Top Allergy-Friendly Hair & Body Products For Travel

Whether you have sensitive skin, allergies, or just want to avoid toxic chemicals in your products, reading ingredient labels can be a nightmare—especially when you’re traveling.

Plenty of products (even those free hotel minis) claim to be “natural” or “clean,” but labels can be misleading. Thanks to loopholes in the law, even questionable ingredients can sneak in under the “organic” banner.

And let’s not forget: just because something’s natural doesn’t mean it won’t cause a reaction.

As someone with eczema and multiple allergies, I’ve learned the hard way that hotel freebies and mystery bottles abroad just aren’t worth the risk. I always travel with my own products—and after years of label sleuthing, trial and error, and lots of research, I’ve pulled together this list of the best allergy-friendly hair and body products for travel.

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Disclaimer:
I’m not a medical professional or dermatologist—just someone who’s spent years managing allergies, eczema, and sensitive skin. Always check the ingredients for yourself and do a patch test before trying any new product, especially if you have allergies or sensitivities. What works for me may not work for you, so be sure to listen to your body (and your skin)!

Apps To Scan Products

These apps let you scan products and they’ll break down the ingredients as well as telling you how clean or toxic they are.

It’s still important to know how to read labels, as sometimes the apps don’t have product info yet (you can usually upload them so the app can add them to their system, but it won’t help you in the moment if it’s not listed).

My favorites are:

• EWG Healthy Living
• Think Dirty
• Yuka

Clean Body & Skincare Products

The products I’m listing are products I personally use and recommend, or new products I’ve discovered through my research that I would love to try. Be sure to check out the company websites to see all their products, because some that don’t work for me might work for you.

Make sure to always check the ingredients for your own allergies/sensitivities, and test on a small patch of skin before fully using.

Here’s what I’m allergic to and what I avoid in products:

• Propylene Glycol/Dimethicone (which is also an ingredient in Cocamidopropyl Betaine)
• Hemp oil
• Lanolin because I’m allergic to wool
• Gold (which shows up randomly in some skincare products like eye gel patches)
• Anything related to Ragweed which includes common ingredients like Chamomile, Echinacea, Calendula (Marigold), Dandelion and more (I don’t avoid some of these, like sunflower oil, because I haven’t noticed irritation, plus sometimes by the time some ingredients are made into oil, they don’t have the same effect anymore. That being said, test and see what works for you!)
• Almond oil and other nut-based ingredients (I have an allergy to peanuts and tree nuts)

I try to avoid fragrances (including some essential oils) to avoid irritation, as well as other known toxic ingredients and chemicals (like Sulfate, Paraben etc). In addition, I’m gluten intolerant so I avoid ingredients like wheat and hops, and I’m also lactose intolerant so I don’t usually go for milk-based products.

Here’s a list of allergens found in skincare products. I recommend getting testing done with an allergist to find out what you might be allergic or sensitive to if you have any skin issues like eczema, acne or other rashes or swelling.

Sunscreen

Badger sunscreen has only five ingredients and it’s SPF 30, which is why I use it. They have different kinds for body and face application.

It’s made with Mineral Zinc Oxide (18.75%), Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Sunflower Vitamin E and Organic Seabuckthorn Extract. The ingredients are 98% organic and certified non-GMO.

Facial Cleanser

100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Cleanser: This one has some essential oils as well as a lot of natural ingredients. I don’t use cleanser on my face every day; most of the time I only use water to avoid any reactions. Using this cleanser has not irritated my skin so far.

100% Pure Blood Orange Cleansing Balm: I haven’t used this – yet. It’s next on my list because it has a short list of ingredients.

Prose Custom Cleanser: I just received a free sample pack of custom facial products from Prose that I’m about to try that includes a cleanser. The ingredients are tailored to my preferences and needs; the containers even have my name on them! I’ve been using these for a while now and I’m loving them and the way they make my skin look and feel! Also, if I’m unhappy with something I can have Prose change out ingredients anytime.

Body Wash/Soap

I used to use body wash, but ever since discovering my hemp allergy and working with a functional practitioner specializing in eczema and skin rashes, I now use pure Glycerin soap bars. I also travel with them to avoid skin irritation from products anywhere else.

Another option that I haven’t used, but a lot of people do, is Goat Milk Soap.

