How many steps does your beauty routine have? Do you keep it simple with just a moisturizer, an SPF, and a cleanser? Or are you more into 10-step routines that last for half the night and/or morning?
Whatever the case, you should know that your beauty routine might be harming the planet way more than you realize. None of us really think that much about it, but it is true – our beauty routines (usually) are not sustainable. Did you know that the cosmetics industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging every year? Where does all that go? Sadly, much of it ends up in landfills and oceans. But the packaging is not even the worst of it. A lot of beauty products have harmful chemicals that pollute the environment.
Luckily, things are changing, and they are changing fast. Sustainable beauty is the new normal and we are seeing more and more brands ditch wasteful packaging and harmful formulas. There is refillable perfumes, foundations, lipsticks, even mascaras. And do not even get me started on shampoo bars that last twice as long as their bottled counterparts.
The trick is knowing which brands just claim to be clean and green as part of marketing and which are the real deal, so let us get into it.
The Big Shift Towards Sustainable Ingredients
Products packed with synthetic chemicals, tons of fragrance, and preservatives are out and clean beauty is in. You will even see this as part of the cosmetology continuing education courses for professionals.
First off, let us define what clean beauty is. Essentially, it focuses on ingredients that are safe instead of toxic and that are better for both us and the planet. This means that ingredients parabens and microplastics are recognized as problematic and removed from modern products. Now, we are after biodegradable formulas that break down without harming the planet.
But that is not all. Brands are also after ingredients that are sourced ethically, which means that farmers get fair wages and no animals are harmed in the process of testing.
Sadly, a lot of companies are jumping on the bandwagon without really being sustainable. They will use vague terms like “natural” or “eco-conscious” and they will show no proof of it. You will want to avoid them, so look for third-party certifications, research the ingredients, and focus on brands that are transparent about how they source ingredients and produce their merchandise.
What Is New In Packaging And Waste Reduction
There is a serious problem with the packaging in the beauty industry, but brands are finally getting around to it. Refillable and reusable packaging is all over and you no longer have to toss your entire bottle of serum once you’re done with it – you can just refill it.
Some companies are going the extra mile with composable, biodegradable materials that are replacing the usual plastic bottles.
Another big change is coming with waterless beauty products. By this, I mean solid shampoos, cleansers in the form of powders, and serums that are more concentrated so they last longer and need less packaging. Less packaging means a lot less carbon emissions from shipping.
How To Make Your Daily Routine More Sustainable
You undoubtedly want to know how to switch out your routine and make it more sustainable, so let us see.
- Choose The Right Products
Make sure all your products are actually sustainable, so look for labels like Leaping Bunny (no animal testing), Ecocert (organic and eco-friendly), and Fair Trade (ethically sourced ingredients). All these certifications show that the product in question is truly sustainable and it meets the strict environmental and ethical standards.
If you choose these products, you will also help support the brands that are more ethical in general and are not in it just for the money.
- Minimize The Waste In Your Routine
Cut down on wasteful packaging; it is one of the simplest ways to become more sustainable. If a product you use cannot be refilled, recycle it instead of throwing it in the trash. Instead of disposable wipes, use reusable makeup cloths, and instead of products that come in plastic bottles, go for something solid.
- Make Your Beauty Routine Minimalistic
Sustainability also means buying less. For instance, you can adopt a capsule beauty routine, where you will only use a few of the most important products to help with waste and clutter. Or you can use products that serve more than one purpose. For instance, why use a moisturizing serum and a foundation when you can use a skin tint that is both moisturizing and provides coverage?
Instead of drowning in bottles and palettes, focus on a couple of high-quality, multi-use products.
Conclusion
You might think that you are just one small person and how much can a few of your bottles really affect the planet? But think of it in terms of years; how many products do you go through every year? Plus, the reason why change happens slowly is because everybody thinks that one person is not enough to make a difference.
The truth is, every change starts with one person, so why not be them?
