10 Beauty Essentials to Pack in Your Carry-on Luggage

Planning for a trip is always exciting, especially if you’ve been putting your all into your daily grind. But for some people, the mere thought of packing carry-on luggage can quickly turn those butterflies into stress knots. There are just some things, like your beauty stash, that you can’t and don’t want to sacrifice for space.

If you’re not one to travel light, here’s a selection of beauty essentials that will fit in your carry-on luggage. These items will also help keep you fresh throughout an overnight flight and your entire trip.

Your carry-on luggage should have all the things you’ll need during the flight and “just in case” items that will save you if your checked-in bag is lost. For the latter, keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, contacts solution, comb, and perfume inside a wash bag. Bring these in travel sizes to save space and abide by the liquids limit. You can buy other hygiene items at your destination to save space.

The lack of humidity in the airplane cabin can make skin produce more sebum. So, as soon as the seatbelt sign turns off, wash your hands and cleanse your face with POND'S Bright Miracle Ultimate Pore Clear Facial Scrub. Formulated with Clay-BHA, it cleanses pores to prevent blackheads and helps remove excess sebum on your skin.

Store POND'S Bright Miracle Night Serum inside your carry-on luggage to keep your complexion radiant when you’re away from home. It has niasorcinol that increases cell turnover, fades dark spots, and protects your skin from environmental stressors. The serum’s fast-absorbing nature means it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy, making it perfect for layering under a moisturizer or makeup.

It’s tricky to decant your tub of moisturizer into a small container, but there’s an easier way to hydrate your skin while on the go: sheet masks. They’re infused with active ingredients, which are designed to target dull and irritated skin. Just plop one on whenever your skin feels dry (or you’re craving some self-care moments) and leave it on for 10 minutes.

Whether you’re sitting in a window or aisle seat, a bottle of sunscreen must be in your carry-on luggage – no ifs or buts. The sun is way more intense at high elevations, and study reports that airplane windows don’t fully block UV rays.

To pare down your travel kit essentials, you can bring a sunscreen-moisturizer hybrid (your skin needs all the hydration it can get!). Opt for formulations that offer broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. When it comes to application, be sure to cover all exposed areas of your face and neck.

At 35,000 feet, the quality of the air inside the cabin is super dry and has only a humidity of 10 percent – four times lower than the average humidity levels on the ground. So, if your skin feels parched, know that it’s not your imagination. Luckily, a few spritzes of face mist can quench the thirst of dehydrated skin mid-flight. Choose one that’s infused with soothing ingredients, like cica and green tea, to calm any redness. Don’t forget to seal the hydration with a layer of moisturizer.

Some airlines may have strict guidelines regarding aerosol products like dry shampoo in carry-on luggage. Spare yourself the hassle of extra security checks by bringing dry shampoo powder instead. It absorbs excess oil from your scalp and adds more volume – no rinsing required. Plus, it doesn’t take up too much space in your bag.

Sleeping on a plane is not an option for everyone, especially for nervous flyers. Turn to concealer instead of foundation to cover those dark circles and other blemishes. You don’t need a brush or sponge to blend it – just tap it with your ring finger for a light touch.

The combination of dry cabin air and disrupted sleep patterns can leave your eyes feeling dry, itchy, and fatigued. Throw a lubricating eye drop in your bag to keep your peepers comfortable. If you wear contacts, make sure to use a rewetting eye drop made specifically for contact lenses.

Nothing chaps your lips quite like a long-haul flight, so having a go-to product that can moisturize your puckers is crucial. And since you want to pack light, trade your lipstick and lip mask for a tinted lip balm. The sheer wash of color complements any makeup look and makes your skin pop. Best of all, you can reapply it whenever you like without a mirror.

Don’t worry about packing everything on this list in your carry-on luggage. Pick what suits your needs best and can help make your journey more comfortable. If you have room left in your bag, use it to bring some souvenirs home.