Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in.

Go Plastic-Free with these Zero Waste Lotions

For most of us, lotion is one of our skincare essentials. Lotion keeps our skin moisturized and healthy, and we tend to use it every day. As such, choosing a sustainable, zero waste lotion can have a big environmental impact over time. Thankfully, switching to zero waste lotion bars and balms is pretty easy to do, thanks to the numerous sustainable skincare brands producing them.

Below, we’ve put together the ten best brands to find the perfect zero waste lotion for any skin type. 

Why You Should Choose Zero Waste Lotion 

The majority of lotion brands package their products in large plastic bottles. It can be difficult, or impossible, to get the bottles clean enough to recycle after use. While more brands are using recycled and recyclable plastic packaging, lotion pumps or caps usually can’t be recycled. This waste adds up - especially when we use lotion daily.

Thankfully, numerous brands are now producing a variety of zero waste lotions to choose from. 

Zero waste lotion doesn’t further contribute to landfill waste. Everything is biodegradable and/or recyclable. From the ingredients to the packaging, if there is any packaging, no waste is left behind. This is why it’s best to choose a zero waste option if possible.

What to Look for in Zero Waste & Sustainable Lotion

There are numerous ways a lotion can be sustainable. What you’re looking for depends on your needs and preferences. That being said, there are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing a zero waste, sustainable lotion.

Most zero waste lotions should have several, if not all, of the following: 

• Reusable and/or recyclable, recycled/upcycled packaging

• Biodegradable ingredients and packaging

• Cruelty-Free

• Organic

• Vegan

• Natural fragrance

• Sustainably, ethically or locally sourced ingredients

• Chemical-free

• No parabens, sulfates or silicone

• Transparent and sustainable production methods

Our Top Picks for Zero Waste Lotion, Bars, and Balms:

1) Ethique

Lotion Bars

Pricing: $13-$17 USD

Ethique is one of my personal favorite brands for zero waste products. They are an entirely plastic-free, cruelty-free, woman-owned company. Ethique has a wide variety of zero waste lotion bars to choose from, both scented and unscented. They even have a travel size option that comes in a compostable tube so you can easily transport your lotion with no mess. Each lotion bar is vegan, palm oil-free, and made with only natural ingredients like organic cocoa butter ethically sourced from a farm in the Dominican Republic.

Ethique is a climate-positive company and they donate 2% of their proceeds to different charity organizations.

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2) Plaine Products

Body Lotion

Pricing: $30 USD

Last but not least, Plaine Products is founded and led by two sisters. They are a vegan company eager to combat plastic pollution. Their zero-waste body lotion is biodegradable, Non-GMO, and palm-oil free. Plaine Products lotion comes unscented or in Rosemary Mint Vanilla and Citrus Lavender. They offer a refill option that doesn’t include a lotion pump to prevent unnecessary waste. They also give you the choice to subscribe in 2-6 monthly installments and save 10% on the total price. 

Plaine Products was founded after one of the founders noticed the amount of plastic pollution on a beach vacation. This inspired her to launch a zero-waste skincare company that’s completely plastic-free and chemical-free. Everything they make, including their lotion, they use themselves. Each product is zero waste and comes in recycled packaging. Plaine Products is now a certified B Corp.

use code sustainablychic20 for 20% off your entire purchase

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3) EcoRoots

Lotion Balm

Pricing: $34 USD

EcoRoots makes a moisturizing and nurturing lotion balm. EcoRoots uses primarily organic ingredients and it’s compostable and fair-trade. Their lotion is plastic-free and comes in reusable glass jar. The Grapeseed and Organic Jojoba Seed Oils used in this lotion help nourish skin by delivering rejuvenating antioxidants and essential fatty acids to help skin perform at its best. EcoRoots even uses plant-based labels that are made from wildflower seeds, designed to break down into food for bees after use.

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4) Cocokind 

Lotion and Balm

Pricing: $11-$19 USD 

Cocokind is a woman-owned skincare brand based in San Francisco. They have several zero waste options to choose from, such as their multi-use balm and skin butter. I’m personally obsessed with their skin butter. It’s made from natural ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter, perfect for the whole body. 

