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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what else would you add to this packing list?

112 replies

ifyouwantmylove · 19/05/2026 16:20

I’m off on a solo holiday to southern Europe this summer. I’ve never travelled to a hot location before alone, so trying to be prepared. I’m going to stock up over the next few weeks using the boots recycling scheme to build up points (with a view to purchasing a red light mask in the Boxing Day sales)

Body

  • SPF 50 x 2
  • Shower gel
  • Soap
  • Body moisturiser
  • Body oil
  • After sun
  • Foot cream
  • Shaving gel
  • Razor ✅
  • Post shave oil
  • Anti-chafe balm

Face

  • Rhode face wash
  • Rhode glazing milk
  • Rhode barrier butter
  • Facial SPF 50
  • Retinol
  • Rhode spot patches

First aid/health

  • Paracetamol
  • Ibuprofen
  • Anti-diarrhoea tablets
  • Electrolytes
  • Plasters
  • Blister plasters
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Bite relief cream
  • Antihistamines
  • Cold and flu relief

Miscellaneous

  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Dental floss
  • Deodorant refill x 2

anything to add?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Caspianberg · 21/05/2026 16:51

I really recommend solid bars for travel. No spills and lightweight

Locctaine shampoo bar
Locctaine Shea soap bar - use for everything, shaving, hand wash if needed.

la rosey or piz buin sun cream
Toothpaste
wild deodorant

That’s it. That lasted 2 adults and child 3 weeks recently.

Your face will survive 10 days with just some soak and sunscreen

OnGoldenPond · 21/05/2026 16:45

Don’t forget your toothbrush!

WonsWoo · 21/05/2026 16:36

I find antiseptic wipes/general hand wipes helpful
I also take a few cotton buds as they are useful for lots of things
The only other thing i can think is something for dry lips - mine are worse in the heat than in the winter - I use Carmex.

Have a fab time and solidarity from someone who packs equally as much!

StarlightLady · 21/05/2026 16:30

5foot5 · 21/05/2026 16:22

I have never even heard of some of this stuff!

Anti-chafe balm, glazing milk, barrier butter, retinol? Crikey!

A PP suggested pegs and a line. I did actually take this on my recent holiday as we were away for three weeks and travelling about a lot on trains and buses so I didn't want to take a huge suitcase. But, obviously, you can't get three weeks worth of clothes in a smallish case so I knew I would have to do some washing as I went along. I got a handy stretchable line with built in pegs that is easy to rig up in a hotel bathroom. I also got Dr Beckmann dry laundry leaves.

I agree. I always travel with both of these (l use the leaves in my regular machine washes at home too), and who wants to drag 3 weeks of dirty washing around anyway.

5foot5 · 21/05/2026 16:22

I have never even heard of some of this stuff!

Anti-chafe balm, glazing milk, barrier butter, retinol? Crikey!

A PP suggested pegs and a line. I did actually take this on my recent holiday as we were away for three weeks and travelling about a lot on trains and buses so I didn't want to take a huge suitcase. But, obviously, you can't get three weeks worth of clothes in a smallish case so I knew I would have to do some washing as I went along. I got a handy stretchable line with built in pegs that is easy to rig up in a hotel bathroom. I also got Dr Beckmann dry laundry leaves.

JustGiveMeReason · 21/05/2026 15:58

OP: Starts thread asking if she IBU to take half of boot on a flight with her

97% of Poll : YABU
Many, many posters offer sensible suggestions of what isn't needed

OP: I'll take it all anyway.

Kind of makes me wonder why you asked if YWBU Confused

ifyouwantmylove · 21/05/2026 08:07

lljkk · 21/05/2026 08:06

Most of this fits into a small Space NK bag

Would you please post pic of the Space NK bag containing "most of this" and the extras that won't fit? It will have to be a checked bag of course, all that fluid.

I'm surprised that a completely full deodorant product wouldn't confidently last you 10 days.

Why do you take electrolytes daily?

Mouthwash usually comes in large containers. Are you sure you can't go without?

Plasters etc?

Both of the airports I’m flying in and out of don’t have liquid limits anymore.

OP posts:
lljkk · 21/05/2026 08:06

Most of this fits into a small Space NK bag

Would you please post pic of the Space NK bag containing "most of this" and the extras that won't fit? It will have to be a checked bag of course, all that fluid.

I'm surprised that a completely full deodorant product wouldn't confidently last you 10 days.

Why do you take electrolytes daily?

Mouthwash usually comes in large containers. Are you sure you can't go without?

KeyWorker · 21/05/2026 08:04

YANBU to take whatever products you need or want. I generally aim to take all we need with us in the way of toiletries rather than buying when away. I simplify my skin care routine too but YANBU not to (caution with retinol) If you were looking to save a bit of space, some of these products can double up when you are away. For example, I’d not take moisturiser and after sun, nor soap and shower gel. I always take a few strips of paracetamol & ibuprofen but not bother with cold & flu. I do always take a couple of plasters but nothing else in the way of first aid. As for deodrent, put in a new refill the day you go to see you through and save the one in use to use up when you get back.

