Imagine you've had an exciting but very full day outside — maybe it was a ten-mile backpacking trip, a group camping adventure, or even a long day in your garden or at an off-grid cabin. You've put your skin and body to the test, and now you are ready to wind down for the evening. Before you jump into bed or that sleeping bag, let me suggest a little evening skincare routine for camping, to help your nervous system unwind and help your skin and body feel its best when you wake up in the morning.
If you haven't read Part One and Part Two of this camping skincare series, I highly recommend checking those out as well.
Evening Campfire Ritual
If you're able to have a campfire (sometimes weather conditions make it impossible), taking a seat by the fire — as long as it's not too smoky — is a wonderful way to begin this simple skincare ritual.
Step 1 — Settle in and breathe
Take a comfortable seat next to the fire. (Infrared light is wonderful for lowering cortisol levels and supporting cell turnover.) Close your eyes, breathe slowly, and do a gentle body scan. Ask yourself: What feels off? What feels really good? How is my mental, emotional, and spiritual state right now?
Why this matters: Slow, conscious breathing lowers cortisol. Checking in with your body helps you adjust how you care for it in the steps ahead. Your mental and emotional state matters too — high cortisol suppresses liver function, and your liver does its heaviest detox work at night, filtering your blood and moving toxins out of the body. Stress disrupts sleep, and disrupted sleep means your liver can't do its job optimally.
Stay here as long as you like. There's no rush.
Step 2 — Physical check
Before you clean up, do a quick scan of your body:
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Look for sunburn, windburn, or signs of dehydration
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Check for bug bites or irritated skin
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Check for ticks in warm, dark, moist areas — armpits, groin, under the breasts
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Look at your feet — blisters, injured toenails, or nails that need trimming
Taking stock now means you can address anything that needs attention in the next step, before it becomes a bigger problem.
Step 3 — Get clean
Using a gentle soap or just clean water, wash your hands, face, underarms, and private parts. Go slowly — enjoy the feel of the water and night air on your skin.
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Now is a good time to tend to any scrapes, cuts, or rashes
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For your face: after cleansing, apply a little cooling aloe gel, then your moisturizer. Don't forget your lips — I love a salve infused with plantain and calendula, made with beeswax, which creates an emollient and protective barrier
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Clean your feet, address any nail issues, and apply moisturizer. You'll be amazed how happy your feet feel in the morning
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For those with long hair: brush it out and braid it to avoid tangles overnight. Hair takes a real beating outdoors and often gets forgotten
Morning ritual
This one is mostly for your face. If you're up with the sun, take 10–15 minutes to sit facing the early morning light — it's richest in infrared, which is deeply restorative for skin. Then wash your face if needed, apply a little aloe, follow with your moisturizer, and finish with a tinted mineral sunscreen. (I love anything from Badger for this.)
I hope this little camping skincare ritual brings you a better night's sleep and happier skin the next day. You've earned it.
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