I’m leaving for Korea and my top concern isn’t the biting cold, but rather how I can bring my 14 facial products without exceeding the baggage limit.

 

Packing light is obviously key, but has anybody ever told you the right way to do it when it comes to your skincare?

 

After years of inconvenience, I’ve been forced to change my ways, learn from the pros, and pack each and every product with patience and precision. After all, who wants to use the hotel shampoo as a makeshift cleanser when the one you brought spilled, right?

 

Reduce wisely

 

As the wise declutter master Marie Kondo once said, “We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.” Now think: Which skincare products from your stash do you actually need? Which ones can’t you live without when you step out of your house or unit? Which ones guarantee you the daily glow?

 

Well-packed travel skincare starts with good, clear goals. Determine whether you want basic upkeep or consistency. Consider how long your trip is going to be and how long before your skin starts rebelling without the presence of your luxurious peel-off mask—know which products are the most essential.

 

First, never leave the basics. Then again, the basics differ for everybody. Cleanser, toner, moisturizer and sunscreen need to be in your luggage wherever you go and no matter the duration. If you’re acne-prone, bring your acne medication, because trust me, zits pop up at the most inconvenient times. Point is, pack what will make your skin function normally.

 

Decanting is key

 

I have a feeling that after choosing your key products, you’re still left with, like, 10 products in your arsenal. The answer to this dilemma is this thing called decanting.

 

Decant your skincare products into small, portable containers.

 

Beabi offers great travel-friendly items that come in different sizes (5ml to 30ml) and tools like mini spatulas and funnels you can use to decant. They are sturdy enough to withstand air pressure, which is important because the last thing you need is all your decanting work going to waste.

 

I’ve successfully decanted my creams, lotions and other liquids in these cute clear bottles that fit snugly in a clear plastic pouch. Ziplocs work fine as well.

 

Heed alternatives

 

For those who just can’t leave a good chunk of their facial routines back home, you can opt for packing alternatives aka the next best, lighter thing. Find alternatives that work similarly with a product in your routine, and use that for the meantime.

 

Say, your Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence is taking up unnecessary space in your pouch due to its bulkiness. Instead, you can get the Mask Pack version. Sheet masks are all the rage and are a great, light travel alternative to heavy moisturizers and essences.

 

Makeup wipes can replace your big bottles of micellar water. I’m ditching my Bioderma Sensibio H20 for Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelletes;

not only is it lighter, but I can just throw it away once used. —CONTRIBUTED