Natural Beauty Products for Travel
Monday, March 21, 2011 at 12:00PM 
Did I tell you I was going on holiday? Kidding! My last two blogs were about preparing for my Caribbean holiday. This one is about all of the lovely natural products I used during my holiday. I take the opportunity every holiday to stock up on sample sizes less than 100ml so that they fit in my little plastic baggy. I fill my baggy to its limit in case something happens to my checked luggage then I've still got enough products to get me through until my luggage arrives. For the first time ever I had to test that practice when my suitcase didn't make it on the London - Antigua leg and I had to wait until the same flight the next day to go and pick it up at the airport. 48 hours in the same clothes = not fun.
In no particular order here are my favourite products:
Gagnon Therapies Emu Oil – 50ml
This is a lovely thick oil which I used as a moisturiser before I go to sleep. It spreads like butter on your skin. I also combined it with lavender essential oil and slathered it on the worst sunburn I've had in my adult life. Within 3 days I was good to go again.
Neal's Yard Lavender Essential Oil – 10ml
Lavender oil is not the best essential oil for everything, but it does work well on the most conditions. In my case I applied it neat to spots, bug bites (I got more than 30!), and occasionally the aforementioned sunburn. I also mixed it with the emu oil and Shea Butter body cream to cover large scale areas (bug bites and sunburn). To think that I almost didn't bring it but thank god I did! A real aromatherapist never leaves home without it.
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer – 30ml
I originally packed this just to use as a tonic for my face. I was sent the full size version but I keep refilling this travel size and I take it everywhere. It's great as a refreshing spray at the end of a hot day. It's great to use after cleansing and before moisturising. And as I discovered its organic aloe vera, calendula, and cucumber are guess what? Fantastic on my sunburn!
Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator – 15 ml
Your goal on a sunny beach holiday may be to change the pigment in your skin to a nice golden bronze shade, but that doesn't mean you skip exfoliating. In fact you need it more. This product is basically the Liz Earle Signature Hot Polish but with fine jojoba beads doing the hard work. I love it.
Green People Oy! Organic Young No Gunk Cleanser, Make-up Remover, & Moisturiser – 50 ml
This is a full sized product, but because it fits in my plastic baggy I'm including it. This is a fantastic multi-functional cream geared towards teens but at 30 I'm not too proud to admit that I still get spots. The key ingredients are willow bark, green tea, and mandarin which make it smell divine. Although you can use it as a cleanser and then pat it on your skin as a moisturiser, I find that my skin is so nice and soft after using it that I don't bother with moisturiser.
Ren Grapeseed Jojoba & Shea Butter Body Cream - 50ml
Here's the list of what Ren products don't contain: Petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours, TEA, DEA, Glycols, silicones, PEGs, et al. Nice. And so is this lovely body butter. I applied this to my body after every shower and it felt amazing. I love the smell (which was occasionally enhanced with lavender essential oil on you know, my sunburn.).
Ren Neroli & Grapefruit Zest Body Wash
I've long detested the way neroli smells but this body wash changed that for me. The pairing of neroli and grapefruit zest is a match made in heaven. It's light and refreshing and a delight to use in the shower. Afterwards I felt invigorated!
Anyway, it's my last day here in Antigua before I head back to London. So here's a parting image of the Blue Waters Resort where I'm soaking in the sun (wearing Liz Earle Mineral Sun Cream). More on that later.
Blue Waters Resort, Antigua
Reader Comments (5)
Whenever I see these kinds of beach or water resort photos I always remember the natural therapy and body massage. I don't know why. Good article.
Hi Katherine,
I was wondering if you have used Botanicals products? If so, how do you find them?
Interesting blog...very informative!
Regards,
Colin.
Thanks Colin! I haven't tried Botanicals Natural Skincare myself but after a cursory glance at their website I am very intrigued. If you try them before I do let me know what you think!
Katherine
Hi Katherine,
Botanicals products are very popular and have won quite a few industry awards - and I have them at great prices on my website www.MyNaturalBeautySecrets.co.uk
Hi Katherine,
Thank you for this post.. I loved it.. But i don't know how can i buy these products because i live in Turkey.
Thanks again..