Eco-friendly travel toiletry bag with necessary products for women's skin care. Cosmetics, crystal massager, dry shampoo, cotton swabs, toothbrushes in a toiletry bag on a gray background. top view
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Sustainable self-care habits can start at home, but that doesn't mean you have to forgo your eco-friendly routine when you're out exploring the world. While it may seem more challenging to maintain sustainable practices while traveling, it's actually easier than packing a typical carry-on—if you know the right tricks.
Most eco-friendly products opt for minimal packaging and fewer ingredients, which means getting creative with the composition and carrier. It also means you can forgo conventional liquid personal care products, which can be a hassle at customs, and pack more of what you need in your toiletry bag or makeup bag (or save room for unique souvenirs!).
Here's how to pack a sustainable makeup bag for travel:
Ditch the spray sunscreen
No matter where you’re traveling (even if it’s just across town), it’s important to be mindful of the sunscreen you choose to use. Spray sunscreen may seem convenient in theory, but the amount of wasted product that ends up on your skin and in the air and surrounding grass or sand is astonishing.
Opt for a traditional sunscreen instead. Most modern sunscreens absorb as easily as an aerosol, but instead of floating in the air, they hit your skin. When buying sunscreen, read the label and avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate, which harm coral reefs and are banned in many countries.
Forget the mini toothpaste
Mini toothpaste tubes are cute and, yes, convenient too, but how many toothbrushes can you really get through that little tube? Maybe a week before you throw it out? While we're not suggesting you give up brushing your teeth when you're on the go, we certainly think there's a better way to maintain your oral hygiene without going wasteful.
Lush Toothy Tabs work in exactly the same way as toothpaste, but come in compact tablets in a glass bottle. Simply pop one in your mouth before brushing, crush it (don't swallow), grab your damp toothbrush and brush as usual.
Rethink Your Face Wipes
Anyone who has ever flown on a long-haul flight will agree with me: facial wipes are the ultimate consumer product, but unfortunately, they end up in landfills and do the environment no favors. According to the FDA, facial wipes are made from polyester, polypropylene, cotton, wood pulp, and rayon fibers, many of which are not biodegradable. But don’t worry: There are now eco-friendly options that will work just as well as your favorite disposable wipes. Instead, opt for a natural fiber cloth that you can simply wash and reuse.
Choose bar soap over liquid soap
Whether at home or when traveling, stop buying your soap or shampoo in plastic bottles. Instead, opt for old-fashioned solid soaps and shampoos. Not only do bar soaps make it easier to get through airport security (they’re not liquid, gel, or aerosol and can stay in your bag!), they also last longer and come without packaging. So they’re not only more sustainable, they’re also more cost-effective.
We love the Shampoo bars Lush’s bar soaps are made with essential oils and natural ingredients and are designed to be stored in a reusable metal case. When buying a bar soap, the more natural the better. Look for ingredients like plant oils blended with aloe and seaweed, which will rehydrate skin without making it feel waxy. And don’t forget to pick up a reusable soap case while you’re at it.
Invest in a safety razor
Disposable razors are not good for the environment. Most of the time, they only last one or two shaves before being thrown away, not recycled. Most disposable razors are made of plastic and cannot be recycled due to the different types of plastics, rubbers, and metals used to make them.
If you’re still using disposable razors when you travel, consider switching to a safety razor. Many people don’t know that reusable razors can be carried in a carry-on bag, so there’s no need to pack a pack of disposable razors once you arrive at your destination. Plus, a one-time razor purchase is much more cost-effective than constantly buying packs of disposable razors. It’s a win-win.
Don't forget your essential oils
While it may not seem like a must-have to pack an essential oil, they are actually great remedies to have on hand, especially peppermint or eucalyptus. Most people find that a few drops of peppermint essential oil helps with headaches and migraines, while eucalyptus helps manage stress or anxiety that can sometimes accompany long days of traveling. It’s a great alternative to packing a travel-sized container of Advil or Tylenol.
