12 Zero Waste Bath and Beauty Products for a Plastic-Free Bathroom
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Zero Waste Bath & Beauty Brands
When it comes to waste, your bathroom is the crappiest (pun intended) room in the house. Bath and beauty products are one of the biggest culprits of plastic pollution — the global beauty industry is estimated to create more than 120 billion units of packaging every year.
I mean, just think about the plethora of products you use in the bathroom every single day. Toothpaste, face wash, body wash, shampoo, moisturizer, razors, tampons — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg, we haven’t even gotten started on makeup yet. And each of these products comes packaged in its own individual tube or box or bottle, many of which are single-use, and almost all of which are plastic. `WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
Given the sheer volume of these products, it can seem overwhelming to jump headfirst into a zero-waste bathroom routine. But sustainability has become trendy in the beauty industry over the past few years and there’s no shortage of choices for eco-friendly products. From delicious smelling soap bars to compostable toothbrushes to reusable razors, you name a product and there’s almost definitely a zero-waste alternative out there somewhere. To help you get started, here are some of our favorite zero-waste bath and beauty brands.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A ZERO WASTE PRODUCT:
One of the most important things to consider is the end of the product life cycle. Is it a circular product? Can the container be reused, recycled, or composted?
Is the brand using minimal packaging? Is it plastic-free?
It’s a big bonus if the brand is using upcycled ingredients (such as used coffee grounds, stone fruit pits, or bruised/discarded fruits) in their products.
Natural and non-toxic ingredients. A product may be zero-waste, but if it contains toxic chemicals, it’ll harm both you and the planet. Look out for products that are free from these nasty ingredients: Parabens, formaldehyde, sulfates, phthalates, silicones.
Certifications like Leaping Bunny, B-Corp, ECOCERT, USDA Organic, and FSC (amongst others) are always a big plus.
OUR TOP PICKS FOR ZERO WASTE BATH AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS:
1) Plaine Products
For: Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion, Skincare
For zero waste bathroom products, this is one of Sustainably Chic’s favorite, by far.
Their clean and effective formulas are amazing, and it’s an incredibly easy zero waste swap you can make. Just send the bottles back when you are done, and they can be refilled.
Plaine Products was founded by two sisters, & all of the products are vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free. They even have cute little travel size bottles!
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2) Izzy
For: Zero-waste mascara
Check out Izzy for the world’s first zero-waste mascara ($39 for a one-time purchase, or you can sign up for more cost-effective membership).
It comes with no outer packaging and is shipped in reusable mailers which have been made with upcycled materials. The tube doesn’t contain any plastic and is made from stainless steel. It’s designed to be cleaned and refilled over 10,000 times — so you basically never have to throw away another mascara for the rest of your life!
The wipers and brushes do contain plastic, but they’re reground and recycled by Izzy. The end result: A mascara that uses 94% less plastic than other leading brands. And of course, Izzy only uses certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, and paraben-free ingredients.
3) Nix
For: Mouthwash
This effective (& great tasting) mouth is made with high-quality ingredients, without any alcohol or toxic chemicals.
Although the bottle is plastic, you can forgo that option to use your own container and just purchase the glass jar with the refillable mouthwash formula.
Plus, 10% of profits go toward providing dental care to underprivileged children in the U.S. and abroad.
4) By Humankind
For: Dental care
By Humankind has everything you need for a zero-waste dental routine that even your dentist will be proud of. From all-natural toothpaste tablets ($15) and mouthwash tablets ($15) which come in refillable glass jars, to compostable bamboo toothbrushes ($6), it’s got you covered. Its 100% biodegradable floss ($15) is made from silk and jojoba oil which soothes and moisturizes your gums and is flavored with peppermint or cardamom essential oils.
It comes in a refillable glass container, and the refills are packaged in a compostable pouch.
5) Meow Meow Tweet
For: Deodorant sticks and creams
Meow Meow Tweet has the yummiest selection of all-natural deodorant sticks and creams – and they work. Its bestsellers include the Rose Geranium baking soda free deodorant stick ($14) and the Grapefruit baking soda free deodorant cream ($14). The stick is packaged in a compostable tube, and the cream comes in a reusable glass jar. Both are suitable for sensitive skin and are made from organic, vegan ingredients that are gentle and nourishing.
