In the world of massive Sephora hauls and giant PR unboxings, zero-waste beauty practices stand out. Are you tired of seeing your money go down the drain after shopping for the latest viral beauty product to hit your feeds? Zero-waste might be the answer. There are so many easy ways to become a zero-waste beauty practitioner, from being more intentional with the products you purchase to ditching high-waste items for good, and these are some great places to start.
Ditch Single-Use Makeup Wipes
Single-use makeup wipes are so easy to grab after a long day at work or pack in your carry-on. Unfortunately, they’re wasteful and not environmentally friendly. The easiest place to start with a zero-waste beauty routine is ditching those single-use makeup wipes in favor of a micellar water or balm cleanser and a reusable cloth.
If you can’t spare the time to make your own makeup-removing cloths, give something like the original MakeUp Eraser a try.
Choose Products With Recyclable Packaging
When online shopping, it’s hard to predict how a company will package its products. But, if you’re shopping in stores, look for products that come in recyclable packing. It’s easy to get sucked in by glitzy branding, but elaborately packaged products aren’t always low waste.
Don't know if something's recyclable? Check the packaging for the standard three-arrow recycling symbol before buying.
Remember to check with your local waste management organization for their list of approved recyclable items. Just because an item can be recycled doesn’t mean your local group will accept it.
Look for Beauty Products With Refillable Containers
Non-sustainable and ultra-sustainable brands alike can offer refillable packaging. There are endlessly refillable products on the market, from YSL’s refillable perfumes to Bésame Cosmetics' refillable pressed powder compacts.
When it’s time to replace something in your kit, look for products that can be refilled. And if you love something that can’t, try to find ways to make it more eco-friendly. For example, instead of buying large eyeshadow palettes for a single shade, order single pans and load up refillable tins on your own.
Streamline Your Products With Multi-Purpose Ones
When it’s that time of the year again, and you’re finally hitting pan, take a beat before clicking add to cart. Instead of replacing what you just used up, consider finding a multi-use replacement instead. For example, you can use Axiology’s Balmie Crayons on your eyes, lips, and cheeks to add a touch of color.
The fewer beauty products you have in your stash, the less waste you’ll produce.
Finish Everything in Your Current Kit Before Buying Anything New
Your gut might be telling you to toss out all the products you already have and buy an entire new batch of lower-waste ones. While you’d be using your purchasing power for good, you’d still be sending perfectly usable products to a landfill.
Instead, embrace the spirit of zero-waste by not letting your current products go to waste. Join thousands of others this year participating in Project Pan. This viral social media challenge encourages people to consume fewer beauty products by "hitting pan" aka using a pressed powder up until you can see the pan underneath.
The idea is to finally use up the products you've been collecting before adding more to your collection, and it's one you can start today!
One way to hold yourself accountable is by following a “one in, one out” rule. You can only bring in a new product when you’ve finished an old one.
Shop From Brands With Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Manufacturing Standards
There’s always room to improve in your zero-waste journey. Making sure to recycle products and reducing single-use items is a great place to start, but putting your purchasing power behind sustainable brands can make a bigger impact.
We understand that not everyone can change products on the fly. Depending on your allergies and skin conditions, you may not be able to switch from your regular, more wasteful products — and that's okay. But, if you’re interested in taking zero-waste up a notch, give brands with eco-friendly practices like these a try:
Giving that 2025 no-buy challege a try? Many zero-waste exercises go hand-in-hand with no-buy and low-buy challenges.
Beauty & Excess Don’t Have to Go Hand in Hand
Big Beauty isn’t zero-waste by nature if the mountain of PR packages is anything to go off of. And while zero-waste isn’t the only answer to the beauty industry’s affair with all things excess, it is one of the better options. The best part? You can start your zero-waste beauty journey right now.
