Biodegradable Toiletries for Camp

At Canadian Adventure Camp we ask that campers and staff bring only biodegradable toiletries with them.  We are lucky enough to be situated on beautiful, clean, unpolluted Lake Temagami and I believe that we have a responsibility to keep it that way.  I hope that this article will provide some interesting information about environmentally friendly personal care products, and also make finding these products easier for your pre-camp shopping trip!

Personal care products that are natural, organic and biodegradable are becoming much more commonly used and thus easier to find as people are becoming more knowledgeable about the damage that chemical laden toiletries can have on the environment, and on our bodies.  Well-formulated natural products can actually be more effective than the alternatives that are full of potentially harmful chemicals.  Plant extracts have amazing qualities that help us look and smell great!  Using natural ingredients instead of cheaper synthetic ingredients eliminates the release of hazardous bi-products by laboratories and factories around the globe.  By buying environmentally friendly products, you are not only looking after Lake Temagami, but also the global environment.

I’ve done some of the research for you and listed the environmentally safe products I came across.  They are available in most stores that stock fairly large selections of personal care products, or you could try organic/environmentally friendly shops such as “Planet Organic Market”.  Mountain Equipment Cooperative (MEC) has a small selection of biodegradable products (which can be ordered online).  You also can order a wide range of products online from www.kissmyface.com .

I came across the following Shower Gels and Body Washes:

§  Kiss My Face Shower Gel and Sudz Foaming Soap

§  Live Clean Body Wash

§  Down Under Naturals Body Washes

§  Alba Botanica French Lavender Shower Gel

§  Sierra Dawn CampSuds

§  Druide Citronella Soap (will also help keep the bugs away!)

Environmentally friendly Shampoos and Conditioners are available for many different hair types (including 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner for the efficient washers!!) and can actually leave your hair in better condition than the chemical-ridden alternatives.  Making environmentally friendly decisions need not be a beauty sacrifice!!  Here are some examples of companies that make 100% biodegradable shampoos and conditioners:

§  Live Clean

§  Kiss My Face

§  Aussie

§  Down Under Naturals

Shaving Foam is a bit more difficult to track down, but definitely worth the extra effort – residual shaving foam in the lake is not pleasant for anyone!  Here is what I found:

§  Kiss My Face Moisture Shave (for men and women in many different scents).

§  I’ve heard that conditioner (biodegradable of course!) can also be a good alternative to shaving foam.

For those of you who want to steer clear of DEET, but still wish to deter bugs, I also came across a natural Bug Repellent:

§  Natrapel – citronella repellent

Hopefully this article is helpful and will make your camp-shopping a breeze!!  If you have any suggestions of products that I may have missed out, or good places to find them, please send a comment…