An effective hydroalcoholic gel
If the main thing to do to fight the transmission of Covid-19 is to wash your hands regularly with soap, it is not always easy to find a water tap nearby. Miracle solution on paper, not all alcohol-based gels are created equal.
The National Medicines Agency recommends those that carry the NF EN 14476 standard, certifying that the product has been tested on naked viruses (more resistant than those with an envelope) and that it kills both bacteria , fungi and viruses. This is what distinguishes so-called “biocidal” products from cosmetic products, which can also respond to the name of hydroalcoholic gel without having any effectiveness against the virus.
Also pay attention to the amount of alcohol in the gel (information to read on the bottle). It must imperatively be between 60% and 70%. A lower rate is not enough to kill the virus and, beyond, the risk of developing rashes is high. Finally, check that your gel does not contain triclosan, a toxic component suspected of causing resistance to antibiotics, causing hormonal disturbances and even being responsible for breast cancer.
The right product: Puressentiel antibacterial sanitizing gel with essential oils (tea tree, lemon, lavender), € 2.11 for 80mL.
A mask with standards
Wearing a mask to limit the risk of spreading the coronavirus will be made compulsory in closed public places from July 20, as announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex. Hotels, lodges, holiday clubs, cultural or leisure establishments and transport will not escape the rule. Unlike national and border railway companies, which impose the mask without distinction, airlines adopt different rules with varying levels of application depending on the country. It is therefore preferable to inquire before the scheduled departure date of your flight.
On its website, Air France specifies that the wearing of a surgical mask is compulsory upon arrival at the airport and on all aircraft. FFP masks of different shapes (shell, 2 or 3 folds, duckbills, etc.) will also be accepted. Beware, however, of those made of fabric, paper, cotton, polyester or plastic which may be refused on board. Not designed according to the characteristics and standards of masks for medical use, they do not reach a sufficient level of air filtration and therefore do not meet the quality standards of the French Society of Sterilization Sciences.
The right product: CE standard surgical masks, sold in all pharmacies between € 22.90 and € 47.90 per pack of 50.
Read also: Airport checks, breakfast in your room ... What will your summer vacation look like?
An eco-friendly sunscreen
Every second, approximately 800 mL of sunscreen spills into the oceans, or more than 14,000 tonnes each year. To protect their corals, some destinations have taken strict measures. In the Palau archipelago, isolated paradise islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and Japan, anyone importing sunscreen is liable to a fine of $ 1,000 and the tubes are confiscated from tourists upon arrival. The US state of Hawaii, also in the Pacific, has announced a similar ban that will come into effect in 2021. But among all the products available on the market, it's not always easy to navigate.
The main criterion: replace chemical filters, which are as harmful to humans as they are to marine species, with mineral filters, also called "natural" or "physical". Nanoparticles should also be banned and textures that have a high resistance to water should be preferred. For the rest, the health precautions remain the same: renew the application every two hours, avoid the sun between 12 and 16 hours and choose a sun protection factor (SPF) suited to your skin tone.
The right product: Aun Paris sunscreen milk, € 54 for 200 mL. A light texture 100% natural, broad spectrum (SPF50), enriched with immortelle flowers, olive leaves and rosemary, antioxidants that fight against photo-induced cell aging. The young brand punctually donates 10% of its profits to the expedition association MED which works to limit pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
A minimalist toiletry bag
Bottles flowing in the suitcase, heavy and bulky bottles ... The toiletry bag concentrates a large number of bad habits and products that are not respectful of the environment. Without radically changing your rituals, it is better to gradually favor solid products such as soap, shampoo, conditioner and even toothpaste. Brands compete for ideas to create simplified routines with a more transparent composition, with textures and smells worked with care. Result? A saving of space in luggage and a zero waste bathroom, or almost. Like sunscreen, we also forget aerosol deodorants, which are as harmful to the body as to the planet.
The right product: Les Petits Prödiges multi-use balm, made in France and cruelty free, € 14.90 for 30 mL.
A filter bottle
It's done: Europe will have no more goblets, straws or plastic cutlery in 2021. But for the moment, almost a million bottles are still sold every minute. About 79% of this waste will end up accumulated in a landfill or, worse, in the wild (only 9% is recycled, 12% incinerated). Travelers therefore have a major role to play in the end of single-use plastic, to protect the paradisiacal landscapes and beaches of the planet.
To contribute to this, the first step to adopt is the acquisition of a gourd, ideally fitted with a straw with a filter that eliminates bacteria and parasites. So you can fill it directly at the tap, even in countries where you are not sure that the water is drinkable. If you are spending your vacation in town, also consider downloading the Refill My Bottle application which geolocates more than 400 public drinking water fountains.
The right product: the Lifestraw Go filter bottle, distributed at Nature & Découvertes, € 42.95.
