Imagine this: You’re heading off to visit the latest Global Travelers project where you’ll meet the District Governor, the Mayor, and other dignitaries.
You don’t want a rogue leak from a shampoo bottle to stain your Rotary shirt and formal clothes to end up a soggy, stain-streaked mess before you even get thee. Nor do you want the items in your 3-1-1 bag swimming in a sea of mouthwash.
That’s where solid toiletries come to the rescue!
Solid toiletries are compact, mess-free alternatives to their liquid counterparts.
There are various kinds of solid toiletries beyond the obvious bar of soap. There is solid shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, and more. Using solid toiletries is a great way to pack lighter, and you’ll save space as well.
There are many types of solid toiletries.
Solid shampoo and conditioner bars are just concentrated formulations of their liquid cousins. They lather up beautifully and leave your hair clean and manageable. Brands like Ethique and HiBAR have a number of options for different hair types, from curly to color-treated to fine. They have options for dry hair, gray hair, and for people with scalp issues.
If you want to try a dry shampoo, check out Batiste. It comes in different scents and doesn’t leave white dust on your black shirt. A winner there!
Be sure to try these at home before you leave so you’re sure to have the right formula for your hair type.
No more lugging around multiple bottles of shower gel, face wash, and body lotion. Solids like the shower gels from Lush and Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap can be your new best friends. They’re gentle on your skin and reduce the risk of spillage.
Plus, Dr. Bronner’s can do double-duty and wash almost everything–your hair, face, body, and even your clothes.
If you have dry skin or are heading to a dry climate, you know the importance of lotion in moisturizing your skin. For travel, a must-try solid lotion bar is Bee Bar Ultra Moisturizing Lotion Bar. It’s ultra-moisturizing and made with essential oils and natural ingredients. It’s available in a variety of scents and comes in its own tin for travel. There’s both a larger bar and a smaller bar so you can get the size you need based on your trip.
Esthique’s Nourishing Solid Body Cream comes in a recyclable push-up tube and is available unscented or in various scents.
Apply a solid lotion right after you get out of the shower or bath. Towel dry, then warm the bar between your hands or by pressing against your skin for a few seconds. Since you’re warm from the shower, they’ll go on easier, and you’ll use less.
Applying these right after you get out of the shower or bath is best. Towel dry, then warm the bar between your hands or by pressing against your skin for a few seconds, depending on the type you get. Since you’re warm from the shower, they’ll go on easier, and you’ll use less.
There are some great solid sunscreen sticks like CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick or Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Mineral Sunscreen Stick.
Neutrogena’s Beach Defense will be your go-to if you’ll be at the beach or in a hot climate. And Badger’s Face Sunscreen Stick is great to pop in your daybag so you can apply it frequently. Solid sunscreens provide mess-free sun protection that’s easy to apply.
If you want to give solid toothpaste a try, Lush has a minty flavor that whitens and contains fluoride. Prefer to avoid fluoride? Try SuperBee Dentos Tablets.
Just bite one of these toothpaste tablets a couple of times until it gets pasty (they don’t foam as much as regular toothpaste), then brush. Place however many you need for your trip in a small plastic bag, and they’ll take up no room whatsoever.
If you prefer toothpaste powder, try Primal Life Organics Dirty Mouth Toothpowder. It’s a whitening formula that includes Kaolin and Bentonite Clays as well as baking soda. It comes in spearmint or peppermint flavor.
For mouthwash, try Lush Crème de Menthe Toothpaste Tabs. They’re perfect for freshening up after a meal out on the town. The grapefruit-flavored ones are also nice if that flavor is more to your liking.
When you think of solid deodorant, you may think of the kind in a push-up stick form rather than the spray variety. But those can melt, especially in the tropics.
Instead, consider the one-and-only Crystal Deodorant Stick. It comes in a large size, or this 1.5 oz size, which is perfect for travel. Just remember to wet it before applying. It’s non-staining, non-sticky, and protects for 24 hours.
Nothing will ruin your vacation faster than being bit by a thousand bugs. Let’s hear it for mosquitos, sand flies, midges, and ticks. For a DEET-free option, try Badger Anti-Bug Balm. It’s 95% organic and contains natural oils like citronella and lemongrass.
Another DEET-free option are the Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets. They’re highly recommended for trips where there are lots of mozzies.
Although you might do your best to get by with repellents made of essential oils or at least as natural as you can get them, there are times when DEET is required. Think ticks that spread Lyme Disease or mosquitos in malaria-infested parts of Africa. I haven’t found a solid version of that yet, so this is one case where you’ll want to pack the liquid or spray version.
The most important thing about solid toiletries is to be sure they remain solid. And that means keeping them dry.
As you get ready for your next trip, try some solid toiletries. You’ll not only save space and weight, you can also travel stress-free knowing that at the other end of your journey, there won’t be any toiletry spills when you open your suitcase.
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