Leak-free, travel-friendly beauty essentials

The heaviest item in my suitcase when I am on a trip is my toiletry case.  I fill it up with all my selected important beauty essentials. I never leave anything to chance and believe that my place of destination has all the things I need.

“Major major” must-have items are: moisturizing shampoo (either Pantene or Kerastase) with matching moisturizing conditioner, hairspray, Evian facial spray (so refreshing on a hot day), Photoderm (sunblock) SPF 100, makeup remover (good, old, reliable Pond’s cold cream), Eskinol Naturals (avocado facial cleanser — excellent for wiping off any last traces of makeup), Dove moisturizing bath wash, Colgate or Crest Whitening toothpaste, Eucerin or Vaseline moisturizing body lotion, and Yue Sai Kan night moisturizing face cream.  I am just so anal about bringing my own toiletries, whether I am staying in a hotel or in a friend’s place.  But the important thing in bringing all these toiletries are the security measures one must take to make sure they don’t leak.  It happened once before that my shampoo, conditioner and body wash leaked out, soaking every item inside the case. The soft toiletry case got soaked as well and put a huge stain on a jacket that was packed under it.  Luckily, dry cleaning solved the problem. But what if it exploded from the air pressure inside the cargo area of the airplane and ruined all my delicate outfits or a gown I would be wearing to an event?  I shudder to think of the consequences.

Recently, I was in SM Makati to attend Watson’s launch of ONE (organic, natural, eco- friendly) Naturales and I bumped into Sandra Seifert, Ms. Earth Air 2009, whom I met at the opening of the Republiq Club at Resorts World.  She was one of the endorsers of the ONE Naturales products because of their eco-friendly packaging and organic ingredients. Being an environmentalist, Seifert was praising the brains and formulator of these products, Charade Galang: “These are the kinds of products I will always endorse as they don’t harm the environment,” she said. “Their preservatives are not harmful chemicals but natural preservatives like beeswax, virgin coconut oil, and olive oil.” 

Seifert was also with Ms. Philippines Earth 2010, Cris Resus, who also shared her beliefs about using only natural, eco-friendly products.

I told Galang that I was looking for products that were leak-free for travel safety and it was like I was talking to a mentalist. She read my mind exactly and laughed. “You must have had some unpleasant experiences with your bottles that leaked out. ” Yes, I did, and would like to avoid any recurrence at all costs!

So here are the leak-free products that Galang recommended, which I have tried and tested.  They passed my criteria with flying colors and are now in my toiletry case ready to be brought on my next trip abroad.

• Body soap: Blast from the Past – This body soap will leave your skin fresh, clean and moisturized — a gentle replacement for body wash!

Active ingredient: Lavender oil

Benefits: The highly relaxing aromatic scent relieves nervous tension and calms the mind. It is used for its antiseptic and soothing properties.

• Lip balm: Shea Butter Coco-Coconut Lip Balm – This is the ultimate lip flirtation, lip-smacking goodness to nourish and care for your precious lippies in a pot.

Active ingredient: Virgin coconut oil

Benefits: Boosts skin moisture, nourishes and protects.

• Solid shampoo: It’s Green! – For bouncy, lively hair. Lasts as long as three eight-ounce bottles of regular shampoo and leaves your hair shiny, moisturized and clean.

Active ingredient: Chamomile oil

Benefits: This fragrant sweet fruity essential oil is used in aromatherapy for its relaxing and tranquilizing effects that reduce stress. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties to cleanse the hair and scalp.

• Solid conditioner: Hair Boost – Lasts as long as three eight-ounce bottles of regular conditioner, and leaves your hair shiny and clean.

Active ingredients: Macadamia oil and panthenol

Benefits: Macadamia nut oil is prized for its high omega-7 content, a whopping 225 of palmitoleic acid, which promotes tissue regeneration and is anti-inflammatory on skin. Panthenol (Provitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid) is a humectant, emollient and moisturizer; it easily coats the hair and seals it. It acts as a lubricant on the hair shaft, making it look shiny. On the scalp it improves hydration and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, also reducing itchiness.

• Lotion: Oh My Gosh and Calming Lotion Massage Bars – Have the same base as the after-bath skin conditioner using squalene, cocoa and shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil in slightly different concentrations for maximum lubrication and skin-nutritional benefits.

Active ingredients: Essential oils of peppermint, bergamot, lavender, eucalyptus and linseed oils (for antiseptic, soothing and protective properties), shea and cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil and beeswax.

Benefits: Gives you outrageously smooth, soft skin. Their non-greasy formula leaves your skin light and silky with a matte finish to enhance your natural skin condition. Lavender has a highly relaxing aromatic scent that relieves nervous tension and calms the mind. It is used in the formula for its antiseptic and soothing properties.