10 Tips for a Sustainable Skincare Routine
There is a growing trend of eco-conscious beauty and thankfully, many brands are now releasing ranges of cruelty-free, vegan, and sustainable cosmetics. Big labels are also offering zero-waste options and making a real effort to reduce packaging. There are also a couple of things you can do to help. By opting for the right brands and making a few small changes to your habits you can practise a sustainable skincare routine. Here are ten quick tips to get you started.
Choose a select few products
Be mindful of the products you buy. Even if you only opt for sustainable brands, create a minimalist makeup collection. When you’re considering buying a particular product, take a moment to think about whether you really need it. Spend more time choosing one great item for your skin type, rather than stocking up several different kinds of creams, for example. If you find one that does the job, there’s really no need to waste money or environmental resources on more. Or, if you know you have a particular problem, find one product that is specific to that; for example, if you have dark spots as a result of sun damage, ageing, or even acne scars, you may wish to look into something like this Dark Spot Diminisher ingredients to see whether this could be a potential product you would like to try.Practising minimalism is the best way to follow a sustainable skincare routine.
Read: why you should strip back your skincare routine, here.
Research sustainable brands
Find out more about the brands you use. There are plenty of vegan skincare products on the market and brands that follow cruelty-free and zero-waste principals. You can check them out on social media and read online reviews. This way you can invest in the right products and get more bang for your buck. The sustainable cosmetics market is on the rise and nowadays prices are much more competitive. You shouldn’t expect to spend more than you would on high street makeup brands.
Look for natural ingredients
If you’d like to keep your skincare products free of chemicals there are several natural skincare ingredients you should know. You can look out for these on the label. Be careful as not all natural skincare products are the most sustainable. You need to ensure they are also certified as cruelty-free, vegan if you prefer, and have recyclable packaging. You can research the brand to find out more about how they source these natural ingredients.
Refill your containers
The best way to reduce waste is to refill your containers. Fortunately, this is a growing trend and many brands and shops are making it easier to do this. You can search for zero-waste shops near you and refill your bath products and cosmetics. These types of shops will have refill options for a range of different household items as well. You can refill anything from food containers to cleaning products.
Recycle packaging
Another alternative is makeup recycling. There are plenty of brands that offer incentives for sending back recycled packaging. Read the label of the products you buy to find out the best way to recycle them. You could also look for brands that use recycled packaging. This is also much more common nowadays so you can easily make your skincare routine more sustainable.
Switch up your tools
Don’t forget to switch up your tools as well as your products. There are several brands that make vegan makeup brushes and sets, for example, that you can buy cheaply. These are also very durable and will last longer. Look for reusable options such as makeup removing pads and cotton buds. You can also opt for a more permanent solution to your razor and other bathroom items. Avoid disposable tools where possible but if you do opt for a one-use item, ensure it’s made from sustainable materials.
Consider other alternatives
You could consider other alternatives to skincare products that provide a more permanent solution. For example, rather than investing in different types of anti-aging skin creams you could get a treatment such as a facelift. This is actually a more sustainable option. Speak to your doctor or a dermatologist for help and advice and they will be able to suggest the right treatment for you.
Stay out of the sun
Taking care of your skin is another way you can prevent the need for so many skincare products. One of the most simple ways to protect your skin is to stay out of the sun. Always top up the sunscreen whenever you’re outside and spend plenty of time in the shade. If you look after your skin naturally you won’t need such an extensive range of products to help you. Be minimal about sun protection as well. One decent suncream and one aftersun should be enough. If you travel, you can decanter these into smaller, refillable bottles as well.
Practise self-care
With the right self-care ritual you can feel relaxed and rejuvenated inside and out. Stress can take its toll on your body, including your skin so if you want a natural way to look after yourself try some relaxation techniques. These could involve yoga or meditation, breathing exercises, or even a fun new hobby. This will also help to boost your self-esteem and overall happiness, so you’ll hopefully rely less on skincare products. Find an activity that works for you that helps you de-stress and improve your mood. You’ll get a natural glow from it.
Get plenty of sleep
Beauty sleep isn’t a myth. In fact, there are several health and beauty benefits of sleep. A good night’s sleep will give you the energy you need for the day ahead and will enhance your body’s natural healing systems. Tiredness can show itself in your skin if not and if you’d like to avoid dark circles and puffy eyes, sleep is more effective than any concealer. If you’re having trouble sleeping there are several things you can try. Perhaps it’s time to get a new pillow. Silk pillowcases are the best for your skin as they won’t irritate it. You should also ensure your pillow is providing sufficient support for your back and neck. Another thing you can try is laying on an acupressure mat before bedtime. Combined with a couple of essential oils such as chamomile or lavender, this will help you achieve a state of deep relaxation. Your skin will thank you for it.
