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How to Adopt a Zero-Waste Lifestyle in Your Daily Beauty Routine

Sustainability is a hot topic nowadays, and for plenty of good reasons. Waste is a huge problem around the globe, from textiles to food, and even beauty products. In fact, more than 120 billion units of packaging are produced each year for the beauty industry. That contributes to massive deforestation and additional waste for products that can’t be recycled. 

If you’re trying to live a zero-waste lifestyle or at least reduce the amount of waste you produce, take a look at your beauty routine. From the skincare products you use to the makeup you apply, your morning routine might be good for you but bad for the planet. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to give up that aspect of self-care to do something good for the environment. By making some changes and educating yourself on the waste produced by the beauty industry, you can adopt a zero-waste lifestyle that can benefit both you and the planet. If you’re not sure how to get started, let’s look at a few small things you can do to make a big difference in your beauty routine’s waste production. 

Change Your Daily Habits and Routine

The idea that you have to make drastic changes or go zero-waste “cold turkey” is wrong. Making small changes to your beauty routine can actually make a big difference in how sustainable it is. 

Your changes should begin by looking at some of the things you already do and use. You might simply need to use fewer products to get started. From there, you can start to make changes in the products you buy based on the ingredients they use and the packaging they come in. 

You can also change your other “wasteful” habits like only using the water you absolutely need, minimizing the use of hair styling tools to stop wasting electricity, and getting creative with certain “swaps” that you can reuse over and over – we’ll talk more about that below. 

When you start to change your daily beauty routine habits, you’ll quickly find that going zero-waste in other areas of your life is easier. That includes your fashion. Instead of shopping at “fast fashion” stores, choose clothes that are made of quality materials and built to last. The upfront cost outweighs the repeated purchase of cheaper clothing. Shop at thrift stores and buy second-hand items, and donate your clothes instead of throwing them away. 

You can even make memorable moments more sustainable. Want to throw a kids’ birthday party for your little one? Everything from your makeup routine to the tableware to the decorations can be zero-waste if they’re recyclable or biodegradable. Because so many people are starting to shift to a zero-waste lifestyle, it’s becoming easier to find eco-friendly alternatives. 

Find Sustainable Alternatives

Speaking of those alternatives, it’s not always easy to give up the beauty products you love. But, making some simple swaps can significantly cut back on the waste you produce through your daily routine. With a little bit of research, you can find suitable alternatives for almost every aspect of your routine, including: 

• Toothpaste tablets
• Reusable facial pads
• Plastic-free dental floss
• Shampoo bars

Some beauty companies are jumping on the zero-waste train, themselves. They ship out their products in reusable, refillable containers, and you send them back when you’re done to be filled up once again. This practically eliminates any plastic waste and can make you feel better about what you’re using. 

Even though more companies are starting to “go green,” some people are hesitant to switch from their favorite products because eco-friendly alternatives can be expensive. 

The good news? You don’t have to break the bank to go zero-waste. You might be able to DIY more than you think. 

Make Your Own Products

Instead of purchasing beauty products, why not consider making your own? You might already have some ingredients around the house that can be used to transform your skin and give you a glow. 

You can even use some of your “waste” products and give them new life in certain beauty products. For example, if you’re trying to cut back on food waste, did you know that certain ingredients can be used to give your skin a healthy boost? Some of the best foods for your skin include: 

• Flaxseed
• Avocado
• Yogurt
• Turmeric
• Celery
• Greens

While including those ingredients in your daily diet is a great way to give your skin nourishment from the inside out, you can also make masks, creams, and scrubs. Do your research and seek out specific “recipes” for skincare treatment using certain foods. It’s a fantastic way to reduce your food waste while creating products that allow you to know the benefit of every ingredient. 

A zero-waste lifestyle is easier than it seems, and you don’t have to give up your beauty routine. Keep these ideas in mind to make changes, educate yourself, and even experiment with your own DIY solutions to your everyday beauty routine without creating waste.