The Best Travel-Sized Stocking Stuffers

Whether you’ve got a traveler who’s near and dear to your heart, a beloved beauty junkie who loves trying new brands, or you just want to treat yourself to a little something special this holiday season (shhh, we won’t tell anyone!), travel-sized kits make a great gift for your loved ones or yourself. These little indulgences can give you a sample of a brand’s best offerings, or they can be the TSA-approved sized goodies you take along in your carry-on bag for a short getaway. Here, we’ve taken a look at the Caudalie Favorites Set, the LifeLine Deluxe Mini Collection, and the Amala Handbag Essentials Kit, which each have their own appeal as a tiny treat for your favorite skin care lover.

Caudalie Favorites Set ($32)

The Caudalie Favorites Set includes all of the favorites from the line in a cute clear bag (upgrade on a clear Ziplock™ at TSA, right?). The set has Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, Caudalie Cleansing Water, Caudalie Divine Oil, Caudalie Beauty Elixir, and Caudalie Lip Conditioner.

What Science Says about the Ingredients

As you might anticipate, some of the products in the Caudalie Favorites Set are definitely better than others. For example, alcohol appears very high, after water, on the ingredients list of Caudalie Cleansing Water. Alcohol isn’t always bad in skin care formulations — in fact, when used appropriately, it can really improve formulations — but in this case, instead of drying moisturizing ingredients quickly, it’s more likely to dry out your skin. If it were lower on the list, the super hydrating glycerin and barrier-improving peppermint would have a chance to shine (International Journal of Cosmetic Science; Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology). In another strike in my book, this, as well as Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, also contain fragrance ingredients like linalool and limonene, which happen to be skin sensitizers.

[Read More: Is SD Alcohol Harmful for the Skin?]

The rest of the products in the set have better formulations (though I’m not a fan of how high “fragrance” is on the list of Caudalie Divine Oil). Three of these — Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, Caudalie Divine Oil, and Caudalie Lip Conditioner — contain grape seed oil, which is a great antioxidant-rich ingredient. Its procyanidins inhibit peroxidation of lipids, topical application has been shown to protect against UVB radiation, and it’s been shown to promote wound healing while reducing vascular engorgment (Phytotherapy Research; Dermatologic Surgery). The article in Dermatologic Surgery even claims that it might protect DNA against oxidation more effectively than vitamins C and E. In addition to this oil, these products contain a myriad of beneficial oils and extracts, such as sesame seed extract, which has the highest oil content of any seed, and includes essential fatty acids linoleic and oleic acid (Harvard Health Publications). Several also contain sunflower seed oil, which is super hydrating and also contains high amounts of linoleic and oleic acid (FutureDerm).

I’d say that my favorite product is probably the Caudalie Lip Conditioner. With high proportions of super moisturizing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, and shea butter extract, this is one moisturizing lip conditioner. In addition, there are plenty of antioxidants in it, like grape seed extract and the much-loved tocopheryl acetate (aka vitamin E). Overall, it’s a one stop hydration machine — if it had sunscreen I’d be even more thrilled with it.

Ingredients in Caudalie Favorites Set

Ingredients in Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream: Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Grape Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Shea Butter Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Avocado Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance, Phytosterols, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Olive Fruit Oil, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol(061/055).

Ingredients in Caudalie Cleansing Water: Water, Butylene Glycol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenylpropanol, Glyceryl Caprylate.

Ingredients in Caudalie Divine Oil: Grape Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Isoamyl Cocoate, Coco-Caprylate, Fragrance, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Shea Butter Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone), Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate (Octisalate), Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Tomato Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone.

Ingredients in Caudalie Beauty Elixir: Water, Alcohol, Bitter Orange Flower Water, Fragrance, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Potassium Alum, Glycerin, Peppermint Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Extract, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Balm Mint Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Grape Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Citral, Citronellol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool (010/018).

Ingredients in Caudalie Lip Conditioner: Sunflower Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Beeswax, Rice Bran Wax, Cetyl Palmitate, Shea Butter Extract, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Grape Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters , Apricot Kernel Oil, Fragrance, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Oleate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, (FSS07297).

