What Are Toiletries? 16 Must-Have Toiletries (2024)

‘What are toiletries?’, is such a weird topic to write on! That is what you would have thought seeing this blog post. Honestly, I thought the same thing, I was like, “Am I working as a writer or a lexicographer?”.

But then I found that many people don’t know or are confused about, exactly what are toiletries. What kind of items are referred to as toiletries? and, toiletries you should carry while traveling.

So, in this post, I will be answering all these above questions. Then let’s start with our first question, ‘What are toiletries’.

What are Toiletries?

If one has to define ‘toiletries’, a somewhat old-fashioned meaning would be, items or products used in personal hygiene ¹or grooming. This definition is correct but at the same time, a bit lacking. Not everything you use for cleaning and taking care of your body is toiletries, for example, drugs or medicines.

As you would have guessed, the word ‘toiletries’ originated from the word ‘toilet’.

The name ‘toiletries’ comes from the early twenty century and through a leather merchant named ‘Charles Doppelt’. He provided a design of toilets, which were used by the American Army during World War I and World War II. It was after this period that the word ‘toiletries’ comes into existence.

Toiletries are a plural form of toiletry. The synonyms commonly used for toiletries are toiletry items and toilet articles.

Items Included in Toiletries

If anyone asks for the list of all toiletries items, it’s going to be huge for sure. Since people need several items to groom their bodies at the same time, there are many articles available in the market to help us in the gloom.

The particulars included in ‘What are toiletries?’, may also differ, as per different situations or people like what are toiletries for men, what are toiletries for women, what are toiletries in hotels, or what are toiletries while traveling.

So, as we can not discuss all kinds of items that toiletries include, let’s see what are the basic items we need in our daily lives and items that are included based on different circumstances.

Basic Toiletry Items

The necessary toiletries which one might need on a regular basis include:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Toilet paper
• Body soap/ Bath gel
• Dental Floss
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair Brush/ Comb
• Hand sanitizer
• Shower gel
• Body lotions
• Deodorant
• Cotton swabs

This list of toiletries can be said to be the basic toiletries one would use daily and are important for one’s hygiene. Though, some items in it can be included or excluded depending on person to person.

Items That a Girl Should Have in Her Toiletry Bag

Most of the girls are very particular and attentive when it comes to selecting items to be included in their toiletry bags. Well, that is a good attitude, one’s appearance is an aspect of their life. So, what are the things that one might consider while picking toiletries for herself? So, let us look at the things a girl needs to add to her toiletry bag, including the basic toiletries:

• Face wash/ Cleanser
• Viscose towel
• Nail clippers
• Lip balm
• Hairdryer
• Body lotions (depending on your skin type)
• Face cream
• Sunscreen

These are some essential items that a girl must have in her toiletry ²bag. There are many other items and beauty products that one can include in their list.

So, if you are a girl, do include all the items mentioned above and use them appropriately to groom yourselves.

Items That Men Should Have in Their Toiletry Bags

Firstly, let me tell you that men’s toiletry kits are called Dopp kits. A Dopp kit³ is a men’s toiletry bag, usually made up of leather, vinyl, or cloth. Such bags are mostly used for storing men’s grooming items and are small in size.

This bag became popular after the American soldiers used them in World War II. Nowadays, such a bag is also known as a Toiletry Bag, Shaving Kit, Toiletry Kit, or Shaving Bag.

Now, let’s get to our main point, what products should men have in their small toiletry bag?

• Razor
• Shaving Cream
• Deodorants
• Cologne
• Beard Oil (in case you have a beard)
• Hair gel
• Skin Cream (especially for hands)

These essentials men should have and use on a regular basis. Though, the list doesn’t end here. Like women, men too need different products, which help groom their bodies. If they do not have such products in their toiletries, they are not taking proper care of their body.

Items You Should Carry in Your Traveling Toiletries Bag

Packing is the most important task one has to do while planning a trip. Before you travel, you have to decide what to take and what not to take. If the packing is messed up, or you forget to take something, that’s the moment it sucks! Right? There are many times when people forget to pack some toiletries they need or bring items that aren’t even of use.

So, I’m going to provide you with a packing list of toiletries, that you got to check out before reaching the airport.

For Women:

1. The basic toiletries

The basic toiletries are a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizers, a comb/hairbrush, and travel towels. These things are a must. You ought to pack these things, especially in case you are traveling to places where it can be difficult to procure these things.

