Best Travel Size Toiletries

After years of traveling with refillable containers, I’ve found a handful that actually work—they don’t leak, they’re easy to refill, and they help me stick with the products I already use at home.

In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite reusable travel containers, including budget-friendly silicone bottles and premium options like Ries and Cadence. I’ll also share the travel-size haircare, skincare, and makeup products I personally pack when I’m trying to save space without sacrificing my routine.

Choosing refillable containers is one of my favorite sustainable travel swaps, and it makes fitting everything into my favorite toiletry kit much easier.

Choosing smaller, refillable containers is just one of my easy sustainable travel tips! It also makes my toiletries packing list that much easier to fit in my favorite dopp kit!

Best Travel Containers

There are so many travel bottles out there, but after one too many shampoo ‘explosions,’ I’ve become pretty skeptical of “leak-proof” claims.

Hilariously enough, my cowboy boots were assaulted by some explosive shampoo on one return trip. I was initially devastated but now I love that it’s turned into a worn look. And I have a fun story to share when I wear them.

Anyway, since you can’t always count on the trendy distressed look to save you from an explosion gone wrong and because we (i.e. me) are trying to cut back on size and weight of luggage, let’s talk refillable travel containers!

Over the years, I’ve tried several reusable travel containers, and these are the three I recommend most. Each serves a different purpose, so the best choice depends on what you’re packing and how you like to travel. They are GoToobs, Ries, and Cadence.

If you need…	My recommendation	Why
The best overall value	GoToobs	Durable, leakproof, easy to squeeze, and much less expensive than premium options.
The best bottles for shampoo & conditioner	Ries or GoToobs	Airless pump keeps liquids contained and is easy to refill and clean.
The best containers for skincare	Cadence	Perfect for creams, balms, SPF, and other small skincare products.
The most organized travel system	Cadence	Magnetic capsules and interchangeable labels keep everything together.
The easiest bottles to clean	Cadence or Ries	Wide openings make both much easier to refill and wash.
The best budget option	GoToobs	Excellent performance without the premium price.
The best design	Cadence	It’s all uniform, stacking, labeled and sits neatly.

I’ve personally used all three of these travel container systems, and each has earned a permanent spot in my travel routine for different reasons.

Pro Tip: One quick note about all refillable containers. While they may be easy to clean, it’s best not to let products just sit in the containers for a length of time. After a trip, try to finish up what’s in the container and clean it before putting it away!

GoToobs Review

GoToobs are a silicone, refillable container made by HumanGear. They were the first soft-sided containers I remember seeing on the market and I’ve owned them for nearly 15 years!

The FIRST is that they have never, ever exploded or leaked on me. I always put my shampoo and conditioner in them and for at least 10 years, I’ve never had a problem.

SECOND, there is an identifier on the cap with sham, cond, sun, lotion, and soap in addition to a blank space. Just twist it to the right product. You’ll never accidentally put sunscreen in your hair again!

THIRD, the bottles are squishy, so it’s far easier to get all the product out. This is crucial when you’re on the last days of a long trip. So many travel size bottles are hard-sided so you end up pulling a muscle trying to force it down to the opening!

The squishy factor (clearly a technical term!), is also great because that means the containers will be able to bend more and take up less space as you use more product!

These GoToobs are ideal for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, sunscreen, and other liquid toiletries. They’re available in a variety of colors (though the sets colors are predetermined) and come in four sizes – 0.9 oz., 1.7 oz., 2.5 oz., 3.4 oz. They offer a flip cap with a screw off lid.

You can get the 3-pack of Go Toobsbottles on Amazon, Target, and from The Container Store in a variety of small sizes (all 3.4oz and under). There are also 1.7 oz containers. (see my tips for shopping more sustainably on Amazon)

You can buy these in 3-packs of any single size. They’re usually sold in three different colors (though you can get all clear and I’ve seen all black).

The same brand also sells GoTubbs which are little container perfect for pills, jewelry, and anything little you like. They aren’t leak proof, but it’s a good way to store some essentials!

