Eco-friendly makeup routine: when sustainability is on the palette
As you surely know, there are at least 79 thousand tonnes of plastic floating around and polluting the ocean. Yes, we’re talking about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. At the same time, the cosmetics industry, which was worth more than 500 thousand million dollars in 2017, and is expected to go up to 800 thousand billion in 2023, is a great contributor to plastic packaging, although there is very little information available about how much plastic waste is generated by this industry.
As such, it becomes imperative that we tackle this problem. Makeup is about self-expression and creativity, not about waste, pollution, or harming our planet.
Do you love makeup? We do too. But we do understand the need for more sustainable alternatives. Let’s make the “behind the scenes” of your makeup routine an eco-friendlier one. Read these 10 tips on how to improve your makeup routine.
1. Less is more
You must have heard this motto countless times – it was initially used in the context of architecture, but one can bring it in pretty much every modern-day scenario. Yourmakeup routine is no exception. “Less is more”, here, means the first step towards a more sustainablemakeup routine is reducing the number of products (and packaging) you buy. Do you really need that many? Let’s use yet another famous quote: “Less but better.”
2. Go with vegan makeup
Did you know your makeup is full of animal products and biproducts? Crushed beetles on your eyeshadow, fish scales on your lipstick, animal fat in foundations, andthe list goes on. Plus, many of the popular makeup brands do tests on animals. Brands that chose to create vegan cosmetics and beauty and skincare products are actively making a difference in the world, namely when it comes to CO2 emissions.
3. Go for natural ingredients
Let’s not get started on microplastics or toxic chemicals found in makeup. Let’s not. The demand for natural alternatives is rising, and this is the sign that better times are coming. Consumers want to know what they are getting, and especially in the skincare and beauty industries, they are tired of being blindsided with complicated ingredient lists. Going for natural ingredients in your makeup is a way to protect not only your health but the environment as well. These nasty chemicals and microplastics end up down the drain, contaminating our seas. Well, no more!
4. Alternative packaging
For safety reasons, beauty products and cosmetics are tightly packaged and protected. However, in many cases with plastic. Similarly, makeup containers – eyeliners,
mascaras, lipsticks, foundations, you name it – are made of plastic that isn’t always recyclable. The good news is, many conscious brands are adapting their packaging to paper, aluminium or glass – much easier to recycle! And even wood!
5. Wooden makeup brushes
On the topic of wood… have you heard of wooden makeup brushes? Well, these exist and are here to stay. Next time you need to upgrade your makeup brushes, go for wooden handles – or even bamboo. It’ll be a very sustainable spin on yourmakeup routine.
6. Look for refillable
Yes, refillable! It is now possible to find brands that allow you to refill your makeup containers with more product – often at a discounted price. Those eyeshadow containers, foundation bottles or loose powder boxes? Refill them! No more waste.
7. … and recyclables!
As we’ve said, many types of plastic are not recyclable. Check the labels of the makeup products you buy. If they are recyclable, yay!; if they’re not, say nay. A sustainablemakeup routine has no place for containers that will end up in landfills or the ocean. And we should not contribute to it anymore.
8. Get ride of the makeup remover wipes
Makeup remover wipes have served their purpose. They help when camping or when you have an emergency in a business dinner, but they have no place inside the house. Firstly, because they are single-use. Secondly, they are often not biodegradable or recyclable. Aside from that, makeup remover pads often contain alcohol and other chemicals that can irritate the skin.
9. And try reusable cleaning pads…
A better solution for makeup removal is reusable cleaning pads. They are just like cotton pads, except they’re washable and therefore reusable.Green Tailors Reusable Cleaning Pads are made of a special blend of bamboo fibres and cotton and come with a small laundry bag that will help you keep track of them in the washing machine.
10. … and biodegradable cotton buds!
Fan of eyeliner? We are pretty sure you use a lot of cotton buds. Are we right? Well, single-use cotton buds, with a plastic handle are out. Try outGreen Tailors Biodegradable Cotton Buds! Vegan, biodegradable and made of bamboo fibres and cotton only, there is a great addition to yourmakeup routine.
But don’t stop with yourmakeup routine: getmore awesome ideas of zero-waste products.