Why Natural Travel Products Are Better for You and the Planet
Updated: Aug 29
Travel can be one of the best ways to bring us closer to nature, particularly if your ideal trips involve walking through rainforests, swimming in the ocean or exploring remote landscapes. However, the uncomfortable irony in travelling to experience beautiful, natural places, is that our visits have the potential for negative impact.
One of the many ways we can improve the sustainability of our travel and our positive impact on the environment, is to avoid carrying luggage filled with heavily packaged, disposable products.
From shampoo and sunscreen, to skincare, soap and insect repellent, the products we take travelling have an impact on both our bodies and the environment. Choosing natural travel products and more sustainable alternatives, is a simple way to make more conscious choices without compromising on comfort or convenience.
It is impossible to have no impact on the world around us, whether at home or as we travel, but we can take action to make our impact as positive as possible.
What Makes a Travel Product More Sustainable?
The word 'natural' appears on an enormous range of products these days, but natural doesn't automatically mean sustainable, or that the product, or all the ingredients, are genuinely made from 100% natural sources. A truly considered choice looks beyond the label and the marketing.
Some of the factors influencing a product's sustainability and environmental impact include ingredients that are naturally derived or biodegradable, responsible sourcing, minimal packaging, refillable and recyclable containers and ethical production. Where products are genuinely using natural ingredients they should have less impact on waterways and wildlife.
It is also key to avoid unnecessary waste, so consider making gradual changes as your existing products run out. As each item needs to be replaced ensure your new selections take sustainability into account. This approach is the most affordable and realistic way to keep improving the sustainability of your travel impact.
Natural Products Can Be Better For Your Body
Travel can be surprisingly demanding on our skin. Long flights, different climates, increased sun exposure, wind, salt water and changes to our usual routines, can leave our skin feeling dry or irritated. For some people, heavily fragranced or highly formulated personal-care products can create additional problems.
Natural skincare products often use ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, botanical extracts and natural clays, which can provide gentle moisturising and soothing properties.
Of course, natural doesn't automatically mean better for everyone. Plant-based ingredients can still cause allergies or irritation, and some natural ingredients have significant environmental footprints of their own.
When making choices it's important to look at the whole product, its ingredients, sourcing, packaging and production, and try different brands and products to work out what works best for you.
Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials Can Reduce Waste
One of the easiest places to make a difference is your travel toiletry bag.
Travel-sized products are convenient, but miniature bottles and single-use packaging create unnecessary waste. A two-week holiday can result in a surprising collection of tiny plastic containers that may be used for only a few days.
However, you can also avoid buying products specifically for travel if you already have suitable larger versions at home. Decanting your regular products into refillable and reusable containers can be more sustainable than purchasing new products for travel.
These small changes can make a significant difference over repeated trips and travelling this way gets easier over time. Once you have a reusable travel kit you can simply refill, repack and go, when preparing for your next adventure.
Think Carefully About Sunscreen and Waterways
Sunscreen is an essential part of travelling safely, particularly when spending time outdoors. However, when you're swimming, snorkelling or enjoying coastal environments, it's worth considering what you're washing into the water.
Some sunscreen ingredients have been associated with concerns about marine ecosystems, although the environmental impact of sunscreen is complex and varies considerably between ingredients and formulations.
Rather than assuming that a product labelled 'reef safe' is automatically environmentally harmless, look for transparent ingredient information and credible environmental claims.
You can also reduce the amount of sunscreen entering waterways by using physical protection where practical, such as long-sleeved clothing, rash vests, hats and shade, while still following appropriate sun protection advice.
When visiting particularly sensitive environments, check whether local authorities or conservation organisations provide specific guidance about sunscreen and other personal-care products.
Choose Eco-Friendly Toiletries When Camping and Hiking
The environmental impact of personal-care products can become even more important when you're camping, hiking or travelling somewhere remote.
Wastewater infrastructure may be limited, and natural environments can be particularly vulnerable to contamination.
Natural and biodegradable products can be a better option than those containing synthetic ingredients, but it still doesn't mean you should use products directly in a river, lake or stream. Even products designed to break down should be used responsibly and well away from waterways, following local camping and environmental guidelines.
Consider Natural Insect Repellent
Insect repellent is another common travel essential, particularly when visiting tropical or wilderness environments.
Choosing natural insect repellents such as those containing citronella, eucalyptus or other plant-derived oils can be an excellent option. However, it is also important not to assume that all repellents are equally effective.
In areas where mosquitoes or other insects can carry serious diseases, effectiveness should come before the desire to use a natural product. Look for products that have been appropriately tested and follow local health advice.
Support Brands That Take Sustainability Seriously
The products we purchase are also a way of supporting the businesses behind them. Many responsible brands are working to reduce plastic packaging, introduce refill systems, use recycled or recyclable materials, use natural ingredients, source ingredients more responsibly, reduce waste throughout their supply chains, and produce products that are cruelty-free.
When choosing eco-friendly travel essentials, look beyond attractive packaging and words such as green, clean or natural to find out:
What ingredients are used and where do they come from?
Where and how is the product made?
How is the product packaged? Can the packaging be reused or recycled?
Are environmental and ethical claims specific and transparent?
Does the company provide meaningful, externally verified information about its sustainability practices?
Build a More Sustainable Travel Kit
You don't need to completely reinvent your suitcase to embrace sustainable travel.
Start with the things you use most frequently and replace them gradually with reusable, refillable or more environmentally responsible alternatives.
An eco-friendly travel kit might include:
Refillable containers for natural skincare, haircare and makeup
A reusable razor
A washable face cloth instead of disposable wipes
A durable toothbrush
A reusable water bottle
Natural and/or Reef-safe sunscreen
Natural insect repellent (where appropriate).
Sustainable Travel Starts With Small Choices
The idea of sustainable travel can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are flights to consider, accommodation, transport, food, energy use and the impact tourism can have on local communities, wildlife and ecosystems.
Your toiletries might seem insignificant by comparison but sustainability isn't about one perfect decision. It's about the accumulation of many small, considered choices by millions of tourists.
Choosing natural travel products where appropriate, reducing single-use packaging, carrying reusable essentials and being mindful of what goes into waterways are all relatively simple ways to reduce our environmental footprint.
Seeking to minimise the negative impacts of travel is also the most aligned approach when we're travelling to experience the beauty of nature. The landscapes we photograph, the beaches we swim in, the forests we walk through and the wildlife we encounter, deserve our care.
