Wanderlust essentials: packing a travel-proof skincare routine

Written by Jenny Wu
Jenny Wu

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  1. Laura says:

    I also love the Verso mini I got from Cult-Beauty. Great picks and tips Jenny! I’m wanting to try more from Naruko and that DHC wash powder – I already love and adore DHC’s cleansing oil. PS: I laughed when I read the paragraph about shit hitting the fan :P You’re great with words!

    xx Laura / http://lauraloukola.net/blog

    • Jenny says:

      Haha, thank you Laura! I swear whenever I don’t bring any acne products I always end up with spots here and there, even though my skin was perfectly fine when I left. I’ve learned my lessons since then!

      I really love DHC’s wash powder, it cleans well without stripping and it’s a definite repurchase for me!

  2. Bernadette says:

    Such lovely tips! I never think about travelling or what to bring with me because I rarely travel but I still do need to think about it otherwise I’d be stuffed when it comes up haha. Those skincare products you mentioned sound so awesome, I am definitely going to need to check them out.

    http://www.themakeupaficionado.com

    • Jenny says:

      Thank you for reading Bernadette! It’s always helpful to have a collection of samples or travel-sized products ready so that when you do need to travel, you’ll be prepared :)

  3. Liv says:

    I also LOOOOOVE samples! The ones I saved have saved my life during my one-month travel to Asia! Luckily on that trip I had a checked suitcase so I could bring anything I wanted to, but I did take a day-trip to Malaysia and only had a backpack! For my trip to Chicago two months ago I couldn’t check my bag (without fees) so I decanted on my haircare products. :((((( I didn’t even know decanting is a word. Now I do. Luckily it was my hair which hygienic concerns are slightly less. I agree sheet mask is essential when traveling especially when the air changes up. They’re useful for both dry and humid air. I find sheet masks help me with breakouts in humid weather!

    Also, loved your travel photos! Are you gonna post more? :)

  4. I hope you had an amazing time on your trip. I saw some of your instastories and photos from the trip. Thank you for sharing your beauty essentials; this will help me in a couple months when I’m ready to take my vacation. I always have to be careful what I pack otherwise my skin will go crazy. xx

    Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com

    • Jenny says:

      Thank you so much Ann-Marie, I had a great time, though Paris was a LOT warmer than I expected! I definitely notice that my skin tends to be more finnicky when I travel too, probably due to the sudden change in environment, so having calming products is a must for me :)

  5. Velvet Blush says:

    I hope you enjoy your holidays! I agree, sample sizes are the best for travelling. Decanting is ok, but sometimes the products can leak and you don’t really want that :) x

    Velvet Blush

    • Jenny says:

      Thank you so much lovely, I had a great time! :) I agree, decanting sometimes isn’t worth the trouble, especially when it ends up leaking (one of my worst travel nightmares)!

  6. Violette says:

    All the best products and so important to take care about our skin!

    http://violettedaily.com

  7. Amy Zhang says:

    You are so right- taking care of your skin is so important on vacation, but difficult. I also love sheet masks, facial waters and serums! Thanks for the tips and product suggestions!

    xx, Amy
    https://www.theluxilook.com/

    • Jenny says:

      It’s tough to make time for skin care when you’re having so much fun on vacations, hence why I try to keep it simple with just the important products :P

  8. Shivangi says:

    Wow! LOVED READING THE TIPS! :) Thanks for sharing such amazing products I love how you carry sheet masks! I should start doing that too! Have a great week! <3
    xx
    Shivangi
    http://www.outoncatwalk.com

    • Jenny says:

      So glad to hear that Shivangi, thank you for reading! Sheet masks are great, especially for relaxing after a long day of walking outdoors! :P

  9. Aki! says:

    Yes! I totally feel you on the samples!

  10. Cat L. says:

    Hi Jenny, so sorry for not reading and commenting sooner. I was also away on vacation and just got back this week. I love love your Instagram stories and photos from the trip! So glad to see you’re having an amazing time! Thank you also for sharing your beauty essentials. I do spot some of my own traveling companions, mainly the Caudalie micellar water (had a travel friendly size from Sephora), good genes (takes care of pesky breakouts) and the LRP sunscreens (HG for me)! Have a great trip and safe travels!

