The toiletry bag is often the last thing we pack—and the one that makes the suitcase overflow or gets stuck at security. Yet, when well thought out, it fits in a carry-on and contains all the essentials. The golden rule: a hanging bag (keeping the sink area free in hotels and hostels), 100 ml travel sizes, and nothing you can buy on site. Here's the complete list to ensure nothing is forgotten, the liquid rules for flights, and how to keep everything organized.
Our Selection of Toiletry Bags
A good travel bag is recognized by three things: a hook for hanging, compartments that separate wet from dry, and a water-repellent material that wipes clean with a sponge. Depending on the length of the stay, prioritize compactness or volume. Here are three hanging models that cover all cases; you can also browse our entire collection of travel toiletry bags.
The Complete Toiletry Bag Checklist
Here's everything that makes up a well-thought-out toiletry bag, grouped by category. The principle: one item per need, in travel size, leaving behind duplicates and "just in case" items that never get used.
Basic Hygiene
- Toothbrush (with case) + travel-size or solid toothpaste
- Soap or 100 ml shower gel—solid soap avoids the liquid rule
- Shampoo (travel size or solid) + conditioner if needed
- Deodorant—stick or solid passes without issue in carry-on
- Comb or small hairbrush
Face and Body Care
- Face moisturizer + sunscreen (essential in the tropics)
- Lip balm—the dry air of the plane and altitude dry out quickly
- Manual razor + travel-size shaving cream, or epilation kit
- Cotton swabs, cotton pads, and a small pair of tweezers
Pharmacy and First Aid
- Pain reliever, anti-diarrheal, band-aids, and single-dose disinfectant
- Insect repellent if the destination requires it
- Your personal medications, in their box, with the prescription
This "health" section deserves its own pouch, separate from cosmetics: it's easy to find in case of need, and you won't be searching for a band-aid at the bottom of the bag. A small dedicated pouch for medications solves the problem once and for all.
The Liquid Rule for Flights (the 100 ml Rule)
This is the trap of carry-on luggage. Since 2006, any liquid, gel, cream, or paste carried in the cabin must fit in a 100 ml maximum container, and all must fit in a single one-liter transparent plastic bag (about 20 × 20 cm), presented separately at security. A half-empty 200 ml bottle? Refused: it's the size of the container that counts, not the remaining quantity. The solution is two words: reusable travel bottles and solid cosmetics.
Two exceptions to know: medications (even beyond 100 ml, with a prescription) and baby food, allowed in reasonable quantities. Duty-free purchases made after security, sealed in their duty-free bag with the receipt, also pass. For everything else, the 100 ml rule is inflexible—better to transfer in advance than to throw away a bottle at security. Here, product by product, is what passes in the cabin and in what form; in case of doubt about a specific airline, the official rules are detailed on AirHelp's cabin liquid guide.
| Product | Allowed in cabin? | Recommended size | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquids, gels, creams, pastes | Yes, ≤ 100 ml/container | 100 ml travel bottles | All in 1 clear bag of max 1 L |
| Toothpaste, cream deodorant, foam | Yes, ≤ 100 ml | Travel size or solid | Solids don't count in the liquids bag |
| Perfume, hairspray, aerosols | Yes, ≤ 100 ml | Sample / mini | Over 100 ml → in checked luggage |
| Liquid medications | Oui, > 100 ml tolérés | Prescription at hand | Exception with medical proof |
| Manual razor, round-tip scissors | Yes | — | Loose replacement blades prohibited |
Organizing Your Toiletry Bag (and the Rest of Your Luggage)
An organized bag saves a lot of time: separate wet (shower gel, shampoo) from dry (brush, cotton pads), place the 100 ml in their transparent bag for easy access at security, and hang the bag upon arrival. The same principle applies to the entire suitcase: when each category has its pouch, nothing needs to be unpacked. Packing cubes for clothes perfectly complement a well-thought-out bag—the "one pouch per need" logic applied to the entire luggage.
Last check before closing the bag: keep only what you really use in a week. Hotels often provide soap and shower gel, and everything can be bought on site. To prepare the rest of your luggage without forgetting anything, follow our guide to properly prepare your travel bag.
FAQ — Travel Toiletry Bag
Can you take your toiletry bag in the cabin? Yes, as long as each liquid is 100 ml maximum and fits in a one-liter transparent bag. Solid products (soap, solid shampoo, deodorant stick) do not count in this bag.
Solid or travel size: which to choose? Solid (soap, shampoo, solid toothpaste) escapes the liquid rule and lightens the bag—ideal in the cabin. Liquid travel size remains practical for cream and shower gel. The right mix: solid for washing, 100 ml for care.
Where to place your toiletry bag in the luggage? The transparent bag of 100 ml should be easily accessible (outer pocket) for security; the bag itself should be placed flat on top of clothes for easy access without unpacking everything. For liquids > 100 ml (large perfume bottle, family shower gel), head to the hold. See also what is prohibited in carry-on luggage.
