14 Top Toiletries for Your Packing List 2023

If there’s one item you must remember to pack in your suitcase, let it be sunscreen. (Yes, even if sunny skies aren’t on the forecast.)

While any kind of sunscreen with an SPF level of at least 30 will do the trick, we’re partial to this purse-friendly version from Shiseido.

Infused with nourishing hyaluronic acid, this mineral sunscreen is lightweight, oil-free, and an excellent choice for those of us with fussier skin.

Plus, it’s multifunctional, doubling as a surprisingly solid makeup primer. (Remember to reapply every two hours for maximum UV protection.)

If you already delight in the wonders of matcha in beverage form, consider incorporating powdered Japanese green tea into your beauty routine.

While you can reap all the glorious topical benefits via matcha-laced cleansers, toners, and even hair care products, we’re most impressed by these blotting papers that feature the ingredient.

Whimsical packaging aside, tossing these into your bag will make on-the-go touch-ups easy—ideal for when you don’t have time to run back to your hotel room to sop up obligatory vacation shine.

Is there anything sweeter than lounging around a hotel room in a robe and a sheet mask (ideally one that’s been chilled in the mini fridge) with room service on the way?

Yeah, we didn’t think so. Especially after a raucous night of partying with the locals and downing one too many margaritas in the spirit of “being on vacation.” (Uh, been there.)

We can’t help with the robe or room service, but do consider packing this six-pack of ultra-hydrating facemasks on your next trip.

With moisture-attracting humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, parched skin is quenched and bouncy in less time it takes to figure out the hotel TV remote.

We really enjoy the sleek feel of the Moso bamboo handles on Bite’s eco-friendly toothbrushes. The soft bristles make brushing a breeze, too.

Removable brush heads and the opportunity to enroll in a subscription service is a great way to encourage less waste.

At a time when greenwashing and hollow gestures run rampant in the beauty community, this launch feels genuine.

In addition to being more compact than traditional plastic toothbrushes, it adds a bohemian, earthy touch to any bathroom counter. While you’re at it, check out Bite’s other oral care offerings, which are equally impressive.

We’ve had model Pritika Swarup’s ayurvedic skin-care line, Prakti, on our radar since she launched it in 2021—and for good reason: the tightly curated and impressively formulated range is a rare and welcome standout among the flurry of over-hyped celebrity-owned beauty brands.

We’d happily take this travel-minded trio of Prakti’s greatest hits (a rice powder exfoliator, a non-stripping cleanser, and a turmeric butter-infused moisturizer) with us on any vacation. Though the lightweight, organic cotton bag just feels right in warmer settings.

Yes, this creamy mask is a splurge, but this small-but-mighty tube packs a seriously powerful punch. So much so that we suspect it houses some sort of witchcraft inside.

(Witchcraft being antioxidant-rich black rose extract, anti-inflammatory geranium oil, moisture-retaining provitamin B5, and other barrier-supporting actives.)

A little goes a long way with this one. While it’ll work in any setting, it really shines as a quick complexion booster post-flight.

We were initially drawn to the uniquely satisfying shape of this hand cream because it resembles an egg, but the super absorbent formula and non-cloying floral scent (a combination of sweet iris and May rose wax) won us over.

You’ll want to take this chic little lotion with you everywhere you go, as it moisturizes and softens knuckles, cuticles, and even elbows instantly.

Our only warning? Prepare for everyone (even the stranger next to you) to ask for a hit of this stuff. (Yes, it smells that good!)

Diptyque’s Do Son fragrance is a veritable classic. Despite landing on the scene almost 18 years ago, we never tire of this aquatic-smelling eau, and apparently, neither does the general public. Compliments are pretty much guaranteed when you sport this.

Inspired by seaside breezes in Vietnam where Diptyque founder Yves Coueslant spent his summers, the mix of spicy tuberose, sweet jasmine, and zesty orange blossom feels apt for a vacation where water is involved.

This new limited-edition bottle features a dreamy turquoise illustration that’ll spark some serious wanderlust. 

Visit Turkey and you’ll find Kolonya almost everywhere. It’s an objectively brilliant product that marries perfume or cologne with hand sanitizer.

Despite being around for centuries, it’s still a relatively unfamiliar concept here in the United States. But Yeliz Brackman Kartal is trying to change that through Koku, her cheerful new brand.

The travel-sized bottles come in three different but equally sophisticated scents, all inspired by the lush flora and fauna of the Mediterranean.

Koku’s a welcome departure from the medicinal feel of mainstream hand sanitizers, but honestly, the products just smell really freakin’ good. Whip out your favorite of the three whenever you’re craving a quick refresh.

When Alo introduced its first deodorant about a year ago, we were buzzing with excitement. I mean, how comfy is their activewear?

Fortunately, their deodorant happens to be as great as their workout gear. It’s compact enough to easily accompany you on any trip, especially one that involves a great deal of walking (and, ahem, perspiring).

Don’t let the price tag scare you away. A litany of good-for-your-skin ingredients (think hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and aloe, to name a few) work overtime to keep delicate underarm skin nourished and body odor safely at bay.

Yes, the hype is real. Yes, the price is steep. But when it comes to truly great moisturizers, you can’t go wrong with this one.

The thin, cylindrical bottle makes it a breeze to carry around, and the impressive selection of ingredients (think: Australian lemon myrtle extract, rice bran oil, and baobab leaf extract, to name a few) work overtime to create, well, magic.

The Light Cream is just one of four versions of the brand’s groundbreaking moisturizers. So if your goal isn’t to mattify and reduce shine and oil, check out its sister creams. But be prepared to forever worship at the altar of Augustinus Bader.

Shaving oil may seem like a useless addition to your toiletry bag—after all, conditioner does make for an easy substitute in a pinch—but you’ll be pleased you remembered to take this one. This Costa Rica-based brand Thrive deserves space to come along with you.

Rich in soothing, plant-derived oils, this gentle oil (which also happens to smell delicious) lubricates the skin, setting the tone for a seamless, nick-free shave.

The non-irritating, vegan formula not only works well on your legs, arms, and body, but also on your face.

Pro tip: Lather on a thin layer of this stuff and you’ve got a clean canvas to buff away unwanted hair on your chin, upper lip, and cheeks.

Inspired by urban landscapes and bustling metropolises, this travel-sized version of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s energetic (and recently launched) eau, 724, is one we’ll enthusiastically bring along on a trip where admiring impressive architectural feats and keeping up with frenetic, round-the-clock energy of a city is on the docket.

Notes of sandalwood, white floral accord, bergamot, and Egyptian jasmine make this musky floral a worthwhile scent to wear in places like Tokyo, London, New York City, and Shanghai.

Named after Spanish fruit and inspired by Egyptian holistic rituals, Sangra de Fruta has quickly become one of our favorite beauty brands of all time.

Plant-derived ingredients, luxurious packaging, and effective formulas make this a no-nonsense range that not only looks great in our bathrooms but works well too.

You can’t go wrong with anything in the lineup (we’re really loving the hand soap lately), but the hair-care is *chef’s kiss*. Take this trio of shampoo, conditioner, and hair serum with you to literally any locale and enjoy a sensorial, earthly experience.