10 Ways to an Eco-Friendly Skincare/ Beauty Routine
Doing good for yourself doesn’t need to cost the environment. Here are 10 ways to reduce the amount of waste or energy consumption in your daytime/ nighttime beauty routine!
1. Remove Makeup with a Cleansing Oil
Using a cleansing oil as a makeup remover in a double cleansing routine can be very eco-friendly. The use of the cleansing oil negates the need for cotton pads and makeup-wipes, making the removal of foundation and mascara zero-waste!
Click here for a review of one of my favourite cleansing oils.
My nails are a bit long… oops.
2. Use a reusable (and washable) Cotton Pad
If you still need to use a cotton pad to remove more stubborn makeup (I’m looking at you, glitter 👀), then why not try out some reusable cotton pads?
Multiple different companies have tried their hand at making them, meaning they are quite accessible to buy.
Rather than throwing out your cotton pad after one use (quite wasteful), why not join the zero-wast movement? After using a pad, you simply need to either clean it off by hand, or add it to your laundry. I personally have 4 pads, and it’s rare that I don’t have one handy.
A small effort for a large benefit to the planet!
Photo courtesy of OLA Bamboo official Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of Kotton Pads official Twitter page.
3. Use Shampoo Bars
Negate the need for wasteful plastic packaging by foregoing the packaging altogether! Various brands, such as Lush Cosmetics, have gone full speed ahead with zero-waste packaging. Lush’s shampoo and conditioner bars are a good example of a waste-free way to wash your hair, since the product doesn’t come wrapped in anything. Some zero-waste grocery stores and Health Food stores also sell their own versions of shampoo bars or conditioner bars.
Bonus feature? These bars are super handy to bring along on road trips or travelling abroad! You can even carry it in your overhead bag.
Photo courtesy of LUSH UK official Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of LUSH UK official online store.
Photo courtesy of LUSH UK official online store.
4. Use a Bamboo or Recycled Toothbrush
Given that toothbrushes are a product that we throw out after only several months of usage, it just make sense to buy one that can either biodegrade on its own, or is made out of other recyclable material. Many supermarkets and Health Food stores offer eco-friendly toothbrushes that are often also wrapped in recycled “plastic” or vegetable-laden packaging.
Press here for some recommendations on natural & eco-friendly toothbrushes and other dental hygiene products.
5. Re-fill Old Containers
Give an old container a new life by refilling it. Many bulk goods stores or Health Food stores have sections where you can refill your own containers with soaps, shampoos, and even oils for home use.
6. Shave with Safety Razors
On top of being recyclable, safety razors also last a lot longer than standard razors. Also, once you get the hang of using them, they give you an even closer shave!
7. Buy a mineral SPF (no oxybenzone!)
Chemical sunscreens often have ingredients inside of them that are unsafe for the planet. When removing the SPF or when throwing out an unfinished bottle, this can release unwanted toxins - such as oxybenzone - into the environment. It must be oxybenzone-free.
Protect ecosystems by switching to a mineral (or physical) sunscreen that uses active ingredients such as Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide instead. Besides, do you really want something unsafe for the environment on your face…?
If you want some suggestions of mineral sunscreens click here. To learn about why I prefer mineral over chemical sunscreens, press here.
Photo courtesy of Drunk Elephant official Facebook page.
8. Wear Non-Toxic Nail Polishes (Protect ecosystems)
Similar to the SPF, some nail polishes contain certain chemicals that are toxic to both you and the environment. Switch to brands that contain less “nasty” ingredients.
Certain salons (such as London Grace in London, Alma Natural Spa in Toronto, Tenoverten Nail Salon in New York) also offer more eco-friendly manis and pedis.
Click here for a list of my favourite non-toxic and natural nail polish brands, and to learn which toxins you might want to avoid.
Photo courtesy of London Grace official Facebook page.
9. Buy Products in Glass Containers (not plastic!)
Ditch the plastic and try buying more products encased in glass, which is easier to recycle and reuse.
10. Let Your Hair Air-Dry - Or - invest in an Eco-Friendly Hair dryer!
Use less energy by letting your hair naturally air-dry (I do it at night). If this isn’t practical for you, invest in an eco-friendly hair dryer that is more efficient with it’s energy usage.
The brisk winter air is doing it’s job 😂
The Bayeux air naturally drying my hair.
THANK YOU FOR READING, LOVELY! Happy zero waste-ing!
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