LifeLine Deluxe Mini Collection ($135)

The LifeLine Deluxe Mini Collection includes some of LifeLine’s essentials: LifeLine Defensive Day Moisture Serum, LifeLine Recovery Night Moisture Serum, and LifeLife Eye Firming Complex. Since LifeLine can run a little on the expensive side, this collection is a great way to test out some of LifeLine’s daily essential products to see which ones you like. It’s also a great way to travel and keep your products if you’re already a dedicated LifeLine user.

What Science Says about the Ingredients

All of the products in the LifeLine Deluxe Mini Collection contain non-embryonic stem cell extract, LifeLine’s star ingredient. Stem cells are full of antioxidants, and there are reports that stem cells may aid in wound repair and wrinkle reduction. But don’t think that these are the panacea for all that ails you. Stem cells may hold some promise, but they’re definitely not going to replace your other, better-tested ingredients. Nonetheless, LifeLife definitely includes some other winning ingredients in its collection.

[Read More: Do Stem Cells in Skin Care Products Really Make a Difference?]

LifeLine Defensive Day Moisture Serum and LifeLine Recovery Night Moisture Serum contain coenzyme Q10, known also as ubiquinone, which is a regenerative antioxidant found naturally in the body and essential for the production of cells (Mayo Clinic). It’s able to penetrate skin to reduce oxidation and wrinkles as well as reduce some of the damaging effects of UVA and UVB irradiation (Biofactors; Journal of Biological Chemistry). It’s also able to stop the UVR induction of matrix metalloproteinase-1, which degrade collagen (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology). They also both contain nicotinamide, aka niacinamid, which could be a great anti-aging ingredient as it’s been found to stimulate collagen production and might restore gene activity to cells (Dermatologic Surgery). It’s also a great hydrator, preventing transepidermal loss (TEWL).

As for the sun protection in LifeLine Defensive Day Moisture Serum, I’m a little disappointed. It’s balanced with avobenzone and oxybenzone, so it’s not in danger of degrading, but it’s only SPF 15. Given that most people use inadequate amounts of a product, it’s unlikely that you’ll even get an SPF of 15, so I’d highly recommend an additional sunscreen.

LifeLine Eye Firming Complex is also super hydrating, with glycerin and Shea butter, which has been shown to have some anti-aging potential (Pobeda and Sousselier). This will have some immediate effects thanks to the addition of caffeine, which is an antioxidant, vasoconstrictor, and diruetic that can help reduce dark circles and puffiness around eyes.

Ingredients in LifeLine Deluxe Mini Collection

Ingredients in LifeLine Defensive Day Moisture Serum: Active ingredients: Avobenzone, Octinoxate, and Oxybenzone; Ingredients: Water, Ubiquinone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Troxerutin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Nicotinamide, Pyridoxal Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Inositol, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Sodium PCA, Isoquercetin, Vaccinium Angustilolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Retinyl Palmitate Tocopherol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cholecalciferol, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Sesquiolate, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Triethanolamine.

Ingredients in LifeLine Recovery Night Moisture Serum: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ubiquinone, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Troxerutin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Nicotinamide, Pyridoxal Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Inositol, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Isoquercetin, Vaccinium Angustilolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Sesquiolate, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine.

Ingredients in LifeLine Eye Firming Complex: Deionized Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caffeine, Pluripotent Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Myristyl Alcohol, Glycosaminoglycans, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Beeswax, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyquarternium-67, Cetearyl Glucoside, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethyl Behenamidopropyl Dimonium Chloride, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin.

Amala Handbag Essentials Kit ($44)

The Amala Handbag Essentials Kit is perfect to keep in your purse. It includes Amala Hydrate Jasmine Hydrating Hand Cream, Amala Rejuvenate Cocoa Bean Rejuvinating Hand Cream, and Amala Soothe Desert Fig Soothing Lip Salve in a cute and convenient boho-style bag. This one, with all it’s hydrating power, is a particularly good one to keep on you all the time, particularly if you live in areas that get a bit chilly in the winter.

