How to Pack a Dopp Kit, According to a Grooming Editor

AS A GROOMING editor, I keep my medicine cabinet fully stocked with every skincare product I need. But as a last-minute packer, I’ve often rushed out for long trips without grooming essentials like razors, a toothbrush, or even moisturizer. After too many vacations spent relying on crappy hotel shave kits and drugstore stand-ins, I finally made a change: I now keep a Dopp kit packed and ready with every product I need. This way, all I have to do is toss it in my bag, giving me more time to finish my coffee and daydream about the beach before my ride shows up. But packing the perfect toiletry bag is an art form.

The key to organizing a quality Dopp kit is sacrifice. There is only so much room in a standard toiletry bag, so you must know what products are absolutely essential and which you can live without for a few days. As much as it hurts my heart (and complexion), this involves ditching boosters like serums and toners. Of course, that’s the easy part. You also need to know what products to prioritize. That is a bit more extensive. This is how to pack a Dopp kit.

The Best Dopp Kits

To properly pack a Dopp kit, you must first acquire one. Even if you have a toiletry bag, upgrading to a sturdier, spacier option will do wonders against overcrowding and/or leaking products. The best Dopp kits combine durable materials with a thoughtful, compartmentalized design to hold as much as possible while taking up minimal space in your bag. Away’s Large Toiletry Bag checks all of these boxes with a sleek, functional design and durable, water-resistant materials inside and out.

I also appreciate the full-zip opening, mesh compartments, and spill-containment. It’s airtight, so if anything does pop open, it’s not going to spill out of the bag onto any clothes or electronics. Everlane’s ReNew Catch-All Case is also a great option, and at nearly half the price. It’s compact yet roomy enough for a few days’ worth of essentials, and easily fits into carry-on bags. It’s made from durable metal (the zipper sliders and pullers) and 100 percent recycled polyester that withstands serious turbulence, resisting wear over time. The Dopp offers five interior pockets for organized storage, and conveniently folds down for packing or opens wide for quick access.

Dental Essentials

If you’re anything like me and significantly raise your alcohol intake when vacationing, keep in mind the amount of sugar in cocktails that can wreak havoc on your teeth. To be clear, electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes—it’s a stance that dentists back. So, even when you’re traveling, you should be using an electric toothbrush. However, most don’t scream travel-friendly, with bulky designs and large chargers. But there are some slim enough to fit perfectly in a loaded Dopp. Plus, portable electric toothbrushes tend to be on the cheaper side.

My two go-tos are Burst Nova and Philips Sonicare One, each for different reasons. Both are much closer to the size of a traditional toothbrush, and the Sonicare One comes with a slim carrying case that doubles as a charging station. If you’re real tight on space, however, Burst is even slimmer at less than an inch wide and battery-operated, so there’s no need to worry about bringing any additional cords. For toothpaste, Colgate Optic White Advanced is a favorite of mine and comes in an ideal 3.2-oz container. It’s not a dedicated travel-size like many of the 1.7-oz overpriced options you’ll find, and is also a stellar whitening paste.

Bar Soap

Whether this is a business trip or vacation, bar soap will be your best choice for washing your face and body. Sure, you can overpay on a travel-friendly body wash or dump some into a refillable travel-sized container, but this still presents an unnecessary spill risk. Better to stick to something solid. Better yet, you don’t have to look for TSA-approved bar soaps because they all are, since they’re not liquid. You’ll come across some labeled as such, but this is just marketing mumbo jumbo.

Dr. Squatch bars live up to the hype. They produce a strong lather, last forever, and smell incredible. I ride for the woody Birchwood Breeze, but they’re constantly dropping new scents to try. You’ll also want to pack a cleansing bar to replace your daily liquid cleanser. Atwater’s Oil Regulator Facial Cleanser Bar is a great option here, especially if you have oily skin. Don’t feel like lugging around multiple bars? Bravo Sierra’s Face and Body Cleansing Bar is a rare multipurpose bar soap capable of clearing grime from your body while still being gentle enough for facial use.

Shampoo and Conditioner

Look, I’m not usually a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner guy. I find they’re often only effective in one area, or worse, not effective in either. But when you’re traveling, you want to limit the amount of liquids as much as possible to reduce the risk of spillage or TSA inspection. Method’s Cedar and Cypress 3.4 oz Shampoo and Conditioner will be your best bet. It clears gunk from the scalp and strands while leaving hair feeling hydrated and healthy. It’s the only 2-in-1 I could live with someone using on a regular basis (though, I’m always going to use separate products in my day-to-day).

