As someone who travels frequently and refuses to leave behind essential beauty and skin care products, I know the pain of opening my toiletry bag upon arrival and encountering disaster. A spilled serum, popped-open moisturizer or a rogue powder explosion is enough to make me want to pack it up and go back home.
However, the use of solid products all but eliminates this common travel mishap, and luckily for us it’s now possible to get everything from active ingredient-packed serums to shampoos and moisturizers in solid bar form.
Below, we’ve rounded up 14 solid, leakproof beauty products to accompany you on your vacations, work trips, family visits and beyond. They include a popular under-eye cooling stick, a nourishing shampoo bar, my favorite solid blush and more. Keep reading to pick some up for yourselves and save yourself the hassle of a messy dopp kit and wasted products.
A glowy blush balm
I'm a big blush person, so my standards are very high in general, but particularly for tint or balm-type formulas. I have extremely acne-prone skin, so creamy formulas can be quite dicey. But I'm pleased to report that Merit's blush balm is a great option for anyone looking for that natural, lit-from-within glowy vibe that won't clog pores. It is buildable, so you can keep it sheer or layer it on depending on your whim, and it hydrates and conditions the skin and looks good doing it. It has a lovely texture that isn't sticky or smudgy and lasts all day long. It's easy to blend with fingers or a brush and is available in 13 flattering, sweet shades. I use it nearly daily and never leave town without it.
A firming retinol stick
Most dermatologists would argue that retinol is an essential ingredient in most skin care regimens because of its proven ability to promote collagen production. This RoC firming serum stick features the brand's advanced retinol to help plump skin, smooth lines and potentially improve elasticity. The fast absorbing serum, which can be applied to the face, neck and chest, also contains skin-protecting antioxidants.
A velvety smooth foundation stick
One of my personal favorites, Hourglass' foundation stick has a lovely buildable full-coverage finish that is perfect for special occasions or those who simply prefer a more even look. I often use it just as a concealer or spot treatment, and even when I want a full face of coverage, a little goes a long way, making it worth the investment. It is available in 32 shades, has a weightless waterproof formula that lasts all day long and couldn't be easier to apply. I don't go anywhere without it when I travel.
An antioxidant serum sunscreen
Most people are already familiar with the cult-favorite Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop, a comfortable and undetectable SPF that that layers seamlessly under makeup and has a velvety finish that helps reduce excess oil and shine.The same screen comes in this convenient stick form that makes it easy to reapply throughout the day. It contains skin-loving ingredients like marina blue extract for antioxidant protection and meadowfoam to enhance hydration.
A soothing solid moisturizer stick
Make your nightly lotion application easier than ever with this mess-free solid moisturizer stick from Hanni . It's made with nourishing ingredients like omega-3 and fatty acids to deeply moisturize and repair skin while helping to prevent moisture loss and strengthen the natural barrier. It's an easy way to nourish your skin without having to worry about packing big container of lotion that might explode while in transit.
An editor-beloved cleansing balm
I consider this my personal skin care savior and in regards to the price point, I regret to inform you that it's worth every penny . This delicious luxe cleansing balm magically melts away makeup, dirt, grime and other daily impurities, leaving skin more soft, smooth and plump. It's a multitasking cleansing treatment that is as nourishing as it is effective at removing makeup. It's incredibly gentle and mild, is wildly effective and doesn't clog my sensitive pores. It's an investment, but worth it if you want to splurge on yourself, or you can purchase the travel-size option, which is much more affordable and will stay tidy in your dopp kit. While it’s not completely solid, it has a Vaseline-like consistency that’s not prone to leakage.
My colleague Kristen Aiken is also a huge fan of this cleansing balm. She told me that “this item is way pricier than what I’m usually willing to spend on cleanser (which is usually from the drugstore and under $10), but I’ve found it’s one of the only products that can effectively cleanse my skin AND nourish it without making me break out. I have perpetually dry skin no matter how much water I drink, and this saves me from drying out (especially in the winter months). Bonus: If you use it as a second round of double-cleansing (i.e. after you’ve already removed the day’s initial layer of gunk), you can use your favorite facial massage tool over top it, to help your tool slide smoothly along your face and de-puff.”
