For men, everything is simple: they have enough soap, a toothbrush, paste and napkins. The bravest ones I saw during the Oregon Coast camping also took a razor. Girls are tempted to take on more makeup that will never come in handy on a hike. Try to take everything to a minimum and only what is really needed – after all, you will have to carry all this on yourself. So that you do not waste time thinking about the hygiene minimum, we have compiled a convenient checklist. With it, you will quickly put together a travel cosmetic bag and will not forget anything.
1 Item: Toothpaste and Brush
Everything is necessarily small. The foldable toothbrush is more convenient, and the tube of paste is either miniature (25-40 ml), or one that is almost over. “Travel” versions of toothpastes in a small tube with a folding brush included in the kit can be found in large supermarkets. You can ask your dentist for a mini-tube, which is advisable to visit before the hike – they have small probes. This is more than enough days for 10 hikes, and with proper skill at home, the tube can be refilled and used next time.
In addition, you can take dental floss – it will come in handy, especially after eating meat.
Fans of the fast and lite style will love the Toothpaste Ball Recipe from easy-going Mike Cleilland. My friend at the Oregon Coast camping showed me it. It is easy to prepare it: you need to squeeze the “lane” out of the tube, wait until it dries up, and then cut them into 1 cm pieces. Sprinkle them with soda a little so that they do not stick together, and put the required number of servings in a bag. You can dry it in a dryer or just at home in the air if the air is dry. Before use, the balls are chewed – otherwise the process of brushing your teeth is normal.
2 Item: Soap
Preferably natural, without parabens, so as not to pollute the nature. And in order not to carry too much, it is better to cut an ordinary bar of soap into 2 or even 4 parts. Small soap is often given out in hotels – take it with you and store it for the future, this is just what you need on a hike.
For a hike, it is convenient to take a light sheet soap. It is a sealed container with 20-50 soap leaves inside. This packaging and dosage solves the problem of a bar of soap that is always wet, which you don’t always have time to dry before packing your backpack.
3 Item: Wet Wipes And Toilet Paper
Suitable napkins in small packs of 15-20 pieces. You shouldn’t take a large pack of 50-100 pieces – it’s hard, they dry quickly and can’t be put in your pocket. If you save money, 3-4 pieces are enough per day – accordingly, for a week’s trip you will need 1-2 packs of 20 pieces each.
One roll of toilet paper is enough for about 10 days of trekking. Be sure to pack it in an airtight bag to keep it dry.
4 Item: Antiperspirant
A mini version of a roll-on antiperspirant is suitable, such are found in large supermarkets and cosmetics stores. If you don’t find it, buy a small tube of Teymurov’s paste at the pharmacy – this product disinfects the skin and reduces sweating, so there is no smell or discomfort. The paste can be applied to armpits and feet before a hike and to be repeated after water procedures. You do not need to take a full tube, remember the weight.
5 Item: Towel
Special microfiber hiking towels are excellent at absorbing moisture. A size of 40 x 40 cm is enough to dry off completely – squeeze it well enough and it is almost dry. It is better to store a camping towel in a mesh bag and do not forget to dry it in the sun – it dries very quickly.
6 Item: Shampoo
Should be used sparingly and wash well. Use small bottles or “portion” sachets – these are now easy to find in any cosmetics store. A good option is to grab a bottle of concentrated soap, which works for both body and hair. You can try dry shampoo, but it’s more of a visual effect.
What else will come in handy
Lip balm
On a hike, such a balm can be used not only for its intended purpose, but to soften the cuticles and skin of the elbows. A small tube weighs up to 5-20 g.
Cream
During the hike, hands and face become very dry, so you can’t do without a cream. Suitable for a universal version: for hands, face, body and legs. The cream can be replaced with tea tree oil or a special ointment that will nourish the skin, heal scratches, cuts, and bites.
Pocket mirror
The smallest, foldable and preferably in a plastic case, not a metal one.
Tweezers, nail file, scissors
Alternatively, you can take a small multitool – it contains a file, and scissors, and a knife. With its help, it is convenient to clean nails from dirt and get rid of splinters and burrs.
Razor
An optional item, but you can take it with you to put yourself in order during a multi-day hike – for both women and men. A regular plastic machine will do – it’s the lightest.
The list can also include an antibacterial hand spray (it is better in the form of a spray, not a gel – some gels leave a sticky film on the hands), cotton swabs, chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide, for girls – a cleansing lotion or micellar water for the face (it will help out if there is snow all around and nothing to wash with), panty liners and tampons. All this can also be in a cosmetic bag, but you need to take into account the total weight and volume.
We are not even talking about decorative cosmetics – there is no need for it in field conditions. Likewise, there is no need for scrubs, conditioners and perfumes.
Hygiene items can be folded into a special travel cosmetic bag or travel bag (bag with many compartments). It should be compact: no more than 1.5 palms.
Thanks for reading! Hope the article will be useful for you. More about camping you can read here.