Travel-Wise & Planet-Friendly Toiletries

Before traveling, one of the first things people pack is their toiletries bag, and most likely, it’s loaded with travel-size plastic containers. Sure, they’re convenient, but small-portion products have a huge negative impact on the environment. They generate a vast amount of single-use plastic packaging, and the percentage of the packaging that gets recycled is as small as the tiny tube itself. Most of the plastic waste cannot be (or is not) recycled, so it ends up in landfills or polluting the ecosystem.

What’s required to address plastic waste, protect the environment, and reduce greenhouse emissions? An investment in sustainable packaging solutions, such as biodegradable or recyclable materials, reformulating products to reduce environmental impact — and everyone’s support of sustainable practices. Though it may seem inconsequential, packing planet-friendly personal-care products plays a tremendously positive role. Here’s how you can help.

Regardless of your mode of travel, the Travel Security Administration’s (TSA) regulations present a good basis for packing personal-care items. Restrictions on size force you to become more mindful when packing, forcing you to ask yourself questions like, “Do I really need this while I’m traveling? How much do I need? Does this product contain harmful or combustible ingredients?” If you pack your personal care items as if you were flying with only a carry-on, you’ll take another step in an earth-friendly direction.

According to the TSA, you’re permitted to bring a limited amount of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These liquid items must comply with TSA’s 3-1-1 rule: Each container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item; they must fit in a clear, quart-sized, resealable bag; and only one bag is allowed per person.

Of course, if you’re checking a bag before the flight, TSA restrictions don’t apply. But checking a bag has gotten quite expensive, and there’s always the risk of the airline losing your checked luggage. Traveling light saves you money and time, ultimately lowering your stress level.

Travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule most commonly include toothpaste, shampoo, hair conditioner, mouthwash, body lotion, hair styling products, nail polish and nail polish remover.

•   TSA rules don’t apply to personal-care products in a solid or powder form. When you pack solid bars of shampoo, shower gel, and body lotion, travel and body-care are easier, more convenient, and planet friendly.

•   Choose brands that prioritize sustainable packaging and biodegradable ingredients for their products, no matter if they are travel-size or full-size.

•   Can’t find your must-have products in a travel size? Transfer a small amount from their large bottles into small, compliant reusable travel containers. 

•   When possible, consider purchasing sustainable products at your destination. You may discover a new favorite.

Ready to rethink the contents of your toiletry travel bag? Here are a few options to get you started. We’ve researched all the brands and products for effectiveness, safety, and sustainability, so you don’t have to. Happy travels!

•   HiBar Solid Shampoo & Conditioner Bars. No plastic bottles! Just color-safe shampoo that maintains the health of your hair, leaving it fresh, clean, and shining with nourishing natural ingredients. No sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, or cruelty either. True salon-quality hair care, developed by high-end hair-care professionals. 1 HiBAR = 16 ounces of liquid shampoo or conditioner = 1 less plastic bottle.Check out the sampler kits; they’re even more travel-friendly!

•   Attitude Shampoo & Conditioner Bars. Concentrated waterless bars crafted with plant- and mineral-based ingredients, designed specifically for your hair type. Infused with enticing natural scents. The shampoo bar can also be lathered up and used as a shaving balm. Plastic-free packaging: wrapped in a FSC-certified cardboard box. 

•   Giovanni Wicked Texture Pomade. Wax it. Style it. Define it. For a wicked look. Unlike oil-based pomades, Giovanni’s washes out easily and won't strip the natural oils or color from your hair. Gentle on you and the planet, it’s color-safe, paraben-free, and cruelty-free. This vegan pomade is formulated with organically produced ingredients. 

•   Attitude Plastic-Free Deodorant. This plastic-free natural deodorant uses innovative biodegradable all-paper packaging designed to reduce single-use plastic. Because caring for the planet and your body should be a daily thing, Attitude’s aluminum-free deodorant is made from natural ingredients, such as arrowroot and cornstarch, that absorb moisture and eliminate unpleasant odors naturally. Provides long-lasting protection, without plugging up the body's natural temperature regulating sweat system. EWG VERIFIED, contains no aluminum, aluminum compounds, or baking soda. Available in many appealing scents and unscented. 

