It’s not hard to make your beauty routine more environmentally friendly. Though complete sustainability is the ultimate goal, you don’t have to re-order your entire life overnight. Sustainability writer and the editor of Conservation Folks, Emily Folk shares ten ways to practice a more sustainable beauty routine, starting today.
1. Turn Off The Faucet
A lot of water is wasted every time the sink or shower is left running. When you’re getting ready for the day or winding down for the night, try to use as little water as possible. Take shorter showers, turn the faucet off while washing your face and limit baths, as filling a tub consumes between 25 and 45 gallons of water on average.
2. Start Using Face Cloths
Cotton pads and makeup wipes have become popular makeup-removing options, due to their convenience. However, these products create a significant amount of waste.
In order to cut down on the amount of waste contributed to landfills, many people opt to use face cloths instead. They can be washed and re-used and you can still use them with your normal makeup remover.
Many people already have washcloths around the house, so making the switch is easy. But if not, you can cut up an old towel into whatever shapes and sizes you prefer.
3. Use Natural Exfoliants
Most people understand that plastic waste is a growing problem when it comes to environmental sustainability. However, many people don’t realize how much little plastic adds up. To prevent this accumulative waste, microbeads have actually been banned in some parts of the world.
These little plastic beads are often found in cleansers and scrubs. If you live in a country where microbeads are still allowed, buy products using natural exfoliants like sugar or walnuts instead.
4. Use Everything You Buy
It’s unfortunately common for beauty-lovers to buy a lot of products, only to end up throwing them away when they’re not as useful as anticipated.
In order to prevent sending unnecessary waste to landfills, use up everything you buy. If a product isn’t working for you, look for someone else who might want it before you throw it away.
5. Choose Less Packaging
The cosmetics industry produces about 120 billion units of packaging every year.
In order to avoid waste, choose products that have less packaging, especially plastic packaging. For example, choose shampoo bars instead of bottles. Some companies such as Lush offer products you can buy without plastic packaging.
6. D.I.Y. Instead
If you want to avoid packaging waste altogether, there’s a chance you can make some of your favorite products on your own. You can find recipes for environmentally-friendly scrubs, masks, moisturizers and even brush cleaners online.
Many recipes use ingredients you already have in your kitchen, such as sugar, molasses, and coconut oil. These can be bought in bulk, with less packaging than most beauty products. And your concoctions can be stored in reusable containers.
7. Double Up
One easy way to reduce waste is to use products for multiple purposes. This saves you money and helps save the planet. Get creative and find new ways to use what you already own. Could that lipstick be a cream blush? Maybe that eye shadow could be used for contouring?
8. Buy Eco-Friendly Tools
Natural makeup brushes are essential to any sustainable beauty routine, and you don’t want to be replacing tools all the time. To save money and reduce waste, invest in high-quality tools made from eco-friendly materials, like bamboo, instead of plastic.
9. Do Your Research
When shopping for beauty products, do brand research before buying. Cruelty-free and sustainable products are available if you look for them. Research company practices online and look for certifications like Leaping Bunny, Rainforest Alliance, and Fair Trade USA for signs that you’re on the right track.
10. Re-Use and Recycle
Some packaging is necessary to increase product shelf-life and prevent further waste and pollution. For waste you can’t avoid, look into reuse and recycling programs. Many beauty companies allow you to return empties for recycling, and some even reward you for doing so, which means it really does pay to protect the environment. Save empties for later recycling.
Though it can be difficult to fully reduce waste and prevent pollution, it’s possible for anyone to take steps toward a more sustainable beauty routine. By following these tips, you can begin helping the environment while still enjoying beauty as part of your life.
Do you have any tips to make your beauty regimen more sustainable? Share with us in the comments!
