Tips to make beauty routines more earth-friendly

[Naaskel]

Hi all!

Now being a new mom, I have started thinking more and more about how to make my beauty routine more natural (less dubious ingredients) but also more earth-friendly. I want there to be a planet for my grandkids and great-grandkids but buying anything gets so complicated when you not only have to research the product but also the company and so on...

So I am really looking for tips and thoughts about how to approach this - how do you find your natural and sustainable beauty products?

[ChateauMargaux]

Don't put anything on your face that you wouldn't put in your mouth.... buy less, less decisions to make!!

If it has a small number of ingredients that you can recognise as natural elements, organic, comes in a glass jar, that's a good start.

This sounds a bit like a journalist writing a piece...

[walkingchuckydoll]

There are plenty of recipes on the internet how to make your own creams with natural ingredients like bees wax and organic olive oil. Maybe worth a look?

[HellloBambinos]

I have lots of washable face clothes that I use now instead of disposable wipes/cotton pads.

I've also got a zero waste shop near me where you can take along an empty bottle and fill it with shampoo/conditioner/shower gel etc. so it might be worth checking if you have something like that local to you?

I think Superdrug also have a good range of vegan products made with recycled packaging.

[NooneElseIsSingingMySong]

I switched to washable face pads (bought mine from Cheeky wipes). They do say you can use coconut oil - rub it on your face then remove it by using one wipe with warm water and one with cold. Cleanse, tone and moisturise using just coconut oil and water! Unfortunately it clogged my pores. So I still use products but by switching to the washable pads I don’t use and dump tonnes of cotton wool any more, I just pop them in a net bag along with the rest of the washing.

[BammBamm]

Same for me @NooneElseIsSingingMySong
I love the cheeky wipes pads but not washing with coconut oil.

[EmpressJewel]

I use reusable face clothes and cotton wool pads.

Use multi purpose products - coconut oil can be used as a moisturiser, make up remover, hair mask etc etc.

[shadyzadie]

Hot cloth cleansing with a flannel rather than tissues or cotton wool. The body shop cleansing balm comes in a recyclable tin. To minimise plastic, shampoo and conditioner bars and use bars of soap to wash with rather than shower gel. Moisturisers that come on glass jars rather than plastic.

I also remember something about if you do buy plastic, it's better to buy big bottles as they're more likely to be recycled than smaller ones, but don't quote me on that!

I'd also be really careful using coconut oil. It solidifies when it gets washed down the sink and can build up in your pipes if it doesn't get flushed all the way through. Jojoba oil is a better option as a cleanser.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

While you're being Earth Friendly , also be Animal Friendly .

Animal Testing has been largely discontinued but some companies have Parent Companies that test ( and not just cosmetics - household products too)
And check about them selling in China who insist on compulsary testing.

And if you can, don't be seduced by the next great marketing ploy .
Aveda Shampue in a 1litre bottle is my Holy Grail shampoo .
It will last a year (even with my DH and DS helping themselves )

[zerowastemum13]

Hi @Naaskel
I made the switch a year or two ago and it's so worth it. I use sustainable cotton cloths or bamboo cloths - great also for your baby
and then have found a load of vegan, cruelty free and plastic free skincare brands. I mainly shop on life before plastik and they actually have this super useful blog on eco friendly products with a section on everything including skincare: www.lifebeforeplastik.com/blogs/news/plastic-free-essential-products

[Splodgetastic]

Where washable won’t do and you would use a cotton wool pad are there bamboo ones instead? Cotton is terrible for the environment.

[Naaskel]

Thanks all! Decided to start small and got myself washable face cloths and bar soaps and shampoos. Hope the hubby won't object - it is a bit different :D

Will see where this adventure takes me next!

[HasaDigaEebowai]

Don't buy new stuff until you have used everything you already have.