Why Unscented Deodorant Is Better for Camping

There are many reasons to bring your family camping. You can disconnect from technology, reconnect with your children, get great exercise, and pass on your love of nature. You can also enjoy a memorable vacation for much less expense than a typical getaway!

But packing for a camping trip is a bit different from packing for a hotel stay. One consideration? Choosing an unscented deodorant over your regular, perfumed personal care products. Here's why you should leave the scents at home and how to choose an unscented product to keep you comfortable while you enjoy the outdoors.

Avoiding Pests and Predators

Part of staying in the great outdoors is dealing with your regional pests, like insects. Nobody wants to wear products that will attract mosquitoes. And yet, most people do! According to the Cleveland Clinic, mosquitoes know when a human is in striking distance by smell. While mosquitoes are attracted to natural human body odor, they are also attracted to strong floral scents, which are popular in personal care products like lotion and deodorant.

And insects aren't the only potential problem. According to the American Bear Association, a bear's sense of smell is seven times stronger than a dog's. In fact, bears can detect smells over a mile away. That's why you should store your food away from your camp when staying in bear territory. You should also take proper precautions with your personal care products. When packing, use airtight containers or double-layer plastic bags to contain any fragrances. Better yet, bring unscented or fragrance-free products instead.

Unscented vs. Fragrance-Free Deodorant

Unscented personal care products are those with no added fragrance, either natural or artificial. For example, Tom's of Maine Unscented Long Lasting Deodorant uses odor-fighting hops to provide 24-hour odor protection.

On the other hand, fragrance-free products are those that have zero detectable fragrance, despite the inherent scents of any of the product's ingredients. Tom's of Maine Fragrance Free Mineral Confidence Crystal Roll-On Deodorant is clinically proven to provide 24-hour odor protection, without artificial fragrances or preservatives and no aluminum chlorohydrate.

It can be an adjustment to use a product without a strong fragrance, but try out different options before your trip and see what options work for your body. Of course, there is also the option of skipping deodorant entirely. But if your campsite lacks shower facilities, too much natural smell might drive your family apart instead of bringing you together!

Teaching the Family about Natural Ingredients

One of the great benefits of a family camping trip is the many teaching opportunities it presents. Use the topic of unscented personal care products to talk with your kids about choosing natural ingredients. By teaching your family that you don't need artificial fragrances to fight body odor, you may pique their interest in using more natural and environmentally friendly products at home. Having this conversation while surrounded by nature's beauty can only increase its impact.

And remember, camping isn't limited to warm weather. You can bring your family winter camping, too. At least then you don't have to worry about mosquitoes!

What products do you have on your camping packing list? Let us know on Twitter!

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