By Camila Karalyte
When making changes towards a more ethical lifestyle, it can be easy to forget about your skincare and beauty accessories. It’s vital to ensure the ingredients in your products are natural, sustainable and ethically sourced- but what about the packaging?
Packaging accounts for over 40% of total plastic usage, with 8 million tons being dumped into the ocean every year. Shockingly, about 91% of plastic isn’t even recycled! As the message of climate crisis spreads worldwide, companies are starting to make changes to their branding. This includes promoting ethical products, as well as focusing on sustainable packaging.
There are many products out there that are ‘naked’ or zero waste– with biodegradable packaging. These are great for the environment, however not so friendly for the wallet. A great way to maintain a sustainable lifestyle while not spending too much, is to consider reusable and refillable products.
The market for these types of products is on the rise and you can find anything from reusable cotton pads to tampon applicators! The possibilities are endless.
Reusable makeup remover pads
In this day and age of skincare galore, we should all be taking our makeup off properly. We have upped the game; a dried-up wipe is no longer enough to clean our faces. Not only is it not providing a sufficient enough wash, it’s also really bad for the planet.
Swapping from makeup wipes to reusable pads will save approximately 15kg of plastic a year! These makeup remover pads from Ecovibe are made completely from bamboo, meaning that they are vegan and sustainable. They are machine washable and last for over 100 washes- and includes a mesh bag to store and protect them. They are also 100% biodegradable, so when the time comes to dispose of them, it won’t cause the planet any harm!
Reusable organic face cloths
Not only are flannels and face cloths helpful for clearing the skin, they also help the environment too.
Face cloths are perfect for washing and reusing, therefore it’s essential to have one that is environmentally friendly and will last a decent amount of time. This organic muslin cloth is perfect without breaking the bank. It’s lightweight and made from 100% high quality, organically grown cotton which won’t aggravate the skin. Sourcing organic cotton doesn’t harm the environment so you can use it knowing its sustainable.
Reusable tampon applicator
Sanitary and period products generate over 200,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year! The average user will throw away roughly 120kg of tampons, pads and applicators during their lifetime.
When nature calls, it can be unpredictable and unavoidable so we can try our best to have a toxin-free period. This reusable tampon applicator set is a brilliant way to stay protected while ensuring your period is more sustainable. It includes a tin, 6 tampons and an organic cotton travel wallet. The tampons included can also be purchased separately and are made of chemical-free organic cotton to give you and the Earth, the best protection.
The applicator is reusable, so you don’t have to worry about harming the environment. It’s easy to wash and is made of medical grade materials that contain Sanipolymers, which fight off germs and bacteria.
Reusable swab
Cotton buds have plenty of uses, from cleaning ears to wiping up smudged mascara. It’s something we usually forget, but cotton buds are extremely bad for the environment. Although they’re small and thin, their plastic stems are contributing to the climate crisis.
They’re never recycled and often end up in landfills or flushed down toilets. This then ends up in the oceans and harms the marine environment.
This reusable swab is a great alternative. It is made from biodegradable silicone and nylon, making it durable and long-lasting. It comes in a carry case and is extremely easy to clean- just soap and water.
Cultivating A Sustainable Beauty Routine With Refills
Reusable face mask
Selfcare is key to a happy life, right? But what about a happy environment? We all love a facemask, especially a moisturising sheet one. There’s nothing better than putting your feet up and having a slightly terrifying-looking sheet on your face, sucking out all your skins impurities.
This reusable silicone mask can be used up to 20 times, meaning its more sustainable than purchasing one-use sheet masks. You apply your favourite moisturiser or serum, before placing the mask over it. The mask contours to your face and provides a hydrating climate, perfect for saving your skin in the upcoming colder months!
Reusable razor
Whether you shave weekly or once in a blue moon, a good razor is essential! Buying new razors regularly is important to avoid blunt blades but can be bad for the environment. The plastic handles are hardly recycled and the amount we use is not sustainable.
Estrid is a razor subscription that values the customers, where you can decide how often you can have blade refills delivered to your home. The metal handle makes the razor durable and sustainable, without the use of throwing out and purchasing a new one. The soap bar in the blade is completely vegan unlike disposable razors, making every part of this razor ethical and sustainable.
You can set the blade refills to be delivered every month, 2 months or 3 months (depending on how often you choose to shave). Without the need of throwing the whole razor out and buying new ones, you’re reducing the waste and harm towards the environment. This is truly a girl’s (and planet’s) best friend.
Refillable eyebrow pencil
It’s argued that eyebrows are the most important feature on your face- making or breaking it. Framing the eyes, they have risen in popularity over the years, from pencil thin to full and luscious. An eyebrow pencil is a staple in all our makeup bags whether we prefer a natural look or a more glam one.
This refillable eyebrow pencil holder is brilliant as it houses the brow refill and has a spoolie attached to tame your brows! There’s no need to ditch the pencil when it comes to an end, just buy a refill and it will be good as new. This helps reduce waste as many makeup brands still use plastic packaging and they aren’t disposed of properly. Buying refills is far more sustainable for the planet and your wallet.
Refillable deodorant
Many of us use deodorant everyday but do not realise how much it can harm the environment. Using aerosols pumps chemicals into the air, while the packaging is often non-recyclable or sustainably sourced.
Wearewild are a deodorant subscription service that value sustainability. When you sign up, you can purchase a one off, including 1 case and 3 refills of your choice, or you can set up the subscription to deliver refills as often as you want. You get 3 refills every 2, 3 or 4 months for just £5 per refill!
What’s especially fun about this service, is that you can choose the colour of your deodorant case, as well as what scent you want- so it truly suits you.
The casing is aluminium, so will last ages, and the refills are 100% plastic free and compostable. The ingredients in the refills are strictly natural and healthy for the body, including coconut oil to moisturise and tapioca starch to keep you dry. While it can be a bit pricey for some, it is worth the money for the sake of the Earth’s future and actually works out cheaper in the long run.
It’s the small changes that make a big difference, so whether you purchase all of the above, or just one, it still helps. Swapping disposable products for refillable/longer lasting ones, will have a huge impact on the amount of waste we produce. Being more knowledgeable about the situation and how you can help is crucial-think green.
Camila Karalyte
Camila is a recent graduate in English literature and creative writing. A lover of books and music, with a passion for writing.