The pressure to live more sustainably can be overwhelming, but when you hear that two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages by 2025, it’s not something we can ignore. As individuals, it’s time to consider the little things we can do to lower our own usage. Simple changes to our daily regimes, like not leaving the tap running while you brush your teeth and turning off the shower while your hair mask sets, can make a positive difference.
Below are some of our green tips for you to create an eco-friendly beauty and wellness regime:
1. Choose cruelty-free beauty
We should all be reading labels and questioning the ingredients our favourite brands use to ensure beauty products aren’t harmful to or being tested on animals. For example, shark-derived squalene was found in almost 90% of products claiming to be vegan or cruelty-free, even though it can be derived from plants, such as in olive oil.
Check out our Top Ten Cruelty Free Make-Up Brands, or head over to the Sustainable Brands Directory.
2. Cut down on packaging
A shocking 151 billion pieces of beauty packaging are produced every year, so we should all be working to reduce the amount we purchase. Try opting for solid shampoo and soap bars, to avoid plastic packaging altogether. Many companies now offer refillable options and take back schemes – such as Boots and Maybelline.
When there is no option but to purchase plastic, ensure it’s made from recycled material and that it is recyclable.
3. Look for blue-beauty products
Sadly, many sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that are damaging to coral reefs. Avoid chemicals such as oxybenzone (benzophenone-3 or BP-3) and octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate or OMC) and opt for mineral sunscreens instead.
4. Opt for an eco-friendly deodorant
Traditional aerosols contain gas propellants and roll-ons are often produced in plastic packaging. Luckily, we don’t have to forgo deodorant altogether as we now have a host of eco-friendly options available.
Opting for a fragrance-free deodorant will also reduce the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to our air pollution problem.
Wild Deodorant – a sustainable option
5. Consider a plastic-free period
Tampons and sanitary towels are mainly made of plastic, but luckily there are now more sustainable options on the market. You can now purchase tampons that are made from 100% organic cotton, while menstrual discs, cups and pants are other eco-friendly alternatives.
6. Make your sex life more sustainable
Have you ever considered the lifespan of a condom or vibrator? Almost all condoms are made from latex or a latex derivative which all take a considerable time to degrade. In recent years fair rubber latex condoms have been designed to be biodegradable in your home waste or your compost bin.
You can also opt for more sustainable lingerie in the bedroom, by looking at sustainable clothing brands that use recycled materials.
7. Try waterless beauty
The concept of ‘waterless beauty’ originally started in South Korea and can come in a variety of forms, including cleansing balms, powders, solids, concentrated oils, body butters, masks, and pressed serums. These can be incorporated within skincare, haircare, and make-up products.
Not only will it lower your H20 footprint, but it will also reduce waste. Products that contain water as filler are not as effective, which leads to you consuming more of it.