Their vegan multi-use balm is ideal for dryer spots like lips and hands. For each purchase, they donate 5% of the proceeds to One Tree Planted. 

Cocokind is leading the way in transparency when it comes to sustainable brands. For each product, they break down each ingredient used, how it’s made, how to use it, and how to recycle it properly. 

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5) Blendily

Lotion Bars

Pricing: $16-$18 USD

Blendily is a woman-owned company that produces handmade, zero waste botanical skincare. They have a full sustainable skincare line, but their lotion bars are wonderful. They offer two scents, Lavender and Rosemary. Each small batch sustainable lotion bar is vegan and made from organic ingredients. One awesome thing about Blendily is that they have their own garden where they grow most of their ingredients. If they can’t grow it themselves, they source directly from local farmers.

They also handmake each bar in their storefront, in their “Skincare Kitchen.” Blendily even invites customers to visit and watch them make their products.

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6) Etee

Lotion Bars

Pricing: $8.10 USD

Etee has a complete line of zero waste products including their lotion bar. Each lotion bar comes in a refillable tin, and they offer the option to purchase refill bars with no packaging. Their lotion is biodegradable, compostable, and made from six sustainable ingredients. Etee’s lotion bars are cruelty-free, palm-oil-free, and without sulfates, parabens, or toxic chemicals. As a company, they are completely plastic-free. Plus their lower price point makes their products more accessible.

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7) Alaffia 

Balm and Body Butter

Pricing: $5.99-$16.79 USD

Alaffia is another personal favorite of mine when it comes to sustainable skincare companies. This Black-owned company sells its products at an accessible price point in numerous convenient storefronts like Target. Alaffia is Fair-trade, For Life, and Good Manufacturing Practices Certified. While all of Alaffia’s products are low waste and natural, their line of balms and body butter are perfect zero-waste moisturizers. Each product is made from a base of unrefined shea butter sourced from West Africa and from West African recipes.

Each lotion comes in a variety of scents and unscented options, perfect for dry skin, daily use, or treating skin conditions. Their products are packaged in a fully recyclable tin. 

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8) The Best Kind

Body Butter

Pricing: $11- $100 USD

The Best Kind makes a luxurious handmade body butter from shea and cocoa butter. Their body butter only contains seven ingredients, all-natural. The Best Kind’s lotion is non-GMO, vegan, mostly organic, with natural fragrance and no parabens. It’s available in a range of sizes starting from 1 ounce up to 100 ounces. Their body butter is a great choice if you’re someone with dry to combination skin and looking for something to use on both your face and body. Each lotion is made with love in Brooklyn, in small batches.

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9) Moon Valley Organics 

Lotion Bars

Pricing: $13.19 USD

Moon Valley Organics is a B Corp Certified sustainable skincare brand based in Washington. They make lovely herbal lotion bars in a variety of essential oil-based scents like Lemon Vanilla and Bergamont Geranium. Each lotion bar comes in a reusable metal tin, but they also offer refill options without packaging.

Their products are Non-GMO and Certified Organic. One unique thing about Moon Valley Organics is that they are working on expanding habitats for pollinators on their farm.

They have their own four-acre “pollinator sanctuary,” where they grow many of their ingredients. Anything that they can’t grow themselves is sourced from local, organic suppliers and farms. They also host volunteers from WWOOF to provide education on organic farming and pollinator habitats. Plus, they donate 10% of their profits to organizations that support this cause.

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10) Fat and the Moon 

Lotion

Pricing: $18 USD

Fat and the Moon’s sustainable “All Cream” lotion is a botanical blend made from shea butter. They also have an aloe lotion if you’re looking for something more lightweight. Each ingredient is ethically sourced, wild, or organic. They source from local farmers when possible. Their lotion is handmade and packaged in reusable jars. Fat and the Moon is a woman-owned company passionate about being a body-affirming, sustainable skincare brand that promotes conscious self-care.

