A camping adventure is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, as many explorers will attest. According to the 2023 North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality report by KOA, around 58 million American households camped at some point in 2022. While there are inevitably plenty of places to set your camping sights, there’s something extra appealing about the idea of setting up your tent on a scenic and sandy shoreline.
Waking up to the sound of the waves is sure to be a refreshing way to start the day. However, where there’s sand and water to be enjoyed, there’s often high humidity to contend with too. This combination can be problematic for those who are particularly prone to beach allergies. Symptoms can include skin irritation, discomfort, inflammation, and rashes caused by humidity, and amplified by water and grating sand.
The good news is these irritating effects aren’t something you have to simply deal with (or sleep with) while camping in high-humidity destinations. When you take time to add baby powder to your arsenal of camping essentials, you’ll find plenty of protective relief is in store. Baby powder contains talc, which is a mineral comprised of oxygen, silicon, and magnesium. In powdered form, it’s extremely effective at absorbing moisture, reducing friction, and keeping your skin dry and rash-free while you enjoy time camping.
Application techniques and brands to consider
As you’re packing for your camping trip to a high-humidity location, pairing baby powder with other must-haves like bug spray, a fitted sheet for the sand, and waterproof sunscreen can make a huge difference in your overall comfort level. Applying the baby powder liberally at night, right before bed, is highly recommended to further protect against added heat build-up in a sleeping bag as you doze. Feel free to use as much as you like to ensure all of your skin is covered, and you’ll rest cool and comfortably throughout the evening. There’s not even a need to worry about the excess baby powder degrading your tent or sleeping bag fabrics. In fact, an overnight coat of baby powder followed by a wash upon returning home can work to effectively remove stains from your camping gear.
While you’re free to choose nearly any baby powder on the market that you prefer, there are some factors you might want to consider if you have particularly sensitive skin. Medical News Today took time to rank the best baby powders of 2023, and the organic baby dusting powder by MOMiN Greenicare came in best in class for soothing results. The powder ranked most effective as a multipurpose product was Johnson’s Powder with Aloe and Vitamin E. If you’re worried about inhaling residual powder dust when you apply it at night in your tent, you might want to opt for a variety made with cornstarch.
