10 Tips For A More Sustainable Skincare Routine
1. REUSE INSTEAD OF RECYCLING
Many containers from food or items around the house can actually be repurposed instead of thrown away to be recycled. Even so, not everything can actually be recycled, and certain types of plastics have limitations to the number of times it can be recycled and what it can be used for. Metals on the other hand can be scrapped and melted down to be used some of the time. Instead, why not find another use for such containers? For example, the Happy Labs pills come in cute little metal tins. Our favorite use for the tins is travel containers for our daily vitamins and emergency medications, for just-in-case needs. You can even use one of each of the empty pill tins for different types of vitamins and medications.
2. USE EVERY LAST DROP
This one might sound crazy, but our favorite method to use up every last bit of product is to….actually cut the tube/bottle! Be careful with this one so you don’t injure yourself, but cutting and using a spatula to scrape out all contents of lotion for example, will save you and the environment over time. You can easily store the remaining lotion in a glass jar or container to keep it from drying out. Try it, you’d be surprised how much product remains inside!
3. SEEK OUT SUSTAINABILITY
The next time you run out of your favorite product, really look at the labels, ingredients, and brand values. It’s important to use your dollars to support brands that in turn support and care about not only you but the environment too. If your current brands don’t check off any of the sustainability boxes and no future initiatives are planned, it might be a good opportunity to try something new.
4. USE YOUR VOICE
Ok, so maybe you really love one particular product but the brand may not be aligned with your new sustainability goals. It’s definitely ok to speak up, to contact the company and express your concerns or educate them on sustainability initiatives that they could possibly think about incorporating into their business model.
5. LESS IS MORE
It can be surprising how a little can go a long way when it comes to skincare and bodycare products. Small dabs of face cream for example may do the trick instead of a thick layer. Sometimes the bottle or tube design of a product deposits a little bit too much product per squeeze. As a tip, placing the product in a sealable glass jar with a lid can make your product last longer. Just be sure to keep it out of a sunny spot if using clear glass.
6. REFILL TO BUY AGAIN
Some products like coconut oil or olive oil can be multi-purpose, great for cooking and for your skin. Bulk food stores or eco shops sometimes have large barrels or canisters of such oils, where you can bring in your own container to refill instead of buying a new glass jar or bottle at the store. One less glass jar in recycling still saves energy!
7. WASH DON’T TOSS
Facial cleansing wipes are convenient, easy, and especially great for travel. What about daily use at home? Each used wipe creates a bit of trash as most are not compostable. Instead, you can purchase reusable cotton pads with a little bit of makeup remover, facial cleanser, or even raw coconut oil, to clean your skin of the pollution and makeup from the day. They can be easily washed with your laundry and reused again and again.
8. DIY MASKS & MORE
Single use packets for face masks and brightening sheets are a great way to try something new, but what about the waste? Most are not compostable and create trash from just one use. Instead of buying a large bottle of a mask you’ve never tried, consider making a DIY mask at home. Simple ingredients that most of us have in the kitchen can turn into the perfect face mask including a smashed banana, honey, or smashed avocado.
9. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
Some stores allow you to try small samples of their products before buying, to see if you like it and it works with your skin, body, or hair. It’s difficult to repurpose a partially used body care product once opened, so it’s best to purchase items you’ll truly enjoy and use.
10. SKIP THE TRAVEL SECTION
It can be very tempting to walk by the travel aisle, to see smaller versions of your favorite products. Instead of buying the mini sizes again and again for each trip, invest in a set of refillable travel bottles that are easy to fill, wash, and reuse. This way you are always ensured to have your favorite products with you, in bottles that can be reused.