As someone who only travels carry-on, these have been a game-changer. I can count out the number of doses to days I’m travelling, and still have room in my liquids bag for other important essentials, such as a dollop of frizz-beating conditioner (what is it with accommodations these days, having either the shampoo/conditioner all-in-one, or no conditioner whatsoever?), or toothpaste or mouthwash (other amenities of that bygone glam era that, for the most part, has gone the way of the Dodo bird).
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the originals: Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Capsules. According to the company, five capsules are sold every second around the world. The queen of the Red Door even has the all-important vitamin C in the Ceramide capsule range, and it’s on my radar to try next.
What to look for: serums that contain hyaluronic acid, to keep skin plump and hydrated; plant-based botanicals that illuminate and regenerate while being gentle on skin; lightweight tinted fluids to add radiance; and retinol-infused options for an overnight treatment.
Here, three that have been part of my travel beauty arsenal recently. These tiny spheres are loaded with all the good things a traveller needs to keep skin hydrated and looking fresh, they take up a fraction of the space and, in most cases, are biodegradable.
Serum: RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Serum Capsules
These capsules come in day and night formulas, so you’re covered 24/7. And, they come in blue for day; champagne pink for night, so there’s no confusion. The Hydrate day formula is loaded with hyaluronic acid, which is delivered to the skin via micro spheres that, when applied to clean skin, will penetrate and absorb water to give skin a plump appearance (note: you can also use these little babies at night, if you find retinol too harsh for your skin). As for retinol, this is the OG – according to RoC, the company was the first to discover the method for stabilizing this retinoic acid. If you’re looking for a fine-line fighter, apply the Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules, a gentle retinol and vitamin E antioxidant, to cleansed skin, for a fresher appearance in the morning.
Moisturiser: Yves Rocher Anti-Age Global Radiance Illuminating Cure
The latest product to be added to the brand’s Anti-Age Global line earlier this year, the Illuminating Cure comes in pretty pink pearls, and features the botanical-derived ingredients for which the French company is known. The single-use dose carries vitamin- and mineral-boosted plant nectars – the company’s botanical bud nectar and nectar of light – that renew and illuminate the skin. The formulation is creamy and easy to apply – nothing goes to waste, as I’ve found that sometimes when twisting off the tops of some capsules, a bit of the contents escape, but not these, and goes a long way on my dry skin. Bonus: there’s enough to even treat my décolletage.
Makeup: Clarins Milky Boost Capsules
Formulated with Clarins’ proprietary plant extract methodology, these capsules come in six shades and provide just enough lightweight coverage to get you through the day. I sometimes mix one with a moisturizer if my skin is feeling particularly dry and porous, to add just a hint of healthy glow; it helps even out skin ever so slightly, adds a subtle illuminated effect and a hydration boost. Like the complete Milky Boost range, the capsule formula also has a hint of peach fragrance, which the company describes as delicate (it’s quite noticeable at first, but dries down quickly after application). And, true to Clarins’ environmental mission, the jar can be re-used for refills of the Milky Boost Capsules.
