Our environment and how we treat it has been a trending topic as of late, but sometimes the issues surrounding it seem too big, too removed, and too far away. Although it’s difficult to imagine how you can have a positive impact on the environment by altering your daily habits, there is actually a lot you can change in your everyday life to do your part!
Making your beauty routine more eco friendly is a great first step. Whether you’ve always made a conscious effort to buy sustainable products or you’ve recently decided to make changes that are better for the environment, making some adjustments to your beauty routine is much easier than it sounds.
From switching off the water when you’re brushing your teeth to reading the ingredients in the products you’re using, you may be surprised at just how much a few small changes can affect the planet we live on. With that in mind, here are 5 ways to make your beauty routine environmentally friendly:
1. Don't Overwhelm Yourself
Although you may want to do as much research as you can to better your entire routine at once, it’s important that you only try to tackle one part of your beauty routine at a time. Making changes can be incredibly difficult—especially when it comes to your physical appearance—and if you overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything at once, chances are you will give up quickly.
By taking your time and doing enough research, you will feel much more informed about your decisions and as a result, it will be a lot easier for you to establish a routine that is filled with eco-friendly alternatives. Yes, it may take longer to achieve your overall goal, but it will be worth it in the long run; don’t risk burning out before you can make any significant changes!
2. Don't Let the Water Run
Although it may be tempting to let the water run while you’re washing your face or brushing your teeth, it’s much better to conserve water by switching it on and off as you need it. Not only can this help when you are experiencing water shortages and droughts, but it also means that less energy goes into your overall water usage.
When considering the amount of water you’re using, you should think about how much time you spend in the shower with the water running. Consider turning the water off while you’re lathering your shampoo, shaving your legs, etc. and using it only when you need to rinse off.
3. Find an Organic Hair Salon
Changing the places you visit locally for beauty treatments is a great step to take on your journey. There are more organic hair salons and beauty studios available to choose from than you might realize, and switching to a place that makes a conscious effort to protect the environment can make a huge difference when it comes to the impact you have on the planet.
A great example of an organic hair salon is the Cualtzin Salon in Alexandria, Virginia, as they provide a lot of sustainable beauty options. This includes using Davines products; Davines is a company that has implemented a Zero Impact policy, which means the product of their packaging is carbon neutral. Cualtzin Salon also supports the use of renewable energy and helps source sustainable ingredients by nurturing and highlighting those at risk of extinction.
4. Research the Ingredients
Another simple way to make sure your beauty routine is environmentally friendly is to research the ingredients that are in your face, hair, and body products.
Whether you decide to cut out shampoos and conditioners that contain damaging sulphates, or you start using natural skincare that is designed to make your skin feel great and doesn’t contain harmful ingredients, it’s important you know exactly what is going into the products you’re using.
A number of the ingredients you should try to avoid include exfoliating microbeads, synthetic fragrances, and silicones. Products that are okay to use include natural ingredients such as lavender and rose, which have many health benefits, too.
5. Avoid Single-Use Products
Often one of the hardest changes to make is switching to products that are not single-use. This means avoiding sample-sized products and items that are individually packaged.
If you can, try to switch to products that are either refillable or come in recyclable packaging. While they may be harder to find, it’s a great step to take when it comes to reducing the amount of non-recyclable plastic you are using. If you can’t find refillable products or recyclable packaging, try choosing something that is packaged minimally instead.
Show your planet that you care! Start making changes to your beauty routine today, and, to increase your positive impact on the environment, invite others to do the same.
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