There’s no doubt about it:

Taking care of ourselves is important.

In an age where self care is celebrated, we all have our own products, rituals, and routines that help us unwind from the stresses of life.

Have you ever thought about how your beauty routine affects the environment?

Chew on this:

120 billion units of plastic packaging are produced every year by the beauty industry alone.

Wow! That is a frightening statistic, but do not fret. You do not have to abandon your self care routine or continue feeling guilty about taking care of yourself.

Think about this:

What if I told you that for every beauty product you love, there is a more eco-friendly alternative out there? You are not alone in this journey!

I am here to help.

Today I will be sharing my top nine zero waste skin care products with you.

Zero Waste Skin Care

So, what exactly is a zero waste skin care product?

It simply means that instead of using plastic packaging, they use materials that have a lower impact on the environment. The material must be recyclable or compostable.

Typically, this means using glass, cardboard, or bamboo.

Not all products that consider themselves “zero waste,” are the same, however, often times these products are also cruelty-free, all natural, and do not use toxic chemicals.

Okay, let’s get to it:

Here is my top zero waste skin care products:

1. Earth-Friendly Face Lotion

If you are a sucker for cute packaging, it will not take much to convince you to try the Yay For Earth Zero Waste Face Lotion.

It is organic, all-natural, and comes in the cutest reusable jar with adorable illustrations.

This lotion has some amazing properties but also is gentle enough to be used everyday. Once you try it, it will become a staple in your everyday routine.

Check it out:

Olive oil moisturizes your skin and gives your face a beautiful glow.

Shea butter is anti-inflammatory and calms the skin.

Beeswax is anti-bacterial, leaving your skin healthy and clean. Lastly, pomegranate seed oil has wonderful anti-aging properties.

The Yay for Earth Zero-Waste Face Lotion works great on all skin types and a little goes a long way. You only need about half a pea size per application to get the full benefits, so the two ounce jar will most likely last you a few months!

2. Simple Solutions: Argan Oil

If you are not on the oil train yet, you should totally hop on with the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil.

My favorite thing about this product is how straight-forward it is.

No additives or extra ingredients, just 100% pure Argan Oil.

Never heard of it before?

Here’s the scoop:

Argan Oil is extremely moisturizing. In fact, it’s nature’s richest source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E. The best part is that it can be used head to toe!

It’s great for the skin, hair, and nails.

Since Argan Oil is so pure, it does not need to be used everyday.

I usually use it if I am having a spa night or if my skin feels super dry in the winter. Once you put it on, you will feel it deeply hydrate your skin and bring it back to life.

This oil will also give your skin the most beautiful, dewy glow!

3. Package-Free Facial Soap

If you are looking for a completely zero waste, natural alternative for daily facial cleanser, look no further than the EcoRoots Shea Rose Clay Facial Soap.

This soap is plastic-free, cruelty-free, all natural, and vegan.

What more could you ask for?

I love how mild, yet powerful this soap is. It is great for all skin types and could also be used on your whole body.

Smells light and flowery, but it’s properties are strong. The soap is infused with mango butter, rose hip, French pink clay, and creamy coconut milk.

Wait, there’s more:

Since this facial soap comes as a bar, there is virtually no plastic packaging.

However, EcoRoots only uses biodegradable packing materials.

Finally, a zero-waste daily facial cleanser for all skin types!

4. Zero Waste Lip Balm 

Who likes chapped lips or sending trash to landfill?

Uh, no one.

That’s why I know you are going to love Rosebud Perfume Co.’s zero-waste strawberry lip balm.

The sweet smell of this lip balm will keep you reaching for more.

 

Rosebud Perfume Co.’s mission is to create simple, affordable products that are effective. They do not miss the mark with this product, that’s for sure.

My favorite part about it is the ultra cute vintage-inspired tin can packaging that is 100% recyclable or reusable.

Sometimes I feel like lip balms force you into an endless cycle of reapplying, but this strawberry lip balm is different.

