Easy Eco-Friendly Beauty Swaps to Upgrade Your Routine
We only have one Mother Earth, so it's imperative we take care of it. Instead of upending your entire routine, start by making small but sustainable changes. (They'll add up over time, and you'll be more likely to stick to smaller updates to your regimen.) I love all things beauty, but unfortunately, personal care products are a major contributor to pollution, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Luckily, companies are beginning to make changes of their own to minimize waste, including getting rid of plastic packaging and making reusable tools. Consumers seem to be a fan of these adjustments, according to a Pinterest report, searches for "eco-friendly swaps" surged 127% in 2019.
To inspire you to revamp your routine, here are five eco-friendly products to swap into your beauty routine. Once you make these affordable swaps, you won't even miss your old disposable products.
Facial Cleansing Tools
Facial cleaning devices are known for their deep cleaning and exfoliating superpowers, but many versions come with brush heads that need replacing every few months. This tool, however, is made out of silicone, so its brush never needs to be changed. The device, which produces 7,000 vibrations per minute, effectively cleanses and slows down aging by massaging your favorite face wash into your skin. It has four customizable cleansing modes and comes in three colors: blush, navy, and teal.
Buy It: PMD Clean Facial Cleansing Device ($99, Sephora)
Makeup-Removing Wipes
We know by now single-use products, such as bottles, straws, and plastic bags, end up in landfills, oceans, and are overall bad for the earth. One-time use makeup wipes are no exception, but the company Spaces offers a reusable option. The organic pads are made from bamboo and can be used up to 1,000 times, and the plastic-free packaging is also recyclable. According to the company, one pack of 20 replaces 2,000 disposable cotton pads. Plus, this pack also comes with two makeup sponges and a cotton laundry bag for cleaning your products.
Buy It: Spaces Organic Reusable Makeup Remover Pads ($10, originally $14, Amazon)
Minimally-Packaged Makeup
Instead of buying another palette for one shadow, create your own with MAC's refill pans. You first select your compact and then choose your shadows. (There are 95 options to choose from, so you're sure to find a few favorite hues.) When your shadows run out, simply replace them with refills, but keep the same compact. You'll be cutting down on a ton of packaging by refilling the same compact.
Buy It: MAC Eye Shadow Refill ($8, MAC)
Tree-Free Brushes
Now that your makeup is greener, your brushes should be environmentally friendly, too. EcoTools' products are made from recycled aluminum and plastic, as well as renewable bamboo. The packing is 100% "tree-free" and contains a mix of cotton and bamboo. The goods are affordable, too; the five-piece kit sells for just $10, and it will get tons of mileage in your everyday makeup routine.
Buy It: EcoTools Start the Day Beautifully Kit ($10, Target)
Silicone Swabs
If you use disposable cotton swabs to artfully smudge or remove makeup each day, consider upgrading to reusable ones. Each pack from Rnkr contains two types of flexible, silicone-tipped swabs: one for makeup removal and one for touch-ups. The product is offered in a rainbow of colors and comes with a handy carrying case for traveling.
Buy It: Rnkr Reusable Silicone Swabs ($9, Amazon)
