Hello! Want to see me pull some really weird faces and sniff Sudocrem? Watch my new video – my essential travel and outdoor health and beauty bits and bobs for international travel. Take a speedy look inside my rucksack at my must-packs for international travel and hiking trips.
My Travel and Outdoor Health and Beauty Essentials
Keep happy and healthy with my health and beauty essentials for travelling and outdoor adventure. Don’t forget to check my packing guides to different destinations.
Earplugs
They may not sound like an obvious essential, but good earplugs are a must for travelling. It’s astonishing how quickly a few nights of bad sleep can sap your energy, especially when you’re hopping between plane rides, busy hostels and time zones. Experiment with ear plugs at home to see what works – foam ones are cheap but effective.
Antibacterial hand gel
A travel must. Your body simply won’t be used to the different bacteria it encounters abroad, and keeping your hands clean will save you from unwanted illnesses when you’d rather be sightseeing. Plus, a bottle of hand sanitiser only costs a few pounds per bottle and is small and easy to carry with you.
Mosquito spray
Mosquito bites aren’t just itchy and annoying – they’re also dangerous in tropical countries, as they can spread diseases such as malaria. Look for a lotion or spray that contains DEET or picaridin as an active ingredient, and consider a mosquito net if you’re headed for the jungle.
Sudocrem, £2.99, Boots
No, it’s not just for nappy rash! Sudocrem is an absolute wonder healing cream – it works on sunburn, insect bites, spots, minor burns and any other minor ailment you might get abroad. I take a pot everywhere.
Skin salvation ointment, £7.99 from Balmonds
If you pack one product in your carry-on make it this wonderfully small but mighty eco-friendly balm. The wax-like ointment contains no perfumes, parabens, palm oil or other nasties – but it does have lots and lots of lovely natural oils to soothe chapped and sore skin. Perfect for slathering on to dry bits on long-haul flights.
If you’re off to a country you’ve never visited before, you may fall victim to an upset stomach – especially if you drink the local water. Diso gut health supplements can help keep your tummy happy – these handy little strips contain probiotics (live bacteria) to encourage proper gut function.
Suncream and aftersun
Ah the magic duo. I’ve definitely been guilty of not always applying or reapplying sunscreen in the past, but these days I’m far more careful, and tend to wear factor 50 on my face when abroad and factor 30 daily in the UK. My favourite sunscreen at the moment is Bioderma SPF 50 sun mist, £12.25 from Cocoon Center, which feels light as a feather on your face but still protects all day long. I’m also obsessed with Green People organic aftersun, £16.50, which is mint-scented, non-sticky and amazingly soothing and cooling on the skin. Green People also do great organic facial sunscreen. Finally, I never go anywhere without a little tube of Piz Buin In Sun SPF 30 lip balm, £4 from Superdrug – it’s great for topping up protection when you’re skiing and doing other fast-paced sports. I also use it as a stick on my face on easily burned areas such as my nose and upper lip.
