5 Easy Ways To Make Your Beauty Routine Eco-Friendly

Today I am handing my blog over to Tessa from Tessa Holly, her blog features the most beautiful photos, great posts and a friendly face, so once you have had a read here, why not pop over to ready some more.

We all know that we could and should be making more effort to introduce environmentally friendly practices into our everyday lives. It can definitely be overwhelming and I know that I often wonder if I’m doing enough. If you’re just starting the journey to make your lifestyle more sustainable then your beauty routine might be the easiest place to begin. These are some easy ways to make your beauty routine eco-friendly:

Simplify your routine

I would start by simplifying your routine and just buying less. How many different serums, toners, cleansers, masks and makeup products do you really need? If you’ve got a routine that you love and swear by then don’t feel the need to change it. But if you’re like I used to be then you probably have multiple products that all do the same thing but you fancied picking up a new one just because the packaging looked appealing. And again when you see a new range come out that everyone has on Instagram.

You could probably also cut down how often you buy products by just using a bit less each time you use them. I’ve always used things very sparingly (probably too much so), but after seeing how much shampoo and body wash my boyfriend uses every day, I think a lot of people tend to use more than is needed. Really take a look at how much you’re using and find where you could easily use less. Do you end up washing away a tonne of foundation each week because you pumped out too much? Try using just half a pump at a time and adding a bit more if you need it. It’ll save you money too so it’s a win-win!

Another thing to keep in mind is multi-purpose products and customisable products. Eye shadow palettes are one of the main culprits here, I think. How many times have you bought a whole palette only to use just a couple of shades? If you make your own then you can carefully select each shade – and refill your most used ones easily.

Check the packaging and ingredients

I think we’re all well aware that plastic is bad for the environment. And yet most beauty products are encased in it. Luckily, more and more brands are reducing the amount of plastic used in their packaging, with several being completely plastic-free such as this oily hair shampoo. When you’re making new purchases, have a look to see if the packaging is recyclable. Opt for recycled materials, glass or cardboard if you can. Most packaging states whether or not it’s recyclable as well so check to see if it’s going to end up in a landfill.

There are a lot of chemicals and things that aren’t too great in beauty products. These usually end up in the water system. The banning of microbeads is a great step in the right direction, but what about all the things we can’t actually see going down the drain? This includes what’s in sunscreen which is a contributing factor to harming coral reefs around the world. Try out sunblocks that have physical sun barriers such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide instead. I’m slowly making my way to using all-natural products as I think it’s better for my skin too.

There’s also the factor of the impact that creating these ingredients has on the environment. Where did the ingredients come from, how were they made? How far has it had to travel to reach me? These are all questions to think about when you’re buying new beauty products.

Go cruelty free

I think a lot of people aren’t aware of how much animal testing goes on. However, there are lots of lovely brands that are completely cruelty-free, even when required by law. This means that they don’t sell their products in China where it’s currently mandatory for companies to test on animals if they sell there. There are some brands that claim to be cruelty-free but they sell in China so therefore their products do get tested on animals.

A lot of people also assume that if a product is labelled as vegan then it’s not tested on animals and vice versa. This isn’t always the case. Vegan refers to the ingredients being derived from animals whereas cruelty-free means it’s not tested on animals. I would recommend having a look through lists such as this one from Cruelty Free Kitty which is regularly updated if you’re not familiar with which brands do and do not test on animals, and what being cruelty-free actually means.

Use re-usable

If you’re still using face wipes then you should probably consider stopping. They’re not very good for your skin, and even worse for the environment. If you need to use them then buy completely biodegradable ones instead. Reusable cotton or bamboo makeup pads are quite easy to get hold of and do a much better job at taking your makeup off.  They can also be used for applying toner, once used just pop them in with your laundry. You can find most items in a reusable form now, including nail varnish remover.

A lot of makeup items come in refillable packaging so that you can reuse them. Go for bars of soap and shampoo to minimise waste, they last a lot longer too!

Buy from sustainable brands

Shopping locally and with independent brands is usually better than buying mass made products from chain stores. In the very least, the products probably have a lower carbon footprint. A lot of cities and towns have zero waste shops now so if you can, shop there. I have one very local to me which sells a whole range of things from food and cleaning products to fashion and beauty items which is great.

Try to do a bit of research on brands before buying from them. Do they have sustainable practices in place? Do they offer a living wage to their employees? Do they seem like they are genuinely trying to do their bit?

Some beauty brands that I think are pretty great are Lush, Zao, Tabitha Eve, and Eden Perfumes.

Of course, it’s often impossible to find items and brands that are completely perfect but if you can purchase products that meet even some of the eco-friendly criteria then you’re helping to make a difference. So keep checking out those zero waste cosmetics which are becoming more popular. 

About Tessa

Tessa is a travel and lifestyle blogger based in Cardiff that focuses on sustainability and documenting her journey to leading a more considered life. She is also a freelance photographer offering product photos, blogger shoots and more. Find her blog here – www.tessaholly.com.

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