There are also similar travel containers for kids with adorable penguins! I’d use these too as an adult and they even have the identifiers.

Cadence vs. Ries Travel Containers Review

If you travel several times a year or simply love an organized toiletry bag, premium refillable containers may be worth the investment. While basic silicone bottles work perfectly well for most trips, Cadence and Ries have become popular for their thoughtful designs and long-lasting durability.

Both are reusable alternatives to constantly buying travel-size toiletries, but they solve different problems.

Ries Travel Bottle Review

Ries containers are stand-alone bottles with a twist “cap” that prevents the pump from activating. Yes, it does stay in place and prevent it from activating! The top screws off so you can easily pump/pour product into the vessel!

The Ries bottles work on an airless pump system, so after putting in your product, you need to push up (a pencil through the hole on the bottom does the trick) to remove extra air. Because of the airless pump, the bottle are pretty easy to clean – no nozzle or tube scrubbing necessary.

The airless pump does mean you get slightly less product per pump than you might expect but otherwise it’s a great refillable option for shampoos, conditioners, lotions, body washes, body sunscreens, etc.

You can also opt for the containers that are labeled. Label options include: shampoo, conditioner, hair, face, body, SPF, and a blank. I find these helpful since that’s about all I’d use these for.

Ries containers come in a variety of colors and are available in two sizes – 3.4oz. and 1.7oz. Both are TSA-friendly and can be taken on the airplane.

While they’re great at what they do, they aren’t good for skincare. My full-size peptide serum and vitamin C serum containers are only 1 oz themselves, so these containers are actually bigger than the bottles I’d use. It just doesn’t make sense to use them for these types of items.

Cadence Capsules Review

Cadence containers are more like little tubs and have a multitude of purposes depending on your needs. They’re advertised to be great for skincare, serums, vitamins, jewelry, and any other small essential.

The lids screw on tight and don’t have any issues with leaking. You know it’s on tight enough because that sides line up between the container and the lid.

The capsules come in small (0.56 oz), medium (1.32oz), and large (2.75 oz) sizes with an extender option (adds 1.43 oz). They come in a variety of colors – 7 currently on their site.

You can also buy “tiles” that are magnetic labels that fit into the top – to easily identify the items. And you can change the tiles out depending on your need of a product for a trip or other purpose.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a singular purpose for a container or aren’t buying a full set, getting the tiles with names can be tricky. I purchased the “lotion” and “serum” tiles and don’t use the containers for those items at all (due to the size and dropper), so now I have my own printed label on one of them – not as chic, to be sure.

The capsules have no pump or dispensing feature, so it’s just and open top. You can purchase adapters – a drip, pour, or splash. These fit down into the containers.

I purchased the drip adapter to use for a serum container and was sad to find out that it doesn’t fit into the small capsule – only the medium and up. Again, the 1.32oz size doesn’t save me space in my toiletry bag, so that was a bummer. I can try the splash adapter at a later date, but for now, I don’t have a good option.

One other really cool feature about the Cadence capsule is that they’re magnetic. That might not seem useful, but it helps to keep things tidy rather than a slew of containers falling all over the place – in your bag or on the counter.

I love the Cadence containers for cleansing balm, face creams, facial SPFs, and body lotion. If I had more containers, I’d use them for pills and jewelry in my carryon bag!

Refillable Haircare for Travel

If you’d rather skip transferring products into travel containers altogether, some brands offer refillable travel sizes of their own products. Here are the ones I use and recommend.

I have a long list of reasons I love Innersense hair care, but on that list is that they have refillable, miniature bottles of most of their line – not just shampoo and conditioner. And if that weren’t enough, these 2 oz. hair care bottles are also made of recycled plastic!

For this upcoming trip, I purchased (because I use them the most) the following hair styling refillable containers.

