What people take for toiletries is a very personal choice. For me for overnight hikes my toiletries remain consistent.

- Small drybag where most of things go. After various options in the past, I have now settled for one from Hilltop Packs - https://hilltoppacks.com/products/ditty-bags-printed-dry-bags-challenge-d50t-fabric-11?variant=46398823629057.

- A very small Sea to Summit Airlite towel. https://seatosummit.eu/en-nl/products/airlite-towel (I only use this on trail, as I have left two behind in the shower after the trail. There are small after all and easy to miss).

- Sunscreen

- Nail clippers

- Tooth brush.

- Dental brush tablets. Much better than toot paste. They don't make a mess and I can take exactly the amount I need.

- Interdental brush. For me a better solution than floss, as I do not have perfect teeth. I normally carry this in a hip belt pocket as I might need it during the day,

- Mirror, it is just useful for many things. like putting sunscreen on your face.

- Lip balm. Not something I always use, bu it does come in handy on hot, sunny days. I also carry this in a hip belt pocket,

There is noticeable absence of deodorant, soap and shampoo. I am in the "embrace the smell" camp when on trail and I don't like to introduce day-hiker fragrances. If it is going to be a very long hike, then I'll bring something, but for <7 days I don't. (There is always water and a wet wipe from the hygiene bag).

But there are a couple of things I do leave in the car for cleaning up after the trail - soap, shampoo, deodorant and a bigger towel.

#toiletries #hiking #whatsinyourpack #fishrivercanyon #drakensberg #pyrenees

Cwtch Mawr multibank begins pilot expansion into Neath Port Talbot

Faith in Families says the expansion marks a significant step for the Swansea‑based project, which has been battling rising need by redistributing new, surplus goods from businesses to families struggling to afford the basics. The charity says it is now moving at speed to support more households across the county.

Five hubs have been chosen for the rollout — in Port Talbot, the Afan Valley, Neath, the Dulais Valley and Pontardawe. Faith in Families says each hub will receive clothing, toiletries, nappies and household essentials, ready to be passed on through trusted local organisations.

The charity says its vans are already being loaded, with deliveries expected to begin as soon as each hub gives the green light.

A rapid response to rising need

Faith in Families says the pilot will test how fast large volumes of essential goods can be moved across a wider area while keeping support rooted in local communities. The charity says the work forms part of a wider partnership known as NPT United, bringing together public services, charities and businesses to support families under pressure.

Jon Waite, Facilities and Development Manager at Faith in Families, said:

“This pilot is about working at pace while keeping things local and practical. We know there is real need across Neath Port Talbot, and by working with established community hubs we can get essential items to families quickly, through people they already know and trust. This trial will help us understand what works best on the ground and how we can build strong, joined‑up approaches going forward.”

Expanding a model built on speed and dignity

Faith in Families says the multibank model is designed to get essential goods to families without delay, paperwork or stigma. The charity says working through schools, community groups and frontline services ensures support reaches people through organisations they already trust.

Faith in Families says the Neath Port Talbot pilot will help shape how the model can be expanded further across Wales, with the aim of making sure no family goes without the basics.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New and expanded Cwtch Mawr Multibank opens in Swansea
A major expansion of the Swansea hub, boosting capacity to support families across the region.

Local multibank helping over 120,000 people each year gets £30K cash boost
Funding support to help the multibank meet rising demand for essential goods.

New charity initiative already supporting thousands
Early coverage of the multibank model as it began delivering essentials to families in need.

Virgin Media O2 donates hundreds of smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Cwtch Mawr Multibank
A major tech donation helping families stay connected during rising cost pressures.

🧼💄🪥 Who says your daily routine can’t be a Hebrew lesson in disguise?

In today’s video, we’re getting practically fluent in Hebrew with some of the most essential vocabulary for your morning routine—yep, it’s time to learn how to say all your favorite toiletries in Hebrew! From toothpaste to shampoo, we’ve got it covered.

So, next time you’re in the bathroom, you’ll be brushing up on your Hebrew while you brush your teeth. Ready to dive in? Let’s turn your daily essentials into language essentials!

🎥 Watch now and start speaking Hebrew like a native—even in the bathroom! 😉

#toiletries #languagelearning #learnhebrew #videolesson #hebrewlanguage

Today's Flickr photo with the most hits: Eugene Beauharnais' 'necessaire'. A travelling personal hygiene kit - used by Napoleon's stepson, Eugene, on his war campaigns.

#EugeneBeauharnais #toiletries #CampaignChest #Malmaison #paris

#Formaldehyde And Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (#FRPs) are used in many #PersonalCare products, particularly in #shampoos and liquid #BabySoaps.

"These preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. Since low levels of formaldehyde can cause health concerns-at levels as low as 250 parts per million and even lower levels in sensitized individuals-the slow release of small amounts of formaldehyde are cause for concern. A 2015 study determined that longer storage time and higher temperature increase the amount of formaldehyde released from FRPs and could ultimately lead to more severe health concerns.

"#Quaternium15 is the most sensitizing of these FRPs and is found in #blush, #mascara, #lotion and #shampoo.

"#DMDMHydantoin is found in lotion, #sunscreen and make-up remover and is one of the least sensitizing of the FRPs.

"#ImidazolidinylUrea, #DiazolidinylUrea, and #polyoxymethylene urea, are found in shampoo, conditioner, blush, #EyeShadow, and lotion and are all known human #allergens. #Imidazolidinyl urea is one of the most common #antimicrobial agents used in personal care products and is often combined with #parabens to provide a broad spectrum preservative system. #Diazolidinyl urea releases the most formaldehyde of any FRP.

"Sodium #hydroxymethylglycinate is found in shampoo, moisturizer, conditioner, and lotion. Animal studies have shown that sodium hydroxymethylglycinate has the potential for sensitization and #dermatitis.

"#Bromopol is found in #Nail Polish, #makeup remover, #moisturizer and #BodyWash. Bromopol is considered safe in concentrations less than 0.1%, but cannot be found in formulations with the FRP amine. Mixing bromopol and amines produce #nitrosamines which have been found to penetrate the skin and cause #cancer.

"#Glyoxal is found in conditioner, lotion, nail polish and nail treatment. CIR Expert Panel has declared that glyoxal is a skin allergen.

Regulations

"Banned from use in #cosmetics and #toiletries in #Japan and #Sweden; in the #EU, restricted in personal care products, and labeling is required in products that do contain these chemicals; concentration restrictions in Canada. The EU allows the use of Quaternium-15 up to 0.2% as a preservative in cosmetic products.

How to Avoid?

Read labels and avoid products containing the following ingredients: Formaldehyde, quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol). In addition, choose nail products that are labeled formaldehyde-free or “toxic-trio-free” (formaldehyde, toluene and DBP). Skip hair-smoothing products—especially those sold in salons, as salon-based products are exempt from labeling laws. Don’t use expired cosmetic products or store cosmetic products in the sun because this can cause more formaldehyde to be released."

https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/formaldehyde/

#Chemicals #ReadTheLabels #Consumerism #ToxicChemicals #PersonalCareProducts #Pollution