Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I’ve got all these holiday toiletries but still somehow have nothing!

256 replies

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 12:42

I go away in three weeks. I like to take everything away with me because the last thing I want to be doing is running to a pharmacy to grab paracetamol or something.

I have somehow accumulated all of this during the last couple of months but also somehow have nothing. No meds or anything like that.

Both airports have the 2L rule as opposed to the 100ml.

AIBU to still feel entirely lost?!

I’ve got all these holiday toiletries but still somehow have nothing!
OP posts:
MyDarlingRose · 03/08/2026 14:25

You’re being ridiculous and anxious. You’re going on holiday not to the moon. Why on earth are you lost because you don’t have a pack of Imodium and paracetamol almost a month before you fly? Get a grip please.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 03/08/2026 14:25

Mokel · 03/08/2026 14:14

Take plenty of painkillers. They are so expensive abroad and only can buy them in pharmacies.
Also sun tan lotion. Costs €18 for a bottle of SPF 50. You can buy 4 bottles of Lidl’s own for the same price.

Why do you expect to be in pain?! Where are all you people going that need painkillers, diarrhoea tablets, constipation tablets and gaviscon?? In my many years of travelling I’ve never needed any of this.

MyDarlingRose · 03/08/2026 14:26

Annocrates · 03/08/2026 13:20

Op, I've returned from 8 days in Italy last week and here's my list (that I managed to fit into hand luggage only and used several items up leaving space for souvenirs).
Bodycare
Shower Gel
Body Sun Cream
Aloe Vera After Sun Cream
Hand Cream
Feet Balm
Body Moisturizer
Body Shimmer Moisturizer
Body Spray
Perfume
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Mouthwash
Floss
Contact Lenses
Contact Lense Solution
Sanitary Products
Loofah
Razor
Foot File
Nail File
Nail Clippers
Tweezers
Haircare
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair UV Protection Leave-In Spray
Hair Oil
Hair Mousse
Hair Brush
Hair Scrunchie
Hair Claw
Hair Elastic
Hair Straighteners
Skincare
Face Sun Cream
Face Mist
Face Moisturizer
Face Serum
Eye Cream
SPF Lip Balm
Face Cleanser
Micellar Water
Face Mask
Under Eye Patches
Cotton Pads
Cotton Buds
Make Up
Make Up Brushes
Beauty Blender
CC Cream
Concealer
Setting Spray
Face Powder
Bronzer
Blusher
Highlighter
Mascara
Eyeliner
Eye Pencil
Eyebrow Gel
Lip Gloss
Lipstick
Cosmetic Cotton Buds
Healthcare
Vitamins
Plasters
Antiseptic Wipes
Paracetamol
Lemsip Sachets
Beechams
Imodium
Antihistamine Tablets
Kwells Motion Sickness Tablets
Antihistamine Cream
Burns Cream
Eye Drops
Bug Spray
Miscellaneous
Antibac Gel
Tissues
Antibacterial Wipes
Blotting Papers
Chewing Gum
Sewing Kit
Scissors
Pen
Magic Leaves Laundry Sheets
Tide Pen
Laundry Pegs
Sandwich Bags
Bag Clips
Clingfilm

I have it saved in my notes app and reuse every year. I hope it helps.

Wow… OVERCONSUMPTION FINAL BOSS

Bag clips and dryer sheets and clothes pegs? I’ve never needed any of those. I travelled for 12 months straight and didn’t need those this is absolutely ridiculous.

Harrumphhhh · 03/08/2026 14:27

OP, I think most people are responding about toiletries and not realising it’s really a post about overwhelm.

I totally understand where you’re coming from.

My ‘holiday toiletries drawer’ looks very like your photo and every year I think ‘this time I’m going to get it right. Not overpack, but have everything I need’. Does it work? Nope. Never. Do I have fun on holiday? Yes. Usually.

Step back. What’s the worst thing that’ll happen if you mis-pack? Either, some mild discomfort while you carry a heavier-than-ideal bag, or mild discomfort while you search for somewhere to buy what you’ve forgotten.

You’ll be fine. Enjoy your break.

elQuintoConyo · 03/08/2026 14:30

If you're in Spain, go to Clarel, it's like Superdrug, sells all the liquids. Pharmacy for pills. The ones that are closed will have a map in the window showing you where the open ones are, they rotate. I live here, I haven't had an electrolyte drink yet and it's been 35°c for well over a month, in which I've been working and have had two big days out in Madrid. Take a hat, brolly, buy suncream when you land (any supermarket), and after sun.
It's so easy to buy stuff in mainland Europe that I wouldn't pack half of what you're taking.

Millytante · 03/08/2026 14:31

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 13:39

Yes! I have some on the way!

Good grief. Why not enjoy local bars and cafés instead, as they sell great hydrating potions.

