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When you live in a van (or travel often), your bathroom kit needs to be minimal, multi-purpose, and preferably sustainable. Whether you’re into holistic skin care or just starting to swap things out for non-toxic beauty, this list has you covered.
These eco-friendly bathroom essentials are lightweight, low-waste, and easy to store in tight spaces. No more leaky plastic bottles or cluttered drawers – just sustainable travel products that work.
1. Bamboo Toothbrush with Travel Case
Swap the plastic toothbrush for a compostable bamboo one. Pair it with a bamboo or stainless steel case to keep it clean on the road. It’s one of the easiest zero waste travel swaps to make.
2. Gutology Natural Toothpaste
If you don’t want to make your own toothpaste all the time, this is a great in-between. Gutology offers a non-toxic, fluoride-free formula made with real minerals, without the usual foaming agents or nasties. While the tube isn’t zero waste, it’s a more conscious option than most store-bought pastes and ideal for those prioritizing clean ingredients while traveling.
3. Solid Shampoo Bar
Shampoo bars take up hardly any space, last ages, and ditch the bottle completely. Look for ones made with natural oils and no synthetic fragrance – perfect for non-toxic skin care routines.
4. Solid Conditioner Bar
Just like shampoo bars, these are compact and plastic-free. Store it in a small tin and you’re set. Bonus: it doubles as shaving cream in a pinch.
5. Natural Deodorant Stick
Traditional deodorants are full of aluminium, parabens, and synthetic fragrance. Look for a non-toxic beauty option in a cardboard tube or reusable tin – ideal for holistic skin care lovers.
6. Compact, Eco-Friendly Toiletry Bag
A good toiletry bag makes a big difference in a tiny space. Look for one made from recycled materials, organic cotton, or silicone – something water-resistant but still lightweight. Roll-up styles or bags with compartments help keep things organized in your van or backpack, and choosing a durable one means you won’t need to replace it every year.
7. Leakproof Travel Soap Case
It sounds boring, but a good soap case makes a huge difference. Choose stainless steel, silicone, or recycled plastic – something that won’t leak or crack open in your toiletry bag.
8. Reusable Cotton Rounds or Face Cloth
Toss out the disposable wipes. These are washable, gentle on skin, and take up no space. A must if you care about non toxic living and want to cut down your waste.
9. Stainless Steel Safety Razor
This one’s a long-term switch. Instead of tossing plastic razors, you just change the blades. It’s better for the planet and your wallet.
10. Menstrual Underwear
Leak-proof, washable, and way comfier than pads or tampons. Perfect for vanlife when you don’t always have quick access to bins or bathrooms.
11. Biodegradable Floss
Floss often gets overlooked in zero waste travel kits. Go for silk or corn fiber options in refillable glass containers.
12. Powdered Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a vanlife essential when water’s limited. Choose one in a cardboard shaker or metal tin, and skip the aerosol cans filled with junk.
13. Cotton Buds (Biodegradable)
Paper-stem cotton buds are compostable and lightweight. Great for ear cleaning, makeup fixes, or tiny clean-up jobs – all without the plastic waste.
14. Scrubba Wash Bag (Portable Laundry Bag)
This one’s a vanlife game changer. A compact, reusable dry bag that doubles as a washing machine. Use it for clothes or as a spot to hand wash your reusable cotton pads or underwear.
Final Thoughts
Living on the road doesn’t mean you have to give up your self-care rituals – it just means getting smarter (and greener) about what you pack. Whether you’re just starting to explore non-toxic living or already deep into holistic skin care, building your bathroom kit around sustainable travel products makes your vanlife cleaner, lighter, and more aligned with your values.
Just a heads-up: some of the links above are affiliate links, which means if you decide to shop through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support this blog and keeps fresh content coming your way.
Safe travels and happy vanliving!
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