As fast moving consumer goods, beauty’s waste problem is a challenge that brands, scholars and everyday consumers are tackling on a daily basis. As climate change and climate anxiety intensifies, we’re actively making meaningful changes to reducing waste—beauty tools being no exception.
Brands such as Kiehl’s and L’Occitane have initiated the recycling of beauty empties in-store, while others such as Dior, Chanel and Hermès have created refillable beauty options. However if you’ve ticked the boxes where refills and recycling are concerned, it’s time to delve deeper into earth-friendly beauty tools and products. Of course, there may be a trade off where performance and aesthetics comes in, however you can take comfort in the knowledge that multi-use beauty tools, often made with post-consumer waste, all add up in helping to foster a cleaner, greener future. Time to replace single-use beauty tools in favour of these sustainable skincare swaps.
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The Body Shop Clean Conscience Reusable Make-Up Remover Pads
If you want to care for your skin but not at the expense of the planet, consider these gentle bamboo and cotton pads. A great alternative to single-use cotton pads, these nifty cloths can be stored in the laundry bag—happily made of 100 per cent organic cotton—and popped in the wash for seven days of guilt-free cleansing
The Body Shop Clean Conscience Reusable Make-Up Remover Pads, $18, available at The Body Shop
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MakeUp Eraser Cloth Makeup Remover
Eradicate disposable make-up wipes with this fluffy cosmetic erasing cloth that reportedly lasts up to 1,000 washes. Soft to the touch, run a used wipe under warm water to remove traces of the day, including stubborn waterproof mascara and stay-put liner.
MakeUp Eraser Cloth Makeup Remover, $30, available at Sephora
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Last Swab Zero Waste Cotton Swab
Q-tips, but make them sustainable. Each medical-grade TPE bud from Last Swab lasts 1,000 uses and comes in a biodegradable case made of recycled ocean-bound plastic. Available in two styles, one for cleaning and one for make-up touch-ups, this durable product can be cleaned with soap and water after each use.
Last Swab Zero Waste Cotton Swab, $17, available at Last Swab
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Talika Eye Therapy Patch and Case
De-puff, reduce dark circles and revive tired eyes with these reusable patches, inspired by reconstructive technologies. Each patch comes loaded with skin-repairing ceramides, rosehip, wheatgerm and avocado oils to soften and moisturise the skin. The patch can be rinsed with water after use, stored, and reused up to three times.
Talika Eye Therapy Patch and Case, $94, available at Sephora
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Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Mask
Could this replace your single-use sheet mask? Potentially. This reusable cryo-mask featuring metal beads for acupressure massage is easily washable and can turn any favourite serum including Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir into a treatment. When chilled, it promotes circulation, reducing puffiness and inflammation for a countenance that feels lifted and instantly revived.
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Mask, $114, available at Sephora
