Three Little Tips for Reducing Plastic in your Makeup

Three Little Tips for Reducing Plastic in Your Makeup_LittleSoapCompany.co.ukHere at Little Soap HQ we’re fully behind the plastic-free mission that’s sweeping the media right now. It’s about time we all took an honest look at our plastic usage and made some changes to reduce it over all. Regular readers and those who follow us on social will know that we’ve been striving to reduce our carbon footprint for some time now, and steering clear of plastic where we can has always been at the forefront of what we do. We take great care to re-use any plastic packaging that comes our way, and we never specifically order plastic packaging or un-recyclable materials either. In our office and at home, we do what we can to reduce, re-use and recycle and we believe everyone should follow suit- but we do acknowledge that it’s not always as easy as it sounds. With this in mind, this week we’re bringing you three super little tips for reducing plastic in your makeup. One step at a time.

What’s on the outside counts too

When it comes to packaging and containers, opt for materials that have been recycled, or that can be recycled after use. Start researching the brands that go out of their way to ensure their products are presented in boxes and containers that are made from sustainable, recyclable materials or with materials that you can recycle easily. Make a list and take a pledge to avoid manufacturers that use unnecessary plastic. There are plenty of brands out there with an eco conscience and more that are slowly transforming the way that they package their products.

Better still, make your own cosmetics and use recycled bottles, jars and containers to store them in, or take them along to your local plastic free shop and fill your own with the beauty bits you want.

Go for biodegradable products

When it comes to items such as brushes and sponges, those products that come package-free are always going to be the best option. However, if your beauty buys come packaged up, then the next best step to take is a quick analysis of the materials used overall. Look for brands that use materials such as bamboo, cardboard and other materials that biodegrade over time. Some brands even offer plantable packaging, so, again, it’s always worth doing some research before you buy.Three Little Tips for Reducing Plastic in Your Makeup_LittleSoapCompany.co.uk

Not all plastic is created equal

While plastic is getting a bad rap these days, it has to be said that not all plastic is created equal. Read our post on why it might be better to go for PET plastic than glass here. A quick re-cap: glass can often be more costly to recycle, and can also have a bigger impact on carbon emissions in the process too. Manufacturers that choose to use PET plastic over glass do so for many reasons, one of which is the consideration of the overall impact on carbon emissions.

We use PET plastic here at Little Soap because it can be recycled easily into lots of other products- and as long as you do recycle it carefully, you can rest assured that your purchases can be mindful even if they do contain plastic here and there. While it’s true that other, more sustainable materials will always be a better option for your makeup, using PET plastic does mean that more items can be recycled after use- and that can only be a good thing.

Bonus tip… Take it away, don’t throw it away

We remove our makeup a the end of the day because we have to, not always because we want to! And too often we reach for the easiest method of removal (since it’s more a chore than a pleasure, let’s face it!) but this right here can be one of the biggest changes you make in your bid to reduce plastic in your makeup. No, we’re not suggesting you stop removing your makeup! But we are suggesting you adapt how you do it, and stop throwing away disposable makeup wipes or cotton pads while you’re at it. Instead, invest in some reusable makeup wipes or soft bamboo face cloths to remove your makeup. Pop them in the wash to use again and again- don’t throw them away!

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