I know that making beauty routines more eco-friendly is something that a lot of people are working on, but it can be intimidating making several changes at once. There are lots of ways to make your beauty routine more eco friendly. This post contains a selection of things that I’m either currently doing or changes that I’d like to make in the future. Some of them are really simple and easy switches to make daily and others are electronic alternatives that reduce plastic usage over time.
Hair Removal*
It only occurred to me very recently the amount of plastic wastage involved in hair removal. If you think about the number of razors you’ll throw away in your lifetime, it’s quite a startling number. Most places in the UK don’t allow you to recycle them either because of the safety hazards involved. Although it’s an initial investment, you could try either epilating or IPL laser removal, both of which reduce hair growth over time and include a one-time purchase. Electronic beauty products (UK) have become much more readily available in recent years, making them a little more affordable than they once were.
Reusing Travel Sized Bottles
This is really basic and I’m sure that many of you already do this, but it’s a very easy way to reduce plastic consumption. I know you can get things like shampoo bars now, I’m not too sure whether that’s something I can get on board with just yet, although it’s worth trying in the long run. In the meantime, stop buying travel sized items. If you travel a lot, don’t buy minis whenever you’re going away. Buy some travel friendly mini bottles and refill them. Not only does that use less plastic, but it saves you money too.
Bamboo Brushes
Of course, I’m not telling you to go out and buy all new makeup brushes, but you can shop for more sustainable options next time. If you look at your brush pot(s), you’re probably going to see a lot of plastic. And I’m definitely guilty of this too. But you can very easily switch to something more sustainable like bamboo. I have a lot of Zoeva makeup brushes and they sell a lot of their brushes with bamboo handles. It’s not a huge change. I wouldn’t even have to switch from my favourite brush, just buy the same one from a different collection
Choose Brands Carefully
I know this sounds vague, but it is. For this you need to look at what’s important to you, you can look into beauty brands who sustainably source ingredients, like The Body Shop. Or look at how brands package their products. I’ve spoken about how much I love Ren before for products, but their ethos is pretty great too. Their Atlantic Kelp body range is packaged using bottles made from 20% ocean plastic and 80% recycled plastic and are working on using recycled plastic more with their future launches. And their packaging usually comes with ‘please recycle’ written on it as a kind reminder.
Reusable Products
You can buy reusable just about everything now. This is mainly focused on flannels/wash cloths vs wipes though. We all know that wipes aren’t the greatest for the skin anyway and often don’t contain the best ingredients, but they’re also horrible for the environment. Many aren’t biodegradable and can cause harm to aquatic life. You can switch them out for a regular wash cloth, a ‘just add water’ makeup removal cloth or even buy reusable cotton rounds now.
What are your favourite ways to make your beauty routine eco-friendlier? Do you do any of these things now?
Until next time,
Sophie
*This post includes paid partnership
**I have worked with Ren in the last 12 months but they are in no way involved with this post
These are all really good tips Sophie. I have a set of reusable travel size bottles that I just refill and they are great!
This was such a helpful post, definitely will be using all these tips! Great post!!
great post sophie! i knew makeup wipes weren’t the best for the skin but i didn’t know that they were so bad for the environment. i always get a better clean with a wash cloth anyways but i will be making the permanent switch now knowing that! x
mich / simplymich.com
I’m definitely considering laser hair removal as I’ve heard amazing things about it!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I hate that disposable razors contribute to so much waste over time. Oooh, I love reusing travel-sized bottles by pouring regular-size stuff into them. Not worth paying for disposable travel bottles. I need to look into buying a bamboo brush. I didn’t know that is a thing! I’m thinking about reusable pads for my toners. Thanks for sharing all of these options!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Fab post Sophie 🙂 it’s always good to find alternative products which are more environmentally friendly. I need to invest in some bamboo brushes! But I always reuse travel bottles for holidays.
Emma | http://www.lifeofemmax.co.uk
Wow this post is such a good idea! It’s so important because we need to look after our planet!
I adore this blog post so much beautiful! Being eco-friendly is something I feel so passionate about so I adored reading this post. You’ve shared some really fab tips that I think are going to help so many other bloggers
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
I’m doing a project on ways to be more eco friendly for Uni and am looking specifically at bamboo brushes. I was actually looking more at toothbrushes but makeup brushes also tend to have plastic handles as well. I completely overlooked this so thanks for sharing that!
Great post and it’s given me a lot to think about actually. I never, ever considered the issue with razors and how much waste they have and the fact that they can’t be recycled either!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
I use cloths for my face along with shampoo, conditioner and soap bars. Looking for some more eco friendly make up though!
Lola Mia x
Nice post! It’s crazy to think all the bottles and old razors that aren’t biodegradable. Having products that are should be the standard. So true with the makeup wipes – they are convenient but so bad. Thanks for this!!
