Is Your Beauty Routine Eco-Friendly?

Sustainability is becoming more important every day in the cosmetic industry. Since all of the cosmetic supply chains can have an impact on the environment, it is important to consider all of the stages in the life-cycle of a product from the raw materials used to produce it to their disposal in order to make any sustainability assessment.

The cosmetics industry around the globe produces 120 billion units of packaging per year. Most of these packages end up in the bins. But, what exactly do we mean when talking about sustainability in the mentioned industry? To answer this question, it is vital to consider different aspects, such as the ingredients contained in the product, the making process of the product, its packaging and distribution, and the possibilities of recycling it. It is also key to consider whether the brand has a program to return empty packaging and whether they contribute to green projects or initiatives.

Let’s explore some tips to make your beauty routine more sustainable:

1. Search for Products That Avoid Plastic Packaging

Foundations, eyeliners, lipsticks, and mascaras are usually packed in plastic. Searching for alternative packaged products is a good idea to care for the environment. Many brands are innovating by using packages made out of paper, aluminum, or glass, which are easier to recycle.

2. Use Bamboo Toothbrushes

These are a great option, considering they do the job of brushing your teeth, plus they can easily be composted. Be sure to snap off the head before putting them in your food recycling bin. 

3. Opt for Wooden Makeup Brushes

This change will help you protect the environment, without sacrificing utility or comfort.

4. Be Sure To Use All of the Products

Sometimes we are too lazy to fully utilize all of a product. Next time you have a product that is running out, cut the packaging to ensure you are using all of it. The excess make-up that we throw away with packages always ends up contaminating the oceans or in landfills.

Also read: 5 JOBS THAT WILL BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

5. Use Facial Soap Instead of Wipes

Wipes are usually non-biodegradable since they contain polyester. According to the Marine Conservation Society, an average of 14.1 wipes for every 100 meters of the beach were found during the Great British Clean of 2016.

6. Do Not Buy Products That Contain Microplastic and Microbeads

These tiny particles are extremely harmful to our environment. Besides not being recyclable, they pollute the oceans and may end up being ingested by marine life.

7. Ditch the Plastic Razors

Stainless-steel safety razors don’t contain plastic and can last much longer. Even though you have to change the metal blades, these can be recycled.

8.  Keep Your Skincare Routine Simple

The truth is we may not need as many products as we think we do. Most of the ingredients in different products are similar, so you may just reduce the number of products used. This will definitely decrease your household waste.

By following this simple advice, we can make a big difference in the environment. To achieve a more sustainable economy,  the cosmetic industry must also keep directing efforts towards producing functional products that incorporate natural ingredients and have green processes and packaging.  Every effort towards sustainability counts!