A complete travel toiletries checklist has four parts: daily basics (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and body wash), skin and sun care, a small first aid kit, and any medicines you rely on. The trick is packing them so they don't leak, don't take over your bag and don't get pulled out at airport security. Swapping liquids for solids where you can, and checking your airport's current liquid rules before you fly, removes most of the stress.
Below is the full checklist, how liquid rules work, which solid swaps are worth making and how to pack a wash bag that survives the journey.
The travel toiletries checklist
| Item | Hand luggage | Hold luggage | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toothbrush and cover | Yes | Yes | Let it dry before covering |
| Toothpaste | Counts as a liquid | Yes | Pack a compact tube |
| Shampoo and conditioner | Counts as a liquid, or use a bar | Yes | A 2-in-1 bar covers both |
| Body wash | Counts as a liquid, or use bar soap | Yes | Keep bar soap in a tin |
| Deodorant | Roll-ons and aerosols count as liquids | Yes | Solid sticks can be simpler |
| Suncream and after-sun | Count as liquids | Yes | Big bottles are easier to buy on arrival |
| Moisturiser and face wash | Count as liquids | Yes | Decant into small reusable pots |
| Hairbrush and hair ties | Yes | Yes | Pack a few spare ties |
| Razor | Disposable or cartridge razors are generally allowed | Yes | Loose blades are not allowed in hand luggage |
| Medicines | Yes, in original packaging | Spares only | Keep essentials with you |
Quick lists by type of trip
| Trip | Must-haves | Nice to have |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend city break, hand luggage only | Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo bar, solid deodorant | Lip balm, hair ties |
| Beach holiday | Suncream, after-sun, leave-in conditioner, toothpaste | Hat, bite cream |
| Camping or festival | Wet wipes, bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitiser | Shampoo bar, dry shampoo |
| Work trip | Compact basics in a small wash bag | Plasters, painkillers |
Liquid rules for hand luggage: check before you pack
"Liquids" at airport security means more than drinks. It covers gels, pastes, creams, lotions, aerosols and liquid-solid mixtures, so toothpaste, mascara, suncream and roll-on deodorant all count.
For years the standard rule at UK airports was containers of no more than 100ml each, packed in a single clear resealable bag of about 20cm by 20cm. Newer security scanners have allowed some airports to change their limits, and the rules have shifted more than once in recent years. They vary from airport to airport, and the airport you fly home from may do things differently.
So before every trip:
- Check your departure airport's website for its current liquid rules.
- Check the rules at your return airport as well.
- If in doubt, pack for the stricter rules.
Swap liquids for solids
The simplest way to stop worrying about liquid limits is to pack fewer liquids. Solid toiletries have come a long way, and several everyday products now have a good solid version:
- Shampoo and conditioner bars replace two bottles.
- Bar soap in a tin replaces body wash.
- Solid deodorant replaces a roll-on or aerosol.
- Balm sticks cover dry lips and skin.
Solid bars aren't usually treated as liquids at security, but because rules differ, check with your airport if you're unsure.
The XHC 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner Bars clean and condition in one step, so a single 70g bar replaces separate shampoo and conditioner bottles in your wash bag. They're vegan friendly, come in a plastic-free solid format and are described on the listing as compact, lightweight, mess-free and carry-on friendly. Choose from Coconut, Banana and Papaya scents. When we last checked in September 2026, a 3 pack was £12.99 (£4.33 per bar) and a 6 pack was £17.99 (£3.00 per bar). New to bars? Our guide on how to use a shampoo bar covers lathering, rinsing and storing.
Keeping a bar happy on the move
The one catch with bars is that they need to dry out between uses. Carry yours in a tin or a draining soap case, and leave the lid off overnight wherever you're staying so it doesn't go soft.
Oral care on the go
Holidays are no reason to skip brushing. The NHS recommends brushing for about two minutes, twice a day, including last thing at night, and spitting rather than rinsing afterwards. Late nights and changed routines make it easy to forget, so keep your toothbrush somewhere you'll see it.
- Toothpaste counts as a liquid at security, so it goes in your liquids bag.
- A compact tube saves space. Check the size printed on the pack against your airport's limit.
- A toothbrush cover keeps your brush clean in your bag, but let the brush air-dry first.
- Check the water. In some destinations, local advice is to brush with bottled water, so look up the travel health advice for where you're going.
The Nice Smile Watermelon Fresh Toothpaste comes in a 60g tube that slips easily into a wash bag. It's a whitening fluoride toothpaste with a sweet watermelon flavour instead of harsh mint, and the formula is vegan, cruelty-free and enamel-safe. The whitening action helps remove everyday surface stains from tea, coffee and red wine, though, like any whitening toothpaste, it won't change the natural colour of your teeth. It was £7.95 when we last checked in September 2026. Pack it and you're one in a melon.
Haircare away from home
Sun, sea, chlorine and hotel hairdryers can all leave hair feeling dry. A few simple habits help:
- Rinse your hair after swimming to wash out chlorine or salt water.
- Cover up in strong sun with a hat or a scarf.
- Pack a leave-in conditioner if your hair tends to feel dry or frizzy, decanted into a small bottle for hand luggage.
- Keep heat styling to a minimum and let hair air-dry when you can.
For more ways to keep hair smooth in humid weather, read our guide on how to stop frizzy hair.
Health, sun and first aid
A small first aid pouch saves hunting for a pharmacy somewhere you don't know.
- Plasters, blister plasters and antiseptic wipes
- Painkillers you know you can take
- Rehydration sachets
- Insect repellent and bite cream
- Suncream and after-sun
- Travel sickness remedies, if you need them
- Any prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of your prescription
Some countries restrict certain medicines, so check the rules for your destination before you travel. Your GP or pharmacist can advise if you're unsure.
How to pack a leak-proof wash bag
- Choose a wash bag with a waterproof lining. If something leaks, it leaks into the bag and not over your clothes.
- Tighten every lid and add a square of cling film under the cap of anything runny.
- Squeeze the air out of tubes and soft bottles before closing them.
- Pack liquids upright where you can.
- Put your liquids bag at the top of your hand luggage so it's quick to take out at security.
- Use refillable travel bottles rather than buying new minis for every trip.
Ready, set, go
The best wash bag is a light one: solid swaps where you can, compact tubes where you can't, and a quick check of your airport's liquid rules before you leave. Get that right and security becomes the least stressful part of the journey.
At PoundMart, we bundle travel-friendly essentials into good-value packs, so your wash bag is ready whenever the next trip comes round. Browse the haircare collection for bars and bundles to take with you.
Frequently asked questions
Does toothpaste count as a liquid in hand luggage?
Yes. Airport security treats pastes, gels and creams as liquids, so toothpaste has to meet your airport's liquid rules and usually goes in your clear liquids bag. Limits vary between airports, so check the current guidance before you fly.
Can I take shampoo bars in hand luggage?
Solid shampoo bars aren't usually treated as liquids, so they can often go in your hand luggage without using up your liquids allowance. Rules can differ between airports and countries, so check with your airport if you're unsure. Pack the bar in a tin to keep it dry and tidy.
What toiletries should I pack for a week away?
For a week, pack a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner (or a 2-in-1 bar), body wash or soap, deodorant, moisturiser, suncream if you're heading somewhere sunny, and a small first aid kit. Add any medicines you need, with a little extra in case of delays.
How do I stop toiletries leaking in my suitcase?
Tighten all lids, add a layer of cling film under the caps of liquids, squeeze the air out of tubes and pack bottles upright in a waterproof wash bag. Swapping liquids for solid bars removes the risk altogether for some products.
