Posted by Annegret Pfeifer on Jul 11th 2025
Skincare in the Canyon: What I Packed for the Grand Adventure
Let me start with the obvious: the Grand Canyon is grand in every sense—breathtaking views, roaring rapids, relentless sun, and a glorious mixture of sand, sweat, and river water that will test even the most committed skincare routine. But I came prepared. And no, I didn’t lug a luxury spa in my dry bag—but I did bring the essentials that kept me feeling human, hydrated, and (miraculously) glowing.
Besides covering my skin with cloth as much as possible, here is what made the cut in my canyon skincare kit, and why I wouldn’t raft without them again:
☀️ Fighting the Elements: Sun, Heat, Water & Wind
Let’s just say the sun in the canyon doesn’t gently kiss your skin—it tries to burn its love into you. Add to that wind, sand, and the occasional plunge into freezing water, and your body starts begging for mercy. Here’s how I showed my skin (and hair!) some love:
Kettle Care Botanicals to the Rescue
Kettle Care' Shampoo & Conditioner with Nettle & Horsetail
Yes, I brought shampoo and conditioner on a rafting trip.
And no, it wasn’t excessive—it was essential. Due to the hair-raising tales that our boatman kept telling us, like of anasazi tiger wash beaches, and that Minions originate from Grand Canyon barrel cactus ... Yes, Kettle Care’s biodegradable duo not only kept my hair from turning into a crispy, straw-like tumbleweed from all those tales, but also kept me feeling good about protecting the river. The heat and sun were brutal, the tales were hair-raising, but my hair? Still soft.
After a day of hiking, paddling, and having my feet alternately baked in sun and soaked in river water, this stuff felt like a peppermint patty for my soles. Cooling, nourishing, and surprisingly luxurious in the wilderness. My feet whispered "aaaah" every night.
Lavender Lotion
Oh. My. Skin. The dryness was real, folks. The Lavender Lotion with Ylang-Ylang came to the rescue after every sun-soaked day. My skin soaked it up like the Colorado River itself—desperate and grateful. Plus, the calming scent helped me pretend I was at a spa, not in a tent with sand in questionable places.
Royal Jelly Creme
For my face, I kept it simple. Morning and night, I slathered on the Royal Jelly Creme with the reverence of someone applying war paint before battle. It was thick, creamy, and my face drank it in. Zero regrets.
Arnica and Comfrey Rub
Let’s be honest—sitting on a raft all day isn’t exactly ergonomic. Between sore muscles, random bumps, and a few ungraceful moments (I won’t go into detail), the Arnica & Comfrey Rub saved me. Instant relief. Total game changer.
Environmental Lip Balm
The real MVP. This lip balm never left my side. Without it, my lips would’ve dried up and blown away in the canyon wind. I used it constantly, and I wasn’t the only one. Turns out, quite a few folks on the trip had packed their Kettle Care too—and we were all low-key obsessed.
??? The Experimental Product ???
And yes, our whole family was also testing a new product that we have been working on for quite a while now. We have made it for ourselves and few friends for over a year now and the Grand Canyon sure brought it to the ultimate stress test. And YES, it passed our testing with flying colors!
Learn more about this product in our next newsletter & blog ...
Skincare in the Wild = Self-Care in Disguise
Packing skincare for a trip like this might sound indulgent, but trust me—it’s survival. When you’re off-grid, living in nature’s extremes, a little nourishment goes a long way. Plus, it turns out that taking a few minutes for self-care, even in the middle of a canyon, is deeply grounding. It reminded me: you don’t have to leave yourself behind just because you’re going on an adventure.
So yes, next time you are packing for a wild trip—don’t forget your hat, your water bottle… and maybe your favorite foot cream too.
Your skin and your soul will thank you.
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