A lot of people are making a conscious effort to live a greener life, and understandably so. But it can be tricky, especially when it comes to our beauty routine. How can we swap out all the toxic chemicals in our products for natural alternatives (hello green makeup)? From eye drops to our favorite Alpha Lipoic acid serums, there’s always a choice.
Fortunately, there are plenty of easy swaps that you can make which won’t affect your beauty routine all that much. Below, we dive deep into the topic of “Easy Swaps To Make”, and give you some really simple tips for making a huge impact on the planet.
Before we even get started, I want to point out how much of an environmental impact some of these products can have. You’d be surprised to hear how making a simple swap plays a huge part in CO2 reduction.
Some mainstream offers are incredibly wasteful products that take a lot of energy to manufacture and distribute, in terms of transport but also in terms of the amount of water used to keep the animals hydrated while they’re being prepared.
So what should you do instead? Let’s find out:
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Choose Sustainable Ingredients
Natural skincare ingredients are one thing, but are they sustainably sourced? It’s important to look at the ingredients listed on a product before you make your purchase, and make sure that the ingredients you’re opting for are not only natural but sustainable as well.
Many of our beauty products contain tons of chemicals and could be replaced with more sustainably sourced alternatives.
For example, Mica powder is used in almost all green makeup or green cosmetics and eco-friendly beauty products today. From eyeshadows to lipstick to powder blushes. But did you know that some suppliers employ child laborers in their factories, driving children as young as 10 to work in slave-like conditions to meet increased demand for products made with expensive ingredients?
It’s a hard truth that many of us don’t want to associate with, but it’s vital that you know where your product ingredients come from. Be vigilant. Even vegan makeup companies may use questionable ingredients.
Water-Responsible Beauty Products are Important
Water-responsive items no longer include emulsifiers derived from uncertain sources. Instead, you can find a new type of emulsifier derived from lemons, watermelons, and the flesh of coconuts.
But water-responsive products are not only important ecologically because they don’t pollute waterways. Some products alarmingly contain hormones in their formulas that adversely affect human health and could be linked to breast cancer.
Others may contain chemicals known as PEGs (polyethylene glycol) which are harmful to both your skin and the planet but lately, some companies are using fewer amounts of it.
Reusable Cotton Pads are Your Friend
When it comes to biohacking wellness and skin health, the first thing you think about is making sure your skin is clean. Facial wipes are commonly used to remove green makeup.
But did you know that reusable cotton wipes do a much better job? They’re about 20x more effective than the average facial wipe in removing green makeup and dirt.
That’s because reusable cotton pads have a lot of advantages over using disposable ones. Using reusable cotton pads means you save money, packaging waste, and the environment, as well as saving your skin.
Plus, they are easy to clean, Check out here how to clean them properly.
If you don’t want to use reusable cotton buds, there are plenty of other alternatives out there, including plant-based microfiber pads that work just as well.
Related: 7 Best Eco-Friendly Reusable Q Tips To Pick What You Like
Bamboo Beauty Tools are on Trend
The bamboo industry has been steadily growing and really is one of the best environmental options you can make in the beauty industry. Bamboo is a strong, light, versatile and eco-friendly material that is perfect for beauty tools.
Using a tool made from bamboo for things like eyeliner or eyebrow makeup can be a lot more effective than plastic counterparts. It doesn’t transfer bacteria as easily, and it’s also much more gentle on your skin.
Bamboo brushes are also a great option. They’re soft, and you can use them for blending or applying anything from foundation to bronzer.
It’s amazing what a simple swap like this can do for the planet.
Related: 7 Best Bamboo Makeup Brushes To Add To Your Eco-Friendly Bag
Make Your Scrubs, Masks, and Oils
You can make your facial scrubs, masks, and oils that are great for sensitive skin, gentle on your environment, and practical. The great thing about making your DIY green makeup and skincare products is knowing what goes into them. You can use only natural ingredients like coffee grounds, sea salt, or sugar to exfoliate your face or body.
Natural oils like almond oil or coconut oil can be very effective in moisturizing the skin.
You can add natural essential oils like lavender and rosemary to your DIY beauty products, which are full of great antioxidants that help keep the skin glowing and healthy.
Skincare is something that we all need to be mindful of, but there are many great ways to make our routines more sustainable and less detrimental to the planet.
Make Your Shower Gel
We’ve all heard it before; shower gels are one of the most significant sources of water waste in any household. Most of them are loaded with chemicals and have a terrible scent.
But there’s a way to make the shower gel that mimics the feel of store-bought ones but is better for the planet. It’s straightforward, and all you need to make it is some bicarb soda and water.
Bicarb soda is not only an effective deodorant for body odor, but it also has antibacterial properties that can help to keep you healthy and protect you from illness.
Make your shower gel by adding 1/2 cup bicarb soda to 2 cups of water. You can add 2-3 tablespoons of any essential oil you like then add all the ingredients to a spray bottle and shake it well.
Use the homemade shower gel to wash your body as you do with store-bought ones, but the results will be better for you and the environment.
It’s also better to use bicarb soda as it’s not abrasive on the skin. And You don’t need loads of it. Other alternatives with antibacterial features aren’t as effective for keeping you healthy.
But bicarb soda works to gently scrub your body and get rid of pesky dead skin cells, but it won’t leave you with a lot of redness or dry skin afterward.
You’ll also find that this DIY shower gel is much cheaper than store-bought ones and doesn’t leave a high carbon footprint behind either.
The Takeaway
Make sure you’re making thoughtful choices when it comes to your beauty products. Your skin is a living organ that needs to be treated with respect and care. Luckily, there’s a lot more to natural beauty than it seems on the surface.
By making small changes like those we’ve listed above, you can make a massive difference to your impact on the environment.
So, we hope this article gave you an insight into how you can make simple swaps in your life, which will completely change the way you think about beauty and health. If you want more beauty and self-care tips, check out the rest of our blog!
This article is written by Myrtle Bautista and edited by Nada.