So much can go wrong when you’re traveling internationally. And much of it can happen before you even step onto the plane. You could miss your flight, get held up at the check-in line, and have to pay for overweight baggage or get your bags rifled through at TSA.

The latter happened to me recently for the first time in years. I don’t have an excuse. I got cocky. I thought, maybe TSA won’t be that strict. And so I packed my skincare into my carry-on. That was my first mistake. Then suddenly I was saying goodbye to half of my beloved skincare products as they were carelessly tossed into a bin at Heathrow Airport.

Suffice to say, I’ll never make that crucial error again. So, to make sure I have all the skincare products I need on vacation without the risk of losing my precious products, I am putting together the ultimate travel skincare kit.

I know you’re thinking: why don’t you just put your skincare in your checked bag? But most of the time, I don’t even travel with checked luggage. I think the key to packing is packing light. Just a carry-on bag, a tote, and a fanny pack. Simple, streamlined.

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible for me to have the same minimalist mindset with my skincare even when I travel.

Despite the fact I know I’ll be too tired every night to do an elaborate skincare routine and face mask, I always think I will. But this wishful thinking is what cost me some of my favorite serums. So it’s time to streamline.

The key to putting together a kit of travel must-haves is the products have to give you a lot of bang for the space they take up. I’m talking multiple uses, lots of skin-loving ingredients, and of course under 100ml.

In short, you want high efficacy, in small packaging. The easiest way to do this is by looking for high-quality brands and checking out their travel-size offerings. This is also a gateway into trying more pricey products at a fraction of the cost.

But instead of scouring the pre-checkout aisle at Sephora, I did all the research for you and have come up with the ultimate travel-size must-haves. Bonus: many brands even have essential kits to knock out a whole routine in one. Just make sure it all fits into one plastic bag for TSA!

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