I tried Trinny London

If, like me, you're the sort of person who starts every holiday with the best intentions of packing light only to end up wrestling an overstuffed suitcase shut, you'll know the struggle is real. Somehow, my skincare routine is always the biggest culprit. As a self-confessed skincare obsessive, editing my bathroom cupboard down to just the essentials feels almost impossible.

But summer skincare is actually pretty straightforward when you strip it back. A great cleanser, plenty of hydration, barrier-supporting products and, most importantly, an SPF you can wear day and night. That's why I was intrigued when Trinny London expanded its collection of skincare minis with a new addition that means every single box is ticked (more on that later).

One of the things I genuinely love about Trinny London's travel range is how practical it is. The refillable pots are stackable, which not only looks satisfyingly neat but also helps stop your wash bag from descending into complete chaos. If you've ever opened your toiletries bag only to have products tumble out everywhere, you'll understand why this feels like such a clever idea.

The minis are also ideal if you've been curious about the range but aren't quite ready to invest in the full-size products. Better still, if you already own the larger versions, you can simply refill the travel pots before heading away, rather than carting half your skincare shelf with you.

There are ready-made options, including the Skincare Discovery Set (£65), which comes with four bestselling minis tucked inside a sleek silver Trinny London make-up bag that's perfect for weekends away or carry-on luggage. Personally, though, I like the flexibility of choosing individual products to create a routine that suits my own skin.

The minis range from £13 to £27, so they aren't exactly budget buys. But when it comes to skincare, I'm firmly of the opinion that investing in products you'll actually use every day is money well spent. I put five of the minis through their paces during the recent heatwave, which felt like the perfect test of how they'd perform when skin really needs a little extra help.

The first product that earned a permanent place in my travel bag was the BE Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser (£16 for 19.5ml). It can be used in the morning and evening to melt away dirt or makeup residue. If I'm wearing makeup, I'll usually remove the bulk of it with micellar water before following with the balm as my second cleanse.

It has a lightweight jelly texture packed with almond oil, jojoba oil and natural glycolipids, and once water is added, it transforms into a soft foam that feels gentle rather than overly bubbly. It rinses away beautifully and leaves my skin feeling clean, fresh and comfortable. I like to use it with a muslin cloth.

Another standout was Naked Ambition (£27 for 9.5ml), Trinny London's daily vitamin C serum. Vitamin C can be hit and miss for my skin and has triggered redness in the past, so I approached this one cautiously.

Thankfully, it couldn't have been easier to wear. The serum glides on effortlessly, sinks in within seconds and, best of all, doesn't pill underneath moisturiser or make-up – something that's surprisingly rare with vitamin C formulas. The brand combines slow-release vitamin C with azelaic acid exosomes, and while I'd need longer than a couple of weeks to judge its long-term brightening claims, my skin certainly looked healthy and felt comfortable throughout testing.

Hydration has been non-negotiable during the recent hot weather, so I reached for Plump Up Peptide + HA Serum (£27 for 10ml) to use in the morning and at night. Trinny herself describes it as being "like a sports bra for your skin", and while it's a memorable comparison, I can see what she means.

The lightweight serum delivers an instant drink of water to thirsty skin without ever feeling sticky or heavy. It left my complexion looking noticeably fresher and gave me a healthy, dewy glow without crossing into greasy territory. I also appreciated that it's fragrance-free, making it a great option for anyone with sensitive skin.

My only criticism is the travel packaging itself. The rubber funnel inside the pot makes it slightly fiddly to reach the last of the product. A pump dispenser might have been easier, although it would probably compromise the clever stackable design.

To seal everything in, I finished with Bounce Back Intense Peptide Moisturiser (£23 for 14.5ml). It's richer than my usual summer moisturiser but never feels too heavy, absorbing quickly while leaving skin feeling nourished rather than shiny.

The formula combines peptides with fermented ingredients designed to support the skin's microbiome, alongside plenty of soothing hydration to strengthen the skin barrier. It carries a soft spa-like scent that I found really pleasant, although if your skin is particularly reactive, it's probably worth patch-testing first.

Perhaps the launch that makes the most sense for summer, though, is the new travel-sized version of See The Light SPF 50+. Until now, the sunscreen was only available in a full-size 50ml bottle costing £46. From July 1, there's finally a handbag-friendly 14ml version for £15, making it much easier to top up throughout the day or test before investing in the larger size.

For me, sunscreen is the one skincare product I'm always prepared to spend a little more on. It's the hardest-working product in any routine and one that dermatologists consistently say should be worn every single day, whatever the weather. Speaking previously to Express.co.uk, cosmetic doctor and dermatologist Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe said: "SPF of at least 30 should be worn throughout the day and reapplied every two to four hours"

Having tested plenty of SPFs this year, I've become surprisingly picky. I want high protection, no white cast, no sticky finish and something that sits happily underneath make-up. Thankfully, this one ticks every box.

The cream has a lightweight texture that spreads easily and absorbs quickly without leaving skin feeling greasy or suffocated. The narrow nozzle also makes dispensing exactly the right amount refreshingly easy, whether you're applying it straight to your face or first onto the back of your hand.

It does have a light fragrance, but it didn't irritate my occasionally temperamental skin during testing. More importantly, my make-up layered beautifully over the top without pilling or sliding around throughout the day.

The £15 travel-sized SPF will be released on July 1, 2026.

If you're looking to streamline your holiday beauty bag this summer, Trinny London's mini skincare collection is genuinely practical and easy to customise. It's proof that good skincare doesn't have to take up half your suitcase.

As a final bonus, from July 1, shoppers spending more than £125 will also receive Trinny London's limited-edition bright yellow Portobello make-up bag as a free gift – a suitably cheerful accessory for summer holidays.

The Glossybox travel minis beauty box is great for all of your holiday beauty and skincare essentials, all of which are the right size for chucking in your hand luggage. The box is worth over £108, according to LookFantastic.

Ideal for summer, Next's Sun-Drenched and Dewy Beauty Box is designed for the summer with a range of skincare and hot-weather essentials. According to Next, it's worth £101.