What Science Says about the Ingredients

There’s good and bad about the Amala Handbag Essentials Kit, but I’ll start with its many good qualities. First and foremost is a healthy amount of jojoba seed oil in Amala Hydrate Jasmine Hydrating Hand Cream and Amala Rejuvenate Cocoa Bean Rejuvinating Hand Cream, and jojoba esters in the Amala Soothe Desert Fig Soothing Lip Salve. Jojoba mimics sebum, the body’s natural moisturizer, so that it’s great for preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) without leaving an oily feeling on the skin (Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society; The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine). Another all-star ingredient that all three contain? Shea butter. It’s an excellent moisturizer. In tests, it’s been found to help skin that’s been treated with ethanol to recover from TEWL within two hours and to actually improve the skin barrier after three to four hours in the same test (Cosmetic Design Europe). It’s even been found to serve as an anti-aging ingredient that regenerates thinning skin, lessens wrinkles, and might help to promote collagen production slightly (Pobeda and Sousselier).

Ideally, their namesake ingredients would be the shining stars of the formulation, but that’s not necessarily true in this case. The jasmine, or Jasmine officiale as it’s called, in Amala Hydrate Jasmine Hydrating Hand Cream is known mostly as an antioxidant, though perhaps not the most powerful (Journal of Argiculutral and Food Chemistry). It’s said to be hydrating and also serve antibacterial functions, but its most commonly known use is its scent, which has been shown to be very relaxing (Women’s Health Magazine; FutureDerm). The cocoa bean extract in Amala Rejuvenate Cocoa Bean Rejuvinating Hand Cream also contains antioxidants and has been shown to help promote skin elasticity (Cocoa Technology and Innovation Centre). But that’s not the only beneficial ingredient, this one also contains a decent amount of licorice extract, which has been shown to improve hyperpigmentation (International Journal of Dermatology). Finally, the desert fig in Amala Soothe Desert Fig Soothing Lip Salve seems to be included, from what I’ve been able to find, for its ability to thrive in desert conditions; sadly, this won’t necessarily endow your lips with the same qualities.

Now for the things I don’t like. None of these products contain sunscreen, which is made even worse by the face that they contain skin sensitizers like citrus oil, limonene, and linalool. I’m disappointed to see these additions, merely for fragrance purposes, as I think they really lessen the quality of the products overall.

Ingredients in Amala Handbag Essentials Kit

Ingredients in Amala Hydrate Jasmine Hydrating Hand Cream: Water (Aqua), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Oil*, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract*, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Water*, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract*, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Extract, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Xanthan Gum, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Magnesium Stearate, Tocopherol, Silver Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Levulinic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum)+, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil*, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Bud Oil*, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract*, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract*, Alcohol*, Eugenol+, Limonene+, Linalool+ *Ingredient produced by organic farming

Ingredients in Amala Rejuvenate Cocoa Bean Rejuvinating Hand Cream: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil*, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil*, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil*, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter*, Tocopherol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract*, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Fragrance (Parfum)+, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil*, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil*, Xanthan Gum, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil* , Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract*, Lactic Acid, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Hydrolyzed Lola Implexa Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract*, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract*, Silver Sulfate, Alcohol*, Maltodextrin, Benzyl Benzoate+, Limonene+, Linalool+ *Ingredient produced by organic farming

Ingredients in Amala Soothe Desert Fig Soothing Lip Salve: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Tocopherol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Fragrance (Parfum)+, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil*, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Honeycomb Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Limonene+, Linalool+ *ingredient produced by organic farming

Bottom Line

In addition to serving as super cute and easy gifts for travelers and skin care lovers alike, there’s another thing I love about mini collections: They give you the option of testing out some of the brands best products without paying full price for a full-sized product. The Caudalie Favorites Set, the LifeLine Deluxe Mini Collection, and the Amala Handbag Essentials Kit all have some products that are standouts among the rest and others that don’t quite hit the mark, but overall these kits are great selections packed with skin care products you or your loved one will adore.

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*Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links.