Camping Essentials.
I feel like we are getting better and better at packing for our trips away, and with a toddler, and usually two dogs with us you have to be super organised, so nothing can be forgotten!
I’m an essential oil mama, so they are one of the priorities that go on the camp list. They replace a whole heap of things in our home, so they are perfect for camping too.
They make up my first aid kit.
They make up our bug repellent by having them in the diffuser or in spray form.
They make up our toiletry bag, too.
This means we dont have to take any medications, fly sprays, a million bottles of shampoo’s etc – It’s all in the oil bag!
So what are my camping essentials?
TerraArmour Spray:
This beautiful blend is pre-diluted into a coconut oil for easy use. It is able to be sprayed directly onto the skin then and there to keep your little buzzing visitors away.
It smells delightful and is simple so effective, although the bugs still come to see you, they wont land and definately wont have a nibble on you.
It’s non tox ingredients makes it safe to spray on my dogs and my toddler for a whole family protection!
(It’s awesome to repel ticks from your dogs too while you’re in the bush).
Lip Balm:
Every single time i go away camping, I get dry lips.
It’s not like i stop drinking my daily water intake, it must be the drier conditions we are in.
So i make sure i always have my doTERRA Spa Lip balm on hand, or my favourite home made peppermint and shea butter lip balm that my beautiful friend from Rose Peep Back To Natural creates with love.
(seriously amazing little lip balm!)
Hand + Body Moisturiser:
Okay, so there’s two brands that i like to moisturise my body with, and as you all know im super fussy with what i put on my skin so i research the hell out of any products i use.
These two brands are the safest, and the best that i’ve come across.
doTERRA Spa Hand + Body Moisturiser and Eco by Sonya’s Coconut Milk.
Both are seriously so good!
But for camping, i take doTERRA’s moisturiser away with me.
- It’s got a closeable lid, where the coconut milk is a pump.
- It’s unscented and can be used as a form of aromatic dressing by putting the oils in it.
I like to add some peppermint or lavender and franki to it when my skin is looking a little sunkissed. - It’s an incredibly skin loving formula!
Correct-X:
SO good for all the owies!
This little ointment is like the paw paw cream of the oil world, except it’s natural and a better option ingredients wise and it kicks butt at supporting wounds and burns.
It’s also an incredible magic-worker on dry, cracked lips!
Toothpaste:
Obviously, you wouldnt not take toothpaste!
I just always mention this one as it’s flouride free, AND contains On Guard essential oil which is known for its amazing protective abilities.
On Guard will keep your mouth free of bacteria and keep your immune system strong – which you want when you’re out in the middle of nowhere – there aint no time for germs and sickness!
Peppermint Beadlets:
I love having these on hand for when you’re not feeling too crash hot.
Hubs will pop them if he had a few too many “cans” the night before and wakes up a little “slowly”.
They’re also good for stomach discomfort or even just the general dry, gross feeling in your mouth — Think of them as a wicked breath mint!
These little beadlets are 1/4 of a drop but man they pack a punch!
Owie Spray:
Yes! I will not set off on a camping trip without having this made up and ready to go.
So many little accidents happen when your away, it’s murphy law.
You’ll cut your finger on a knife making salad, or you’ll trip over a tent rope and graze your knee, or you’ll get bitten by a bug or burn yourself on a marshmallow from the fire.
The Owie spray has got it covered.
It’s basically the liquid version of Correct X and is super beneficial!
Deep Blue Rub:
Setting up the camper can be tough sometimes, you’ll lift something the wrong way and someone in my family ends up with a back niggle.
If it’s not that, sleeping on the matresses in our camper can leave you waking up sore — especially when your co-sleeping with a toddler, you get in some weird positions so you dont wake them.
Thats where the Ice Blue Rub comes into play, it’s like your supermarket muscle rubs, but way cleaner ingredients and i feel like it works faster and for longer.
Peppermint Oil:
This one gets used quite a bit; in the doTERRA moisturiser after being in the sun all day, rubbed on the tummy for digestive support, for head tension, or even when someone is snuffly or suffering allergies, but mainly for the diffuser inside the camper – to repell bugs, spiders and mozzies.
It’s super easy and really good at supporting all the things!
TerraArmour Oil:
Like the Peppermint oil, we use this in the diffuser in the camper to keep the bugs away, plus i apply this to my dogs collars to help support them from bugs aswell.
I like that it doesn’t smell like your typical bug spray, it smells way prettier because it has Ylang Ylang in it – yum!
Supplements:
We take these everyday at home, and continue to do so while we are away too to ensure our bodies are running the best they can and providing our bodies with whole food nutrients, minerals and essential oils to keep the system smicko!
‘A little too much Sun’ Spray:
Like i mentioned before, we use the doTERRA moisturiser as a blank canvas and add some oils to it to keep the skin in tact and hydrated – but initially after a shower or sun exposure, we use the spray!
It’s more oil based which will help to get right in there and love on that hot, red skin with its cooling effect, and it’s abiliity to support the skin damage and to help with healthy cell renewal to the ones that have been effected from the sun.
Easy peesy!
Lavender Peace:
In every night time diffuser, goes the Lavender Peace.
It calms the dogs, helps the baby sleep and us too!
I’ll put a drop on the dogs beds, on my son’s sleeping bag and i apply this oil straight onto my temples to ensure a good night is had by all.
Suncream:
I have never, ever been a lover of suncream, infact i would just never wear it. I can remember right back to when i used to camp with my parents as a little girl, and mum used to fight with me every day about suncream – i hated it!
Now that i’ve gone low tox, i know why. Hey, maybe my body just knew it wasnt right?!
You see so many articles about kids getting third degree burns from suncream without even going out into the sun – that’s to do with all the bloody toxic chemicals they put in them!
But, i can finally relax. I have found a suncream that is approved by my fussy self, so much so i use it on my toddler, too.
Eco By Sonya have a beautiful natural suncream and i love it.
I will still avoid suncream where i can because it keeps the skin from absorbing the natural Vitamin D from the sun, but when we are out in the sun all day, this is the sole brand i will use.
I also have my essential oil first aid box that I pack, which you can read about here:
Having essential oils in your camping environment is just so effective as the individual oils have so many uses, not just one. For example; you can use peppermint for 20+ things while you’re away, the same with Lavender and Lemon etc — I love that!
Plus they are effective, natural, they are so easy to use and they just work, guys!
HANDY TIP:
Try to avoid wearing Florally oils on you. Last time i took my Magnolia Roller as i’d been using it as my pure-fume, but i think i’ll give it a miss this trip after becoming a walking flower and chased by every single bee in the bushland!
Also, a lot of time is spent in the sunshine when camping, so I would discourage the use of Citrus oils on your skin. However, if you’re still wanting to wear them, apply them underneath your clothing and away from sun exposure.
Citrus oils can cause photosensitivity and will increase the risk of sunburn when they’re on the skin and exposed to the sun. Avoid the sun on oily applied areas for 24 hours.
Another REALLY important tip:
Get out your Forgive oil, get your partner a beer, apply forgive oil to you both and repeat these words: “I’m sorry for what I said when we were putting up the camper”.
If you want to test out your relationship to see if you can withstand marriage – go camping! If you still like each other afterwards, put a ring on it! haha!
Thanks so much for reading,
Make sure you comment and leave me some love.
Even better, i’d LOVE to hear some of your camping stories!
Love Hayley xo