All the camping toiletries you need for a weekend (or a week) in the woods

Hiking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors give you a much-needed perspective change on just about all of life’s greatest mysteries. It’s like pushing the reset button on our human operating systems. When you return to “the real world,” you’re often completely refreshed and performing optimally across all facets of your life. Among other things, it shows you just how few things you need to exist in blissful harmony with nature.

Out there in the woods, you don’t need much aside from the best camping tent, a good sleeping bag, and cooking gear to prep your favorite camping meals. But just because you pack light doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the toiletries. It’s an essential step that many people forget, but you want a few items to clean yourself up after an all-day hike or fishing adventure.

Going off-grid for a few days doesn’t mean you have to come back looking and smelling like it! Heck, you might even feel so fresh and rejuvenated that you extend your stay for an extra day or two. Real life can wait — the great outdoors are calling. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite camping toiletries to help you feel and look your best in the wild.

FactorFive Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser

There’s no getting around the fact that heading out into the woods is dirty business. It can be brutal on the most sensitive skin on your body, namely your face. FactorFive’s all-new Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser is a purpose-built product for washing off the outdoors. It’s formulated with natural science in mind, including gentle ingredients like aloe leaf juice to soothe and hydrate, green leaf tea extract for skin protection against environmental stressors, and kelp extract to thoroughly nourish your skin with essential minerals, and more. Bonus: The 4.5-ounce size is ultra compact and perfect for lightweight backcountry packing.

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Dr. Bronner’s Biodegradable Soap

There are two types of people: People who shower on camping trips and people that other people hate camping with. Unless you’re backpacking alone, it’s probably a good idea to bring a bar of soap. And because there’s no running water or septic system, you have to be careful with your soap of choice. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Bar Soap will leave you feeling squeaky clean without harming the environment. Remember that even when using biodegradable soap, Leave No Trace guidelines dictate that you should keep 200 feet from any water source to avoid contamination.

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Goodwipes Flushable Wipes

If you don’t have access to running water, flushable wipes can become body wipes to provide you with a decent outdoor “shower” in a pinch. But again, you want to be conscious of the environment when it comes to what you bring on a camping trip and, more importantly, what you leave behind. These plant-based wipes are made of eco-friendly fibers and soaked with an earthy cedar scent to help scrub away dirt and leave you with a clean, fresh “woodsy” aroma.

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Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 50+ Sunscreen Stick

This one is a must-have since you’ll be spending all day in the sun. Look for a sunscreen with SPF 20 or higher, and make sure it has both UVA and UVB protection. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll use, so get something that you actually enjoy applying. This stick from Neutrogena makes it easy to carry and reapply throughout the day. If that’s not your jam, we rounded up some of our favorite non-greasy sunscreens here.

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Repel Lemon Eucalyptus DEET-Free Bug Repellent

Depending on where you are and what time of year you’re camping, there’s a chance you’ll catch more bug bites than fish. Protect yourself from mosquitos, ticks, and other blood-sucking pests by dousing yourself in bug spray. We prefer this all-natural repellent that’s free of DEET and other funky chemicals. But feel free to use whatever keeps those suckers off you.

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Quip Smart Electric Toothbrush

Even if you’re foregoing a lot of other personal grooming practices in the backcountry, you can’t skimp on oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day means keeping up the routine out in the wild, too, so make sure to come prepared. Quip’s Smart Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush will help keep your mouth fresh out there. It’s featherweight and ultra-compact (great for camping!), plus it charges via any standard USB-A port, and the clever cover even doubles as a mirror mount (great for travel).

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Aquaphor Lip Balm

Camping and almost every outdoor activity associated with camping will dry you out. It doesn’t matter how much water you drink (and let’s be honest, no one drinks enough water on a camping trip); your lips will be the first to tell you that you’re dehydrated. Sun exposure speeds up this process, so to prevent cracking and flaking, bring a hydrating lip balm with SPF. You can’t go wrong with Aquaphor.

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ALŌH Sanitizing Hand Mist

Just because there’s no running water doesn’t mean you have an excuse not to wash your hands. Dirt, germs, and bacteria are all around you, and one wrong move can end your trip early with a case of E. coli. Always pack hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol, like this mess-free hand mist. Don’t buy the hype: That 99% stuff dries too fast to effectively kill germs.

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Crocs Coast Slide Shower Shoes

If you’re using a campground or even an outdoor makeshift shower, you’ll thank yourself for bringing shower shoes. They’re also great for wearing around the campfire or in the early morning before lacing up your hiking boots. Especially after wearing those all day, your feet will appreciate a breather. This pair from Crocs is lightweight, slips on easy, and dries fast so you’re not carrying around soggy kicks all day on your pack. Sure, they’re not the most stylish shoe, but last time I checked, camping is no fashion show.

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Coleman Trail First Aid Kit

You never know what kind of accidents you or your loved ones might get into on a camping trip, so carrying a first aid kit with all the essentials is incredibly important if you want to adventure safely. Your kit should be small but include basic medical essentials like tweezers, bandages, antiseptic, and any necessary medication. You hope you never have to use it, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have it.

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Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag

Last, you’ll need a compact carrying case to keep all these toiletries together. The better organized you can keep your camping backpack, the better your experience. We suggest this small Sea to Summit bag from REI, which you can hang in a car, on a tree, or on the head of an outdoor shower. With multiple mesh pockets and a super-secure opening, this case is bound to last you for many expeditions to come.

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