Solid Toiletries – Ditching the 3-3-3 Bag!

Minimalist travel is all about taking just what you need and simplifying your travel. For me, this meant finding solid alternatives to liquid toiletries. Even with Pre-Check in the U.S., you still must pull out your liquids bag in some countries and in certain U.S. situations. Plus, no liquids means no leaking and often, less weight. I’ve been experimenting with different products and will share some of them here. Most stores don’t highlight solid items, so it’s helpful to do some internet research first and then go searching in the stores and online sites.

Shampoo and Conditioner – A disclaimer first – my hair is very short and easily washed. If you have longer hair you may need to find alternative products. Shampoo and conditioner come in various small bars. The key to using them is to keep the bars as dry as possible by letting them air out between uses. I cut off a piece or two big enough to last me for the specific trip and store these pieces in a metal or plastic small container. When possible I keep the lid off after use until these items fully dry. By using small pieces at a time, I don’t waste the product if the bar gets too moist and turns into goo. These bars tend to be expensive and this method allows me to get multiple trips out of a bar. I put the pieces of shampoo, conditioner, and soap in one small container to take into the shower.

For shampoo, I’ve tried Liggett’s Old Fashioned Bar Shampoo and Lush Lullaby Solid Shampoo. The Liggetts is more of a basic shampoo at fraction of the price of the Lush product. For conditioner, I’ve used the Bee Beauty Silky Hair Conditioner Bar. The Liggetts bar left my hair squeaky clean, but a bit stiff. Adding conditioner, I found that I had to use the Bee Beauty conditioner very sparingly or my hair would get sticky. It may be better suited to longer hair where you just swipe a little on the ends. My favorite is the Lush Lullaby shampoo, which is a gentle shampoo and leaves my hair soft enough to eliminate the conditioner. One product instead of two makes this minimalist traveler happy.

Moisturizer –The skin on my face is very dry and sensitive. I need to use moisturizer twice a day to keep the dryness at bay. Trying to find a solid alternative to moisturizing lotion proved to be a challenge. Honey House Naturals puts out a Bee Bar Hand and Body Lotion Bar, which uses the warmth of the hands to soften the bar sufficiently to get a film of lotion on the hands for application. Looking for something more face specific and finding little for adults, I turned to baby products. Babyorganics puts out an organic lip and face balm in a stick that works reasonably well for travel purposes.

Sun Block –This one is easy with lots of options. I’ve used the various sticks  from national brands. Target and other retailers have similar generic versions. Neutrogena  makes a sunscreen solid the size of a deodorant stick, but I wanted something smaller. These sticks are good for limited coverage for everyday activities, but probably insufficient if you are going to the beach or pool. If this is the case, it is easy to buy sun block on site. Because my nose easily turns into a beacon, I also use Badger Zinc Oxide Sunscreen All Season Face Stick. This product has a bit of a whitening effect, so I only use it when I’m in strong sun.

Soap –This is where those hotel sized soaps can be put to good use if you are staying somewhere that doesn’t provide soap (i.e. a hostel). Either take a small bar or cut a larger bar to meet your needs. I sometimes cut a chunk off of an organic olive oil bar (Felicity’s Handcrafted Soaps) I like to use because it is more soothing to my sensitive skin than regular soap. I also have a bar of lavender soap from our local farmer’s market (Ridge Runner Soap Co) that is great for travel.

In addition, I bring soap for washing out clothes. My preference is Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid soap in a leakproof one oz bottle, but this doesn’t fit with my goal to eliminate liquids. Dr. Bonner’s makes a bar soap version of their Castile soap that works fine. I use this to wash out quick drying underwear and other clothing. I’ve had the best success with the following method, which can be done in the sink or the shower. Wet the garment and thoroughly soap up the trouble spots – crotch for underwear, armpits, spots, etc. Lightly soap up the rest and let the garment sit (and preferably soak) for a few minutes. Then rub lightly and rinse thoroughly, wring in a towel, and let dry.

Toothpaste – I definitely prefer regular toothpaste, but for a couple of weeks, can deal with an alternative product. Eco-Dent makes a Baking Soda Toothpowder that has enough mint flavor to cover the baking soda taste. Some people make their own toothpaste dots. The LadyLightTravel Blog has detailed instructions. I find they take a much longer time to dry than the instructions (at least for my brand of toothpaste). I store them in a very small plastic container and they work fine. The first batch I made were too big, and now I make them about the size of a chocolate chip. Dusting them with baking soda keeps them separated.

Makeup –Generally, the TSA allows lip balm (not lip gel), lipstick, and powder based makeup. I rarely use makeup, but do frequently use lip balm and keep one in my toilet kit and in my purse or backpack.

Other items – Badger makes an After-Bug Balm in a stick which helps with itch relief. Purell comes in individually wrapped travel wipes. Stall Mates makes individual wrapped flushable wipes. Olay and other brands make facial cleanser-infused dry towelettes that you moisten and use like a washcloth. Amazon and other vendors sell boxes of individual packets of antibiotic and cortisone gel (such as those in first aid kits), but I am not sure how TSA feels about these. I’m experimenting with taking a cotton swab and covering one end with antibiotic ointment and wrapping it tightly with foil. I haven’t needed to use them yet, so time will tell.

The first time I traveled liquid-free, I was hooked. The products worked well and not worrying about leaks was a plus.