Bonus: It’s a certified B-Corporation, so you know it’s the real deal.
6) Tushy
For: Bidet
Did you know Americans spend more on TP than any other country? It also takes 437 billion gallons of water to press the paper down (not to mention the 253,000 tons of bleach and 15 million trees used in the process, too). You can replace that with a couple of sheets of bamboo TP and 1 liter of water.
Also, wiping with dry paper creates around 30 million annual cases of hemorrhoids, UTIs, yeast infections, anal fissures, anal itching, and other annoyances. So sustainability to us is about your health, too!
7) Oui The People
For: Safety razors
Switching to a safety razor can seem a bit daunting at first, but once you do, you’ll be obsessed with how clean and precise the shave is. This reusable rose gold safety razor from Oui the People ($75) is stainless steel, a durable and more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic razors. Plus, how gorgeous is the color?!
Once the blade wears down (after 5-7 shaves), simply pop it out, place it in a blade recycling tin that it comes in, and replace with a refill.
Safety razors are single blades, which actually makes them more suitable for sensitive skin by reducing irritation and ingrown hairs.
8) EarthHero
For: An assortment of zero-waste bathroom products
EarthHero is your one-stop shop for all things eco-friendly — it’s a curated online marketplace of sustainable brands. They have a great selection of zero-waste bathroom products, including this 100% natural and biodegradable agave fiber exfoliating washcloth ($15.99) from Well Kept, this olive and clay shave cream ($15.99) from Fat and the Moon that comes in a reusable, plastic free glass jar, and this compostable bamboo toothbrush ($4.99) from Brush with Bamboo.
9) Saalt
For: Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups are a great way to cut your bathroom waste — you only need a single cup for your entire cycle, and one cup can last up to ten years.
This one from Saalt ($29 is made from 100% medical-grade silicone and is BPA and chemical-free.
It’s meant to be inserted internally, so it collects rather than absorbs your period and needs to be emptied and rinsed every 6-12 hours.
Since one cup lasts so many years, it’s also way more cost-effective than single-use pads or tampons. If a menstrual cup isn’t up your alley, Saalt also stocks period underwear.
10) Elate
For: Pressed Powders (Eyeshadow, Blush)
A toxin-free, vegan & sustainable line with a mission to care for each other, our communities and our planet, Elate is using healthy ingredients to make clean cosmetics to add to your beauty ritual.
What we love about this brand is the fact you can buy one single palette to use forever and change out the powders when finished. The powders even come shipped in zero waste packaging that can be planted to grow flowers!
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11) Superzero
For: Shampoo and conditioner bars
The natural step after soap bars are shampoo and conditioner bars, and we love superzero’s selection. Their products are natural and are free of sulfates, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances or colors. The brand is also totally plastic-free, and the packaging is either recycled or recyclable. Superzero recommends products based on your hair type, which is a big plus. Check out this nourishing conditioner bar ($18) enriched with theobroma cacao seed butter for dry, damaged, or frizzy hair, or this cleansing shampoo bar ($18) with green tea leaf oil and juniper berry oil for normal/oily hair.
12) Axiology
Your new go-to for lipstick, Axiology has a range of shimmery, rich and creamy, sheer and soft textures, in a variety of gorgeous colors.
Their lipstick tubes are made from recycled aluminum, and arrive to you boxed in recycled card that can be either composted or recycled, depending on what’s available to you.
The brand is not only free from animal testing and ingredients, but from palm oil too, working to use natural ingredients as much as possible.
About the Author
Jyotika is a writer based in New Delhi. She writes about sustainable living and eco-friendly brands, covering fashion, food, travel, and wellness. Previously, she was the fashion manager at her family's bespoke fashion business, where in addition to her other responsibilities she worked on improving textile sourcing from local artisans to encourage grassroots production, as well as conducting sustainability workshops with employees regarding the eco-friendly disposal of fashion materials.
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