Deodorant

Primally Pure Unscented Deodorant is my current favorite because it’s effective, more so than any other natural and aluminum-free deodorant I’ve tried.

Kosasport deodorant is what I also currently use; I recently bought it to replace my Native deodorant, which isn’t as effective. I love Kosasport because it’s refreshing to put on – it has a roller ball and uses aloe.

The ingredients include Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Shikimic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid and Highly Bioactive Peptide among more natural ingredients.

It also has an extremely short ingredient list: Arrowroot Powder, Coconut Oil, Baking Soda, Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Beeswax, Non-nano Zinc Oxide, Kaolin Clay, Rosemary Extract and Non-GMO Vitamin E.

Lotion

Luxe Beauty Luxe Lotion (Unscented): I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s definitely on my list because I have the hardest time finding lotion that works for me (and their facial moisturizer has worked for me).

The ingredients list is relatively short and includes natural ingredients like Cold Press Raspberry Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn, Avocado Oil, Papaya Extract and Bearberry Extract, as well as ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid.

Facial Moisturizer

Luxe Beauty Luxe Lotion (Unscented): I own and use this and it hasn’t irritated my skin (I don’t use facial moisturizer everyday though, because overuse sometimes messes with my skin).

Ingredients are natural and include Organic Avocado Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Cold Press Raspberry Seed Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Sea Buckthorn Extract, Vitamin B3, Bearberry Extract, Non-GMO Papaya Extract, Organic Aloe, Olive Leaf Extract, Cocoa Butter, Organic Rosemary Extract and a few more ingredients.

Prose Custom Moisturizer: I got a free sample box (Prose was offering this online to anyone who signed up), and the great thing about this is that it’s tailored specifically to me with my preferences and needs. It even has my name on the bottle! I’ve been using it and so far, I’m loving it! It makes my skin look and feel amazing. If I do have any issues, I can have Prose change out ingredients at any time, which is amazing.

100% Pure Black Tea Grass Jelly Anti-oxidant Moisturizer: I haven’t used this, but it’s something I would try. It has a long list of all-natural, plant-based ingredients.

Eye Cream

100% Pure Super Fruit Oil Nourishing Eye Cream: I haven’t tried this and it does have some essential oils, but it’s on my list to try because the ingredients look like they’re free of allergens that I have.

Toners & Serums

Luxe Beauty Luxe Serum Skin Lightener and Brightener: I used this for a long time and find it very effective for lightening skin and dark spots! It has a list full of natural ingredients, but it does have Daisy Flower Extract which is related to ragweed (if you don’t have an allergy it shouldn’t bother you – it didn’t even bother my allergy).

Luxe Beauty Concentrated Antioxidant Serum: This one is next on my list, because the ingredients list is super short and the skin test on Luxe Beauty’s website recommended it to me.

It has Organic Rosehip Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Organic Clove Oil, Organic Jasmine Essential Oil and a few more ingredients.

Luxe Anti-Aging Youth Activating Serum: Another one I want to try, this product has a short list of natural ingredients that is free of my allergens and contains Glycine, which is an amino acid that’s really good for the skin, as well as more ingredients.

Prose Custom Skincare: As mentioned, I ordered a free sample pack of these with an offer they had for anyone. You can write them and let them know if your custom ingredients contain something you can’t use, too. So far I’m loving the cleanser, serum and moisturizer!

Makeup

I’ve never been a big makeup aficionado (the lighter, the better – liquid foundation feels suffocating to my skin), but I always wore some makeup most of the time until my hemp allergic reaction that gave me rashes I had to heal on my face. Now, I’m pickier than ever.

I finally bought new makeup recently, and I found clean brands that I’m loving so far! Here are the ones I use plus more I found through my research for this post:

Kosas is definitely my new go-to makeup brand. So far I’m loving their powder foundation, blush, bronzer, eyebrow gel, liquid eyeshadow and concealer!

Tower28 Mascara is the other product I bought from Sephora that has clean ingredients without my allergens, and it does the job really well, too.

100% Pure has a line of fruit-pigmented makeup as well that you can check out. The ingredient lists are long so feel free to read through them – this is perfect if you don’t have as many natural allergies and want to avoid chemicals more than anything.

Lymphatic Drainage Products

Lymphatic drainage is especially good for the skin, as well as helping with overall health. It removes toxins, helps with blood circulation, promotes digestion, reduces inflammation and hydrates the skin.

