How to Keep Toiletries from Leaking
Packing can feel daunting, and I think condensing all of your skincare and makeup essentials into travel-sized containers is the most stressful part. There’s nothing worse than getting to your destination after a long travel day and realizing that your shampoo leaked all over your toiletry bag.
Over the years, I’ve tried many different travel bottles and packing strategies in the hopes of finding a way to avoid leaks and be able to pack all of my essentials while meeting the TSA 3oz rule.
After testing these bottles for over a year and traveling throughout different elevations and climates, I’m confident in saying I’ve found the ultimate leak-proof toiletry bottles that make packing a breeze.
the best leak-proof toiletry bottles
These silicone bottles are the best leak-proof toiletry bottles. They’re BPA free, lightweight, hold a lot of product while still keeping you at the 3 oz TSA limit, and come in their own plastic toiletry bag, so you can keep them separate from your other cosmetics. They’re flexible, so they absorb pressure and luggage shifts (and avoid leaking out) better than the sturdier plastic bottles. That being said, you don’t need to squeeze them hard to get product out – a little goes a long way. I also like that the set comes with different colored bottles, which makes it easier to remember what’s in each bottle. If you don’t like bright colors, they also come in a beige/ brown neutral set or a blue-grey set.
For items like conditioner and exfoliators, I love these plastic jars, which have a twist-top. I’ve been using them for years and they’ve never cracked, broken, or leaked, and I like that you can buy them individually, as opposed to with a set of bottles that don’t work well. The jars hold a good amount of product, and are lightweight while still being able to withstand years of travel - I typically only need one jar per product to cover a week’s worth of travel.
how to stop toiletries from leaking
Don’t fill the bottles all the way to the top. This is probably the best piece of advice I can give you. Unless you’re traveling for an extended period of time, you most likely won’t go through a full 3oz of product. Leaving some empty space in the bottle allows wiggle room for pressure changes (like when you fly, or travel to a higher elevation) and lessens the likelihood they’ll leak. Even if you plan on sharing the bottles and need more product, try to not fill them completely to the top – it makes a big difference. For a week’s worth of travel, I’ll fill everything a little less than half-way (closer to 70% if I’m sharing with someone else), and have never run out of product.
Use twist-tops, not flip-tops. For items like exfoliators or conditioners, I swear by these twist-top jars. They’ve lasted for years without cracking, breaking, or spilling.
Place cling-wrap over the lids. If you’re traveling to a higher elevation or worried you’ve filled the bottles a little too much, add a layer of cling-wrap before you twist the top back on.
Always store your toiletries in a separate (or extra) plastic bag. No matter how much I trust my favorite silicone bottles, I still like to place them in a plastic sandwich bag for an extra layer of protection. I think we all do this; you can never be too safe and the plastic bag typically comes in handy at some point on the trip. The toiletry bottle set I’ve linked comes with its own clear toiletry bag that adheres to TSA requirements, which is extra convenient if you’re trying to limit the amount of bags and cases you’re bringing.