Wallywobbles · 21/05/2026 07:50

How are you traveling. If you are carrying all this stuff, or using hand luggage only less is definitely more.

StarlightLady · 21/05/2026 07:49

Is post shave oil really necessary? Unless you are going to the back of beyond, things like Cold and Flu Relief can be bought locally if required. Maybe a few tampons just in case?

PPpupachino · 21/05/2026 07:34

Sun hat

PPpupachino · 21/05/2026 07:31

Travel insurance

Rainallnight · 21/05/2026 07:12

Well, it’s your luggage allowance

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 21/05/2026 07:07

ifyouwantmylove · 21/05/2026 06:32

No, I said I’d not travelled to a hot country ALONE before. I’ve always gone with people who have handled all the toiletries (aka my family) and I’ve just had to take my skincare and makeup

Oh, ok, I misread. I was just trying to provide some helpful suggestions.

CrushingOnRubies · 21/05/2026 07:02

For 10 days I’d be tempted to take just one big bottle of sun cream. Can always get more if you run out.

what sort of accommodation are you staying in? If in a hotel just use the soap provided. If camping then yes you need to take your own.

ifyouwantmylove · 21/05/2026 06:32

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 20/05/2026 22:31

OP, I posted my suggestions up thread, but I just wanted to say, I think if you want to carry with your skincare routine abroad and take your products with you, you should crack on, but I noticed you said that you hadn’t travelled to a hot country before so I would really think about adjusting your routine for that. You’ve already noted that you will skip the retinol - I’m a big skincare routine fan, but in a hot country I stick to cleanser (double cleansing at night), some kind of hydrating mist (I like Sunday Riley pink drink, a good moisturiser, face spf. I take a can of ultrasun spray spf to carry in my handbag too in case I need it during the day. Lightweight and moisturising is key otherwise I really break out in the heat. A lip mask at night to stop my lips drying out. A tinted moisturiser instead of a heavier base too (I go for erborian cc cream).

Edited

No, I said I’d not travelled to a hot country ALONE before. I’ve always gone with people who have handled all the toiletries (aka my family) and I’ve just had to take my skincare and makeup

OP posts:
WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 20/05/2026 22:31

OP, I posted my suggestions up thread, but I just wanted to say, I think if you want to carry with your skincare routine abroad and take your products with you, you should crack on, but I noticed you said that you hadn’t travelled to a hot country before so I would really think about adjusting your routine for that. You’ve already noted that you will skip the retinol - I’m a big skincare routine fan, but in a hot country I stick to cleanser (double cleansing at night), some kind of hydrating mist (I like Sunday Riley pink drink, a good moisturiser, face spf. I take a can of ultrasun spray spf to carry in my handbag too in case I need it during the day. Lightweight and moisturising is key otherwise I really break out in the heat. A lip mask at night to stop my lips drying out. A tinted moisturiser instead of a heavier base too (I go for erborian cc cream).

ifyouwantmylove · 20/05/2026 07:53

TheChosenTwo · 20/05/2026 07:48

Wow my gosh that looks like a lot of ‘stuff’ for the sake of buying and packing ‘stuff’! So many duplicates.
I’m relatively low maintenance at home and on holiday moreso. I do tend to take my own shower gel and shampoo rather than rely on what’s there.
Definitely don’t bother with the retinol although I see you’ve noted that.
I mean you seem happy to be a packhorse so crack on! I leave the house day to day with none of any of that, phone and keys does me.

I wouldn’t say I’ll be a pack horse. Most of this fits into a small Space NK bag that I carry with me everyday, so I don’t think it’ll be that different! Things like the body oil I’ll take a travel size of, so it’s not as much as people think!

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 20/05/2026 07:48

Wow my gosh that looks like a lot of ‘stuff’ for the sake of buying and packing ‘stuff’! So many duplicates.
I’m relatively low maintenance at home and on holiday moreso. I do tend to take my own shower gel and shampoo rather than rely on what’s there.
Definitely don’t bother with the retinol although I see you’ve noted that.
I mean you seem happy to be a packhorse so crack on! I leave the house day to day with none of any of that, phone and keys does me.

ifyouwantmylove · 20/05/2026 07:37

familyissues12345 · 20/05/2026 07:29

Ha! A fellow over packer! Cooee!!

Im here for the tips… Grin

I admit I overpack at times but I don’t think a lot of this is over packing? I carry things like players and blister plasters everyday anyway, so it would be unusual to not pack them for a holiday!

OP posts:
familyissues12345 · 20/05/2026 07:29

Ha! A fellow over packer! Cooee!!

Im here for the tips… Grin

ifyouwantmylove · 20/05/2026 07:08

Newmeagain · 19/05/2026 20:40

Wow - how are you going to carry all this stuff? Are you taking multiple suitcases?

One suitcase plus carry on! It’s really not that much

OP posts:
liquoriceallsortfamily · 19/05/2026 23:41

Prescription medication 💊. Xx

TheDenimPoet · 19/05/2026 23:02

Period products, even if you're not due on. Our bodies do love to surprise us at the worst possible times! (Assuming, of course, you generally menstruate).

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