Festival season is upon us, with legions of Lollapalooza, Glastonbury and Roskilde fans getting ready to hit the road. Or maybe you’re an avid backpacker looking to tackle the Rockies for a week. Either way, skin care, health care and, dare we say it, smell care don’t have to be compromised.
Where there’s no running water, wipes can rescue you from dirt, odor, infection and much more. In contrast to bottles and tubes that are way too heavy to haul around and also have the unsavory potential to melt, wipes packages are air tight, lightweight and travel well.
Important note: Though not all of the wipes below are scent-free, you’ll want to keep your regimen as free of fragrance as possible because mosquitoes, bees and other insects are actually attracted to sweet scents. This is why, even if you’re a huge fragrance fan, I suggest going without for the duration.
Cleansing and removing makeup – Makeup remover wipes dissolve dirt, oil and debris along with any residual makeup, even if it’s something stubborn like waterproof mascara. And some of them even leave behind a bit of hydrating moisture as well.
OUR FAVORITES
- LA Fresh Eco-Beauty Oil-Free Face Cleanser, Fragrance-Free
- Kaia Naturals Bamboo Facial Cleansing Clothes, soaked with vitamins, great for sensitive skin
- Japonesque Pro Makeup Remover Wipes, infused with vitamin E, removes waterproof makeup
Instant moisture – Whether it’s scalding desert weather or the skies opening up in a torrent (I’m talking to you, Northern Europe!), your face and body still need their daily (and nightly) hydration.
OUR FAVORITES
- e.l.f. Lotion Wipes, hydrates and revitalizes the skin with aloe and cocoa butter
- LA Fresh Hydrating Lotion Travel Wipes, durable, biodegradable, for face and body
- Lotion Lab- Norwegian Dry Skin- Intensive Lotion Wipes, for extremely dry skin due to extreme temperatures
Shoo flies and other pests – Insect bites are no fun and are particularly uncomfortable on bony places like ankles and knees. And since a lot of these critters like to fly around at night, make an efficient wipedown one of the last things you do before going to sleep.
OUR FAVORITES
- Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellant Wipes
- Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent Wipes, non-greasy formula, lasts up to 6 hours
- Bite Blocker All Natural Insect Repellent Herbal Wipes, contains plant oils and plant extracts
Antibacterial and first aid – Use these on your hands before and after eating and before and after using the facilities (even if the facilities are al fresco.) Also, for minor cuts, scrapes, bites and burns, use these to sterilize the area before applying a bandage.
OUR FAVORITES
- Cleanwell All Natural Hand Sanitizing Pocket Pack Wipes
- Wet Ones Sensitive Skin Hand and Face Wipes Travel Pack, alcohol free and fragrance free formula
- First Aid Only Antiseptic Cleansing Wipes
Underarmers – For some odd reason, most of the deodorant wipes on the market are for men. But perspiration knows no gender and there’s absolutely no reason the ladies can’t use deodorants marketed to the fellas.
OUR FAVORITES
- SweatBlock Antiperspirant Towelettes
- LA Fresh Travel Lite Antiperspirant Wipes (available for men and women)
- Once A Week Deodorant Wipes, bans odor for 5 to 7 days with one application
Ready, set, go – If you don’t want to go the DIY route, wipes mavens LA Fresh have put together a terrific combination of wipes that keeps you clean and fresh. (FYI, LA Fresh also has wipe mitts for the teeth!)
OUR FAVORITE
- LA Fresh EcoBeauty Beauty Wipes for Tote & Travel
Trust me when I tell you that when you’re out there having fun this handy wipes wardrobe will soon become your new best friend. Grime and sweat happen but they don’t have to stink up your skin.
Next week: FESTIVE PROTECTION. Strategies for fun in the sun.
(Editor’s note: Dr. Shamban has no commercial interest in any of the products mentioned above.)