A good camping skincare kit doesn't need to be big. Pack sunscreen, an insect deterrent, something for irritating bites, a solid soap and deodorant. Choose compact, leak-resistant products where possible, and you can cover most everyday outdoor skin needs without filling your bag.
Every camping checklist covers the tent, torch and first aid kit. But your skin deals with sun, sweat, insects, dirt, and dry air the whole time you're outside.
Here's what actually earns a spot in the bag.
Camping skincare essentials at a glance
| Pack this | What it's for | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sunscreen | Sun protection | Before and during sun exposure |
| 2. Bush Balm | Helps naturally deter pesky insects | Before heading outside and reapply as needed |
| 3. Bite Balm | Helps calm and comfort irritated skin after bites | If you forgot to apply or reapply and got bitten |
| 4. Solid soap | Cleansing away dirt and sweat | Back at camp |
| 5. Solid deodorant | Everyday odour protection | As needed |
1. Sunscreen
Start with the non-negotiable.
Pack an appropriate broad-spectrum sunscreen and use it according to the label. Being outdoors for hours means sun protection deserves a permanent place in the camping kit.
2. Bush Balm for before the bugs find you
Bush Balm is a plant-based insect deterrent balm for everyday outdoor use.
Citronella, neem and lemon eucalyptus oils form the key aromatic blend. Swipe it onto exposed skin before hiking, fishing, sitting around camp or heading outside at dusk.
Reapply as needed, particularly in humid conditions or after swimming.
Bush Balm isn't a registered insect repellent, so if you're somewhere with a significant risk of insect-borne disease, use an appropriate registered repellent and follow current health advice.
3. Bite Balm for when you get caught out
Maybe you forgot your Bush Balm. Maybe you forgot to reapply. Or maybe the bugs appeared when you weren't expecting them.
That's when Bite Balm comes in.
Lavender, lemon eucalyptus and lemongrass are blended with cocoa butter and shea butter to help calm and comfort irritated skin after everyday bites.
Bite Balm isn't there because Bush Balm didn't work. It's for those times when life gets in the way, and you've already been bitten.
4. A solid soap for the end of the day
After a day of sunscreen, sweat, dust and dirt, a solid soap makes an easy addition to a camping wash kit.
Lucky 7 Natural Soap, Daily Detox Lemon Myrtle is solid, compact and doesn't come with a bottle that can leak through your bag.
Use it for your end-of-day wash, then let the bar dry before packing it away again.
5. A solid deodorant
A multi-day camping trip is also a very good argument for deodorant.
A Viva La Body Magnesium Enriched Natural Deodorant gives you everyday odour protection in a compact solid format without adding another plastic bottle to the bag.
Why solid products work well for camping
Space matters when you're carrying everything yourself.
Solid bars and push-up tubes are compact, easy to pack and remove the problem of liquid products leaking through your bag.
Bush Balm and Bite Balm also come in plastic-free, home-compostable push-up tubes, while Viva La Body soap comes in plastic-free packaging.
Small products. Small footprint. Useful jobs.
When should I use everything?
- Before heading outside: Apply sunscreen according to its directions and Bush Balm to exposed skin.
- During the day: Reapply sunscreen according to its label and Bush Balm as needed. Keep Bite Balm handy in case you forgot to apply or reapply and end up with an irritating bite.
- Back at camp: Wash away the day's dirt and sweat with your solid soap and use deodorant as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skincare should I pack for a camping trip?
Pack sunscreen, an insect deterrent, something to comfort irritated bites, soap and deodorant. Solid, compact products are especially useful when bag space is limited.
How often should I reapply natural insect balm while hiking?
Our natural Bush Balm needs to be reapplied roughly every one to two hours, and more frequently in humid conditions or after being in water, since that's when topical products wear off fastest.
Why choose solid or push-up tube products for camping?
Solid products are compact, easy to pack and less likely to leak through your bag. They can also reduce the need for plastic bottles and bulky packaging.
Is a natural repellent balm good for fishing trips?
It suits the still, dawn-and-dusk conditions typical of fishing, when insects are most active, provided you're realistic about reapplying it more often than a chemical spray.
What happens to the packaging once I'm done with it while camping?
Bush Balm and Bite Balm tubes, along with Viva's soap packaging, are home compostable, so there's nothing to pack out except the empty tube or box itself.
Keep the camping skincare kit simple
You don't need a bathroom cabinet in your backpack.
Sunscreen for the sun. Bush Balm before the bugs. Bite Balm if you get caught out. Soap for the dirt. Deodorant for everyone sharing the tent.
Five useful jobs without filling the bag.