Nature lover and adventure seeker Clivina Wills likes nothing better than to be in the great outdoors.

As she says: “We camp all the time. The first bit of sunshine and I’m out there.”

But, over the years, one particular aspect has really bugged the 48-year-old married mother of one.

Clivina said: “You have to carry a toiletry bag with products that are 90 per cent water such as shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

“Yet water is readily available at most of the places you travel to, from streams to rainstorms and even piped water.

“Most daily skincare products are bulky, impractical in the shower, exceed luggage limits and, worst of all, aren’t very good for nature or your skin.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if there was something small, useful and light that could take their place?”

After qualifying as an organic skincare formulator during lockdown Clivina came up with just such a product.

In fact, three products, all now branded under The Intrepid Explorer label.

Her flagship is a powdered hair and body wash.

It comes in a 60ml tube – weighing less than an egg – and is capable of at least 110 hair and body washes although Clivina says she has achieved double that number.

She said: “It’s designed for camping, washing in streams or rivers and for backpackers and explorers who don’t have much space and can’t take the weight.

“Using just a small amount of water, the more you rub the more foam you get.

“On the market you can get products which use no water – and also little sheets that you wet and they will soap you – but nobody is doing a powder.

“This is my innovation and my leading product.”

Also available is a moisturising cream sunscreen SPF 50 and a moisturising cream insect repellent.

The organic skincare range is chemical-free.

Although the tubes are currently plastic the rest of the packaging, designed in the shape of a tent, is environmentally-friendly.

No glue is applied and vegetable-based inks are used for the printing.

The products retail for between £15.99 and £18.99.

Clivina, who hails from Zimbabwe and moved to Dorset in 2004, credits business mentor Melinda Coss with helping her to come up with The Intrepid Explorer products.

“Melinda said to me: ‘You love camping don’t you?

“I said: ‘Yes I do’ so she said ‘Get thinking’ and the dream was born.

“I started Intrepid in April 2021.

“I went to a white label chemist, said this is what I want to do and come back with something really brilliant and he did.

“The product is mine and the formulation is mine and he’s under a non-disclosure agreement.

“He’s a contract manufacturer and makes it in bulk for me and packages it and I sell it.”

Launched last October, Clivina exhibited The Intrepid Explorer range at her first major show – National Outdoor Expo – at Birmingham’s NEC in March.

She said: “I was petrified but the response was out of this world and amazing.

“There were so many people and all the big brands.

“My show stall had a video and a small waterfall.

“Initially people didn’t believe it but when I wet my hand, put the pinch of powder on and washed they just said ‘wow’.

“I wish I could have caught their expressions on camera because they had to be seen to be believed.

“Some other brands even requested to partner up so I know I am onto something amazing and life-changing.”

Clivina sells The Intrepid Explorer online at theintrepidexplorer.co.uk and also through her café, C-is for Café, at Ferndown’s Arena Business Centre.

She has self-funded the venture, admitting that costs to date have run into the tens of thousands.

Clivina, who will be exhibiting at next month’s Outdoor Trade Show in Liverpool, said: “The products took 18 to 19 months to get through all the testing and safety approval.

“I’m immensely proud of what I’ve created.

“It’s my baby and a lot of blood, sweat and tears has gone into it.

“I’m hoping somebody in our local area will say, hey I want that in my shop.

“It would also be fantastic for the army guys and the Ministry of Defence.

“I’m using this year to build my network and spread the word.

“I’m trying to get to as many festivals, meetings and shows as possible.

“My future is to be living this brand and I believe it’s a real game-changer.”

• theintrepidexplorer.co.uk