Plane?

Before packing your toiletries, decide whether you’ll be carrying on or checking in your luggage. This determines how much liquid you’re allowed to bring. Ask yourself:

• Where am I traveling? A tropical getaway or a winter retreat?

• How long will I be away?

• Will I have access to laundry?

• Will I be shopping for souvenirs?

While some trips require more luggage, efficiency should always be a priority. Once you’ve picked your suitcase, follow the TSA’s "Liquid Rule."

Carry-on luggage: Liquids must be in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and fit in a clear, quart-size bag—this includes aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes (3-1-1 Rule).

Checked luggage: You can bring larger liquid containers. Check TSA guidelines for specifics on restricted items.

Pro Tip: Use TSA-approved bottles like PakAway Portables for a hassle-free security experience.

How to Pack Toiletries for Travel

Maximize your luggage space with these steps:

Step 1: Choose a Toiletry Bag

Select a durable, easy-to-clean bag with enough compartments to stay organized. Take a look at this Travel + Leisure article for toiletry bag recommendations.

Pro Tip: Keep your toiletry bag accessible in your carry-on for easy access during your flight.

Step 2: Sort & Eliminate Non-Essentials

Lay out all your toiletries and categorize them:

• Skincare (cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, etc.)

• Shower (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, etc.)

• Haircare (brush, styling products, dry shampoo, etc.)

• Hygiene (toothbrush, deodorant, floss, hand sanitizer, etc.)

• Health (prescriptions, vitamins, first aid, etc.)

• Miscellaneous (multi-purpose wipes, tweezers, safety pins, etc.)

Sort items into three groups:

• Must-have

• Nice-to-have

• Not needed

To streamline, ask yourself:

• Can I go without this for a few days?

• Will I use this daily?

• Can I use a hotel’s version of this product?

• Is there a multi-use alternative?

Pro Tip: Check your hotel’s amenities—you may not need to pack shampoo, lotion, or toothpaste!

Step 3: Downsize Your Essentials

Once you’ve selected your must-haves, estimate how much you’ll actually use.

• Going away for a week? You won’t need an entire bottle of shampoo.

• Can you swap liquid products for solid alternatives, like toothpaste tablets?

• Instead of packing a full set of makeup remover wipes, bring a few in a ziplock bag.

The more you downsize, the more space you save!

Step 4: Use Travel-Size Bottles

Buying travel minis can be costly and wasteful—not to mention limiting if you have a specific beauty routine. Instead, invest in refillable travel-size bottles.

• Choose different sizes based on product needs (e.g., 3 oz for shampoo, 1 oz for serum).

• Use empty beauty containers like eye cream jars for small amounts of product.

• If standard travel bottles haven’t worked for you, try PakAway Portables—they’re customizable, leakproof, and easy to clean. PakAway also offers a pre-labelled set that'll cover all of your skincare and haircare staples. 

Step 5: Pack It All Up!

Now, it’s time to pack your toiletry bag:

• Place heavier items at the bottom.

• Fit items closely together to maximize space.

• Stand products upright where possible.

• Store small items (makeup brushes, chapstick) in side compartments.

• If space is tight, separate your makeup into a smaller bag.
  
  

Printable Toiletry Checklist

To help you stay organized, we’ve created a printable checklist that categorizes products and offers space to mark what you already own, what you need to buy, and what’s packed.

Customize it to fit your routine—add your must-haves and eliminate non-essentials. Heading to a cold climate? Pack extra moisturizer. Beach-bound? Don’t forget SPF!

Pro Tip: Restock your toiletry bag as soon as you get home so it’s ready for your next trip!

Final Thoughts

Efficient packing means more time enjoying your trip and less time dealing with spills, lost items, or unnecessary bulk. Whether you're heading to a sun-soaked beach, a bustling city, or a cozy mountain cabin, smart packing ensures a stress-free journey. Safe travels!