I’m a Beauty Editor, and These TSA-Approved Beauty Products Make Traveling So Much Easier

1 min readI RECENTLY LOGGED over 50 flights in the past two and a half years, and prefer to travel with just hand luggage whenever possible. Whether I’m visiting family in Europe and the Caribbean or reviewing hotels for the Women’s Health and Men’s Health Travel Awards, I only pack beauty products that can keep up from sunrise to sunset.Flying with just a carry-on means adhering to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, which limits my liquids, gels, creams, and aerosols to containers that are 3.4 oz (100ml) or smaller. These items also need to fit inside a quart-sized clear bag. That’s why my biggest travel hack is to use mini versions of my favorite multi-purpose products, including tinted sunscreen that camouflages skin imperfections. I’m also a fan of a hair treatment that styles and protects my strands in between dips in the pool and sweaty adventures.Many of these suggestions have been staples in my routine for years, including the Touchland hand sanitizer. Others are so effective that I always keep a full-sized version around for home, like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Pressed Powder.Ahead are items I’ll continue to rely on to helping me look and feel great while traveling. Even better? Everything starts at just $5.You’ll need somewhere to store your new goodies, and Cadence makes my top travel-friendly cosmetic case. I enjoy it so much that I use it even when I’m not traveling, and can confirm it holds up well. When I have an after-work event, I’ll toss in all my must-haves and get ready at my desk before heading out. It easily cleans up with an alcohol or baby wipe. The clear design also lets TSA inspect my essentials without unpacking anything. The magnetic closure also stays locked even when I stuff my bag because, yes, I want five shades of pink lipstick.When it’s been three days since my last shampoo and now my hair is a greasy mess but I’ve got only 15 minutes to make my dinner reservation, I’ll grab this classic dry shampoo. It uses rice starch to quickly refresh my oily scalp. Batiste is infused with keratin, an ingredient known for strengthening hair. Thanks to notes of peony, freesia, and orange peel, the Blush edition smells like an afternoon spent at the salon.Hotel shampoos and conditioners don’t quite hit the same as the ones at the salon, which is why I always keep this set from Redken in my clear cosmetic bag. The shampoo gently cleanses away impurities and leaves my hair feeling fresh and soft, while the conditioner leaves it feeling silky. There’s also a spray bottle of One United Leave-In Spray that offers 25 benefits, ranging from detangling to boosting shine.Dae is shaped like a mascara wand, so it fits neatly into my carry-on to slick down my flyaways while traveling. I often use this along my center part in place of a chunky hair wax stick or when creating a sleek bun. It’s available in multiple scents, including the signature Citrus aroma. However, I’m most keen on the Vanilla Dae Beam that combines notes of vanilla, praline, and candied lemon. It smells like a sophisticated dessert rather than reminiscent of something I’d beg my mom to buy me in middle school.At first glance, the lightweight, vented design might make you question its quality, but its performance is top-notch despite its size. The Fhi Unbrush untangles my knots and frizzy strands in just a few brush strokes. It doesn’t pull or tug, and I haven’t experienced any breakage since incorporating this brush into my routine a year ago.I’ve been using one TikTok’s favorite face sprays on and off for two years and can confirm that it’s worth the hype. The star ingredient—hypochlorous acid—has antibacterial properties and calms inflammation from eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, dermatologist Robert Finney, MD, previously told us. Tower28’s pH-balancing toner also feels incredible on my body after working up a sweat while exploring Jamaica. Hypoclorous acid helps minimize body acne, which is always a win.Our beauty team recently named this our favorite hand treatment in our 2026 Beauty Awards. Joonbyrd has an almost custard-like texture that’s a nice hybrid between a rich cream and a lightweight lotion that spreads easily and absorbs quickly without leaving my fingertips greasy. I can also see and feel the bright orange vitamin E microspheres melt into the formula, making the application feel luxurious while delivering an extra boost of hydration and antioxidant benefits.Joonbyrd Confetti Sky ReviewFrom the rideshare to the airport to those grimy TSA security bins, I like to keep things as clean as possible with this hand sanitizer. I’ve been using Touchland since 2020, and it helps keep me safe from germs without dehydrating my palms. A blend of aloe vera and radish root ferment hydrate without stripping my skin of moisture, while 70% ethyl alcohol eliminates up to 99.99% of common germs. There are more than a dozen scents available, but Mango Passion is the move. It opens up with mango and strawberry, transitions into middle notes of pear and peach, and settles into a mix of sweet apricot and passion fruit nectar for a tropical aroma.Plane cabins are notoriously drying, so I pop on this face mask to replenish my parched skin. Peach & Lily is packed with hyaluronic acid, vegan collagen, peptides, and ginseng extract to help plump and hydrate my face. After 15 to 25 minutes, my face feels soft and supple, plus it looks glowy like I have on an illuminating primer. You can snag a set of