[This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you but helps towards the running of this site. Find out more here]
Thankfully, sustainable skincare is on the rise. Although it may sound like we’re discussing a maintainable skincare routine, sustainability (in skincare terms) focuses on what the beauty industry can do to lessen its environmental impact.
Changing our skincare habits and products can seem arduous, especially if we feel our contribution is too small to make a meaningful dent. However, even one sustainable skincare switch is a positive step in a good direction. If we all made a switch think of the collective impact this would have, not to mention how it would encourage beauty industry giants to do better.
Personally, I still have a way to go but I have started to act more responsibly. All of the sustainable skincare switches I’ve made have actually enhanced my skincare routine, they haven’t proved any more expensive or time-consuming, if anything, I’ve saved! I hope the switches I’ve made will demonstrate how easy it is for you to make the switch too…
6 Sustainable Skincare Switches
#01
Reuse it/Refill it
Time to move away from our single-use throw-away culture. If you have any single-use skincare items search whether there is a more sustainable option.
For example, how about making the switch to reusable makeup remover pads? I switched to StylPro’s bamboo pads to help remove my makeup and apply my toner. After use, I place them in the laundry bag provided and pop them into my regular 30° wash cycle, before leaving them to air dry naturally. Each pad can be used up to 1000 times before it needs replacing, and if you’d like to, treat yourself to the bamboo barrel to store them in. I actually find these pads much softer than the disposable ones I used before, plus I never run out which is always a bonus.
If you can’t reuse something, how about you refill it?
More and more products from soaps to eyeshadow pans offer refill options, cutting down on overall waste. By simply refilling my handwash dispenser, I use up to 80% less plastic.
#02
Maintain it
When we look after what we already have, re-purchases become less common. Recently I was introduced to a brilliant tool to help sharpen my tweezers. Within seconds the Tweezerfile tool had brought my blunt tweezers back to life. I just had to grip the handle and slide my tweezers against the diamond-plated stainless steel. Honestly, I was amazed at how quick and well it worked. This one tool will mean I don’t have to replace my tweezers again, which is great when you think that old tweezers usually end up in a landfill.
Good to know: The Tweezerfile is also good for helping to remove any residual glue that gets stuck on your tweezers after eyelash application and can even be used as a nail file.
The same can be said for our makeup brushes, regular cleaning to keep them in tiptop condition is key. I use (and highly recommend) the StylPro Brush Cleaner & Dryer it cleans and dries my brushes in under 30 seconds per brush. You can read my full review here.
#03
Recycle it
Obviously picking products with recyclable packaging is a good sustainable skincare switch to make. A number of my skincare products come in fully recyclable glass bottles. More and more brands are offering recycling points within their stores for their own products, The Body Shop & Lush are just two examples of this.
Makeup Brand Maybelline has also teamed up with Terracycle to enable UK customers to help fight plastic waste by recycling their used makeup. Perhaps the best news is that Maybelline will accept makeup from any brand at their recycling points. I spotted one in my local Boots, however, there are thousands of points across the country.
But what if it’s a beauty item you wouldn’t commonly recycle, such as razor blades?
I was delighted to discover FFS Beauty offer a free recycling scheme for their blades. I’m already a fan of FFS and their fantastic razor subscription boxes, so it was great to learn of their commitment to sustainability, not just with the recycling scheme, but in their approach as a company as a whole.
You can learn more about FFS, their sustainability policies as well as take advantage of their introductory £6.95 trial pack here.
#04
Know Your Labels
Spending a short amount of time learning what to look out for on your skincare labels can make a big difference in ensuring the sustainability of your skincare purchases.
Cruelty-free (in particular the leaping bunny symbol), non-toxic, organic and palm-oil free are great places to start.
Why organic? Organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilisers. These all have a negative impact on our environment.
Good to know: Sustainable Skincare Jungle has a great list of natural skincare ingredients and their meanings to help you easily decipher the jargon here.
It’s also good to look at a brand’s website to see any statements on ethical sourcing policies and their use of packaging. By Sarah’s page is a good example of this.
#05
Shop Local
OK maybe not down the street local, but at least within your own country. This reduces your carbon footprint by avoiding international shipping or air freight. Below is a picture of some of the brilliant UK brands I use:
#06
Repurpose
Here’s where you can get creative. Old spray bottles refilled with water and a few drops of your favourite essential oils can make great room mists, or just add water to mist your indoor plants. If you google ‘repurpose skincare containers’ you’ll find a wealth of creative ideas.
Making your sustainable skincare switches…
So there you have it, granted the 6 sustainable skincare switches provided here are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to playing your part in helping look after our planet, but nonetheless, they are a solid first step. Why not try them for yourself? Not only will you continue to look good, but you’ll also be doing good too.
RELATED: How to get started with skincare – A no-nonsense guide to looking after your skin
I hope you’ve found my sustainable skincare switches helpful. Have you made any yourself? Have you tried anything I’ve recommended in here already? Whatever you’d like to say or ask, please do! I’m happy to help and I always love to hear from you.
ADVERTISEMENT:
Well done for highlighting the importance of great skincare Alex – something I’ve learned about in the last year myself. It’s great to get the basics done but also to think about beauty from a sustainbale viewpoint is something worth spreading and we can all do our bit to help.
Absolutely – thank you Lauretta! x
Very informative post Alex! I really need to switch to reusable makeup remover pads and get one of those sustainable razors. I’m glad that more beauty brands are taking steps towards eco-friendly formulations. Thanks for providing us a link to Sustainable Skincare Jungle – love the skincare ingredients dictionary.
These are all brilliant suggestions! Reading and understanding labels are so important!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you and yes, really important x