The Appeal Of Minis: Why We Love Products In Small Packages

Good things come in small packages, as the adage goes, and though it’s not always true, I can say with assurance that it applies to skin-care products. While I obviously love full-size products, I have an ongoing love affair with minis—the best way to test-drive a lotion or serum before committing, and the easiest way to get ready for a trip in a hurry.

If you’re anything like me, your skin can get finicky AF when introduced to a new product, and though sometimes it calms down and looks better than ever (hi, Harmony Mask), I’ve definitely been guilty of slathering a new cream all over my face only to wake up in the morning with three new zits. (We’ve all been there!)

Buying into full-size projects is a risk

In case you hadn’t noticed, skin care isn’t cheap—and when it is, the quality usually shows on your face. Most of my favorite products are on the pricey side, and it’s not ideal to shell out major bank only to discover your new mask actually leaves you dry and flaky. The solution: a mini, of course.

Mini sets are twice as nice

The only thing better than testing out a tiny version of a new product is testing out a few tiny versions of new products. Many skin care companies present a selection of their favorite products in mini sets, so you can try out a full spectrum of their offerings and get a good sense of what they’re all about.

Keys Soulcare just launched several such options, including their Skin + Soul Starter Set. With their Golden Cleanser, Harmony Mask, Skin Transformation Cream, and Be Luminous Exfoliator, the travel set comes with a full range of options.

These products are packed with skin-nourishing ingredients like bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol; hojicha powder, an antioxidant-rich green tea from Japan that provides non-stripping exfoliation; and Manuka honey, which is deeply moisturizing and also full of antioxidants.

Travel is easier and simpler with minis

Perhaps the best part about minis is that they perform double duty: Once you’ve ascertained that a new product jibes with your skin, you can take the show on the road with ease. The last thing I like to do when prepping for a trip is pack a bag that I can barely carry, and though I am not always the lightest packer, I save space (and weight!) by focusing on my minis for my Dopp kit.

Plus, when I have my go-tos in miniature on hand, I can keep them in my toiletry bag and just throw it in a duffel when I start packing—no muss, no fuss. That way, I can save the deliberation for the closet and keep the guesswork out of my bathroom shelf packing.

This extends beyond just skin care for the face, by the way: I like to keep minis of products for my body stocked and ready for my next trip as well. Keys Soulcare’s Body + Soul Starter Set, with a Renewing Body + Hand Wash, a Sacred Body Oil, and a Rich Nourishing Body Cream is a good bet—and will ensure that your elbows, knees, and feet don’t dry up while traveling in the winter.

Minis are the cutest

I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to the cute factor of minis. Everyone knows that beautiful packaging is part of the product—the prettier the bottle, the better the shelfie—and there’s something so particularly charming about a lil’ version of a product. If you wind up loving it and buying the full-size, you can put them together on your shelf and have a mama and baby duo!

Final though on minis: This doesn’t just apply to skin care. In Keys Soulcare’s minis launch, they also have a trio of votives of their Sage + Oat Milk Candle on offer—a selection of three of their warm and calming scented candles that can be scattered about the house or tucked into a suitcase to bring the smell of bliss wherever you go. There’s something so special about being able to have a small candle from home alone for the ride when you travel—and minis make it possible.