-Morgan @ mommyaboveall.com
These are great tips! I use reusable products to try to cut down on paper waste. I also use more natural products to cut down on the amount of chemicals used in my home.
Good ideas!
A lot of people are starting to think about this now which is good!
I always reuse my bottles if I can, especially travel ones as they’re so handy to keep hold of!
Love Lozza xo
I definitely need to try some of these ideas x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
These are great tips! I use Preserve razors which are made from recycled yoghurt pots, and the blades are replaceable so you can re-use the handle again and again! I am a fan of shampoo bars, and I use reusable cotton rounds 🙂
Great post, and definitely something important to highlight. I never buy travel mini’s every time I go on holiday, a big reason with it costing every time, but it just makes sense to have re-usable travel bottles! I have stopped using face wipes as well!
Chloe xx
https://www.chloechats.com
You bring up a really good point about razors that I haven’t thought about, but I know two of the brands of beauty products I switched to in the last two years is eco-friendly, it’s avalon organics and yes to, I’m not sure if they are in the uk though.
Some great tips! I barely use makeup wipes as they’re really bad! Find I feel more cleansed with a wash cloth and cream or foaming cleanser anyway. Reusing bottles is always good and you can now take empty bottles to zero waste stores and just refill them shampoo/conditioner etc. or even cleaning products without the waste!
Megan | https://meganelizabethlifestyle.com/
This is an absolutely wonderful post. I know how important it is for us to help sustain the planet. And these are some great tips that anyone can follow.
Grazie per aver parlato di questi prodotti, che non conoscevo affatto.
Passa da me, ti aspetto!
These are some really great idea’s and some things I haven’t really thought about. Sure I thought about how much plastic I was using at the grocery store and such but never really for razors. It’s TRUE though! It really adds up. Will definitely have to give this some thought and see if I can lower it at least a little bit!
I love this post and am always up for reducing my plastic waste. I have to admit I really don’t get on with epilation but would definitely be up for laser removal. I’m looking into more eco friendly brands and have found some great ones!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Excellent tips! Sustainability is so important but still not largely practised. Thanks for writing about it.
fournomadics.com
This was such a good post! I try to pick beauty products that don’t test on animals, but being reminded of of having your products be eco-friendly is such an important reminder! I’ve heard sugaring for hair removal is environmentally friendly, because it’s mostly sugar, lemon juice, and water, so it naturally biodegrades. To me it sounds a bit less scary than lasering hair off! But that’s just me 🙂
Emily @ https://thatweirdgirllife.com
Such great tips! You definitely forget how much plastic is in things. I use a razor that you replace the head bit of when the razor becomes blunt, it is not the whole razor but still plastic going back into landfill! I have been intrigued with IPL, but worry about any health risks that haven’t yet been discovered (such a worry wart!)
I’ve started making my own facial cleanser and re-using the pot when I make a new batch. Although Lush recycles their pots anyway!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
These are some great tips that I need to start making in my day to day life! Slowly but surely!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk
I read a lot of articles about that topic and I’m surprised that very few mention “make your own beauty products”. It’s not very difficult and quite fun (especially if you invite friends over and make them together), you can get the ingredients online and it’s not expensive. Maybe a future post on your well-designed blog Sophie? 🙂
I love this post! It’s definitely something I’m looking into making a few changes, although I haven’t actually done anything yet (shame on me!). I have loads of Body Shop products, does that count? You can return your pots to store with Lush as well – no idea what they do with them, but I’m assuming a reuse type scheme? I didn’t know about bamboo handled make up brushes – definitely one I’ll be watching out for.
This is so useful! I always try to be eco-friendly, but sometimes I’m not sure how to go about doing it. I love your advice on choosing brands!
These are really great suggestions! I honestly had never thought about the implications of shaving devices, and you’re so right about the incredible amount of waste that comes from them. Thanks for prompting a change!
Interesting! These are some really good tips especially the travel size bottles. I try to use reusable products as much as I can but sometimes it’s hard and costly.
Thanks for sharing!
Loren | plaidandsugar.blogspot.com
I love that you talked about razors, now this makes me want to just wax it all off.Such a great post! Continue inspiring <3
Only Yesterday
Yes to refilling travel sized bottles! I always do that before a holiday now and not only is it more eco friendly, but it saves money. The minis are always so expensive! Love your other tips too, such an important topic! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I’ve had reusable mini bottles for shampoo, condition and hand lotion for a while now. I save the landfill and money when I refill them before we go on trips.
Thanks for sharing! I was looking for products like these 🙂
Great post Sophie. I’ve been buying travel sized products for years, but it’s not until you said it that I’ve realised how much plastic I’ve been wasting. Also by buying disposable razors! Its really eye opening how much plastic waste we really do use. Do you have recommendations for travel bottles? I’ve tried them before but they end up leaking.