With just one application, your lips will feel hydrated for hours. It also has a very subtle tint that makes your lips look fresh and healthy.

5. Ethical Shea Butter Hand Cream

Say goodbye to cracked, dry, and overworked hands.

L’occitane en Provence’s Shea Butter Hand Cream works wonders.

This hand cream usually ends up becoming a lifetime staple product for anyone who tries it.

Here’s why:

Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and has been used by women for centuries. Spring honey soothes the skin, leaving it soft and silky.

Sweet almond oil is high in omega oils which helps nourish dry skin and bring it back to life.

It’s really impressive how transparent L’occitane en Provence is about the ingredients they use. While many other industries exploit the areas in which they source ingredients, this companies seeks to empower.

They ethically employ over 10,000 women in West Africa to process their shea butter using environmentally-friendly methods.

6. Reusable Cotton Facial Rounds

This may be a product you would not initially think about when crafting your perfect zero waste skin care arsenal, but once you try it, you’ll be hooked.

Are cotton pads or cotton balls part of your skin routine? Have you ever thought about how wasteful they are?

No need to worry.

EcoRoots came up with a great concept: organic reusable cotton rounds. It is so simple.

Apply zero-waste face moisturizer, lotion balm, face oil, or vegan toner to one of the round pads and apply it on your skin. You could also use these cotton pads to remove makeup or wash your face!

Once you are done, wash the pad and use it again!

Ten come in a pack, so you won’t constantly have to be doing laundry. They are made from a mixture of organic cotton and bamboo, so they can be composted after their life is over.

7. Refillable Body Lotion

If you haven’t heard about Plaine Products before, you need to keep reading. This company provides return labels with all of their products so that they can keep reusing bottles and create less waste.

How genius! Oh, and everything is non-toxic, cruelty-free, and vegan.

I would like to bring attention to one product in particular: the Rosemary Mint Vanilla Body Lotion.

This stuff is god sent. It smells so so so good. The rosemary and mint give it a refreshing kick while the vanilla soothes and calms.

Also, the lotion has some aloe and rose hip oil in it so it is extraordinarily hydrating.

I use this lotion every night after I shower. Over time, you will notice a positive improvement in your skin’s texture and appearance from using this great lotion.

8. Reef-Safe, Plastic-Free Sunscreen

It’s pretty ironic that so many people use sunscreen that contributes to the plastic pollution of the ocean while swimming in the ocean.

Sadly, many sunscreen lotions on the market are also extremely harmful to coral reefs.

Raw Elements reef-safe, plastic-free sunscreen wants to change that.

This SPF 30+ all-natural formula will keep your skin safe from the sun’s harmful rays. It also can be used on both your face and body.

The tin it comes in is recyclable/reusable, so you do not have to feel guilty anymore about taking care of your skin.

There’s more:

This sunscreen is water resistant beyond 80 minutes, so you do not have to spend a lot of time reapplying.

Nourishing vitamins, minerals, and extracts are included into the formula to moisturize your skin as you enjoy the great outdoors.

9. Biodegradable Deodorant Stick

Skin care usually bring moisturizing, exfoliating, and cleansing to mind, but what about sweating?

No one likes to smell bad from body odor, yet many of us now fear deodorant because of the toxic chemicals many brands often include in their product.

Fear no more with the Soap & Salve Biodegradable Deodorant stick. I have seen many “natural” deodorants in stores, however, they often are still cased in plastic.

I love this product so much because it is plastic-free, chemical-free, and prevents me from smelling bad.

They have two varieties to pick from non-scented and tea-tree/lemongrass.

Both have coconut oil and baking soda which both have antibacterial properties to help neutralize underarm odor.

Organic cornstarch is also used to absorb perspiration. For a baking-soda-free alternative check these natural deodorant creams. Learn more about deodorant cream here.

It’s great! 

I hope now that I offered some great alternatives, you will see how easy and affordable it is to convert to a zero-waste skin care routine.

Take care of yourself and the planet!