As some of you may know, I'm on the go a lot... I travel often for my other jobs and often am required to pack light. Over the years of shoving everything I need for a 10-day trip into just small bike bags, I've been able to hone in on and really figure out what's worth it from Spruce for my travels. Now obviously your opinion might differ from mine, but I really have done most of the hard work for you.
I ask myself questions like these:
Which of our products' packaging is prone to leaking? Which packaging is most lightweight? Which packaging is easiest to dispose of while traveling? Which products are multi-functional?
After a few years of tinkering around with it all, I'd like to share my discoveries with YOU. Let's get into it.
My absolute NUMBER ONE favorite travel item from Spruce is Essential Face Wipes from Ursa Major. It's a big bag of 20 wipes for $26. They're these little packable wipes that fit in your pocket. They're folded up and open into pretty large sheets. Whether I'm in a hot humid city or out on a camping trip - these little sheets are pure MAGIC for cleansing on-the-go. My favorite little trick with them is to wipe your face, neck and ears down at the end of the day and then use the wipe while it's still moist to wipe down your armpits and other sweaty parts of your body as a little makeshift "shower."
I don't care if you think you don't burn. It doesn't matter whether or not you burn. What matters is that you're applying a daily SPF and you're taking care of your skin every single day - it takes care of YOU. I am a huge proponent of wearing SPF in all temperatures, all climates, every single day. We have an absolute ton of different facial SPF's in the store but I've got a solution for you. Eminence makes a Daily Defense Tinted SPF 50+. It's our highest rated SPF in the store. It is a serum-texture, dewy-finish, facial sunscreen that is breathable but not drying. Most skin-tones can use this tint, it doesn't leave a thick residue and behaves more similarly to a BB cream. I'd like to note as well that the top screws on so you will not have to worry about it opening up in your bag and making a big mess.
Next up on the list is a more recent discovery: Monks AHA Natural Deodorant Spray. I've never really been into spray deodorant until I met this cutie pie. I was traveling in NYC for a week during a sweaty July heat spell. Walking out of my hotel felt like stepping into a wet sauna. The air was thick and I was dripping sweat from every pore in my body. The subways were worse - not even a breeze to break up the stagnant heat. Tiann had recommended I bring one of these Deodorant Sprays. They come in two scents: Yuzu Santo and Copal Green. They're both pH-balanced and use Lactic Acid to exfoliate dead skin to gently cleanse whatever build up you might've accumulated in the heat. Here's the best part: the deodorant does not melt. How many times have you gone to open your deodorant stick while traveling and it's gotten too hot and spoiled? Easy solution: get the spray version.
Another really wonderful duo we've got to offer is for those of you traveling to buggy places. Sure - here in the Pacific Northwest we've got mosquitos. They're pesky and horrible, but believe you me they can get far worse. If you've ever spent time in the tropics or even over on the East coast there are some bugs that put teacup chihuahuas to shame. Big bugs are pesky, but we do not condone the use of DEET. It's horrendous and it's horrible for you and sure it works but it smells disgusting anyway. We can do better. Our dear friends at Kinfield have put together the powerful combo we're so happy to carry: Golden Hour Mosquito Repellent (in the spray version or the wipe version) and the Bug Bite Remedy Relief Patches. They're super packable and they will save a vacation gone awry. The bug repellent smells of citronella and vanilla and won't give you cause for concern for its ingredients.
Typically we don't offer many travel size options - it's often best to invest in the larger portion of a product than buy tons of little bottles that go to waste. We DO condone Osea's Undaria Algae Body Butter in the travel size (1.7oz). Buy it once and refill it with your own large supply as you go. It's the best way to take care of your skin while you're on the go. It's so uncomfortable walking around with dry skin and life's much better when we're comfortable.
My last suggestion is an immune system supplement. We have a few options at Spruce and I have one favorite in particular: Biocol Lab's Something for Drinking (previously known as Something for a Mini Rehab). Now, whether or not you consume alcohol, traveling can really take it out of you. Your routines change, your diet changes, your body's working overtime to keep up with all this newness and so what can we do to fix that. This little package is a wonderful thing to have on-hand for promoting healthy liver function and to restore vitamins and minerals in your body.
There are a million reasons why these suggestions might not fit your travel itinerary. Maybe you're happy to check a bag or two. Maybe you want to pack far lighter. Maybe you disagree with everything I said - and that's ok. We're here to get you thinking about how you can make your life easier, your body holistically healthier, and in general be better to the world as we move through it. We're here for you if you have any specific questions and are always happy to help!
