My review of the day is of the "La Fresh travel packets" kit. This is a pretty low-tech product but something I’m convinced everyone could use in their carry-on.

The La Fresh travel packets are small pouches with a variety of single use products. They come in 2 versions; one for men, and one for women.

The male version contains (one of each of) the following sachets: 

• Shaving Gel
• Anti bacterial towelette
• Show shine towelette
• Minty Mitt dental cleaning mitt
• Lens cleaning towelette
• Deodorant towelette

The female version contains (one of each of) the following sachets: 

• Makeup remover towelette
• Eye and lip makeup remover towelette
• Anti bacterial towelette
• Minty Mitt dental cleaning mitt
• Hydrating lotion towelette
• Deodorant towelette

The contents of the male (L) and female (R) La Fresh travel packets kit.

It’s hard to review health and beauty products if you are used to reviewing the latest gadgets, but as a traveler, all I can say is that these products are great. In the name of science, I personally reviewed all the male sachets.

The deodorant towelette is perfect for a quick wipe down after a long flight, especially if you are unable to get to the shower facilities in an arrivals lounge.

It doesn’t smell overly powerful, the scent reminded me more of a good quality soap. The towelette is moist enough to do both arms, as well as your face and neck. It works so well that you can still smell it after a few hours, but it never seems overpowering or too strong. You certainly don’t smell like you just came off a 14 hour international flight.

The Minty Mitt dental cleaning mitt is a finger mitt soaked in a minty liquid which reminded me of mouth wash. The mitt has a rough texture and you really do get that "clean brushed" feeling.

Since I don’t wear spectacles, I could only test the lens cleaning wipe on my sunglasses and on the screen of my PDA… It did a fine job on both of those.

The Anti bacterial wipe was perfect for a single wipe of my hands. It smells nice, and doesn’t have the strong alcohol scent you often see on other brands, so it won’t bother any passengers around you if you use it in flight.

The shaving gel is a tricky one, it’s the only sachet in the kit that requires you to carry something else, so be sure to pack a pocket razor with the kit, or snag one from your amenity kit. The gel itself is just fine and lathered up nicely with a little water. It has a light minty smell (thanks to some tea tree oil) and is enriched with vitamin B5.

And finally, the shoe shine towelette; this did an absolutely astounding job of polishing my shoes. The wipe is drenched in enough clear shoe shine liquid to polish a (large) pair of leather shoes, and I got a nice shine without the need for a brush or buffing. But the best part is that you won’t end up with filthy hands.

The La Fresh travel packets kit costs $4.99, which is a great bargain considering how convenient they are. La Fresh have a huge collection of other products, including nail polish remover wipes, feminine hygiene wipes, insect repellant wipes and even SPF30 sunscreen wipes.

Large packs of the wipes cost $25 (for up to 48 wipes) and smaller packs of individual wipes are $4.50 (2-8 wipes). All La Fresh products ship for free (US only) on purchases over $50.

All the towelettes are biodegradable, and can be safely carried through airport security. So, in the event that the TSA confiscates your toiletries (or your luggage goes missing), you will always have a backup pack of products to use.

So, while it may not be a true gadget, it’s certainly something I’ll be carrying in my gadget bag from now on. It doesn’t replace a hot shower, but a shower isn’t always a luxury you can find when you land at your destination at odd hours of the day.

Product page: La Fresh Group