If you are on a survival camping trip or an overnight trail hike, you may have cause to wash your face using a stream. While this is not the ideal situation for many or even most, there are ways to do so to both protect the health of the stream and its inhabitants and also care for your delicate facial skin. The most important thing to remember is to use a biodegradable cleansing product.
Find a section of the stream that is flowing fairly quickly, not sitting stagnant. (Standing water can be a breeding ground for both insects and bacteria.) Look to see if the water is relatively clear. If it is brown or cloudy, you will have to boil the water before using it.
Kneel down on the bank of the stream and cup both of your hands underneath the water. Pull your hands out and splash the water on your face to get it wet. Pour a half teaspoon of your biodegradable cleanser, such as Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, into one hand. Then rub your hands together to form a lather.
Apply the lather to your face in a circular motion, being careful to avoid your mouth and eyes. Then rinse your hands in the stream, cup them underneath the water again and splash more water on your face to remove the cleanser.
Wipe your face and hands with your cloth and hang it over a clothesline tied between two trees so it can dry. Apply hand sanitizer to both hands, making sure to get both the front and the back.
