The goal with the zero waste series is to look at different areas in your home or life in an effort to show you how to begin the shift to Zero Waste or, at the very least, a more minimalistic lifestyle. Creating a green beauty routine is as much about reducing waste as it is eliminating toxic ingredients from the products one uses. The main idea behind the zero waste beauty approach is to minimize/eliminate the plastic, refill and buy in bulk whenever possible, make your own body care products and cosmetics, support green companies, and get rid of all single-use/disposable products. This might seem like a lot but you can follow the below tips to make it easier:
CLEANSING OIL
The Oil Cleansing Method uses natural oils like castor oil, coconut oil and olive oil for is incredible for naturally cleansing and moisturizing the skin. Providing you with a natural, organic acne and skincare solution. Learn how to combine nourishing oils to heal, protect, and purify your skin.
EAR CLEANING
Q-Tips feel satisfying to use, but they’re actually not that great because they can push wax further into your ears and create blockages. They are also a tremendous source of waste, particularly the plastic ones. The good news is that you can totally avoid them and cancel out from your lives. Rinse your ears thoroughly in the shower with hot water and clean it with a towel using your fingers.
MOISTURIZING/SKINCARE
During the winter months, you can lightly apply a mix of shea butter and coconut oil on your face. Occasionally, in the evenings if skin is feeling dry and looking dull, you may apply some coconut oil before you head to bed.
DENTAL CARE
Use baking soda to brush your teeth, simple, natural and effective! Baking soda can be mixed with coconut oil or a bit stevia for simple toothpaste recipe too. Make your own all natural toothpaste >>
DEODORANT
Making your own deodorant is as easy as one, two, and three because this recipe has only three ingredients! Be sure to use a reusable jar for zero waste! You need 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder, 1 tablespoon baking soda and about 2 tablespoons coconut oil. If the coconut oil is cold, melt it in a pan on the stovetop so that it is easier to stir! Mix all the ingredients together and store in a mason jar.
PERFUMES
Perfume is filled with so many toxins that seep into your skin and eventually into your bloodstream. The toxic chemicals are also deeply inhaled into your lungs when you give yourself a spritz. Try mixing up essential oils or using rose water mixed with rose essential for long lasting fragrance as perfume. Apply it on pressure points to make it last long.
HAIR CARE
You can use lemon or lime juice to tame flyaways and corn-starch as dry shampoo. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that removes impurities from hair, and vinegar is a chelating agent. For best results, mix one part baking soda with three parts water and leave in a few minutes before rinsing, no more than once a week. Condition with white vinegar (it smells less than apple cider vinegar) to treat mineral residue and damage from hard water.