Simple ways to create a greener beauty routine

Reduce beauty waste with sustainable swaps, refillables and reusable skincare products

Shauna Coates

March 8, 2023

The beauty industry has a significant environmental impact, from excessive packaging to the use of harmful chemicals and single-use plastics.

As awareness of climate change and sustainability grows, more consumers are looking for ethical and environmentally friendly alternatives when choosing cosmetics and toiletries. In response, many beauty brands are now offering more sustainable products and packaging options.

Here are some simple ways to make your beauty routine more environmentally friendly.

Beauty Packaging

Switch to shampoo and soap bars

Millions of plastic shampoo and soap bottles are discarded every year, many of which end up in landfill or pollute oceans and waterways.

Shampoo and soap bars are a simple way to reduce single-use plastic waste. Most are sold without packaging or wrapped in recyclable paper or cardboard.

They are also ideal for travel because they:

  • Take up less space
  • Avoid liquid restrictions
  • Last longer than bottled alternatives

As shampoo bars are typically more concentrated, they often last longer than liquid shampoos, helping consumers save money as well as reduce waste

Choose refillable beauty products

Refillable beauty products are becoming increasingly common in supermarkets and high street stores.

Products such as:

  • Perfumes
  • Shower gels
  • Fake tan
  • Cosmetics

are now available in refillable packaging systems. Consumers can purchase a reusable container once and then buy refill pouches or cartridges when the product runs out.

Refill systems help reduce packaging waste and encourage more sustainable purchasing habits.

Replace makeup wipes with reusable cleansing cloths

Disposable makeup remover wipes create a significant amount of waste and are often incorrectly flushed down toilets, contributing to pollution and sewer blockages.

Reusable alternatives such as:

  • Flannels
  • Muslin cloths
  • Microfibre cloths

can be used alongside cleansers to remove makeup effectively without generating single-use waste.

These cloths can simply be washed and reused multiple times, making them both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Look for recycled and recyclable packaging

Packaging remains one of the biggest sustainability challenges within the cosmetics industry.

Many cosmetic products use excessive packaging as part of their branding and marketing. However, consumers are increasingly seeking products with:

  • Recycled packaging
  • Recyclable packaging
  • Reusable containers

Choosing products with sustainable packaging can help reduce unnecessary waste and support brands working towards more circular solutions.

Reusable packaging can also be repurposed around the home for storage and organisation.

Support brands with sustainable values

Researching the ethics and sustainability policies of beauty brands can help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.

Many brands now highlight commitments such as:

  • Cruelty-free testing
  • Supply chain transparency
  • Sustainable sourcing
  • Environmental initiatives

However, some environmental claims can be misleading. This practice, often referred to as “greenwashing”, occurs when products are marketed as environmentally friendly without sufficient evidence to support those claims.

Checking certifications, sustainability reports and company policies can help consumers identify genuinely responsible brands.

The beauty industry still has significant progress to make when it comes to reducing environmental impact, but consumer demand is helping to drive positive change.

Making small sustainable swaps, such as choosing refillable products, reusable cleansing cloths or plastic-free alternatives, can collectively make a meaningful difference in reducing waste and encouraging more environmentally responsible beauty practices.

 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author, Shauna Coates, and do not necessarily reflect the views of recycle-more, Valpak Limited, or any other organisation.