A cooling a de-puffing eye balm with niacinamide
This hydrating eye stick is a hidden gem of sorts and has become a secret Amazon favorite for de-puffing, toning, and smoothing the delicate under-eye area while brightening dull skin tone, thanks to the inclusion of antioxidant-rich niacinamide. The instantly cooling balm also contains seaweed extract and mineral water straight from Iceland.
A deeply hydrating body conditioning treatment
Bring a touch of luxury no matter where you are to your next shower or bath with these plant-based, exfoliating “bath pebbles .” You can use it directly on your skin in the shower or drop it in your bath to enjoy ingredients like cocoa butter, baobab oil and citric acid to deeply nourish, plump, brighten and exfoliate skin. One reviewer pointed out that, "they smell amazing and make my skin super soft."
A bouncy lip tint and blush stain all-in-one
TikTok managed to sell out this reader-beloved cheek and lip tint back in 2024. (Luckily, multiple retailers are fully stocked now.) Meant to be worn on both the cheeks and lips, Milk Makeup's Cooling Water jelly tint features a bouncy Jello-like texture and glides on the perfect touch of glassy, buildable color. The hydrating formula is also infused with vegan collagen, soothing aloe and refreshing seawater.
A clarifying solid shampoo that will give your locks a shiny finish
Ethique’s St. Clements shampoo — intended for moisture-prone hair — is formulated with castor oil, which actually works to dissolve oil and sebum lodged in the scalp. Citrus-y essential oils like lime and orange zest will give your shower a refreshing scent, and the added glycerine promises to impart a shiny, non-greasy finish. It'll have your scalp and hair feeling fresh and clean and is a breeze to pack in your travel bag.
A luxurious, high-end concealer
What makes Cle de Peau’s concealer so special is the fact that it’s somehow able to leave skin looking naturally flawless all day long. It doesn’t slide off like a lot of hydrating concealers tend to, and it doesn’t have a thick, matte finish that looks powdery and caked-on like most long-lasting formulas. It is able to maintain its feather-light, silky smooth finish while still covering up even the darkest circles, and does this while blending beautifully into your natural skin tone, acting like an eraser for imperfections. It has the most natural full-coverage finish of any concealer I’ve ever tried, with a silky smooth texture that stays put all day long and blends into my foundation seamlessly and it’s worth every single penny.
It’s also the perfect example of a skin care and makeup product in one. It is infused with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and argan oil to plump, smooth and hydrate the skin, along with various bntanical extracts that can help soothe irritation, reduce the look of hyperpigmentation and fight against oxidation. Best of all, it has SPF 27, protecting your delicate under-eye skin from harmful UV rays.
A satiny cushion foundation
Avoid spilling your pricey foundation and travel with this popular Korean cushion foundation that not only provides buildable, silky smooth coverage but is infused with nutrient-rich ingredients that can keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. The lightweight, non-greasy formula comes in 40 different shades and offers medium coverage with a smooth, flawless finish. One reviewer noted that it doesn't settle into fine lines or creases and stays put even while doing physical activity on hot days.
A delectable solid perfume
Fragrance lovers should never leave home without their signature scent, but when you're traveling, throwing a full-size perfume bottle into your toiletry bag isn't exactly the best option. Enter solid perfume, like Glossier's ultra-popular You fragrance . This warm fragrance is meant to smell like you, but better. It has notes of pink pepper, iris and ambrox, with a wax base that melts into your skin and gives you an ethereal, woodsey sweet and powdery fresh smell. It's delightful and was made to smell great on everybody.
A smoothing solid for hyperpigmentation and texture
This cream-based stick uses a combination of niacinamide and vitamin C to help fade dark spots, decrease hyperpigmentation and brighten skin tone. The formula also features the plant-based retinol alternative bakuchiol , for promoting plumping skin and reducing fine lines, without over-sensitizing the skin like traditional retinol formulations have the potential to do.
