Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Beauty, In 8 Ways

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Beauty

Cosmetic products are unavoidable. Even if you’re not too interested in makeup and don’t feel the need to look your best every day, chances are you’re still using shampoo, for example, or toothpaste. The thing that escapes our notice, however, is the fact that every product we use is another polluting factor we add into the environment.

Pollution caused by cosmetic products has gotten a bit of attention recently, and not just in the sense that we throw away a lot of unused products and their containers. A study proved that by doing our morning routine we are even contributing to air pollution. Horrible, right?

Obviously, we don’t want to give up on makeup and beauty products, but we definitely don’t want to be the reason behind global warming and the extinction of species. Luckily, there are things we can do to ensure that we’re not putting any unnecessary strain on the already tortured environment. Here are some suggestions in case you’d like to reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Use DIY products

There are many products you can actually make by yourself. Face scrubs, lip balms, even deodorants can be made from natural ingredients. There are so many advantages to making your own cosmetics: you know exactly what ingredients you use, you know they’re always fresh, and they’re much cheaper than the store-bought stuff. They’re also good for the environment, as you can easily make as much as you need, therefore reducing the amount you throw away, and you will reuse the containers, thereby eliminating all the waste.

2. Use essential oils instead of perfume

Similar to making your own beauty products, you can make your own perfume. You need essential oils of your choice, water, and alcohol (if you only have the drinkable kind, use vodka). Make sure you store it well, so it lasts you for a longer time.

3. Find products that come in refillable containers

There are several brands that sell their goods in refillable containers. Sometimes they will offer their products at a cheaper price because they save on the production of containers, which means you’ll be saving money as well. Also, you won’t be throwing anything away since you won’t have any containers to dispose of!

4. Avoid disposables

There are many disposables we use as a part of our makeup routine. Think cotton balls, for example, or disposable razors. There are alternative products to these. For example, instead of cotton balls, you can use reusable cotton rounds, which can be better for your skin as well as more sustainable. Use safety razor instead of disposable ones, etc. Many products can be made reusable, so take advantage of that fact and be green!

5. Try menstrual cups

We use (and throw away) a huge number of tampons and sanitary pads every month. However, you can prevent the waste by simply switching to menstrual cups. They are great because they pose less threat to your health, you can wear them for a longer time, and by using them you can save significant amounts of money. Also, they’re reusable, which mean that they don’t make a lot of waste, unlike the traditional options. They seem a bit weird at a first glance, but if you try them out, you won’t regret it.

6. Consider cosmetic surgery

One of the most practical ways to make a big difference in the way you look is cosmetic surgery. By no means does it mean that you should just go and completely change your appearance; however, if there is something that’s really bothering you and you spend a lot of time and resources trying to conceal it, a surgery may be the way to go. A small procedure like Botox or a cheek augmentation surgery can give your face that much-wanted youthful glow which means that you’ll be using less foundation and rouge, thereby saving money and producing less waste.

7. Invest in double-duty products

A great way to reduce the number of containers you need to dispose of is to use double-duty products. There are plenty of opportunities for this, as many of the products you already have can be used for things other than their primary function. Waste less money on different products where you can use one, and help the Earth by throwing away one container in place of two, three or five.

8. Minimize

Simply put, don’t buy what you don’t need. Every one of us is guilty of impulse shopping from time to time, but try to avoid it as much as possible. Make sure that everything you buy is something you know you’ll use. This will help the environment, it’ll help your wallet, but it will also make it easier to organize your space, and prevent clustering. It pays off to carefully consider every purchase before you make it, don’t you think?

You don’t need to give up beauty to be green. These small changes can make a world of difference. Go green in style!

Article written for WhosGreenOnline.com by Mia Johnson