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Eight ways to say “No!” to plastic in your beauty routine
Feeling powerless about plastic pollution? Don’t! Here are 8 things you can do today to make your beauty routine plastic-free.
8 Steps towards a plastic-free beauty routine — reduce demand, reduce production
Greenpeace estimate that 12.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans each year. To put it into perspective, that’s a truck load of trash a minute, every single minute. Considering most plastics take up to 500 years to naturally decompose, that trash is going nowhere. A completely zero-waste beauty routine may be an impossible feat at this time, but choosing to making some small and easy changes is a positive step. The biggest influence we have is choosing where and how to spend our money. Here are 6 suggestions to get you started.
1. Use soap bars instead of liquid soap
Buy soap bars instead of liquid soap. By using soap bars you will smell just as great, whilst:
- consuming less soap
- avoiding plastic waste
- saving money
Win-win-win!
![If people bought liquid soap in bulk, bringing their own containers to the store, it would cut down on the wasteful transport and disposal of all those plastic bottles.](https://www.brightvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/phpI1PrMv.jpeg)
2. Stop using face wipes or cotton pads
Stop using face wipes or cotton pads These are not biodegradable and cause huge problems in landfill and our oceans. Instead remove makeup using cleanser and either a flannel or sponge.
![These are not biodegradable and cause huge problems in landfill and our oceans. Instead remove makeup using cleanser and either a flannel or sponge.](https://www.brightvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/phpZDBExR.jpeg)
3. Don’t use scrubs that contain microplastics
Using natural products like oats or salt can produce the same effects but is friendly to the environment.
Exfoliate, hydrate, and tighten. You name it and there is a DIY facial scrub that you can use to rub the problem away. Plus, if you use ingredients that you find in your own kitchen, like baking soda, lemon juice, and sea salt, you’ll know you are keeping your skin healthy. Not only that, but a homemade facial scrub recipe allows you to mix up as much or little as you need for a fraction of the price.
![This dreamy DIY green tea scrub is perfect for a quick pick-me-up, or for that perfect night you’ve been waiting for—a night just for you, complete with some quiet time, a good book, a bubble bath and maybe a glass of wine.](https://www.brightvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/phpbKYXlE.jpeg)
4. Ditch your disposable razor
Cheap plastic razors you throw away every few weeks are not great for the planet. You’re much better off investing in a safety razor. Not only will it save you money in the long term, it will also look much more aesthetically pleasing on your bathroom shelf. Called a safety razor for reason, they are foolproof to use and should last you a lifetime.
![It saves you money in the long term and looks better on your bathroom shelf. They are foolproof to use and could last you a lifetime.](https://www.brightvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/phpLVIIA0.jpeg)
5. Switch to a bamboo toothbrush
Stop using plastic toothbrushes, or throw-away electric toothbrush heads. Take Pearl Bar… a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush that decomposes within six months.
PearlBar donates 10% of ALL PROFITS to their favourite charities, including the Salvation Army, Love Without Boundaries, and more.
Pearl Bar also donate their PRODUCTS to provide much needed toothbrushes to orphanages, homeless shelters, charitable events and more, across the globe.
![Take Pearl Bar… a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush that decomposes within six months.](https://www.brightvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/phpsUunHU.jpeg)
6. Don’t use cotton buds with a plastic stem — there are green options available
- Biodegradable
- Natural bamboo stick
- Pure cotton tips
- Elegant recycled cardboard sliding box
- Available in boxes of 200
![Biodegradable - Natural bamboo stick - Pure cotton tips - Elegant recycled cardboard sliding box - Available in boxes of 200](https://www.brightvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/php2cMsj1.jpeg)
7. Use recycled or recyclable packaging: 50 creative and stunning eco-friendly packaging concepts
Avoid using products in plastic. Choose packaging that can be recycled or reused such as glass. Some brands use solely pre-cycled, recycled or recyclable packaging.
![With every passing decade, women become more conscious of the ingredients in their skin care and makeup products. For many North Americans, that means a distrust in toxic ingredients and endocrine or hormone disruptors such as phthalates, parabens and formaldehyde, as well as a desire for recyclable packaging and cruelty-free production.](https://www.brightvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/php1HF2mr.jpeg)
8. Buy in bulk from Package Free suppliers
ZERO WASTE PERSONAL CARE — Take care of yourself and the Earth at the same time with suppliers like the Package Free Shop — the Zero Waste Lifestyle Store