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Scroll down to discover the best eco-friendly toiletries with this list of must-haves including eco-friendly toiletry bags, hair products and more!
If you’re planning a long-term backpacking adventure or even a quick overnight trip, you’re going to need some toiletries! But how do you be eco-friendly at the same time?
I’ve been traveling for over 9 years now, working online as a digital nomad doing freelance SEO and travel blogging. Along the way, I’ve picked up the best backpacking packing list tips.
If you plan on backpacking for any length of time be it a year or a week, you will want to carefully choose your toiletries and their impact on the planet.
But, what I often don’t see are toiletries packing list for females. And what I hardly ever see are ECO-FRIENDLY, sustainable toiletry packing lists!
Be kind to the planet while treating yourself with this list of travel toiletry essentials for women packing list!
Note – If you’re short on time, scroll to the bottom for a quick round-up of the must-have toiletries
2020 Toiletries Packing List For Solo Travelers
There’s nothing worse than arriving in a busy hostel dorm bathroom and having to put your toiletries bag on a grubby floor. Get yourself a hanging wash bag to keep your hair and beauty products as fresh and clean as you are after a lukewarm hostel shower.
Eco-Friendly Hanging Toiletry Bag
Probably the least glamorous thing about solo female travel is getting your period. Finding tampons can be a nightmare in some countries. And when you do find them, they are way too expensive.
That’s why number 2 on the female toiletries list are menstrual cups. The Pixi Cup brand is my favourite because for every menstrual cup bought they give one away to a woman in need!
You can leave the cup in for up to 12 hours before giving it a quick wash in your shower and then reusing. They last for years with proper use. And at only $16, you can save the environment and money.
If you’re not using shampoo bars yet instead of plastic bottles, then really what kind of hip, green female backpacker are you? Gone are the days of hemp and wheat smelling bars, these days there are gorgeousss smelling bars out there.
Shampoo bars are great for keeping the weight of your backpack down as well. Ideal!
I can’t get enough of the Ethique Shampoo Bar or the lush smelling Body & Earth bars.
4. Solid Cocoa Butter Bar For Moisturizing
Now I’m reaching my late twenties, gulp (with still no clue what to do with my life!), I like to look after my skin. On a recent trip to Ecuador, I discovered solid cocoa butter bars and I am OBSESSED!
Made from 100% cocoa butter, this stuff is edible and smells divine. You glide the bar over your body for butter-soft skin.
This might seem obvious but because the bar is 100% cocoa butter, it will melt slightly in hotter climates. So it’s worth getting yourself a cute metal tin to keep the bar in. A true essential for any backpacking trip.
A couple months ago, I bough a bamboo toothbrush and I am obsessed.
Eco and vegan friendly, they are also bio-degradable (and super cute!). Add these to your toiletry packing list NOW!
Eco-Friendly Bamboo Toothbrush
Finding an eco friendly alternative to toothpaste to add to your packing list can be difficult. Luckily, the guys at Humble Co. are here to save all the green female backpackers out there! With their eco friendly, sustainable products you can’t go wrong. Check out their toothpaste for maintaining your pearly whites.
For those times you desperately need to freshen up after a long-haul flight or a hellish overnight bus, then you need to buy these chewable toothpaste tablets. They are refillable so make a great sustainable option too.
If you’re tired of throwing away cheap, single-use plastic razors then you are not alone. That’s why every female traveler who wants to keep their pins silky smooth should have a look at the sleek Bambaw razors.
8. All Natural, Reef Friendly Sunscreen
Trying to find an eco friendly sunscreen to add to this toiletries list was harder than you would think! There are lots of chemicals in sunscreen, that although keep our skin safe, don’t do much for the environment :/
Look for sun screens that use zinc oxide as a natural alternative to sunscreen like the excellent Reef Repare SPF 30.
I’ve mentioned them before and I’ll mention them again. The wonderful Ethique coming to the rescue for sweaty pits everywhere. My favourite (well, the only one I’ve tried) lime-scented deodorant bar makes the list
This wouldn’t be a female toiletries list if I didn’t include a cosmetic bag. (Shout out to the men wearing make up, we’re inclusive too!)
The people over at Serado are killinnnggg it with their stylish toiletry bags made from recycled cement!
However, if plastic is your main green, eco worry. Then you might want to buy a TSA approved see-through plastic cosmetic bag. This way you can avoid using those plastic baggies everytime you go through airport security, I found a great TSA approved one for only $11 on Amazon.
Sustainable Toiletries List
So there we go, my essential toiletries packing list of the essential travel items for any self-respecting eco backpacker out there. Aimed at women yes, but I hope some men picked up a couple of useful items too.
I’ve popped the list below for each item for easy reference.
Ultimate Eco-Friendly Toiletries List For Women
4. Solid Cocoa Butter Bar For Moisturizing
8. All Natural, Reef Friendly Sunscreen
Great list!! Love the natural/eco-friendly products!
Great list of natural and sustainable toiletries. I have been wanting to a bamboo toothbrush.
Oh man, I wish I saw this list before I went away this week! Definitely need to remember these when I go away next time!