Chelsea Handler Shares Her Travel Routine—From Packing Hacks to Dream Trips

Meghann Foye

Wed, October 15, 2025 at 2:15 PM UTC

4 min read

Chelsea Handler Shares Her Travel Routine—From Packing Hacks to Dream Trips

Comedian Chelsea Handler partners with Gold Bond to demonstrate skincare benefits in extreme weather conditions.
Handler shares her low-maintenance in-flight skincare routine and must-have products for travel.
Chelsea Handler discusses her love of travel, mindfulness, and living child-free while planning future adventures.

Comedian, author and unapologetic adventurer Chelsea Handleris taking her humor and her skincare on the road again. As a new Gold Bond partner, she's been hitting the slopes sans ski-wear again, but this time, with an added layer of hydration. "I just started partnering with Gold Bond in the wintertime," she says. "We had this ski event in Palisades Tahoe where I skied in my gold one-piece with thousands of other people—to demonstrate how moisturized I could keep my skin with Gold Bond." Next up? She's taking things from snow to sun at the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, where she's testing out Gold Bond's Plumping Collagen Body and Face Lotion in one of the driest parts of the world. "I'm going to demonstrate how well it works in hot, dry, high-altitude conditions," she says. "And I'm bringing my dog—who does not use Gold Bond." In this exclusive Parade interview, we asked the well-traveled comedian all about her favorite getaway go-tos, from her in-flight skincare routine to her favorite carry-on, and the next big trip she has planned.

Chelsea Handler's in-flight skincare routine

Her go-to routine for flights is refreshingly low-maintenance: "If it's the only thing I can do, I will moisturize," she laughs. "I didn't even learn about washing my face until I was in my 30s."

"I've been using Gold Bond for a long time before our partnership," says Handler. "Hydration is the key ingredient for everything: hydration, sleep—and simplicity."

Her in-flight must-haves

Handler shares the go-tos that fit into her TSA-approved toiletries bag:

Gold Bond Plumping Collagen Lotion ("It's my new base layer")
Elta MD SPF 40 tinted moisturizer
Liz Earle vitamin E + rosehip serum
Lip balm ("I never fly without it.")

Handler's packing hacks

When it comes to luggage, Handler's loyal to her Rimowacollection: "I have a Rimowa suitcase in every size," she says. "They're sleek, compact and protective—and they just look nice." She's team carry-on whenever possible and swears by packing cubes: "You open your suitcase and it's like a little mini closet," she says. "You've got a compartment for your bathing suits, your underwear, your dirty laundry—it makes everything easier."

The travel mindset she brings on every trip

Handler's love of travel (and skiing) goes beyond adventure—it's about mindfulness. "When you're skiing, you have to be present," she explains. "Your biggest moments of joyful blissfulness are when you're focused. That's where the exhilaration comes from." And for Handler, travel has shaped who she is: "I didn't learn half of what I know until I left this country and became an explorer," she says. "Traveling is a necessity."

On living child-free and choosing adventure

As someone who's been open about her choice not to have children, Handler says it's given her the bandwidth to live expansively. "I'm a selfish person—I want to experience everything I can, minus having a child," she says. "That shouldn't be shameful; it should be rewarded for being a responsible decision." Instead, she channels her energy into exploration, creativity and being present in others' lives. "I'm able to move around the world in a different way," she adds. "It's not traditional, but I'm not a traditional person."

Dream trips

Next destinations on her personal bucket list include Mallorca, Prague, and maybe heli-skiing in British Columbia. "Every year I try to hit a place I've never been," she says.

What's next for Handler

Handler just announced her upcoming High and Mighty Tour, kicking off next year.
"I'll be traveling around spreading joyfulness, adventure, laughter," she says. "Laughter is medicine—and I'm your doctor."

This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.