BauhausOfEliott · 03/08/2026 14:34

Annocrates · 03/08/2026 14:07

Water is "perfectly adequate" to keep your body well hydrated day to day.She goes on to say, though, that if you've lost a significant amount of fluid and electrolytes (through excessive sweating, prolonged exercise or vomiting, say) drinks containing sodium can help the body absorb and retain fluid better than plain water.So if Op is sweating excessively due to heat and prolonged physical activity (eg. sightseeing ancient ruins), electrolytes will be beneficial for them 🤷‍♀️@everylittlethingis if you do decide not to bring the majority and buy there instead, be mindful that a lot of stores close for siesta in the middle of the day and majority of places are shut on Sundays in several mainland European countries. And if you find somewhere open, it will be significantly more expensive.

She won't need electrolytes just from ordinary sweating in hot weather. I speak as someone who sweats way more than the average woman. I have literally never needed them. If you're eating food and drinking water (or any other liquid; it doesn't even have to be plain water) you're fine.

She might benefit from them if she gets food poisoning and spends two days shitting through the eye of a needle, but that's unlikely and also they sell them in pharmacies if required.

Superscientist · 03/08/2026 14:34

I am a prepper by nature!

I have a decent first aid kit that lives in my rucksack/day bag for went out and about (I have larger ones in each car and the house too). This comes with me on holiday, I check it before I leave and ensure it has plasters etc. I keep a small bottle of hand sanitiser in here too. We take a tube of glucose tablets and oral rehydration tablets too as we are all prone to not drinking enough and needing a hand in hot weather. My partner is a fly magnet so we take insect repellent and bite creams with us too.

At home each car has a little box with one strip of paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines and diarrhoea relief tablets. One of these gets packed when we go away, with original boxes flat packed. It covers the odd headache etc, if we need more, we go to a pharmacy. The car with the children in has a bottle of Calpol, ibuprofen and antihistamines in. I bring a bottle of Calpol and ibuprofen with us. We have prescription medication also so I add these into a bag/box with the above along with dosset boxes. Once we get to other side the meds get put in the boxes.

Toiletries - a new toothpaste, a new shampoo bar for me and my daughter. Both can be used as a soap as well. We take a bottle of my daughters conditioner. We have a new deodorant for both of us.

Suncream - one large bottle for at the place we are staying and a smaller one to go in the day bag. My daughter is prone to dry skin so I take a new tube of aqueous cream with us that does as a moisturiser/aftersun also.

The first thing I do when going through the list of things we need is to see what can be used for multiple purposes. At home I might use different conditioner to my daughter but hers does just fine and we aren't going to use a whole bottle in the time we are away. I never bother taking shower gel but buy solid shampoos that can be used as soap too. Also the bars take up so much less room. Moisturiser, I have a preferred moisturiser and it's useful to have aftersun in case of burning and my daughter has dry skin. I could take all 3 products or I could stick with her cream which I know does a good enough job of the other things. Meds wise, if I was tight on space I would only take ibuprofen and not the paracetamol but usually the space is fine. It's mostly the adults that struggle with seasonal allergies, eldest daughter does a little bit but she's able to swallow tablets and we can cut the adult one in half should she need.

It sounds excessive except we have on various different holidays used /needed everything listed here and it has always been much more convenient to go to the bathroom where we are staying to get something than head out to the shop/pharmacy. I don't buy things separately though it's things I regularly carry all year round. My first aid kit has been used dozens of times on the school run!

Ineffable23 · 03/08/2026 14:35

This is my list:

Meds
Loratidine
Antihistamine cream
Windeze
Gaviscon
Beconase
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Loperimide
Inhaler
Sominex
Plasters
Compeed

Toiletries
Conditioner
Shampoo
Soap
Perfume
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Suncream
Facial suncream
Lipstick
Lip balm
Hairbrush
Face moisturizer
Nail file
Eye mask
Ear plugs
Insect repellent
Hand sanitizer
Toothpaste
Hair ties
Flannel

I don't want to faff round in pharmacies if I feel ill, I want to open my wash bag up. I already day daily meds so it's no extra trouble tbh.

Similarly I don't want to buy stuff that I then can't take home so take 40ml each shampoo and conditioner which does me for up to about 2 weeks.

No makeup which makes life easier. Well I usually pack a lipstick and that's that.

Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:37

Millytante · 03/08/2026 14:31

Good grief. Why not enjoy local bars and cafés instead, as they sell great hydrating potions.

Nothing better than a pint in the heat on holiday or a large aperol spritz

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:38

BauhausOfEliott · 03/08/2026 14:34

She won't need electrolytes just from ordinary sweating in hot weather. I speak as someone who sweats way more than the average woman. I have literally never needed them. If you're eating food and drinking water (or any other liquid; it doesn't even have to be plain water) you're fine.

She might benefit from them if she gets food poisoning and spends two days shitting through the eye of a needle, but that's unlikely and also they sell them in pharmacies if required.

“She” is taking a few as it’s a very active holiday and I know from experience that I do tend to get dehydrated

OP posts:
everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:38

Millytante · 03/08/2026 14:31

Good grief. Why not enjoy local bars and cafés instead, as they sell great hydrating potions.