You can get professional lymphatic drainage massages, but you can also do these yourself as well as other things like dry brushing, which are especially useful for traveling because flying on airplanes and sitting for long periods in a car or train, plus walking all day can cause things like swelling.

Ways to boost your lymphatic system while traveling:

• Dry brushing
• Find a sauna near you
• Self-lymphatic drainage massage: You can use your hands for massage with a cream and/or oil, or you can opt to use products. Wilding has patented gua sha tools that are shaped to work more efficiently than others. You can also do facial cupping and ice rolling.

Red Light Therapy

I’ve done red light therapy, and regular use definitely reduces inflammation and calms my eczema. It also helps more things with skin like wrinkles. You can buy red light products made for traveling, like the LOVTRAVEL wearable wrap.

Non-Toxic & Allergy-Friendly Hair Products

Shampoo and Conditioner

Your Shampoo and Conditioner will partially depend on your hair type. I have curly, thick hair and I used to use SheaMoisture products for YEARS… until my hemp allergic reaction made me stop using it because it includes fragrances in its ingredient list.

SEEN Hair Care Shampoo + Conditioner: I don’t say this lightly: SEEN has officially replaced the other shampoos and conditioners I’ve tried, and has stopped my never-ending search (FINALLY) for something that actually works and has no questionable ingredients (for reference, I bring my own shampoo when I get my hair cut, which is embarrassing but saves me from my scalp burning later)!

Created by a dermatologist for sensitive, eczema-prone, and acne-prone skin, SEEN is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and designed to rinse clean, so it doesn’t leave residue that can irritate your scalp, neck, back, or face—something many hair products quietly do.

Even better: my hair looks and feels salon-level good. Better texture, more volume, soft without being flat, and clean without that stripped feeling. My scalp is calmer, and my curls look healthier overall.

For travel and every day, SEEN is exactly the kind of product I want: reliable, low-risk, and worth transferring into travel containers so I never have to gamble on hotel minis or mystery bottles. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, this one’s a no-brainer.

Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: I actually tried these, but they do not work well with curly hair for so many reasons! If you can use them, though, they’re a great way to avoid wasting plastic bottles and to have something that’s super easy to pack for travel!

Dry Shampoo

Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo (Dark Locks): I haven’t used this, but I will definitely buy this when I have a use for dry shampoo, as I have dark hair. The ingredient list is so short and free of my allergens and chemicals: Arrowroot Powder, Cocoa Powder, Kaolin Clay, Baking Soda, Essential Oils of Pink Grapefruit, Lavender, and Peppermint.

Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo (Light Locks): This one is for lighter hair types. The ingredient list is short and sweet: Arrowroot Powder, Kaolin Clay, Cocoa Powder, Baking Soda, Essential Oils of Pink Grapefruit, Lavender, and Peppermint.

Leave-in Conditioner

SEEN Hair Care Leave-In Conditioner (Fragrance-Free): I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s high on my list based on the ingredient profile alone. SEEN’s fragrance-free leave-in works as a detangler, hydrator, and heat protectant in one lightweight spray and is formulated without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

For travel, this is especially appealing: one multitasking product instead of multiple bottles, designed for sensitive, eczema-prone skin and scalps—exactly what I look for when I don’t want to risk reactions on the road.

SEEN Hair Care Deeper Conditioner: SEEN’s deep conditioner is another great find for sensitive scalps and skin—formulated without fragrance, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. I haven’t personally tested this yet, but its ingredient list checks the boxes for allergy-friendly hydration, which is huge for dry or curly hair on long trips.

If your hair needs an occasional moisture boost without irritation, this one’s worth packing in a larger travel container for plane days or changing climates.

Styling Cream

SEEN Hair Care Curly Cream: I haven’t used this yet (it’s on my list), but based on the clean, fragrance-free formula, this curly cream looks super promising for anyone with textured hair. It’s designed to define and hydrate curls without heavy silicones or irritants, which is exactly what you want when you’re sensitive and don’t want products that build up or cause flare-ups.

The EWG Skin Deep Database

The Environmental Working Group is on a mission to test products, fighting against ingredients like Parabens actually mimic human hormones and wreak havoc on our health and reproductive systems. Since the FDA doesn’t have to approve these products, the EWG is doing this and they have a database with information; they’re also working to put their stamp on products they endorse.

