Some For The Road: Your Ultimate Travel Grooming Kit
Essentials aren’t one-size-fits-all, but here’s where to start
WHAT DOES ONE SAY ABOUT A TRAVEL grooming kit that hasn’t been spoken about already? All of us travel for different reasons—each trip warrants its own set of rules. I could tell you to pack the essentials, sure, but how exactly would that work? Because isn’t everyone’s idea of ‘essential’, well, essentially different? One man’s porn is another man’s art. And one man’s must-have is another’s not-needed. All I could do is list down the basics and make a few suggestions
1. Face Wash
A good face wash does more than cleanse, it wakes you up in the morning. After a long day out, it’ll be the perfect tool to recharge.
Our picks: Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energising Face Wash; Youth To The People + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser
2. Deodorant
Must you take those sweaty armpits along on vacay? Use a good deodorant every day of the trip—for your own sake and of those around you.
Our picks: Truefitt & Hill Gentleman’s Body Deodorant; Minimalist Nonapeptide + AHA Underarm Roll-On
3. Hair wax/pomade
Always a good idea to keep messy hair in check when you’re travelling. Bonus points if yours is loaded with hair-nourishing properties to work on your follicles and scalp along the way.
Our picks: Dapr. Advance Hair Pomade; Moroccanoil Texture Clay
4. Hand cream
Even before you’ve landed, the cabin air and the soap or sanitiser you’ve used on the way, have dried your hands. Things only go downhill from there. Unless you’ve got a good hand cream with you. Our picks: Caudalie Vinotherapist Hand & Nail Cream; Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Hand Cream.
5. Moisturiser
The perfect moisturiser for when you’re traveling is one that nourishes your skin while being quick to absorb. Because who has time for anything else?
Our picks: L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Cream; Clinique Moisture Surge 100H AutoReplenishing Hydrator; Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask® + Moisturizer
6. Fragrance
You want something that’s uniquely you and goes from daytime to evening without a sweat. Professional and leisure trips need different scents.
Our picks: Burberry Hero Elixir; Acqua di Parma Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato; Bvlgari Man Wood Essence; Kilian Paris Angels' Share On The Rocks
7. Lip Balm
Every time you eat, breathe, sip or talk, your lips lose moisture. And dry and/or chapped lips neither make for great travel experiences nor look good in pictures.
Our picks: The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm; Inde Wild Dewy Lip Treatment; Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Taro Bubble Tea
8. Nail Trimmer
This one’s a just-incase, for when you find a random nail popping out a bit more than you need it to. Hitting the beach or wearing your best summer footwear need optimum nail hygiene.
Our pick: Xiaomi Seemagic Electric Nail Cutter Clipper Trimmer
9. Portable Trimmer
A good shave is a gentleman’s greatest ally. But when you’re on the move, you want something compact, battery operated, easy to use and effective.
Our pick: Ikonic Professional Bullet Hair Shaver
10. Sunscreen
The sun travels with you. So should your sunscreen. Apply generously in the morning and reapply every few hours.
Our picks: La Roche -Posay Anthelios Sunscreen UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid; ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water; Supergoop Unscreen Sunscreen Sunscreen
To read more stories from Esquire India's April 2026 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.