How to cut down on plastic for an eco-friendly skincare routine

Our daily skincare routine might not seem like the first place we would look to cut down on plastic. However given the detrimental impact of the packaging and plastic ingredients that these products contain, it suddenly seems like a great place to start.

And the statistics prove it. Only 50% of packaging is recycled in the bathroom compared to nearly 90% in the kitchen. This is mostly due to confusion over what can and can’t be recycled. And although recycling is admirable, bare in mind that this will not solve the problem. We really need to be focusing on reducing the beauty products we use or look for eco-friendly alternatives.

Shop the post:

BRITA Fill & Go Vital Water Bottle | Debenhams Dressing Gown | Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Eye Make-Up Remover | Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Nourishing Cream

I believe every change – however small – makes a big difference, and whilst governments, manufacturers and large corporations need to do more to address this issues, we all have the power to reduce plastic in our lives.

Less is more! Making a step in this sustainable direction can start by looking at buying less products. Are your shelves piled with different moisturisers, cleansers and masks, of which some you rarely use?

We need less than we think when it comes to maintaining healthy, glowing skin. Personally, I’ve started to gradually reduce the number of skincare products I use and just stick with the essentials. I’ve also started to look more into brands that have strong sustainable policies and recycled packaging.

I use Neal’s Yard Remedies because their products come in glass pots and bottles which are recyclable and can be handed back to stores. Their Organic Eye Make-up Remover is my favourite, I use it daily! It quickly removes make-up – even the stubborn mascara, leaving skin clean, soft and radiant. Don’t forget to switch to washable, reusable cotton pads, too. They’re both eco-friendly and more efficient when it comes to cleansing.

I also use Lush as many of their products are package-free or come in biodegradable packaging. I personally love their shampoo bars, that work just as effectively as bottled shampoo and generate no additional waste.

It goes without saying, but drinking enough water has huge benefits for your skin. Try to carry a reusable water bottle with you and refill it instead of purchasing single-use plastic bottles. I always keep my BRITA Fill & Go with me so I remember to drink water throughout the day.

Remember that going plastic-free is not an overnight switch – don’t go on a frantic shopping trip and purchase a whole new set of eco-friendly products. The best thing to do is use everything you currently have on your bathroom shelf and only replace products when you have none left.

Between 5 – 13 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year, and over half of whale and dolphin species have now been found to have ingested plastic. #NotWhaleFood is an initiative by global charity, WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, aiming to help consumers find alternatives to single-use plastic and reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean.

Join me and visit notwhalefood.com for other simple lifestyle changes you can make this year to help keep the oceans and the planet healthy.