As much I love to travel and explore new places, the journey to the destination can be the most exhausting part of the trip and can last days. Red-eye flights, overnight bus or train rides, multiple layovers, through-the-night road trips- I can say that I’ve survived them all with stiff knees, an aching back, knotted hair, and- what nobody wants to talk about- body odor. When planning for a 60-hour trip to Dubai, I started packing my own personal travel hygiene toiletries kit to help me stay fresh even when a shower is days away.
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Travel Hygiene Kit
The Essentials
I’m not going to spend a lot of time listing and explaining things that everyone knows. Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste (or soap!), deodorant, hairbrush, and hair ties in your bag and make sure you take some time to use them as you travel.
Always Maxi Pads
Even if you’re a tampon girl, I always recommend traveling with maxi pads- preferably Always pads because they’re so thin. Travel can be stressful, and your period may start early or late because of hormonal changes (or syncing with other female travel partners). I’ve had a couple of friends tell me horror stories of starting their periods on planes, staining their clothes, and having to make a beeline for the bathroom as soon as they get off the plane to change clothes. I’d rather be safe than sorry, so I wear a pad on every long flight. If I’m traveling for multiple days, I change the pad on a regular basis just to stay fresh.
Baby Wipes
I recommended this in my backpack checklist post, but it bears repeating. Baby wipes will allow you to essentially have a travel sponge bath. In any bathroom stall, you can clean up quickly with little mess or wash your face or hands from any seat.
Hand Sanitzer
Although great for hands, I actually pack hand sanitizer to use in the restroom. Actually, I always have hand sanitizer in my purse to use in any public restroom. A few years ago, I read articles that toilet seat covers and squatting over toilets is actually worse than just sitting on a public toilet. Instead, I take hand sanitizer, squirt it into some toilet paper, and clean the toilet seat. I’ve never read any articles about this method. However, hand sanitizer advertises killing 99.9% of germs, so I believe this is the best solution.
Facial Masks
One day, I was watching TMZ, and they did a piece on Chrissy Teigen wearing a facial mask on a plane. Of course, I had to research this new trend, because the air in planes is notoriously dry. After reading a few articles, I decided to give it a try. In the summer of 2017, I was traveling from Virginia to the UK, Ireland, and Dubai; so I had plenty of flight time to work on skin care. I picked up several facial masks and would put them on an hour before the flight landed. Love this tip! My skin felt great after a long transatlantic flight. I liked the waterless paper masks because of ease in disposable. They do tend to drip a little liquid so save your drink napkin. The masks say to wear them for 15-20 minutes or until dry, but I’ve never had a mask completely dry out. I just set a timer.
Now, I will admit this can be an embarrassing experience. I’ve heard people chuckle, but very few even notice. I’ve just taken “I don’t really care” attitude, because I’m not making anyone else’s flight experience worse. You can buy these at CVS, Walgreens, or Target; but they’re a lot cheaper online.
Tweezers
This isn’t really a hygiene item, but it’s a matter of personal comfort. Have you ever been traveling and notice a stray hair on your chin or eyebrows? No? Just me? Okay. I always have a magnified mirror and Revlon tweezers
Dry Shampoo
Keep’s your hair from getting too oily as you travel. Enough said. I find this to work the best if I spray my hair the night before going to bed. However, it can take care of a bad hair day morning of as well.
Spare Outfit
Even when you’re careful, accidents can happen. Luggage can be delayed or lost. Always have a spare outfit in your carry-on. When I was 16, I went to Kenya, and my luggage never arrived. I had been traveling for two days and had no clean clothes. It’s a mistake that I’ve never repeated.
Muscle Cream
This isn’t really a hygiene item either, but it’s necessary for any travel hygiene item for me. After sitting for 10+ hours, I’m stiff as a board and my joints are popping all over the place. Because of the menthol smell, I don’t use it on planes, buses, or cars. However, as soon as I make it to a hotel or hostel, I lather on my knees and lower back to help relieve my aches and pains. I prefer Tiger Balm
Do you have tips and tricks for practicing travel hygiene on the road? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to pin!
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