Climate change and increasing concern for our world’s well-being are far more apparent these days. And no matter how little you think it makes a difference, your individual choices can contribute to the effect on the world regarding issues including pollution or threats to wildlife.

The beauty industry contributes massively to pollution. In fact, over 120 billion units of beauty packaging are used globally each year, most of which aren’t recycled. 

Brands need to offer better packaging and other sustainable beauty products in the market to meet customer demands. Here are some ways to align your beauty routine with environmental sustainability for 2024.

Stop the Water Waste

Believe it or not, water waste can contribute to higher concentrations of pollutants. It can also limit water availability to other communities where water shortages are more frequent. One easy thing to do while exercising your daily skincare and beauty routine is to turn the faucet off whenever you’re not using it. 

It’s too easy to leave the water on because you know you will use it again momentarily. But, with wasted water that can be better used elsewhere, you can help the environment by shutting it off when you’re busy brushing your teeth, scrubbing your face, or otherwise not using it for that moment.

Read The Ingredients, and Shop Small

Being more conscious about the products you use in your beauty regimen will help ensure your sustainability. Beauty ingredients can impact the environment. 

Have you checked what goes into your eyeshadows, blushes, or lipsticks? The ingredients may surprise you (and gross you out!) Look for ingredients with labels like “vegan,” “cruelty-free,” or are made with soy if at all possible. 

The components in soy skincare include some of the following:

• Isoflavones – these compounds contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so they can help protect your skin from pollution and sun damage and improve signs of aging.
• Vitamins and minerals—essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin E and potassium help nourish and hydrate your skin while preventing dryness. 
• Oils – natural oils like soybean oil contain fatty acids to ensure your skin maintains its natural protective barrier. 
• Proteins—proteins are essential in helping to enhance the production of collagen, which keeps your skin’s elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Honey For Your Hair

One more thing you can focus on with your beauty routine is your hair. Plenty of all natural honey shampoo, conditioners, and hair care products are on the market. But which ones are the most environmentally friendly?

Look for products that showcase sustainability in their marketing. Honey is also a great ingredient that you’ll find in many hair care products, and it is all natural and helpful.

Using soy in beauty products is helpful with sustainable practices because it’s natural, biodegradable, and vegan. Other beauty products you can look into include specific ingredients, such as natural deodorants. Remember to avoid products that contain ingredients like microbeads in exfoliating scrubs since they harm marine life. Instead, try products with natural exfoliants like sugar or sea salt.

If you opt to go to the spa occasionally, look for places that showcase sustainable ingredients in their products, such as those that provide facial cleansing in Houston. Also, support local entrepreneurs and small businesses since it helps foster your community while reducing carbon emissions.

Check the Packaging

Sustainable packaging is another way that beauty products can consider their environmental impact. In addition to the ingredients being a focus of natural use, look for brands that have eco-friendly packaging to help reduce waste.

Some packaging trends that help create more sustainability for this year include:

• Refillable packages: Upcycling initiatives like refillable product packaging are a great way to reduce environmental impact. Beauty companies will introduce a green business plan that helps preserve materials through repair and reuse to expand product quality.
• Recyclable material: Items packaged using biodegradable materials like wood, glass, and recyclable paper can be essential in ensuring that no part of your beauty product goes to waste.
• Minimalist packaging: Beauty brands have discovered that the simpler the packaging, the avoidance of harmful materials used in extra labels or designs, which not only keep costs down but also decrease carbon emissions through manufacturing.
  

Find Non-Toxic Fragrances

Your perfume is another area of beauty to consider when examining eco-friendly alternatives. In addition to checking the brand for its list of ingredients, any company that doesn’t list all of its ingredients for you likely may contain some toxic or not-so-safe parts.

One of the more essential ingredients to look for is phthalate. This chemical is detrimental to your body and is often used in packaging to make plastic soft and flexible. Any perfume, fragrance, or beauty product you buy must be phthalate-free.

Find fragrances that showcase only natural ingredients, are vegan and cruelty-free, and use recyclable packaging. These include brands like Abbott and One Seed, perfumes that showcase transparency with all-natural and high-quality ingredients without harming the environment.

Giving Back

Another significant aspect of helping with sustainability and doing your part involves giving back to the planet. Plenty of beauty brands are aware of their carbon footprint and look to utilize more sustainability.

Many of these brands also showcase that when you purchase their products, a percentage is set aside to help with things like conservation and greener manufacturing. They may also showcase their locations, where they have gardens or specific designs to maximize functionality and reflect good conservation measures.

Find Reusable Beauty Products

Face wipes are an easier solution for cleansing the skin and removing makeup. However, they are more environmentally harmful due to increased waste and breakdown. Many of them contain alcohol, which strips the skin of natural oils and takes many years to break down in landfills.

Switch to a cleansing wash with natural ingredients, a gentle cleanser, balm, or even a nourishing cleansing cream. These help remove makeup and clean your skin without a harmful impact on the environment (and your face!).

Makeup brushes and cleansing pads may also not be on your radar when considering your beauty routine. Still, if you’re constantly using throw-away products like cotton balls, these products significantly increase the amount of waste since they are a “one-time use” product. 

Use a makeup brush cleaner to reuse your brushes rather than buying new ones. You can also invest in reusable cotton pads, which are more eco-friendly than single-use cotton balls. 

Beauty Routine Goals

Making small changes, like switching what you use to clean your face or checking the ingredients in your makeup, skincare, or deodorant, can make a massive impact on being more eco-friendly. It may seem challenging initially, but take small steps to incorporate a more environmentally conscious beauty routine.

It’s easy to change based on their sustainable packaging to start, for instance. Look for recyclable materials, those brands that give back to the planet, and make these little changes to your skin, hair, and makeup habits so you can feel better about being more sustainable in 2024.

Published by: Khy Talara