Do try to pack solid toiletries rather in liquid or gel form, as there can be restrictions and the risk of its leakage. For instance, instead of using liquid hand sanitizers, use antiseptic ⁴hand wipes or hand soap.

2. Travel-sized containers

I suggest a few travel-sized containers for a couple of reasons. These containers become quite handy when storing liquid lotions, sunscreen, hair spray, gel, and other things. Secondly, breaking shampoo and lotion bottles are a regular occurrence in check-in luggage.

For these reasons, you should carry some travel-sized bottles, and they are quite cheap too.

3. Skincare

Skincare like sunscreen, lotions, makeup remover, facial creams, cotton, and other makeup stuff.

4. Dry shampoo and other hair care items

Try taking dry shampoo or shampoo bars rather than a liquid one. Also, a small bottle of hair oil, conditioner, and other hair care products but in small quantities.

5. Dental floss and other dental toiletries

Also pack dental floss, toothbrush cover, and tongue scraper if possible.

6. Travel towel

For beaches and pools, taking a towel traveling is non-negotiable. I recommend microfiber towels, they are easy to carry and preferred by most travelers.

7. Mosquito repellant

it is a must, especially if you are camping.

8. Sanitary napkins and menstrual cup

Girls!, you must not forget to take a bunch of sanitary napkins. Menstrual cups should be used if you have to walk a lot.

9. Other essentials

Other essential things include nail clippers, toilet paper, contact lenses or glasses, perfume, lip balm, sewing, and a first aid kit.

For Men:

10. The basic toiletries and travel containers

As mentioned in the above list, do pack the basic toiletries and some containers.

11. Deodorant/Cologne

For most men, deodorant is something they use regularly. You wouldn’t like to smell sweaty while traveling, especially while accompanying a beautiful girl. Don’t you agree?

So, do not forget to pack a deodorant/ cologne with a refreshing smell, while packing toiletries.

12. Hair wax/gel

If you don’t have an army cut, do carry hair wax/ gel to style your hair. Many women find men charming and style their hair with gel instead of going out with messy hair.

13. Disposable razor, shaving cream, and aftershave

Shaving regularly if possible and do use aftershave gel/ lotion after shaving to avoid irritation or any after-effects.

14. Small shampoo

Many hotels do provide shampoo and body gel, but carrying one yourself of your own choice is recommended.

15. Face wipes and sunscreen

Men should not neglect their skincare while traveling. You should at least use some face cream or lotion. Use face wipes to refresh yourself while feeling sweaty or exhausted.

16. Other things

Other necessary things may include sunglasses, lenses, mouthwash, Q-tips⁵, paper towels, burritos, zip-ties, and first-aid kits.

What Not to Pack While Traveling?

• Avoid over-packing. You can use a toiletry bag to pack toiletries, it’s very convenient and easy to use. You can also try using a zip lock bag for security checks at airports.
• Do not carry unsealed liquid items.
• Things you won’t be using regularly like nail polish or nail art-related things (get a manicure before the start of your trip) and wax strips or razors for hair removal (Just do it before you start your travel).
• Glass bottles. You can transfer the material to small plastic bottles or containers.

Well, this was all I want to share with you all when it comes to the topic ‘What are toiletries?’. I hope this post was helpful and informative to you all. And do check out the lists given in the post, when you are confused about choosing your toiletries.

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1. Lotfinejad, Nasim, et al. “Hand hygiene in health care: 20 years of ongoing advances and perspectives.”The Lancet infectious diseases21.8 (2021): e209-e221. ↩︎
2. Giridhararajan, R., et al. “A system to prevent toiletry (lavatory)-based diseases such as norovirus, staphylococcus, escherichia and streptococcus through IoT and embedded systems.”International Journal of Advanced Intelligence Paradigms26.2 (2023): 158-170. ↩︎
3. Dopp, Jared L., and Nigel F. Reuel. “Simple, functional, inexpensive cell extract for in vitro prototyping of proteins with disulfide bonds.”Biochemical Engineering Journal164 (2020): 107790. ↩︎
4. Babalska, Zuzanna Łucja, Marzena Korbecka-Paczkowska, and Tomasz M. Karpiński. “Wound antiseptics and European guidelines for antiseptic application in wound treatment.”Pharmaceuticals14.12 (2021): 1253. ↩︎
5. Shawish, Ali M., et al. “The Awareness Among Parents About Cotton Earbud (Q-tips) Use in Children in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.”Cureus15.8 (2023). ↩︎

Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Suchi