Best Travel Shampoo and Conditioner
When it comes to travel shampoo and conditioner, there are a few form factors to consider: travel-sized bottles, tablets, bars, and sheets. In this post, we'll explore the pros and cons of each form factor and recommend some brands.
Travel-sized Bottles of Shampoo and Conditioner
The traditional TSA-approved bottles that are available at most drugstores.
Top brands: Aveda Shampure, OGX
Pros | Cons |
Familiarity of liquid hair care | Packaged in plastic, made of 90% water |
Widely available at stores | Risk of leakage in transit |
Difficult to squeeze out of bottle |
Shampoo and Conditioner Tablets
Dissolvable solid cubes where 1 tablet is equal to 1 wash.
Top brands: EarthSuds (North America), Beauty Kubes (Europe)
Pros | Cons |
Single-use form factor reduces messiness and improves convenience | New experience for users who haven't used tablets (e.g., toothpaste) before |
Compact, lightweight, no risk of spills | Only available online and in some stores |
Waterless and plastic-free |
Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Big solid bars that you have to rub on your head to create a lather.
Top brands: LUSH, Ethique, HiBAR
Pros | Cons |
More environmentally friendly | Heavy and messy to pack once used |
No risk of liquid spills in your luggage | Inconvenient to rub a bar on your head |
Can never use full bar (small piece left) |
Shampoo and Conditioner Sheets
Single-use swatches that dissolve as soon as you apply water.
Pros | Cons |
Plastic-free and lightweight which reduces shipping emissions | Dissolve immediately when in contact with water, which can create a mess |
Passes airport security restrictions | Difficult to use, especially for new users |
Limited scents and varieties |