5 Best Ways to Make the Switch to Plastic-Free Beauty
Plastics are harmful. They take hundreds of years to break down. And this means polluting water and land. Your beauty products could be contributing to this problem since most of them come in plastic packaging. And most of these products have microplastic components. These plastic pieces end up in waterways. That means they destroy aquatic life.
Want to minimize the impact? Switch to plastic-free products such as solid Ethique shampoo and conditioner. Many sustainable alternatives are available. They use eco-friendly ingredients and packaging. And what is more? They are more effective than their conventional equivalents. These products can be stunningly beautiful once you’re used to them.
Let’s discover the five best ways to make a switch to plastic-free beauty.
Related: 10 Plastic Free Sunscreen Brands for a Healthier You and Ocean
1) Use Haircare Tools and Accessories that are Natural, Recycled and Reusable
The current sustainable haircare tools and accessories come with natural, reusable, or recycled materials, including:
- Hair Ties and Clips: Just imagine the amount of hair ties and clips that end up in the sea or on land. Currently using any of these tools? Switch to plastic free hair ties created from sustainable materials like natural rubber, hemp, and bamboo. Most eco-friendly brands create unique hair ties from sustainable rubber and cotton instead of plastic. When it comes to hair clips, you can opt for hair sticks made from recycled tamarind root or teak.
- Combs: Beautiful alternatives to plastic combs exist. You’ll love to use combs made from different types of wood, including olive. These combs are designed to sit comfortably in hands. They feature evenly spaced comb teeth with the right size which are perfect for combing long and thick locks.
- Hair Brushes: Vegan hair brushes are completely plastic-free. Their bristles and handles are made from Tampico fiber and sustainable wood, respectively. Tampico fiber is naturally sourced from a plant. The plant is common in the northern parts of Mexico. Fiber from this plant has been a useful material for centuries. It has been used to create brooms, scrubbers and brushes as well as ropes, and cords.
Related: 6 Eco-Friendly Hair Brushes Not Made of Plastic
2) Opt for Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Want to completely avoid plastic haircare and skincare packaging? You’ve got numerous options at your disposal to pick from. They range from shampoos and conditioners to reusable glass jars and aluminum bottles. You can easily minimize plastic waste in waterways and land by opting for these plastic-free packaging options.
- Biodegradable Paperboard: Biodegradable paperboard and other paper packaging products are compostable. These packaging materials break down easily and quickly without harming living organisms and damaging the surroundings. Biodegradable paperboard is, in most cases, used as outer packaging. However, most sustainable cosmetic manufacturers have started using it as the main packaging material.
- Metal: Metal is an eco-friendly material. It can be recycled indefinitely and needs less energy to be reprocessed or processed. Metal is an excellent option and alternative to plastic-free packaging. You can opt for tin, stainless steel and aluminum. These materials can be shaped to any shape. That means a beauty product can perfectly fit in them.
- Beeswax: Another excellent and intriguing eco-friendly packaging is the use of beeswax. This packaging material is easily manipulated and molded. Beeswax makes a great protective layer. That is why they are popular in terms of safeguarding items. Sometimes, they can be used as a cover.
- Bamboo: Bamboo is another eco-friendly packaging that is increasingly becoming popular. Many brands are currently using it to package products. Popular products are lipstick and lip balm. Remember, the cultivation of this material doesn’t need chemicals. Many options are also available to pick from.
- Glass Jars and Bottles: Limestone, soda ash, and sand are the main materials that produce glass. Glass is easier to recycle. That is why they provide a perfect way to ditch plastic packaging.
Related: 7 Creative Ways to Embrace Biodegradable Alternatives to Plastic that Make a Difference
3) Avoid Haircare and Skincare Products with Microplastics
Microplastics are, in most cases, tiny to see. These components can have a massive impact on the environment. This is especially true when they find their way into sources of water. That is why it is vital to be aware of these components when switching to plastic-free beauty products. So, how do you determine that a beauty product has these tiny plastics? Look for:
- Microfibers: These plastic components come from synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon. Many haircare tools and accessories usually have microfibers. They range from hairbrushes and wigs to extensions. When using them, the fibers can unnoticeably break off. Once they break off, they go into water soil and water sources. These components can also escape from wastewater treatment filters.
- Polyethylene and Polypropylene Microbeads: In haircare products, these plastic beads are used as scrubbers or exfoliants. They can be highly damaging. Why? They are too tiny to be filtered out in wastewater treatment plants. This means they end up in waterways and oceans.
The best way to avoid these components in your haircare and skincare routine is to go for solid beauty products.
Related: What is plastic Doing in my Shampoo?
4) Embrace Formulations that Encourage Plastic Free Packaging
Another best way to switch to plastic-free beauty is to embrace formulations that encourage plastic-free packaging. Some of these products are:
- Shampoo Bars and Conditioners: Shampoo and conditioner bars potentially provide the best solution for plastic-free packaging. Packaging options such as cardboard are becoming progressively popular. This is because they’re solid, compostable, and recyclable. You can pick from vegan shampoo bars packaged in boxes to soap bars housed in reusable tins. Shampoo bars and conditioners also significantly reduce the cost of transportation and use of fuel when compared to their liquid equals.
- Shampoo and Conditioner Cubes: Some clever shampoo and conditioner products are available. These products are available in solid and cube form. Basically, they’re like a stock cube. You just need to crush them in your hands and add water. That’s all you need to apply them to your hair. These cubes need between zero and minimal packaging.
Related: 7 Best Plastic Free Face Wash Brands to Supercharge Your Skincare
5) Choose Refillable
Want to cut down your packaging consumption and reduce plastics in the environment? Refill your beauty products. This is easier to achieve, especially when you are a slave to the same beauty products, such as lipsticks and lip balms. Many sustainable brands currently provide refillable cosmetic products. This approach allows for the reuse of already eco-friendly packaging solutions available out there, including metal and bamboo. Always look out for refills of your favorite beauty products, whether solid or liquid.
Plastic-free haircare and skincare products are the right path to follow. They allow you to style your hair and maintain your skin naturally while keeping the environment free from plastic components. Switch to plastic-free and sustainable brands. This decision will allow you to achieve your goals effortlessly. These brands use materials which are sustainable as their main packaging. The best terms that can describe these materials are reusable and decomposable.
There you go! You now have the best five ways to smoothly transition into a sustainable haircare and skincare routine. You have traversed everything in the beauty products and packaging world, from solid shampoos and conditioners to bamboo and glass containers. Even using one of these ways helps in the fight against plastic waste. Start your journey to a plastic-free haircare and skincare routine by opting for eco-friendly alternatives in your forthcoming shopping for beauty products.