•   Thai Crystal Deodorant Stones. Pure and clean, this deodorant has just one ingredient — mineral salt (potassium alum), which comes right from the earth itself. It’s the easiest way to enjoy all-day freshness, without any harmful chemicals. Stones will last more than a year - we guarantee it.

•   Mouth Watchers Travel Toothbrush. A full-size brush that folds for packing. It’s also self-cleaning, featuring dual layer antimicrobial nano silver flossing bristles that reach into tight areas, leaving teeth and gums feeling just as clean as after a professional dental cleaning. It’s like using a sterile toothbrush every time. 

•   Dr. Tung’s Snap-On Toothbrush Protection. Your toothbrush gets exposed to many potentially icky elements every day. Toothbrush Protection keeps your bristles hygienic, fresh and free of odor-causing germs in a snap. Convenient and travel-ready, it comes with powerful antibacterial discs containing an efficacious blend of 100% natural clove, peppermint, tea tree, thyme, and lemon oils to safely sanitize your toothbrush. 

•   Humble Toothpaste Tablets. Bite, chew, brush! Here’s a convenient and sustainable alternative to tiny plastic tubes that's not subject to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. Brought to you by dentists who care about your oral health, our environment, and children in need of oral care. These toothpaste tablets are available with or without flouride, and come packed in travel-friendly, lightweight and recyclable packaging.

•   UnPaste Toothpaste. These zero-waste tabs gently polish your teeth leaving fewer places for bacteria to attach and reducing the formation of plaque and tartar. Simply chew, brush, and smile. Less abrasive than most toothpastes, but leaves you with a clean, just-after-the-dentist feeling. Contains no preservatives, SLS, sodium saccharin, artificial colors, aluminum or nanoparticles - nothing extra to be absorbed in your mouth. 

•   Attitude Sunly SPF 30 Sunscreen Stick. No liquid means no TSA hassle. Mineral-based protection with non-nano zinc oxide to limit impact on coral reefs. This practical and environmentally-friendly broad spectrum sunscreen comes in a biodegradable cardboard tube and applies easily without leaving white traces. EWG VERIFIED, vegan and dermatologically tested.

•   All Good Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+ Tin. Smooth, creamy, organic. Made with zinc-oxide, this reef-friendly butter physically blocks UVA/UVB rays and is tinted with iron oxides to blend with most skin tones. Leaves a barely-there matte finish. The convenient, unbreakable tin is the perfect size for travel. 

•   Alaffia Africa's Secret Multi-Use Balm. A 100% natural restorative, multi-purpose head-to-toe balm made from a traditional West African recipe handed down from generation-to-generation. The must-have travel partner, it’s handcrafted with fair trade unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, propolis, African wild honey, royal jelly, beeswax, and baobab, neem and sesame oils. Helpful for dry hands, cracked heels, chapped cheeks, ragged cuticles, bug bites, razor burn, baby’s bum, and even taming an unruly beard.

•   Mineral Fusion Pressed Powdered Foundation. Flawless coverage that’s age-defying, skin-soothing, and formulated with natural ingredients like pomegranate, white tea and sea kelp, vitamins C & E, plus licorice root, aloe root and cucumber. No parabens, gluten, phthalates or other harsh ingredients are used. Triple-milled powder for a smooth finish that won't settle into fine lines. Go for a light dusting or layer on the coverage. Not sure of your color match? Try Mineral Fusion’s virtual try-on! 

•   Burt’s Bees Facial Towelettes. Don’t forget to pack gentle yet effective cleansing wipes from Burt’s Bees, a brand that always puts people and planet over profits. These facial towelettes will leave your skin moisturized, cleansed and refreshed naturally. Super-soft and strong, they’re made with up-cycled cotton t-shirts and are now Certified Home Compostable. 

•   HiBar Solid Face Wash Bar. These soap-free face wash bars are the first solid amino acid facial cleanser bars with formulas tailored for specific skin types. Sampler includes a miniature bar of each formula, so you can try them all: Cleanse, Hydrate, Renew. Get glowing - they’re perfect for planet-friendly travel. 

When it comes to packing for environmentally sustainable travel, we should all do the best we can to make planet-friendly choices. But sometimes, circumstances may necessitate reliance on travel-size toiletries. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered, with an array of travel-ready personal-care products, from sunscreen and body moisture lotion to hair care and cosmetics. Just 3 ounces or less, each product has been vetted to ensure it has a minimal impact on the environment.