You can check out their site for more info and donate if you’re able.

Skin & Hair Health Starts From Within

Even if you use the best products, hair and skin health begins from inside (a lesson I learned from my eczema and other issues, the hard way).

How to help nourish your skin and hair from inside while traveling:

Hydrate

Drink enough water—and don’t forget your minerals! Electrolytes play a key role in hydration and mineral balance, which directly affect hair and skin health (and overall energy levels). I use the Jigsaw Adrenal Cocktail Mix every day, not just when I travel. It’s a great way to get sodium, potassium, and whole-food vitamin C to support hydration, adrenal health, and mineral balance—especially helpful when you’re flying or walking all day.

Eat lots of vegetables and fruit to boost hydration, as your body absorbs it better because of how it breaks it down as it digests with the fiber.

Vitamins and micronutrients

Many skin and hair issues are due to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. The most important ones to have and balance include:

• B vitamins
• A, E, and K (fat-soluble vitamins)
• Zinc
• Iron
• Copper
• Selenium
• Essential fatty acids

You can get these through diet, supplementation, mineral soaks (with Epsom Salts) and mineral hot springs. Be sure to check with your doctor to get lab work to see if you need supplements first.

You can also work with a functional practitioner to get hair mineral testing. I just did this and I have some really out of balance minerals, which my practitioner is helping me fix.

Protein

Try to eat 1 gram of protein per pound of desired body weight daily (100-120 grams is good). It’s important to start your morning with protein, at least 25-30 grams, and then to eat protein, fiber and healthy fats at every meal, as well as choosing protein-rich snacks.

Protein has the building blocks for healthy hair and skin like the essential amino acids. Bone broth and homemade chicken soup are great ways to get this if you eat meat (if you don’t eat meat, make sure you’re getting all the amino acids).

I also love using protein powders, especially the ones pictured above because they don’t have ingredients I’m allergic to, including Stevia, which is related to my ragweed allergy (and they taste good). The ones I use are:

• Nuzest chocolate protein powder (pea protein powder)
• Paleovalley bone broth chocolate protein powder

Collagen

Meat and many plant foods contain collagen, but you can also add more with collagen peptides in coffee, oatmeal and more things to give your hair and skin an extra boost.

Overall Diet and Lifestyle

Besides eating enough protein, fruits, veggies and collagen, be sure to:

• Eat a varied diet, which helps the gut microbiome and overall health
• Limit processed foods, added sugars and alcohol
• Eat healthy fats and balance omega-3 with omega-6; stay away from most processed and saturated fats
• Don’t smoke
• Wear SPF and a hat in the sun, plus more protective clothing when needed

In addition, make sure to get enough sleep and practice good sleep hygiene. Women need 8-10 hours of sleep each night.

Reduce stress by practicing things like:

• Breathing exercises and meditation
• Figure out what workouts are best for you (if you have high cortisol, you might want to stay away from HIIT workouts, for example)
• Practice healthy boundaries with yourself and your work/rest/fun schedule, as well as with friends, family and other people

Healthy Hair & Skin Start With What You Pack (and What You Don’t)

Traveling with allergies or sensitive skin means you can’t always rely on hotel freebies or last-minute purchases abroad. But the good news? With a little prep—and the right products—you can avoid flare-ups, feel confident in your routine, and actually enjoy your trip without playing ingredient roulette.

Whether you’re working through skin issues like eczema (like I have), want to limit toxins, or just want to feel good in your own skin on the road, having clean, allergy-friendly products on hand makes a huge difference. These are my top picks after years of trial and error—and if you’ve got some faves I haven’t listed, I’d love to hear about them too.

Here are more wellness travel guides to keep reading:

🌿 How to Stay Healthy While Traveling »
👕 Allergy-Friendly Travel Clothing »
🧴 Eczema-Friendly Travel Tips »
📓 Mental Health Journal Prompts for Solo Travel »
😋 These Allergy-Friendly Snacks Will Change The Way You Travel »

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Join other solo travelers in the Facebook group » to share thoughts, stories, and questions.

📌 Traveling with allergies can be tough — if this guide helped you breathe easier (literally or figuratively), pin it for your next adventure-friendly packing list.