seven for $47 or try an individual mask for $7.Unless I’m lucky enough to stay at five-star resorts that puts The White Lotus to shame (hi, SixSenses!), I prefer bringing my trusty TSA-size skincare products, like this face wash. Developed by a board-certified dermatologist, this gentle face wash removes oil, sunscreen, and light makeup. On days I wear heavy makeup, I’ll double-cleanse, and my skin still feels comfy. Thanks to a combination of glycerin and polyglyceryl, my skin is hydrated and softer.When I travel to new destinations, I’m usually exhausted, and these chic under-eye masks come in clutch. The delicate undereye skin is prone to fine lines, dryness, and discoloration, dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, recently told me. Grown Alchemist quickly became my new favorite because it uses caffeine to help brighten my dark circles, while allantoin and panthenol soothe and hydrate my skin. It’s also made with ectoin that further targets fine lines and brightens dark circles. The crescent shape also catches any eyeshadow fallout and helps me create a more precise winged liner.Five dermatologists previously name-checked this as our best overall clear sunscreen. I’ve used mine for seven months and find it to be a reliable pick for great SPF protection without worrying about it causing pimples or feeling greasy during the summer. Since EltaMD combines broad-spectrum SPF with a sheer tint, I don’t need to pack a light foundation or CC cream. UV Clear is available in three flexible colors, including Clear for fair to medium complexions, Tinted which my match, and Deep Tinted for more melanin-rich tones.EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Sunscreen ReviewEvery makeup artist I’ve worked with has a bottle of this French beauty staple. Bioderma swiftly removes my eye and face makeup, including mascara and shimmery shadows, with ease. It’s also great for cleaning up winged liner. Micelles, which are tiny balls of oil naturally attracted to debris on the skin, dermatologist Julie Russak, MD, previously told WH.A full-sized jar of moisturizer takes up too much space in my limited cosmetic bag, which is why I always pack a mini version instead. Ole Henriksen is powered by peptides, amino acids, ceramides, and collagen that hydrate and support my skin’s moisture barrier. It’s compatible with all skin types—ranging from dry to oily—including mine.I like to pack my vacation day with activities, so I need to ensure my makeup can keep up. Smashbox’s latest release locks my face beat in place for up to 12 hours, letting me enjoy exploring new destinations instead of worrying about my makeup sliding off by noon. It absorbs quickly, boosts hydration, and prevents transfer. Even better: It’s sweat and humidity-resistant for all of my summer adventures.Credit: Charlotte TilburyI’ve been using the full-sized pressed powder since July 2019 and it remains a staple in my routine. It’s finely-milled and contains light-reflecting pearlescent pigments that are like a blurring beauty filter IRL. Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury shrunk it down to a pocket-sized version that’s perfect for travel and touch-ups on the go. I simply will not travel without it.I own over 100 brushes and makeup artist Jenny Patinkin created some of the best, including this adorable set. It contains six petite versions of her signature brushes, including the complexion, powder/blush, concealer, eyeshadow, crease blending brush, and smudger. Although the bristles are made from recycled plastic, they feel luxurious and soft like her other full-sized tools. A bonus: The kit includes a baby pink pouch that has room for other essentials like lipstick, lip balm, or my jewelry.Nars makes the longest-lasting cream blush I’ve tested. This duo includes Orgasm Crave, a peachy pink with gold pearlescent flecks and Bad Habit for a pop of pink. They’re highly pigmented so a little bit of product goes a long way—each mini stick easily lasts me over a month with regular use. They can also be applied to my lips and eyes for a chic monochromatic look when I’m in a rush. They’re easy to blend with the warmth of my fingers or with a fluffy blush brush.Credit: Yves Saint LaurentThis quad of neutrals work for day and night, though there are eight other color stories worth exploring if you’d like to experiment with shades of pink, green, blue, and purple. My essential set is Exotic Mirage, which combines gold and brown tones that complements everything in my summer wardrobe. The shimmery shades have chic pearlescent flecks rather than chunky glitter, while the mattes are non-drying. The color payoff is also noteworthy—and I haven’t experienced any fall out yet.The petite tube hardly takes up room in my travel makeup bag, making it an easy option for weekend trips and longer getaways. The curved, densely-packed bristles coat every single lash from root to tip without any clumps. White tea extract conditions, while the jet black formula volumizes and lengthens my lashes.Angels Share is a sweet, warm gourmand scent inspired by founder Kilian Hennessy’s family legacy in the cognac business (yup, that Hennessy family). With notes of cognac, tonka bean, oakwood, cinnamon essence, praline, and vanilla, it’s become my signature scent for the last two years. Since it’s so concentrated, I only need a few spritzes of Angels Share on my pulse points for long-lasting wear. I get compliments from friends and strangers alike whenever I wear it.Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site. Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.