Do you prefer full-size or travel-size for skincare?

For something like makeup remover or cleansers, travel-size is nice because it takes me awhile to get those types of products to begin with, so it is convenient to have something I can easily take with me if needed. For everything else, I prefer full-size!

— Christine

14 Comments

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Andrea Avatar

Travel sizes are good for trying out new things without feeling a lot of guilt if it doesn’t work and needs to go in the bin. However, the price per mL or per gram is usually significantly higher compared to a regular size, and this more than anything puts me off because they are usually pretty small as it is (thinking of serums and creams here). If a regular cream doesn’t last long why would I want to pay more for sth even smaller?! I wouldn’t!
When I travel I stick to the basics of basics and that’s when those samples I’ve been keeping come in handy! I’ll be honest, unlike most people, when I travel I tend to focus more on nice makeup to look my very best rather than going all out on skincare. I’ll take a moisturiser and a makeup cleanser I can wash off, and that’s probably it.
If I’m going somewhere faaar away, like in another country, I’ll pack even lighter and then get sth when I’m there! Even supermarkets can be super exciting when they’re in a new country!

Ana Maria Avatar

It depends on the product.
For some things that I use everyday, I prefer the biggest sizes I can get. I always get toners and cleansers in large containers; they have a long shelf like, and I don’t have to constantly repurchase them.
For actives and things with a shorter shelf life, I prefer travel sizes. Things like retinol, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide go bad fast once open, even even if I use them every other day, I still prefer to get a travel size every 2-3 months, open it and have the formula “fresh” and more efficient.
For some things I prefer both sizes. For example sunscreen; I’ll buy the biggest bottle to have at home (I use up sunscreen fast), but I’ll always have a couple of travel sizes to carry on the go; it’s less space required, but I still have the product with me to reapply on the face (if I’m not wearing makeup), hands or other exposed body areas.

C.Blossom Avatar

I wish they had sizes in-between travel and full. My skin’s needs change a lot from winter to summer, so I never use more than half to 3/4s a jar/bottle of anything. Except serum, of which I’d happily buy a jumbo.

Maybe if they’d sell them in pairs, with a seasonal size and a travel size.

Nancy T Avatar

Because I have sensitive, eczema prone skin that is also prone to acne breakouts, I do like to try a new product out in a deluxe size mini, either from the brand or the store. Those also come in handy for if or when I travel/stay overnight. But, for every day use, I prefer full size, as that’s just more economical and convenient.

Jane Avatar

Definitely travel. It will take a while for me not to forget how I had a full-size expensive (hair) product taken from me by airport security because it was over the size restriction (and I had forgotten that I had it in my travel suitcase.)

Denise S. Avatar

I’m always trying to spend the amount need for a gift with purchase so I can get those sample/deluxe sized skincare products. Estee Lauder gives some of the best GWP for skincare. I hold on to small products for traveling. Some of my staple serums I bring also. But I always feel extra special using luxe travel sized products on a trip. I’ve found a lot of products that I really like by sampling the travel sizes. On the regular though I buy full sized items for my routine skincare.

Mariele Avatar

Full size. I go through skincare quickly, unlike makeup, so I’d rather try a small sample of something (a little packet that is just enough for a few uses), then buy a full size.

Now, I feel like basically all makeup, except for brow product, foundation, contour, and lipstick, need to be mini/travel sized…

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