Hello!
As the title of this post suggests, for the last couple of years I’ve been headed towards a zero waste beauty regimen. Since we’re still in Plastic Free July, I thought I’d share where I’ve come to, what I’ve yet to improve, and some quick switches to use less single-use plastic in your life!
So let’s get into it!
Plastic-free beauty essentials
- DIY deodorant – for smelling fresh. This stuff is surprisingly effective and so simple to make!
- Coconut oil – to use as moisturiser, deep conditioner treatment for your hair, and makeup remover.
- Cotton face clothes – instead of face wipes to remove makeup and cleanse face.
- Bamboo toothbrush – recyclable, unlike their plastic counterparts.
- Recyclable exfoliator thimbles – instead of convention exfoliatants which contaminate the waterways with plastic microbeads.
- Shampoo & conditioner bars – zero-waste hair care.
- DIY dry shampoo – for days where you just cbf washing your hair.
- Glass bottle serums – opt for these instead of plastic. Plus, they’re usually full of all the good stuff.
- Refillable makeup – instead of buying makeup with a new plastic compact everytime.
- Diva cup – much easier to use and keep clean than you would think. Over your lifetime, you’ll save around 500 periods’ worth of sanitary products going to landfill… Think about that.
DIY deodorant
(recipe here)here)
recyclable exfoliator thimbles
(I got these from Ritual)
Fair Trade toothpaste
coconut oil &
cotton face cloth
shampoo & conditioner
bars (Lush)
glass bottle serum
(I got this from Ritual)
bamboo toothbrush
(Environmental Toothbrush)
refillable makeup
(Kjaer Weis)
DIY dry shampoo
(made by my friend Rhi!)
Where to improve
- Toothpaste – I’m using Dr Bronner’s Fair Trade toothpaste. Does anyone know a plastic-free alternative?
- Skincare – I’ve battled adult acne for a number of years now and have a pretty heavy cleansing and moisturising routine, but unfortunately those products come in plastic bottles! I opt for the largest possible bottles so I have to buy them less often.
- Mascara and lipstick tubes – I’ve noticed that Kjaer Weis also does mascara and lipstick refills! I’m also thinking of switching to lip crayons to use less lipstick tubes.
Quick switches
Need a handy visual guide for some quick switches you can make? Here it is!
More ideas by the guys at Plastic Free July! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and that it’s inspired you to take some small steps towards a zero waste beauty regimen!
Yours Fairly,
Ashlee
Stock image credits: Deposit photos; Free Stock photos; Priceline
I prefer pads, so cloth pads have been amazing. I was hesitant to join the coconut oil band wagon, but my tattooist recommended it and it’s awesome. And I just use a nubby wash cloth for exfoliation. It works great. Thanks for this post. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks so much, Leah! And I enjoyed writing it :)