    ~ Cat L.
    http://www.CatsDailyLiving.com

    • Jenny says:

      Aww no worries Cat, I hope you had a wonderful time on your vacation, it definitely looks like it from all your amazing IG stories and pictures :D The LRP is such a lifesaver for my skin, especially when I’m outdoors all day long. Thank you so much for reading!!

  11. wendee says:

    I like to pack tiny samples too. I feel like carrying the big ones will take so much space.

    The Glossychic

  12. Crystal says:

    Any products recommendations for back acne?

    • Jenny says:

      You can try a body wash with salicylic acid. I believe Neutrogena makes one. Some people have also reported good results by drinking spearmint tea and taking zinc supplements, but this is just what I’ve heard, I can’t vouch for these methods personally.

  13. Have an amazing time in Spain!!! These are amazing travel tips and I agree with you on point #7! Something I discovered the hard way when trying to fit sunscreen on a 2-week vacation!

    Stephanie | theFantasia.com

    • Jenny says:

      Thank you Stephanie, Spain was incredible – definitely a country I want to revisit again :D I’m sad I didn’t get to haul much skincare products on this trip, mostly because our suitcase was too full from clothes and other souvenirs!

  14. Naya says:

    Such a great round-up Jenny. I also follow pretty much same rules when I travel, and couldn’t agree more about sheet masks & some spot treatments. Those planes do crazy things to the skin! Safe travels, enjoy Europe! xx

  15. I hope you have a great trip!! That sounds so exciting! I love minis for traveling too, and love all the tips. My skin always freaks out when I travel so bringing products that help with blemishes and irritation is a must. There are so many products I need to try here!

    xx
    Nida | Caked To The Nines

  16. Amy says:

    Have an amazing time on your travels! I love Barcelona and Paris especially. I have decanted some of my must-have products on the past few trips and I’ve instantly regretted it. Some leaked and I didn’t use all of it so it felt like a big waste. I need to start saving samples for this purpose, great idea!

    Amy – http://amyevans.blog

  17. Marina Rosie says:

    Yes Jenny, you’ve always got to bring those sheet masks! I feel like normal liquid to dry face masks take up way too much space and won’t give your skin that extra oomph that it’s looking for, so really good choice there. I love the idea of bringing and incorporating in some samples – I’m going to have to use mine on my next holiday! x
    Lots of love,
    Marina Rosie xx
    http://marinawriteslife.blogspot.fr/

  18. Camilla says:

    How fun, I’m so jealous! I love deluxe samples but last time I traveled I switched out too many products and ended up breaking out :(. Next time I’ll be decanting a lot instead. Have a great time! And good call to stock up on europe-only formulations!

    Camilla // Gracefulface.com

  19. Tara says:

    I bought some stuff in Japan, but I couldn’t open them while there. I wanted my 8% duty- free discount, haha. I tried to pack light with my skincare products by packing almost empty products and then throwing them away. I have sample sizes to take with me on my next trip, so I will be packing light this time! The Cure Gel is awesome by the way! Have fun in Europe!

  20. I follow basically the same rules, and the only thing I decant is probably a micellar water or something like this, otherwise I prefer to have products in their original packaging for hygienic reasons. Given the nature of my skin I prefer to pack a clay mask and a overnight sleeping mask over sheet masks, even though they really are great for saving space. But tried and trusted over new and exciting is a good rule, chances are that I will be hauling big time when I am abroad anyway.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

  21. Batsheva says:

    Oh man, you are so organized and have it all down so pat!! I honestly just wrap a ton of tape over my usual products and call it a day. Then again, I don’t have so many products for my skin routine. Is a 10 step routine really that necessary? Or even a routine larger than just a makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer? If so, what do you recommend as another step I can start performing on my skin? and I am sooooooo jealous that you’re gonna be traipsing around Europe!! have so much fun over there!

    http://cynicalduchess.com

  22. Have fun, Jenny and I can’t wait to see your travel pictures! I made the mistake of bringing all samples before and new ones too and my skin went batshit crazy arse on me. Never making that mistake again! LOL!

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