Similarly, Dove Men + Care’s 2-in-1 shampoo is also a fine travel option and will maintain your flow without drying out your scalp for a few days. Of course, you’ll want to style your hair while you’re hitting the strip. For this, Fatboy’s Honey Putty is ideal. The new styling putty is quickly earning a permanent spot in my routine thanks to its reliance on natural ingredients, like Manuka honey, paw paw, and kiwi extract, that style hair with a strong, non-greasy hold that never irritates my sensitive scalp.

Moisturizers and Creams

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is the best moisturizer for travel. It uses squalane and glacial glycoprotein to deeply hydrate and protect skin without clogging pores, making it ideal for all skin types and climates. Its lightweight-yet-rich formula keeps skin moisturized in cold or dry conditions, making it a reliable, irritation-free travel companion. I’d also recommend tossing an SPF moisturizer in there to keep your face protected from UV rays, even if you’re not traveling anywhere particularly sunny or warm (yes, you still need SPF for the winter).

For this, Marlowe No. 128 Face Lotion with SPF 50 has you covered. It is a fast-absorbing moisturizer that hydrates and soothes every skin type—dry, oily, sensitive, or acne-prone—thanks to aloe, shea butter, and vitamin A. Its rich, fragrance-free formula leaves no residue or cast, and requires only a small amount per use, ideal for those quick vacay routines.

Of course, nights tend to get longer for some of us when we’re on a holiday, so you’ll want an eye cream to cover the facial evidence. Atwater’s Eye Moisturizer is the best ally here. It packs firming peptides, antioxidants, and circulation-boosting caffeine into a compact, leak-proof tube that’s perfect for travel. Its gentle, fragrance-free formula smooths fine lines and reduces puffiness without irritating sensitive skin, making it an easy go-to after a long flight or night out.

Travel-Ready Shavers

The Panasonic Arc5 Palm-Sized Electric Razor is the most effective travel shaver I’ve used, and it’s not particularly close—which is why it earned the title of best electric razor in our 2025 Grooming Awards. It combines power and efficiency in a device barely larger than an AirPod case, delivering 13,000 cuts per minute without irritation. You can use it dry, without shaving cream, and finish in under five minutes—ideal for quick vacation routines. With a nearly hour-long battery life, you might not even need to pack the charger.

Yet to make the electric razor splurge or don’t want to drop $270 on a new one just for travel (fair!), classic cartridge razors fit seamlessly into Dopps. Gillette Fusion 5 will be the best here. The five-blade razor is smooth, precise, and lasts up to 20 shaves. You won’t find one better.

Scents

Some might say that cologne is not a necessary essential when trying to limit the amount of liquids you’re packing and the space it takes up. To this I say, can’t hear ya, bud, going through a tunnel. Look, if this is a business trip, you’re going to want to feel your best, and that means smelling your best. If it’s simply for pleasure, there is no better time to indulge. Plus, there are plenty of options that are travel-friendly and fit neatly into a toiletry bag. Aesop Virere Eau de Parfum is a fresh scent from the best-smelling skincare brand for men, perfect for summer or sunny locations you may be traveling to.

The crisp bergamot and zesty petitgrain lead into a calming blend of green tea, pink pepper, and cedar, creating a nature-esque aroma that lasts me about six hours before I need to re-up. It’s why we gave it a 2025 Men’s Health Grooming Award. For those who prefer a woody or amber scent, the new Fulton & Roark Fulton Extrait de Parfum will be one of your new favorites. The fragrance features a blend of amber, mandarin, and tea olive that’s great for any season. Not to mention, it comes in one of the sturdier cologne containers I’ve encountered, making it great for travel.

For a deodorant, avoid sprays and bring a stick. These take up less space in bags and cause fewer headaches from the TSA. I recommend Oars & Alps California Coast Deodorant, our best overall deodorant. It offers a clear, residue-free application and a lightweight formula that packs powerful, natural odor protection without harsh ingredients. Its antioxidant-rich alpine caribou moss helps protect skin from pollution and irritation—perfect for staying fresh and comfortable on the go.

More Grooming Essentials

How to Cut Your Own Hair |How to Trim Your Beard | How to Trim Nose Hair | How to Maintain Your Trimmer | Best Beard Trimmers | Best Nose Hair Trimmers | Pubic Hair Trimmers | Best Hair Clippers | Best Cordless Clippers | Best Back Shavers | Best Head Shavers | Best Body Groomers | Best Razors | Best Electric Razors | Moisturizers With SPF | Facial Sunscreens | Moisturizers for Men | Bar Soaps for Men | Face Scrubs for Men | Face Wash for Acne for Men | Body Washes for Dry Skin