Take a Hike!
The only time your skincare should take a hike is when it’s with you on one
Now, let me start by saying that I am by no means an "avid hiker" nor can I last longer than maybe 5 miles before I require a break and a gluten free beer, or seven. With that out of the way, I do have many friends who actually do hike and are pretty good at lasting the distance and the wilderness. I love to camp, and by camp I mean glamp because I kinda need running water….. Here is a little collection of tips I have gotten from my avid hiking friends and from my own (mild) experience. When hiking, you have to carry everything with you. If you are doing a quick hike while camping then you can pack much much lighter as you won't need all your supplies. Mainly just need bug repellent, baby wipes, hand sani, small first aid kit, roll of toilet paper, survival beer/food, change of socks….
I found this little bug fact when looking up funny bug memes and thought , hey that's good to know when camping where there are crickets present and chirping. So if you're bored at home or camping and wondering what the temperature outside is, try this trick:
“The temperature in Fahrenheit can be approximated by counting the number of times a cricket chirps in 14 seconds and then add 40”
The Quick Hike: You're camping and the peeps want to go explore the area. This is my kind of hiking as it usually includes loads of breaks and not venturing too far from camp. Some bare necessities to have on hand:
Bug Repellent- Putting your Bug Spray into small spray bottles will make them easier to hike with as you can throw them in a fanny pack or backpack. Lemongrass and Geranium essential oils are said to repel bugs too, however I wonder what it might attract...
Face Wipes- These can be used for all body parts which can also help if you get into a muddy situation or sticky sap finds its way on your hands. If you start to sweat, go for a dip or just feel yucky during your hike, a quick swipe can really refresh your skin. Just make sure to reapply your SPF right after! One of my clients uses Nuetrogena wipes when she goes hiking along with Skin Scripts Clarifying Toner Pads to keep her skin exfoliated and clean during long hikes. Using a professional treatment pad kept in a ziplock baggy is a great way to stay on top of your skincare routine while out in the woods. To see how to make your own keep reading!
Try to find as natural a chapstick with SPF as possible, one of my favorites is from a local gem here in Sacramento, Jayme Roy of Salt & Shea. It doesn’t have SPF but there is some minimal sun protection naturally found in the ingredients.
SPF- Ok, at this point I am just a broken record. Reapply. Reapply. REAPPLY! Keeping it handy helps with remembering to reapply. The Dollar Store and many craft stores sell these awesome little containers meant for glitter but work perfectly for packing skincare on the go!
Chapstick with SPF- Your lips get just as much sun as your face and body does, however it lacks melanin, the main defense your skin has against sun damage. Using a shea or cocoa based lip care (stay away from Petroleum based products, for more info read my blog on Mineral Oil) with an SPF will help to protect your precious pout. I love to #shoplocal and support my fellow business owners, so if you have somone locally who makes a beeswax balm, that is the best. There’s always our lipcare kit HERE.
The Long Hike: For this one, I need to reference actual hikers as I am of no use on a long hike. Thankfully, many of my friends are hikers and I picked their brains on what makes hiking easier for them and what they have learned over the years. Here's some key points:
Packing light is no small feat, so when it comes to bare necessities you really only need BARE necessities! Castile soap mixed with essential oils like Tea Tree or Ylang Ylang are great for keeping skin clean and clear as well as washing any dishes, body or hair and even doggies so definitely pack that for those creek showers. Wipes as mentioned above are helpful if you may not have access to water all the time. Seeing as though you have to carry everything you'll be bringing, wipes are lightweight and easy to pack. You can make your own wipes too!
Mix 1 1/2 cups water (preferably distilled) with 20 drops essential oils (I like Tea Tree and On Guard as they keep your skin healthy!) and 1 tbsp. of body wash (can use Castile soap or E.O brand wash), use clean towels if you'd like and store in a resealable plastic bag and tote. If hiking in hotter climates, take into consideration that liquids can evaporate so pack pre-soaked wipes accordingly.
Dry Shampoo can help keep hair somewhat clean, and don't for get your hat to protect the top of your head on your long hikes!
First Aid Skin Care kit! This may sound ridiculous but go with me for a second. You already have a first aid kit (hopefully) which should have band aids, antiseptic, aspirin, maybe even gauze. However, there are some things that can be easily added to this without creating too much bulk. Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil and Calamine lotion are always great to have when going into the woods. For any burns, scraps or wounds you can apply Aloe and Coconut oil to speed up wound healing, Frankincense is also a great essential oil for this as well as Lavender. I like to keep a small travel pack of essential oils like Breathe and On Guard from DoTERRA, Peppermint, Lavender, Frankincense, and Tea Tree for those just in case moments. To learn more about these essential oils click here to visit our Massage Therapist at the Spa, Tasha’s DoTERRA website. You can also travel easier with tiny bottles of essential oils for food seasoning too, you will only use the worlds smallest drop to flavor any dish but they make for easy packing and concealing aroma when not in use.
Little things that are good to know that I found in my research:
You can rent gear- I always hit up all my camp savvy friends and borrow their stuff but what if everyone is going camping and you need stuff? Have no fear! You don't have to run to Costco and REI and buy everything. Check out "Online rental sites like Outdoors Geek and Lower Gear will ship you items to get you on the trail...if you are in the Bay Area, check out Last Minute Gear." (www.anywhereathome.com, awsome camping bloggers)
Sleeping bags are meant to be used as bags and not a two person sheet and blanket. I froze my butt off camping in Colorado trying to make a giant bed. The next night, me and my one sleeping bag were so warm I slept in shorts as opposed to the night before when I wore everything I brought and two paris of socks...
You need to dig a hole for when you go #2. I don't know why this is a shock to me as once I was in a national park and when I went to the bathrooms, they were stalls with holes in the ground. That's right. Stalls, four walls and even a roof but then just holes...
Apparently cotton is not the material of choice for clothing when camping or hiking. Wool is recommended as it will help absorb sweat and odor while helping regulate body temperature.
Dip cotton rounds/pads in wax to make fire starters, just try not to dip them in super super fragrant wax for fear of bears who like comfortable surroundings and Bath & Body 3 wick candles.
Hope this helps and please leave your comments below if you have tips and tricks for camping and hiking!
Till next time, be good to your skin and even better to yourself,
xx eri