by Dmitri Kara |
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Have you started your plastic-free journey all the way to hygiene and beauty?
They swaddled a lot of cheap drugstore skincare products in plastic packaging, and the affordable price tags tempt you to buy more than you need. Want to do better? Instead of adding to the plastic crisis, look for glass or aluminum steel packaging (with a 100% recycle rate). It may seem overwhelming or pointless at first, but even minor changes in your everyday life count.
Today, at CompleteHomeSpa.com, we’ll help you introduce zero-waste alternatives to your current skincare routine – and a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. There are numerous budget-friendly, plastic-free, organic beauty alternatives you can do yourself!
Tips for Zero Waste Skin Routine
Most skincare products come in plastic packaging, and this is definitely not sustainable for the planet.
To reduce the waste generated from your beauty routine, try changing some of your habits:
- In the morning, wash your face with lukewarm water only. This will help your skin balance moisture and natural sebum. You’ll also use less of your face cleaning products, and they will last longer.
- Exfoliate your face just once or twice per week. Frequent exfoliation may cause skin irritation.
- Give enough time for regeneration after each procedure.
- After a workout, swap your regular face washing routine for a simple rinse with lukewarm water.
- Store all skincare products in a designated area low on temperature and light to ensure maximum shelf life.
- You might even place them inside your fridge.
- Invest in a facial sauna or a steamer for thorough deep cleaning of the pores. Both devices provide hydration, restore pH balance, clear blackheads, enhance the effect of other cosmetic products, and more.
- Improve the blood circulation of your face with gentle dry brush massage. You won’t regret it!
Read Also: Wellness Ideas For Your Whole Body
Switch to Oil Cleansing
- You probably think that oil cleansing will make your face oily, but this is not the case. In fact, organic oils balance the skin’s pH level, provide hydration, healthy glow, and have an anti-aging effect along with many other benefits.
- If your skin doesn’t have any problems, use jojoba or coconut oil. Both can be found in glass packaging and quantity that will last you for months. These oils are also suitable for performing facial gua sha massage.
- For acne-prone skin, try hempseed or grapeseed oil. These oils don’t cause comedones and are rich in linoleic acid.
- Test if a new oil product is suitable for your skin as you select it. Apply it before you go to sleep instead of a moisturizer. In the morning, check how your skin feels and see if there are any outbreaks.
Are you wondering what’s the best oil for gua sha?
How To Do Waste-Free Make-Up Removal
According to zero-waste blogger Antonia, oils are a great zero-waste alternative for make-up removal. Most make-up products are oil-based and that’s why they easily disintegrate in other oils.
Coconut oil is commonly used for removing make-up. But any other oil will also do the job. Apply it with a reusable cotton pad or washcloth to gently clean your face.
This is how to perform zero-waste oil cleansing:
- Massage your face and neck with 3-4 drops of the preferred oil.
- Clean the dissolved make-up with a wet washcloth.
- Do a second round of oil massage for less than a minute.
- Get rid of excess oil by gently tapping your face with the other side of the washcloth. It’s okay to leave a small amount of oil on your skin.
Zero Waste Options for Exfoliation
Do you know that some mainstream face exfoliators contain microplastics?
Once you use such an exfoliator, microplastics will end up in the ocean through the wastewater sewage system and that’s heartbreaking.
Don’t worry, there are numerous eco-friendly alternatives for removing dead skin!
Take a look at our handy suggestions below:
Method 1: Clay Mask
The top choice for clean and healthy skin is clay powder. It does miracles for combined and oily skin types. Clay also unblocks pores and gets rid of blackheads.
There are several kinds of organic clay powders but one of the best options out there is the French green clay because it contains the following minerals: Calcium, Copper, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Silica, Zinc.
So, if you have oily skin, opt for French green clay or bentonite clay. If your skin is more sensitive, select white or pink clay. Ensure that your hair is out of the way when applying the clay mask cause it might get a bit messy.
Recipe:
- In a container of your choice, put a tablespoon of clay powder suitable for your skin type.
- Gradually add water to the clay until it turns into a paste.
- Gently cover your face with the mixture and leave it for 10 minutes.
- Remove it with lukewarm water while carefully massaging your face to exfoliate any dead skin.
Method 2: Ground Oats
Ground oats are a gentler solution suitable for extremely sensitive skin. These are highly beneficial due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
For the recipe below, you’ll need oat flour. You can either buy it from a local organic shop or make it yourself by using a coffee grinder and regular oats.
Recipe:
- Wet your face with lukewarm water.
- Then apply 1 tablespoon of oat flour to your face and massage the skin with your fingers until the oats become softer.
- Once you finish with the exfoliation, you can either rinse your face or leave the substance for a little longer as a mask.
Trash-Free Skin Toner
The main function of a toner is to restore the natural pH balance and moisture of the skin. But when you switch to a zero-waste lifestyle and skincare routine, your pH will no longer be imbalanced. That means you won’t be needing a toner whatsoever.
Nevertheless, if you are a fan of toners and their moisturizing effect, you can try rose water. According to decades-old essential oils manufacturer Galen-N, natural-quality rose water is extracted from the distilled rose petals of Rosa Damascena along with rose oil via highly-specialized yet delicate technology.
Rosewater is extremely beneficial for your skin due to its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties.
Another commonly used zero-waste toner is apple cider vinegar. It is suitable for oily skin that lacks moisture and is more alkaline. But have in mind that vinegar is acidic and should be diluted in water prior to applying it to the face. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with 3 parts water, wet a reusable cotton pad and gently cleanse the skin.
Zero Waste Moisturizer
Usually, moisturizers contain two main ingredients – oil and water. Both of these are essential for the skin to be soft and fresh. Water hydrates the skin and the oils seal the moisture for longer.
Instead of buying a mainstream moisturizer in a plastic bottle, invest in two separate products – an oil-based and a water-based that are sold in plastic-free packaging.
Important note: Always begin your beauty routine with the water-based product. After several minutes continue with the oil-based product to prevent the moisture from evaporating. If you apply them the other way around, your skin won’t receive the full hydration effect from the water-rich product.
What’s a Good Water-based Product?
Fresh aloe vera leaves can do miracles for your skin thanks to the large number of vitamins and antioxidants they contain. If you’re a plant lover, you can even grow it on your own at home.
Rosewater also comes in hand for skin moisturizing.
The oil-rich product can be the same oil you’ve chosen for zero-waste cleansing. If your skin is dry, opt for organic butter instead of oils. Shea butter is an excellent choice.
Zero Waste Skincare Routine – Final Words
Do nature and your skin a favor by switching to a zero-waste skincare routine. There are many plastic-free and budget-friendly swaps that are also multifunctional.
Instead of cluttering your bathroom cabinets with various plastic bottles and treating your skin with chemicals, opt for all-natural and organic skincare.
The combo of minimalism and more natural products will instantly make your bathroom feel cozier.
Author: Dmitri Kara
Started as a jack of all trades back in early 2012, Dmitri Kara is a recognized expert in a wide range of domestic and commercial trades. Dmitri Kara has appeared for reputable outlets such as Today.com, Metro.News, Telegraph.co.uk, ReadersDigest.com, Quote.com, Reviews.com, Plus.net, IkeaHackers.net, and many more. You can get in touch at https://twitter.com/@dmitrikara.