Huh?

I will obviously be going out and eating out etc. but I get awful, awful headaches if I’m dehydrated and know electrolytes get rid of them.

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:39

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:38

“She” is taking a few as it’s a very active holiday and I know from experience that I do tend to get dehydrated

Drink some bloody water then!

TheOctopus · 03/08/2026 14:39

Just make lists and tick off as you pack.
Medicine in hand luggage and everything else in suitcase.

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:39

Annocrates · 03/08/2026 13:20

Op, I've returned from 8 days in Italy last week and here's my list (that I managed to fit into hand luggage only and used several items up leaving space for souvenirs).
Bodycare
Shower Gel
Body Sun Cream
Aloe Vera After Sun Cream
Hand Cream
Feet Balm
Body Moisturizer
Body Shimmer Moisturizer
Body Spray
Perfume
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Mouthwash
Floss
Contact Lenses
Contact Lense Solution
Sanitary Products
Loofah
Razor
Foot File
Nail File
Nail Clippers
Tweezers
Haircare
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair UV Protection Leave-In Spray
Hair Oil
Hair Mousse
Hair Brush
Hair Scrunchie
Hair Claw
Hair Elastic
Hair Straighteners
Skincare
Face Sun Cream
Face Mist
Face Moisturizer
Face Serum
Eye Cream
SPF Lip Balm
Face Cleanser
Micellar Water
Face Mask
Under Eye Patches
Cotton Pads
Cotton Buds
Make Up
Make Up Brushes
Beauty Blender
CC Cream
Concealer
Setting Spray
Face Powder
Bronzer
Blusher
Highlighter
Mascara
Eyeliner
Eye Pencil
Eyebrow Gel
Lip Gloss
Lipstick
Cosmetic Cotton Buds
Healthcare
Vitamins
Plasters
Antiseptic Wipes
Paracetamol
Lemsip Sachets
Beechams
Imodium
Antihistamine Tablets
Kwells Motion Sickness Tablets
Antihistamine Cream
Burns Cream
Eye Drops
Bug Spray
Miscellaneous
Antibac Gel
Tissues
Antibacterial Wipes
Blotting Papers
Chewing Gum
Sewing Kit
Scissors
Pen
Magic Leaves Laundry Sheets
Tide Pen
Laundry Pegs
Sandwich Bags
Bag Clips
Clingfilm

I have it saved in my notes app and reuse every year. I hope it helps.

I’m saving this, wow!

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:39

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:39

I’m saving this, wow!

Seriously!

Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:40

Just stay at home OP, be easier for you

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:40

Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:39

Drink some bloody water then!

I drink 4+ litres a day.

When doing 20,000+ steps in 30° heat you sometimes need more!

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:41

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:40

I drink 4+ litres a day.

When doing 20,000+ steps in 30° heat you sometimes need more!

No you don't, it's 2 hours walking, put a hat on and take water and stop being dramatic

7238SM · 03/08/2026 14:41

Someone has likely mentioned it but take tampons (if applicable) and its a country that don't readily stock them.

I recall recall an embarrasing game of charades with a male pharmacist in Bangkok! 🤦‍♀️

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:44

Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:41

No you don't, it's 2 hours walking, put a hat on and take water and stop being dramatic

Do you have anything useful to add? I know my own body.

OP posts:
everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:44

7238SM · 03/08/2026 14:41

Someone has likely mentioned it but take tampons (if applicable) and its a country that don't readily stock them.

I recall recall an embarrasing game of charades with a male pharmacist in Bangkok! 🤦‍♀️

I’m thankfully not due on anytime around the trip, but I’ll be bringing a few pads!

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/08/2026 14:45

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 14:44

Do you have anything useful to add? I know my own body.

You clearly don't know what to pack!

No nothing more useful to add, I am avoiding piano practice and exam revision

MyDarlingRose · 03/08/2026 14:47

7238SM · 03/08/2026 14:41

Someone has likely mentioned it but take tampons (if applicable) and its a country that don't readily stock them.

I recall recall an embarrasing game of charades with a male pharmacist in Bangkok! 🤦‍♀️

An amazing thing called Google Translate exists now

Annocrates · 03/08/2026 14:53

MyDarlingRose · 03/08/2026 14:26

Wow… OVERCONSUMPTION FINAL BOSS

Bag clips and dryer sheets and clothes pegs? I’ve never needed any of those. I travelled for 12 months straight and didn’t need those this is absolutely ridiculous.

Edited

The fact that you might not need all of this does not mean that everybody else is the same. I use all of the items and more at home.
Bag Clips are useful if you buy a large pack of crisps / cookies and want to save it for a few days.
Magic Laundry Sheets and clothes pegs are great for giving your clothes / bikini a quick rinse and hanging in the hotel room shower.
Apologies for derailing your post OP! I do hope you get it all under control with plenty of time to spare before you go away!

Swipe left for the next trending thread