Late Summer Outdoor Comfort: Bug Bites & Sun-Kissed Skin
August is for long evenings on the porch, last camping trips, garden harvests and kids soaking up every minute of summer before school starts. It is also peak season for buzzing bugs, itchy bites and skin that has seen a lot of sunshine.
Here is how we keep late summer comfortable, naturally.
Keep the Bugs at Bay
Our Keep Off Bug Spray is made with witch hazel and a blend of Clove, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Turmeric CO2 essential oils in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. It smells fresh and herbal, nothing like the chemical sprays many of us grew up with.
Shake well and mist onto clothing, hats and exposed skin before heading outside.
Reapply every couple of hours, or more often if you are sweating or swimming.
Spritz around patio chairs, picnic blankets and tent openings.
Prefer to make your own? The Keep Off Bug Blend has the same botanicals in a 10 ml bottle. Add it to a carrier oil for a body oil, or to witch hazel in a glass spray bottle for a DIY mist.
When a Bite Gets Through
Even with the best prep, a few bites happen. Resist the urge to scratch, wash the area with cool water and reach for something soothing.
Beauty Balm Flower Stick: our take-anywhere balm is a favorite for calming the look and feel of irritated skin. Toss one in your beach bag, glove box or camping kit.
Lavender: a single drop diluted in a carrier oil is a classic, gentle option for skin that needs a little comfort.
All Purpose Healing Salve: the salve we keep in every first aid kit for everyday bumps, scrapes and skin irritations.
Caring for Sun-Kissed Skin
After a summer outdoors, skin often feels dry and depleted. Cool showers, plenty of water and a nourishing oil or salve go a long way. Our Natural Sunburn Relief guide walks through our favorite after-sun rituals, and Rosehip Seed Oil is a beautiful, lightweight oil for replenishing skin at the end of the day.
Pack a Late Summer Kit
Heading out for one more adventure? Here is what lives in our bag all August long:
Keep Off Bug Spray
Beauty Balm Flower Stick
All Purpose Healing Salve or Salve Stick
Lavender essential oil
A reusable water bottle and a good hat
For a more complete list, see How to Build a Natural First Aid Kit with Camp Wander.
A Gentle Reminder
Patch test new products, avoid eyes and broken skin, and use extra caution with children and pets. Clove and Peppermint are strong oils, so always dilute well. If you are pregnant, nursing or managing a health condition, check with your healthcare provider before use, and seek medical care for any bite or sting that causes a strong reaction.
Enjoy these last golden weeks of summer.