The Case for Beauty Products on the Trail

It's a nice feeling to smell clean and feel clean. That's why many people shower daily in the modern world. Now, before EVERY thru-hiker chastises me for this "luxury, extra weight" please hear me out.

SOAP If I was to recommend ANYTHING here today to add to your kit, it would be body specific soap. Washing away the days grime is a serious spirit lifting moment and gives you time to just immerse yourself in the natural beauty of your location. Majority of people carry some sort of concentrated clean-everything soap but does what you wash your dishes with really need to be washing your nether regions? Yikes, that sounds uncomfortable! If you are like me, do you really need to be carrying concentrated, do it all soaps if you are only boiling water in your pot anyways? Probably not. So I've switched to using soaps that are beneficial to my skin and the environment.

- Bar Soap: cut these into pieces to easily pack. Consider a lightweight tin (I like the LUSH tins) or baggie to keep the bar in as it can seriously stink up your pack (good and bad). Dry it out after use to prevent the soap slime feeling in whatever you choose to keep it in. My favorite is the United By Blue bar soaps.

- Liquid Soap: for the traditionali

st, use liquid soaps. These bad boys are easy to carry the exact amount you need by pouring into a small to go container. These concentrated castile soaps are AMAZING from Juniper Ridge, think Dr Bronner's but 10x better.

DEODORANT

Time and time again I read "throw away the deodorant, that's just extra weight." It probably is, but at what point does an items weight penalty for livability exceed the need to cut oz and grams? Many people are naive to the deodorant options out there, especially the good for you & the environment options.

Remember, when you make the switch to natural deodorants, they let your body do what it's supposed to do, sweat. These products help mop up the moisture and give a nice fragrance. Don't expect this to work like you aluminium laden deodorant which plugs your pores to prevent sweating. Pro tip, if you have sensitive skin, look for products without baking soda.

- Deodorant Bar: serious game changers - loose the traditional packaging and grab a piece of deodorant bar. Smear these natural goodness-es on and hit the trail! Here's a great, budget friendly option from LUSH. Cut into a few pieces to save weight. Pro tip, package in the same tin as your soap bar.

- Deodorant Powder: seriously lightweight friendly option that it would almost be a sin not to carry! Easy application, just put some powder on them pits and get movin! Bring as much as you need for each trip and everyone will thank you. I have not yet tried these products as the bars work for me but Lush does carry a few options and there are plenty out there if you search the ol' Google. I'd love to hear what you recommend!

- Deodorant Stick: bars and powders too hip for you? Don't worry there are still natural traditional stick options that come in travel size for all your backpacking needs. Ursa Major has made huge breaks in the natural beauty world and I can't recommend their products enough after trying their face wipes at the BEST motel in Bozeman. Here is their fabulous travel size deodorant that is aluminium free.

Shampoo & Conditioner

Majority of guys and gals can bypass this section if your hair is on the shorter side and can be cared for by the universal soaps above. However, myself and others who've got longer hair that turns to a greasy dr

eaded mess on the trail may find a few of these products game changers.

- Bars: lightweight and easy to use, just lather in wet hair and rinse! With so many products in these category, look for a combo Shampoo and Conditioner. Don't forget a tin to pack in to keep everything neat, dry, and limit the smell in your pack. Try this biodegratable, environmental friendly bar. If you're already making a Lush haul, pick up this bar!

- Liquid Concentrate: do not bring travel sized shampoo and conditioner into the back country! These are not biodegradable or ecofriendly and could seriously impact the flora and fauna. Instead opt for a liquid concentrate such as the Sea to Summit Shampoo & Conditioner, just repackage into a small container for your exact trip needs.

- Leaves: Sea to Summit released a line of pocket leaves that you just add water to and wash away. However, I've tried these and found they don't dissolve well and get stuck in long hair. Might be better for those with shorter hair who want more than just general soap to wash with

On your next trip, try adding one of these natural and ecofriendly products to your self care ditty bag. I promise you, it'll raise your spirits 10 fold and your significant other may actually want to engage in a lil back country romp!

ALWAYS PRACTICE LEAVE NO TRACE

Do not use ANY PRODUCTS in water sources! Always shower at least 200ft from water sources with the lather then rinse from bottle method.