I have an excessive amount of skincare so much that it is impossible to take everything unless I bring multiple large suitcases, and let me tell that is just too much to take. So I like to take just the essentials, these include cleansers, toners, various treatments, moisturizers, and a few masks. I’m going to be in Paris so I will take a few more sample size products than usual because I plan on buying a lot of skincare while I’m there, and trust me I’ll need the extra space in my suitcase.

Now looking at this photo you might be thinking to yourself “that doesn’t look like light packing”, and you’re probably right but please hear me out. I am taking a lot of different cleansers with me because each serve a different and necessary purpose, and most of these are either sample sizes or have very little product left (meaning they won’t make it through the trip). For my morning cleanser I’m taking Bioderma’s Sébium H2O Micelle Solution ($15.81), if you have never heard of Bioderma before you’ve been missing out. This is probably the most famous and best micellar water on the market and it does a great job at removing makeup and cleansing the skin. My nighttime cleanser is Kate Somerville’s Detox Cleanser ($34), I have talked about this repeatedly on my blog so I’m not going to bore you once again. In a nut shell if you have oily acne prone skin this is a life saver, but do invest in a good moisturizer because it can dry out the skin. I am also taking my Clarisonic Mia 2 ($149) with the acne brush head ($27) to use at night with the Detox Cleanser. In my opinion Clarisonics are the best solution for problem skin and it because of this tool that my acne cleared up immensely. Definitely a good investment to make if you are dedicated to taking care of your skin. Another product I am taking is a sample size of Glamglow’s Supercleanse ($39) to use once or twice a week for a deeper cleanse. This product does a great job of clearing out pores and illiminating breakouts, but it is really intense so using it everyday can be hard on the skin. For a makeup remover I’m taking Simple’s Cleansing Facial Wipes ($3.69), my favorite way to remove makeup because it makes it super easy to take off mascara. The last cleanser I am taking is Ole Henriksen’s Grease Relief Cleansing Cloths ($8 for 10 cloths), I’m going to use this on the plane to London because I won’t have to worry about dealing with liquids. 

For my treatments I am taking Pixi’s Glow Tonic ($15) as my nighttime toner because this does a great job of prepping skin and gives the skin a nice glow. I am also taking Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac ($42), an acne clearing lotion that I have been using for more than 3 years because it is just that good. For sunscreen I am taking a sample size of Supergoop’s City Serum ($42), this feels nice on the skin and is one of my favorite sunscreens because it doesn’t have a chemical scent and it works well under makeup. I am also taking a sample size or Origins’ GinZing Eye Cream ($30), I like to use this in the morning because it brightens and moisturizes my eye area. The last treatment product I am taking is Kate Somerville’s EradiKate ($24), my favorite spot treatment that I use at night (full review here).

I am taking three moisturizers with me this trip. For the morning I am going to use Belif’s Aqua Bomb ($22 for size pictured above), a cooling moisturizer that hydrates the skin and works well under makeup because of it’s light texture. At night I am taking a sample size of Ole Henriksen’s Sheer Transformation ($40), a great moisturizer that softens and brightens skin and reduces hyper pigmentation. The last moisturizer I am taking is a sample size of Origin’s Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask ($25), I plan on using this on nights when my skin is extra dry.

For this trip I am taking three masks. Two of these are Sephora’s Sleeping Masks ($4) a line of rich one time use cream-gel textured sleeping masks, each with a skin refreshing benefit. I decided to take the Rose and Green Tea, the Rose will moisturize and brighten the skin while the Green Tea will mattify the skin and treat blemishes. I decided to only buy two because I plan on purchasing a few masks while in Paris. The last mask I am bringing is a sample size of Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate ($85), an intense exfoliating treatment that I plan on using once a week.

The last two skincare products I am taking on my trip are facial sprays. I plan on using Avène’s Eau Thermale ($18) as my morning toner because it is known for being soothing to sensitive skin and does a good job at prepping for skincare. I am also taking Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir ($18 for size pictured above) to use during the day whenever my makeup needs refreshing.