I’ve been thinking a lot about sustainability. And while I don’t believe I’ll ever achieve a 100% clean, vegan diet or a complete zero-waste lifestyle, I can make small changes. One place I feel I can make strides in sustainability is my beauty routine. So today we’re going to talk about 3 sustainable swaps I’ve made and a few I’d like to try.
There’s a radical type of climate in the world, and especially our country right now. It’s almost like if you’re not fully committed to something, you’re wrong or fake in your intention. For example: If you aren’t totally vegan, you don’t actually care about the animals. Or if you aren’t going entirely zero-waste, you aren’t trying hard enough to be sustainable.
However, I don’t believe that’s an accurate way of thinking. I think if you’re trying to make positive changes in your life, with the long-term in mind, small changes are impressive. Forgoing plastic straws seems minute, but imagine if 7 billion people stopped using plastic straws. That’s a huge change!
Sustainable Swap #1: Reusable Cotton Pads
I stopped using single use makeup removing wipes years ago when I discovered The Makeup Eraser. Not only did it really work to remove makeup and debris from my skin, it also was more sustainable. I could use it again and again, and I was able to toss it in the washer when I washed towels.
Something I’ve recently cut out of my routine is cotton balls or cotton pads. I used to be a slave to the Shiseido cotton pads and would use them to apply toner or remove eye makeup. But I’ve swapped those single use pads for a reusable counterpart.
Like The Makeup Eraser, I can use these daily and wash them with a load of towels or whites (my pads are white). The kind I use are from a brand called ProCIV; I got them from Amazon.
Sustainable Swap #2: Use What I Have
When talking about switching to a more sustainable lifestyle, I think it’s really important to stay in the mindset of using what you have. Maybe the ingredients sourced for this product weren’t the cleanest, and the packaging is incredibly plastic and harmful, but I already own it. To me, it’s less wasteful to use what I have and then try to dispose of the packaging later than it is to pitch something in the name of sustainability.
This year, I’ve been making a very strong point to use the products I have before purchasing new similar products. This intentional spending stemmed a lot from buying the new house and being generally broke, but it was also a conscious decision as well.
As Americans, we consume so much. I mean, in 2016, the US beauty industry generated nearly $84 billion in revenue!
I’ve been working hard to work through my various half used bottles of lotions and potions. And while I definitely have more cosmetics products than the average Covergirl/Coverboy, I’m trying to be more intentional about my purchases and use what I have on hand before purchasing new products in excess.
Sustainable Swap #3: Consolidate Purchases
Similar to consuming intentionally, I’m trying to be mindful of how I’m purchasing items. Take an order from Sephora.com as an example. The individual products already have their set packaging, but every online order is delivered in a box filled with protective plastic and other packing materials.
I used to place multiple orders a month, sometimes a week. I’d get a new box and set of packing material each order. Now, I think about what I want to purchase and strategically make the order. I try to consolidate as much as I can to avoid gathering large amounts of packaging.
But Jacqie, it can be recycled. True! Cardboard, some plastics, and paper packaging can be recycled. However, not only does my area not take recycling or have a recycling center, most recyclables are ending up in landfills anyway.
— 3 Sustainable Swaps I’d Like to Try —
My Period: I’ve been thinking about how not sustainable my period is, and yours, too, probably. Think of how many tampons, pads, and panty liners your go through in a typical month. And then think about what they’re made of — I mean…kids were boiling them to get high, so it can’t be good. In the coming months, I want to start trying to be more sustainable in regard to my period.
I really want to take a stab at the whole menstrual cup thing, but I’m a little nervous. My body hates tampons, so I’m not sure it’d love a cup either. But I do want to venture into period panties, like those from Thinx or Modi Bodi. Can you tell I just love things I can throw in the wash?
Floss: Ok, ok, so I don’t floss as often as I should. But I’ve been trying. And it’s another area I want to swap to a more sustainable option. I’ll, of course, use the floss I currently have. But I want to switch to a biodegradable dental floss, like this one.
Cleaning My Makeup Brushes: Guys, I’m wasteful when I wash my brushes. I have a heft load of them, and I use a ton of water when cleaning them. I want to start finding better ways to deep clean my brushes without leaving the tap running.
How are you being more sustainable in your beauty/wellness routines?
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