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by Chloe Greenfield
Your morning skincare routine shouldn’t come with a side of landfill guilt. But between plastic pump bottles, single-use cotton rounds, and mystery-ingredient cleansers, even the simplest ritual can rack up a surprising amount of waste. The good news? A glowing face and a glowing planet can absolutely coexist.
Let’s walk through five glow-up-approved, earth-loving swaps you can make right in your bathroom—no major upheaval required. You might even save some cash in the process (hello, multitasking moisturizers and refillable jars!).
Those fluffy little cotton pads may feel soft and innocent, but they’re often bleached, single-use, and wrapped in plastic packaging. Multiply that by your weekly skincare routine, and yikes—you’ve got yourself a small mountain of waste.
Enter: reusable makeup remover rounds. Made from bamboo, organic cotton, or hemp, these washable pads can be used hundreds of times. They’re just as gentle on your skin, and they come in adorable mesh laundry bags so they won’t vanish in the wash like tiny socks.
Not sure which brand to try? Greener Clean: DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for Every Room has some tips on choosing planet-friendly fabrics that work hard without harming the Earth.
Toss your reusable rounds into the laundry bag and wash them with your regular towel load. Let them air dry flat so they stay fluffy.
If your facial cleanser comes in a plastic pump, it’s time to lather up with a new option: the skincare bar. Think bars are only for your grandma’s soap dish? Think again.
Today’s eco-conscious brands are formulating luxurious facial bars that cleanse without stripping your skin. Look for bars made with organic ingredients, gentle exfoliants like oats or kaolin clay, and essential oils for a natural scent without synthetic junk.
Beyond the plastic-free package, bar cleansers last longer and reduce water weight during shipping—a big planet win!
Facial bars are travel-friendly too, so you won’t have to play the “is this under 3.4 oz?” game at TSA.
Moisturizers might be the gold medalists of skincare, but those endless plastic tubs? Not so pretty. Keep your glow-up green by choosing brands that package products in:
Refill culture is growing—and it’s not just for peanut butter and shampoo any more. Skincare brands like Plaine Products and Elate Cosmetics are making it chic, easy, and truly circular.
Want more cosmetics that are gentle on your skin and the planet? Pair this with tips from Sustainable Bathroom Swaps: Green Up Your Self-Care Routine.
Toner is often the sneakiest culprit when it comes to waste—tiny plastic caps, colored plastic bottles, and mostly water-based formulas that could easily be DIYed at home.
Instead of grabbing another drugstore option, consider your greener options:
1 cup distilled water
2 tbsp rose petals (dried or fresh)
1 tsp witch hazel
Steep petals in boiled water, let cool, strain and add witch hazel. Store in a clean glass spray bottle.
Spritz on your new mist and revel in the fact that your skin—and the planet—just got a little calmer.
You are wearing SPF daily, right? 😉 But here’s the thing: some sunscreens include reef-harming chemicals (looking at you, oxybenzone) and come in tubes that are impossible to recycle.
When choosing sunscreen, look for:
Bonus: these formulas tend to be better for sensitive skin and breakouts, since they sit on top of the skin instead of soaking in. Glow safely, friends.
Check for reef-safe labeling, Leaping Bunny cruelty-free certification, and recyclable logos before buying.
While the product swaps are powerful, you don’t need to stop there. Try adding one (or two!) of these habits into your morning routine:
Want some creative reuse ideas? Check out The Art of Repurposing: From Wine Bottles to Garden Décor for upcycled inspiration beyond the bathroom.
Ready to test these swaps yourself? Here’s a mini #GreenGlowChallenge to get you started:
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Small swaps, made with love and intention, lead to bigger change—for you and for the planet.
So sip that tea and pat in your serum, because your new morning mantra is simple: clean skin, clean conscience. Let your routine be an act of kindness—to yourself, and to the world.
Chloe Greenfield
Chloe's journey into eco-friendly living began when she accidentally brought her reusable coffee cup to a meeting and was dubbed "the tree hugger" by her coworkers. Leaning into the label, she discovered a passion for sustainability and simple living. Now, she's on a mission to make sustainable habits fun, relatable, and easy for everyone—no tree-hugging required (though she still does it sometimes).
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