You might think that “beauty products” and “camping” don’t belong in the same sentence together, and really, I don’t blame you.
It would be fair to say that when I pack up my tent, my mini Dometic fridge and Kathmandu puffer jackets I’m not also choosing a Dior eye palette to take with me.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want some absolute bare essentials to hand to keep my skin looking — and feeling — its best while I’m out enjoying the great outdoors.
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So if you’re a camper like myself, take this list as evidence of what you need — and don’t need — for your next trip.
1. O COSMEDICS Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser, $58
Even if I’m staying at a campsite that doesn’t have a shower set up available, you will not find me skipping a basic cleanse and moisturise of my face.
I really like this super gentle, coconut-smelling O COSMEDICS option because it’s actually a super heavy duty bottle — so even if you drop it or set it down on a rock it won’t crack or be at risk of tipping over.
It gets off all of the day’s sunscreen and light makeup in a single swipe — I would double cleanse if you’ve got anything more than that on — and doesn’t leave my oily skin feeling tight.
A worthy second place goes to Ilumae’s The Deep Cleanser ($79) because it contains glycolic and salicylic acids to help increase cell turnover and restore balance for ultra smooth skin.
2. We Are Feel Good Inc. Kakadu Plum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ 200ml, $32.95
It wouldn’t be an outdoors adventure without slip, slop and slapping on a heavy duty SPF multiple times a day.
We Are Feel Good is a long-time favourite brand of mine — specifically the Kakadu Plum lotion in the 200ml size because it’s perfectly easy to open and close again while camping.
This can be applied to the face and your entire body and I find it soaks in within seconds, so you won’t be left with a sticky residue.
When I’m not too worried about having a relatively small white cast on my face I opt for Medik8’s Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ ($75) because it won’t budge all day long.
3. Paula’s Choice Clear Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Body Spray, $41
I love salicylic acid, it’s one of my favourite skincare ingredients.
So when I’m camping and enjoying the outside elements it’s important to make sure my body is getting just as much TLC as my face.
After a (quick) outdoor shower I’ll reach for this travel-sized bottle to spray on my chest, back and anywhere else I feel like could use a freshen up.
It prevents your pores becoming clogged — which is important when you’re not undergoing your usual showering routine — and is quick and easy to apply.
You can pick up the exfoliating spray on Amazon for $41 and it will last you months.
4. Aerin Beauty Ikat Jasmine EDP 50ml, $225
You’re probably laughing at this suggestion.
Up until now, each product has been realistic by nature and extremely convenient — so packing an expensive perfume seems like a left field suggestion.
But in fact it’s the best antidote for those moments where you just want to smell fresh as a daisy — or jasmine in this case — pack a travel-sized fragrance and spray it on in those moments you might be feeling a little worse for wear.
My current obsession is the Aerin fragrances, which are now stocked over at Adore Beauty, because they can be layered but they’re light enough that if you sprayed it on in the tent your partner won’t complain.
This shouldn’t replace deodorant though. My favourite is by Salt & Stone.
5. Batiste 24H Active Dry Shampoo, $17.10
This is a recent addition to my camping tool kit because it only just launched.
But when I tell you think is a game-changer for those of us not washing our hair everyday, I mean it.
Australia’s number one dry shampoo brand Batiste has launched a smart dry shampoo technology called 24H Active that refreshes your hair as you sweat. Hello, long hike around the campsite?
It’s actually activated by sweat so you need to just spritz your hair before you head out for the day and it’ll keep your hair feeling and smelling fresh for a full day.
I tested it out on my last camping trip and I barely needed to wash my hair on the Sunday night we returned.
You can pick up a bottle from Woolworths or Chemist Warehouse but it’s flying on the shelves.
6. Kosas BB Burst Gel Cream, $65
If I’m going to take one makeup-like product on a camping trip it has to be this Kosas BB Burst Gel Cream.
I picked it up in shade 20 and it’s the perfect match for my fair but neutral skin tone.
Kosas brand founder Sheena Zadeh-Daly calls it 100 per cent makeup and 100 per cent skincare, and that’s spot on.
“The entire base of the formula is skincare focused and provides hydration on three levels; the burst you feel in contact, the actives that drive the hydration deeper, and the barrier support that keeps the hydration in,” she told Best Picks.
“Copper peptides are one of my favourite ingredients for their sheer power. They work to support collagen and overall improve the integrity of the skin.”
The effect is a slight gloss of colour over your face that blurs your pores, just enough to give you the confident to be relatively makeup-free, which I try to be while camping.
“It provides a unique and beautiful finish that leaves the skin looking so pretty, and at the same time, the skincare efficacy is incredible, with hydration you can see increasing over time as you use it,” Sheena added.
