How to make your beauty routine more sustainable, and save money at the same time
The evidence is clear––the choices we make daily contribute to our environmental footprint. Even our everyday beauty decisions have an impact, and making positive changes to our own routines can influence those around us and beyond.
Many beauty brands are taking big steps to provide products that are both effective and sustainable, but the real magic starts at home. Read on and get inspired to make thoughtful, sustainable choices in all areas of your life.
When buying your favourite products, check their packaging to ensure they’re recyclable, and then make sure you recycle them so they can be disposed of appropriately.
Alternatively, upcycle. Candles, when washed out, make great makeup brush holders; and mascara wands make great eyebrow brushes.
The easiest switch you’ll ever make. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Reusable beauty pads made from cotton or terry cloth are a great eco-friendly option for cleansing.
Penneys do brilliant ones; these soft, black iterations (€3, Penneys) are my personal favourite. Just chuck them in the washing machine when you’re done cleansing.
Globally, we get through three billion aerosol deodorants a year.
And, although they no longer contain harmful chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), aerosol deodorants still contain gas propellants that contribute to air pollution and climate change.
They’re also not great for the sensitive skin of your underarm. Do yourself a favour and get into the natural deodorant world.
It may sound daunting, but I’ve tried and tested a number and there are ones that work better than traditional deodorants.
I am consistently blown away by Salt of The Earth’s range, particularly their crystal deodorant (€6.49, Boots) which lasts for close to a year and leaves me smelling fresh all day long.
Packaging isn’t the only thing that makes a product circular or conscious when factors like production methods, clean energy and harvesting techniques exist. But it’s a great first step.
Take Rituals’ The Ritual of Mehr Refill Body Cream (€17.90, Rituals.com).
It’s worth noting here, too, that Rituals is a certified B Corp company––an accreditation that is incredibly hard to obtain and keep––and allows for refillables on pretty much all products.
All glitter is not created equally. In fact, most glitter products are made with microplastics that are dreadful for the planet.
However, local heroes Anam Cosmetics have us covered. The Irish brand, with soul in its name, makes zero-plastic glitter a reality. Available in taupe, blue and gold, their glitter flecks are 100% biodegradable.
Similarly, SEABODY harvests Irish seaweed for their range of glass-packaged products, like their Aquasurge Day Serum (€55, Brown Thomas) and Irish brand Doctrine makes use of bonafide weeds for their excellent blue-hued Divinity Cleansing Balm (€42, doctrineskincare.com).
This is a no-brainer. To make your routine more sustainable, consider reaching for products that have minimal or no packaging, like bar soap and shampoo bars.
The Body Shop has great options, particularly this Shea Solid Shampoo (€18.35, makeup.ie).
Cut down on emissions by using any of the myriad of brilliant Irish products on the market.
On the top of the sustainability list is TanOrganic, whose Refillable Bronzer (RRP €34.99) contains over 90% organic ingredients––including moisturising sweet almond oil and rosehip oil to strengthen your skin barrier––and rivals luxury brands twice the price.
The only true way to fight the good fight is to consider where we put our money and ultimately consume less. As a person who genuinely enjoys beauty, this can land like a weight.
Instead, I suggest we consider it a challenge instead of a burden; what way can we make the beauty industry work for us, as well as the planet?
As brands with sustainable ethos will tell you, there are more ways to consider than you think.
