Below I have listed 5 tips to a cleaner beauty routine to help minimise some of the negative impacts cosmetics and toiletries have on the environment.

Use shampoo and soap bars

Each year, millions of tonnes of single use plastic, such as shampoo and soap bottles, are thrown away often ending up in landfill or the ocean. Switching to plastic-free shampoo and soap bars will reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce. These products either come without any packaging or are wrapped in recyclable paper or boxes. Shampoo and soap bars are perfect for travelling, as they aren’t affected by the liquid allowance and take up less room than plastic bottle alternatives. Simply pop the bar in a zip-lock bag or tin and throw it in your bag to take with you. Also, shampoo bars are more concentrated than liquid shampoo, meaning they last much longer, which saves money because you won’t need to buy them so frequently.

Opt for refillable products 

The range of refillable cosmetic products on offer has grown over the past few years, with some refillable products being sold in major supermarkets and high street stores. A variety of cosmetics from perfumes, shower creams and fake tans are now being sold in refill packages, where consumers buy starter packs, which can be refilled from pouches or cartridges once the product runs out. Find out more about refillable beauty

Switch from makeup remover wipes to hot cloth cleansing

According to Glamour, the UK alone throws away 11 million wet wipes every year! These often end up in landfill or pollute our oceans if they are flushed down the toilet. Dermatologists also argue that they are not the most effective way of removing makeup and cleansing our skin. Try ditching the makeup remover wipes in favour of hot cloth cleansing, whereby makeup is removed by using your favourite cleanser and either a flannel, muslin, or microfibre cloth. Not only are flannels and cloths reusable, but they are thought to be a more effective way of removing makeup and dirt from the skin - a win-win. Pop them in the wash after a couple of uses and reuse them. This will also help to reduce costs.

Keep an eye out for recycled, recyclable, and reusable packaging

Keep an eye out for recycled, recyclable, and reusable packaging According to the British Beauty Council, 95% of cosmetic packaging is thrown away, meaning packaging is a huge sustainability challenge for the industry. Cosmetic products often use extravagant, and sometimes excessive, packaging as a marketing tactic to entice customers to make a purchase. However, as awareness of climate change increases, consumers are looking for more environmentally friendly alternatives. Seek out packaging that is made from recycled materials or can be recycled after use. Or, if these options aren’t available buy products with packaging that you can reuse, for example a nice cosmetics box can be used to store pens and pencils. Find out more about different types of beauty packaging on the British Beauty Council website