Lighten Your Load: 37 Solid Alternatives to Liquid Toiletries

Of the many, many TSA regulations, the 3-1-1 rule about liquids is one of the most unnecessary, arbitrary rules you’ll encounter while traveling. How much time has been lost while staring at bath and body products the night before a trip, debating if the item in front of us is liquid or a solid? And then once we get to the airport, trying to wrangle our quart bags out of our luggage while simultaneously removing our belt, shoes, and eye contact with the traveler in line behind us? (side note: now is a good opportunity to plug TSA Precheck/Global Entry/Nexus/SENTRI for my U.S./Canadian/Mexican readers).

The best way to thwart this rule without incurring the costs and risks of checking a bag? Go liquid-free, or at least as close to liquid-free as you can!

This post is not sponsored by any of the brands shown here, but contains affiliate links.

Right now the beauty industry is booming with zero-waste alternatives to plastic bottles filled with liquids – and travelers should take advantage whenever they can. Today I’m sharing solid alternatives to twelve different personal care items that traditionally come in liquid, gel, cream, or aerosol form. It’s helpful to note that not all of these items will end up occupying less room in your luggage (though many will!), but they will free up space within your quart bag for any items that you really want to bring on your trip or bring home with you. In this post you’ll find several items in each category, all in different sizes and at different price points; why not make your life just a little easier on your next trip?

TOOTHPASTE

| Bite Toothpaste Tablets | Pretty Frank Toothpaste Powder | Lush Dirty Toothy Tabs |

I predict that tubes of toothpaste are going to be the next thing to “go” from our home medicine cabinets. Toothpaste tabs are compact and lightweight, already pre-portioned, and more sanitary than sharing a tube of toothpaste with someone. To brush with the tablets, simply bite into one and brush with your wet toothbrush (and as a bonus, you can even find mouthwash in tab form!). Toothpaste powder is a good alternative to a tube of liquid paste for a solo traveler, as a little mixing is needed and can be done right in the lid of the product.

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SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

| Ethique Hair Sampler | Public Goods Shampoo Bar (subscription required) | Package Free Conditioner Bar |

Shampoo and conditioner bars are no longer the weird, grimy, residue-leaving bars of the past. These days they can be found almost anywhere (even at Target), and are easy to tote along in a reusable soap tin. To use, just wet the bar and lather up your hair as you would your body, and be sure to rinse fully clean. Dry with a towel before packing away to extend its life.

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BODY WASH

| L'Occitane Soap | Wander and Wash Pocket Soap | Buly 1803 Soap Sheets |

I love the feel of a good, foamy body wash, but don’t love trying to measure and determine if I’ll have enough in my travel-size bottle for the duration of our trip (what if I suddenly want to take a lot of showers?). Small-size soap bars or soap sheets are great for travel, and I probably don’t need to explain how to use them!

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DEODORANT

| Secret Refillable Antiperspirant Deodorant | Schmidt's Deodorant | Kopari Deodorant |

Save the aerosols, serums, roll-ons, gels, and creams for use at home, and stick with a stick (“solid deodorant” is indeed a solid, even though it spreads, according to the TSA). Whether you’re on the natural deo train or need something stronger to keep sweat at bay, grab a mini stick for your next trip.

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DRY SHAMPOO

Frange Puff Dry Shampoo Brush | Klorane Dry Shampoo | Aveda Shampowder

Dry shampoo can help negate the effects of a red-eye flight or a sweaty hike, and I never travel without it. Skip the aerosols and go for an eco-friendly (thus, non-liquid) powder dry shampoo. While you can even make your own, I’d feel a little nervous going through security with a jar of unlabeled powder. Many brands have started to produce aerosol-free versions, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find the best formula for your hair type.

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FACE WASH

| Ethique Face Sampler | Shiseido Honey Cake Soap | Meow Meow Tweet Facial Soap |

My skin is really picky, and I tend to stick to one of a handful of gentle liquid face washes at home, but I’m definitely curious to try some of the newer solid offerings on the market. In addition to the soap tins linked above, I bet these small silicone bags would be great for traveling with small soap bars – they can even be squished flat once you’ve finished your bar.

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FRAGRANCE

| BaseLight Solid Cologne Set | Glossier You Solid | Diptyque Solid Perfume |

Fragrance is another travel must for me. While it’s true that applying fragrance on top of strong body odor can make things worse, at least a little fragrance applied after a long flight can be rejuvenating. These options are all small enough that you could carry them in your pocket if you needed to – just be sure to remove them before walking through the metal detector!

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BUG REPELLANT

| Cliganic Bands | Chagrin Valley Bug Off Stick | Badger Anti-Bug Balm |

Yes, in some areas you need the scary, strong stuff. But in lots of other places, natural options will do. Apply a solid balm or stick, or try bug-repellant wristbands when traveling in places not known for insect-borne diseases.

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SUNSCREEN

| Neutrogena Sunscreen Stick | Colorescience Powder Sunscreen | Beautycounter Sunscreen Stick |

Just because you’re traveling light on liquids doesn’t mean you get to skimp on sun protection. Sunscreen comes in TSA-friendly balms and powders, which may even be more convenient than your old leaky liquid tube anyway.

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SHAVING

| Art of Shaving Lavender Soap |  Leaf Shave Soap | L'Occitane Shaving Soap |

The moisture strips on my razors provide enough lubrication that I don’t need any other shaving products, however, that’s not the case for everyone. Today’s shaving soaps are much richer and more interesting than the shave soaps used by your father or grandfather, and are often much less aggressively “masculine.”

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NAIL POLISH

| Deborah Lippmann Buffer File | Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen | Dashing Diva Polish Appliques |

Personally, I never travel with nail polish (I simply don’t have the time to touch up a manicure, and just go bare-nailed), but I’ll bet plenty of people do. Thankfully, there are ways to achieve a gorgeous nail look without the threat of spilling a smelly and impossible-to-clean bottle of polish. Using a buffer file always makes bare nails look neater, but nail art pens and appliques can help bring a little fun and flair to your trip.

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LOTION

| Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Balm | Moon Valley Organics Moon Melt | Burt's Bees Hydrating Stick |

Of all of these, lotion is probably the toughest to find in non-liquid form, but there are some options. Stick formulas are the best option for mess-free application, but solid, soap-like formulas are available too. These are first warmed in your hands and then applied wherever you need a little extra moisture.

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BONUS: AN EXCELLENT ALL-IN-ONE

| Dr. Bronner's Castille Bar Soap |

And for those looking to really slim down the number of products in their bags, it would be a huge misstep not to mention Dr. Bronner’s. The multipurpose bar can be used to wash hair, face, and body, as well as a shaving soap. Additionally, it can be used on clothes as a laundry detergent. For those feeling a bit squeamish at the thought of using the same bar of soap in so many different places, simply slice the bar into smaller pieces before leaving home. Ta-da: multiple products from the same item!

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Have you ever encountered any issues traveling with liquids through the TSA checkpoint?