Here's why you need a beauty stick in your bag

Who else dreads packing your travel toiletry bag when you’re going away on a trip? Isn’t it the worst when the bottle of your favorite skin cream opens up and gets all over the place? (Not only did it make a mess, but you lost half of your cream…) Or, if you’re flying, you always have to worry about TSA opening up your bag, even if the bottle is less than 4 ounces. That’s where skincare sticks come into play. Now you can get everything from moisturizers to cleansers in easy to apply stick formulas. So whether you are commuting to work, running to the gym, or going away for the weekend, beauty sticks are perfect for your bag and never leak.

Here are some of the popular sticks that have made their way as permanent fixtures into my bathroom.

1. Cleansing Sticks

I think that all of the popular skin care trends start out from K-beauty, and cleansing sticks are no different. No longer just available in Korea, they have become mainstream here in the U.S., like the St. Ives Cleansing Stick, Apricot & Manuka Honey ($10). It is easy to use, no mess, and you don't have to worry about it leaking. I first tried it with a face full of makeup, and it did a good job as a makeup remover, as well as a face cleanser. It formed a light lather on my skin and did not dry me out after I rinsed it off. Plus there are 3 scents to choose from. I used the apricot and manuka honey one, but there is also a matcha green tea and ginger as well as a cactus and hibiscus variety.

It suds up like a regular liquid cleanser!

2. Sunscreen Sticks

I say if it is light outside, you need your sunscreen. Your first application is the easy one, because you can put it on before you leave the house without distractions. The challenge is reapplying during the day. Sticks make it easy because you can put them in your purse or your running belt with no risk of a spill. What I like about the COOLA Mineral Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 ($26) suncreen is that it is all natural and non-irritating. Using zinc oxide only to block UV light, it is great even for people with sensitive skin, plus it is loaded with skin protectding Vitamin E, avocado oil, and coconut oil. It goes on white initially but totally rubs in. The other susncreen stick I can't get enough of is the Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Stick Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 ($8). It is small enough to fit my kids' faces, plus you can even apply it to damp skin right out of the pool.

The Neutrogena sunscreens can be put on dry or damp skin and doesn't feel greasy.

3. Hydration Sticks

Do you ever feel too lazy to rub on your moisturizer? It happens to me more than I want to admit. Well, moisturizing sticks defnitely help with the laziness. No mess, no fuss, easy hydration for the face and body. I think they are perfect for extra dry areas like elbows, knees, and your feet. I give the thumbs up to Yes to Coconut Oil Stick ($10) and Nourish Organic Argan Oil Balm ($20). They have the same great ingredients you look for in your skincare like coconut oil and argain oil, but in a stick formula.

4. Anti-aging Stick

The Dr. Brandt Pores No More Multi Performance Stick ($35) is a cross between a sunscreen, a foundation, and a primer all in one. It's like the ultimate multitasker to minimize pores, hydrate, even skin tone, and protect your from the sun. Plus it's ultra portable for easy reapplication during the day.

Because they don't spill, are easy to take with you, and offer benefits as good as their liquid counterparts, beauty sticks are #TheDermWifeApproved.