Single-use makeup wipes and cotton buds quickly pile up in the bathroom dustbin, clogging our drains, filling the oceans and causing further environmental damage every day. During a 2018 survey, 22 cotton buds were found for every 100 meters of UK beaches, according to The Cotton Bud Project. In the UK alone, it is estimated that we use 1.8 million of these single use plastic buds every year. According to the BBC, wet wipes and face wipes cause 93% of all major UK drain blockages, as well as being very bad for your skin. Using makeup wipes can cause breakouts, unnecessary irritation and leave your skin still left with a layer of makeup residue, dirt and chemicals even after using, according to Glo. Be careful of greenwashing when searching around for some new makeup remover products – many promise to be sustainable but actually use nylons as part of their manufacturing processes.
Use reusable cotton pads and cloths
With many options and a large range of sizes, reusable cotton pads are versatile, travel friendly and the perfect solution for taking off the day. Made from 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton, these reusable cotton pads from Eco Vibe are better for your skin and the environment. Available in various bundles, these recyclable pads can be used with any make up removers and cleansing products.
If you’re after a more exfoliating solution, these Exfoliating Organic Muslin Cloths from Pai, will be your next best friend. Made from 100% organic cotton, they slough away dead skin cells to reveal a happy and healthy complexion.
Bamboo cotton buds
Bamboo buds are certainly a good swap to make to reduce excess plastic waste, some of our favourites include this pack of 200 buds from Wild & Stone which are completely biodegradable as they’re made from bamboo and organic soft cotton.
Another good choice is Leave No Trace, their pack of 100 buds are also biodegradable. Leave No Trace is a superb option for sourcing a range of sustainable bath & beauty products, with bamboo toothbrushes, organic washcloths and vegan dental floss all available from their website.
Face towels
According to the Chicago Skin Clinic, we should be washing and replacing our face towels every day if possible. It’s important to find an organic, sustainably sourced face towel to ensure you’re not contributing to the growth of pesticide treated cotton which is significantly bad for our environment.
These face towels from Dip & Doze are made with Fairtrade approved organic cotton and contain no harmful chemicals – meaning they’re perfect for sensitive skin. Available in a range of colours and sizes, they are designed to stay strong and soft even with frequent washing.