• Hair Love Prep Spray – a heat protectant spray
• Quiet Calm Curl Control
• I Create Finish (hair spray)

Use discount code LUCI15 for 15% off your first Innersense purchase

Now, while Innersense offers travel sizes of the shampoo and conditioner I use, and I could even just use one of the refillable travel containers above, I’m actually planning to take small shampoo and conditioner bars!

Refillable Skincare for Travel

Many companies are starting to come out with miniature sizes of their products, but the key is finding ones that are refillable (and easily refillable at that). Anything with a screw-on lid is great as it lets you refill easily. Further if the full-size option can dispense easily without changing the formula or consistency, you’re golden!

While more skincare brands are introducing refillable travel options, I still find it easier to refill my own containers for products like serums and eye creams. Below are a few brands that also offer travel-size or refillable options I use myself.

Counter – a clean brand that I wholeheartedly recommend (read my honest Counter product review) – sells their two skincare lines in travel sizes. Their countertime regimen is great as an anti-aging line (it’s my pick of the two). The Counterglow line is focused wholly on hydration and is good for all skin types.

I also recently tried the Activist skincare, a completely refillable, clean skincare line. Their trial kit comes with refillable, travel sizes, and I’m excited to take the serum and face oil in these small containers with droppers. I’ve traveled with them, and they don’t leak, so I’m quite happy. The Activist items are fine, but my skin wants more.

My beloved skincare brand, Crunchi, doesn’t have travel sizes of their products, but I’ve found ways to put almost all the products into smaller, refillable containers, so I can travel with it all! Their cleansing balm doubles as a moisturizing mask – my skin can always use that after air travel. And I cut a chunk off the facial bar to pack up for travel!! Use code ADVOCATE20 for 20% off your first purchase.

If you’re thinking of traveling without your without your skincare regimen, I’d encourage you to think again. Read these benefits of facial serum and why it’s always a must-have.

And check out this post on refill pouches and what personal care brands offer refill pouches!

Refillable Travel Perfume Bottle

Since a big glass bottle is heavy and breakable, not to mention the weight of all the liquid – this is a great place to cut back.

You want to look for a mini spray bottle or atomizer. I’ve found quite a few selection on Etsy from glass to aluminum and bamboo casings. This bamboo perfume spray bottle is attractive because it isn’t breakable and has a sleek cover for the spray button!

My favorite nontoxic perfume also come in rollerballs, which are basically the size of a tube of chapstick.

Travel Size Makeup?

Some makeup brands offer mini sizes of their products, but they usually aren’t refillable at all. I do support the downsizing of your suitcase, but at the cost of even more beauty empties to make sure you recycle properly…I don’t think it’s worth it.

So rather than makeup minis, I’d use refillable containers as much as you can (think foundation in a small tub or container) and think about just downsizing the amount of makeup you’ll be taking on a trip. See my complete clean makeup routine here and read up on how I stopped wearing foundation – much easier for travel!

For my upcoming trip to Scotland, I’m taking the following items:

• Tinted SPF (see my daybird skincare review w. discount)
• Liquid Blush
• Eyeliner
• Brow Pencil
• Mascara (the travel size is great for year round use)
• highlighting balm

Additionally, I have luck saving the items from the “gifts with purchase” for my remaining travel size toiletry needs. And when you really strike out with the above options, get some sealed containers and make your own mini size. 

Where to get Travel Size Beauty Products

For those things you can’t live without, check out Sephora’s extensive minis section. IT’S HUGE!!! They have just about everything and a long list of clean beauty brands via Sephora online and in store.

The options for travel size toiletries, cosmetics, and shampoo bottles are actually quite numerous. You just might need to do a little research. Remember that you can only take up to 3.4 oz. of any one item through TSA. Most makeup items are actually much smaller. And remember you can always use the GoToobs and GoTubbs to downsize for your trip!

Looking to downsize more? Check out what I take in my travel wallet and my long flight essentials.

Clean & Sustainable Beauty

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Counter Review (previously Beautycounter)
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Walmart

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razor and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!