Camping is approaching. It's time to pack. Body care products take up quite a bit of space. Vacations are a great time to try out sustainable alternatives – they save space, soothe your skin, and protect the environment.
Everyone needs shampoo and shower gel. That's usually two plastic bottles, often one per family member. A lot of space, a lot of waste. Solid shampoo and shower gel have been available for a few years now. These look like small bars of soap, fit in a cardboard box, and are very economical. They lather well and smell lovely. One natural cosmetics brand even offers shampoo and shower gel in one. It works perfectly.
Toothpaste is now available in the form of small tablets, which is also a very space- and waste-saving option.
Extra care for sun-stressed skin
Sun-stressed skin needs extra care on vacation, which is why many people pack sunscreen and after-sun lotion. UV protection is important, but home remedies may also suffice for aftercare. Aloe vera leaves provide the skin with plenty of moisture and can often be purchased locally. Quark or yogurt are also good moisturizers for the skin. A tablespoon of quark mixed with a good teaspoon of honey makes a wonderful face mask. Those prone to blemishes and oily skin can also apply a bit of healing clay underneath.
In the 1970s, first responders at summer camps soaked gauze bandages in cool condensed milk and applied them to mild sunburns. This soothes pain and soothes the skin. Alternatively, the gauze can also be soaked in cold calendula or chamomile tea to help burned skin heal faster. The gel that exudes from aloe vera leaves is even more effective. It cools, heals, and moisturizes the skin. The compresses shouldn't be too cold, as the burned skin shouldn't also freeze.
Genuine organic cosmetics: Pay attention to the seals
Campers' toiletry bags should also include face and body cream, deodorant, and a cleansing milk for makeup removal. All products are also available in solid versions. Thanks to the removal of water, these largely eliminate the need for preservatives such as the controversial parabens. The latter are not found in certified natural cosmetics anyway, nor are microplastics, paraffins, silicones, or artificial fragrances. Palm oil, petroleum products, sulfates, aluminum, or formaldehyde also have no place in certified natural cosmetics. These can be identified by seals such as EcoCert , Natrue , BDIH, Cosmos , or Demeter, and, last but not least, the EU Ecolabel . New EU laws are intended to make it easier for consumers to navigate the certification jungle in the future.
But beware: It's easy to see a single ingredient advertised as being certified organic. This doesn't necessarily mean that the entire product is certified natural cosmetics, as such creams or lotions may well contain microplastics, parabens, or even artificial fragrances. So, the bottom line: Look for the right labels.
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