Ten hand-luggage beauty essentials

When it comes to packing your skincare kit, minimise the risk of spills and sail through safety checks by opting for solid beauty products. Here are travel writer Tamara Hinson’s recommendations to make your next trip through airport security worry-free

Egyptian Magic all-purpose skin cream

Multi-purpose beauty items are ideal for travel, and this is one of the best. A solid balm that transforms into a silky oil on contact, Egyptian Magic’s all-natural balm (£25) absorbs quickly to hydrate dry skin, and can tackle everything from unruly eyebrows to chapped lips and flyaway hair.

Elizabeth and James Nirvana White solid perfume

Freshening up in flight can be a tricky business, especially when it comes to fragrance. That’s why we love Elizabeth and James’ Nirvana White (£38), a solid scent that blends peony, muguet and vanilla. Allowing you to get through security without jettisoning any bottles over 100ml, it’s a must-have for those wanting a spritz without the spray.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defence Stick SPF 50

Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour products are now the must-have skincare essentials for any self-respecting jet-setter, and this handy stick (£15) is a quick and easy way to protect the lips, nose and under-eye area from sun damage. It has an SPF of 50 and is water-resistant.

Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar with Aloe Vera

Solid shampoos mean zero spillage, plus they’re a great option if you’re going hand luggage only. This hydrating shampoo bar (£17.50) from Christophe Robin cleanses both hair and skin with a moisture-packed combination of fruit oil and aloe vera. It’s SLS, paraben and silicone-free, so wherever you’re lathering your locks, you can rest assured there are no chemical nasties going down the plughole.

Perricone MD No Makeup Instant Blur

Holidays can be tough on skin, whether it’s the dry cabin air or extreme temperatures. Minimise the damage with this nifty compact from Perricone MD (£45). A scent-free, oil-reducing balm, apply before makeup to fill pores, smooth out imperfections and create a satin-free finish.

Algenist Power Recharging Night Pressed Serum

We all know bulging toiletry bags leave less space for souvenirs. Luckily, Algenist has come to the rescue with a solid skincare fix. The Power Recharging Night Pressed Serum (£68) doesn’t just prevent us falling foul of liquid restrictions, but has a concentrated formulation that means a little goes a long way.

Avène Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar with Cold Cream

Avène’s modern twist (£5.59) on a classic skincare staple has created a beauty essential no holiday maker should be without. White beeswax provides a blast of hydration, while Avène Thermale Spa Water helps sooth irritated, sunburned skin. The gentle formulation means it’s suitable for all skin types, and can even be used on babies.

Lush Full of Grace facial serum bar

Say hello to a new kind of hydration. Lush’s solid serum bar (£8.25) uses Portobello mushrooms for their skin-protecting qualities, while the nourishing chamomile blue oil and calamine powder is known to hydrate and protect. And it’s not just for the face – use it on elbows, cuticles and any other areas prone to dryness.

Diptyque Eau Rose solid perfume

Perfume doesn’t get prettier than this – a reassuringly weighty, locket-like compact containing Diptyque’s Eau Rose scented balm (£34). The fragrance is a heady blend of jasmine and rose. The only downside? It’s almost too pretty to use.

Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

Whether you’re busy exploring or just sunning yourself with a cocktail in hand, cuticles often sit at the bottom of a traveller’s skincare priorities. Enter Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (£5.99), a quick-fix treatment that has the consistency of a balm and a fresh lemony scent.