They use botanical wisdom to create nourishing, healing products. Fat and the Moon also donates a portion of their proceeds to different justice organizations whose causes they support. As a plastic-free company, all their shipping materials are recyclable, upcycled, or biodegradable. 

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About the Author

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.

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THE BEST ECO-FRIENDLY HAIR TIES AND SCRUNCHIES

It is estimated that each day, around 15 million hair ties are purchased in the United States. If we assume that the same number of elastics are thrown away or lost, it means that 20,000 pounds of hair ties are discarded in landfills, or worse, in nature, every single day.  

This is in the United States alone. But we need to remember that hundreds of millions of people use hair elastics around the world, so the environmental impact is huge. 

The main issue is that conventional hair ties are made from petroleum-based materials, such as synthetic rubber and polyester. 

Those do not decompose when they end up in nature or landfills and might take hundreds, if not thousands of years to break down. During that time, those tiny plastic elastics are polluting natural ecosystems and are a threat to animals’ lives.

Conventional hair elastics and scrunchies are also rarely made to last and they break fairly easily, sometimes just after a few uses. 

Think about how many hair ties you have lost or broken in your lifetime? It all adds up over time and the environmental costs are too high to ignore. 

Fortunately, there are some eco-friendly alternatives, hair elastics that do not hurt the environment like their conventional counterparts. 

If you are looking to purchase new hair ties or scrunchies, you should check these 10 sustainable brands that create better alternatives for you and the planet. 

WHAT MAKES A HAIR TIE OR A SCRUNCHIE SUSTAINABLE?

A sustainable hair tie or scrunchie is well-made, durable and high-quality, so that it does not break or stretch out easily. 

It is also made from 100% natural and biodegradable materials. That way, if you lose or break the elastic, it will be able to decompose and break down quickly, without harming the environment. 

But above all, a sustainable hair tie or scrunchie is one you will cherish and keep track of, one that you are less likely to lose. It is one that you won’t need to replace regularly because you always know where it is. 

WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?

Natural materials are the best for eco-friendly hair ties because they are biodegradable. Try to always look for ones that have an elastic made from natural rubber. 

For the fabric part, linen, bamboo, cotton and hemp are great options. Those materials are even more sustainable if they are organic or if you manage to get ones that are certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX.

Besides natural materials, some companies make hair ties from recycled plastic. Even though the material is not biodegradable, it is a great option because you are contributing to diverting waste from landfills or oceans. 

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR BRANDS SELLING SUSTAINABLE HAIR TIES AND SCRUNCHIES:

1) tentree

Materials: (Upcycled) Tencel, Recycled Polyester & Organic Cotton Blend

Price: $15

tentree is an eco-friendly fashion brand that plants ten trees for every item sold. It has planted more than 66 million trees to date! 

The brand sells two sets of scrunchies that come in a pack of three.

They are affordable and are 5-star rated by more than 50 Tentree customers!

tentree makes their scrunchies from upcycled materials, using a blend of organic cotton, Tencel and recycled polyester. 

When you buy a scrunchie from tentree, you also get to see the amount of CO2, water and waste you contribute to saving compared to if you purchased a non-sustainable option. How fun is that?! 

The company is a certified B Corporation and is completely climate-neutral as it offsets its entire carbon footprint.

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2) Kooshoo

Materials: Organic Cotton, Natural Rubber

Price: $15-20

Kooshoo is a small family-owned business founded by two yoga teachers, selling sustainable hair accessories for both women and men. 

The company created the world’s first 100% fair trade, plastic-free scrunchies and hair elastics. They are all completely biodegradable as they are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and sustainably harvested natural rubber. No worries if you lose a Kooshoo hair tie as it will soon go back to the soil! 

The brand’s hair ties and scrunchies come in different colors and are designed to work for all hair types. They are great to complement any outfit, and they can even double as bracelets when not in your hair. 

Kooshoo works with artisans using traditional techniques, like vegetable dyeing, hand dyeing and block printing. The company is a SEDEX member, which ensures it has a responsible supply chain.

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3) Ten Thousand Villages

Materials: Cotton, Recycled Cotton

Price: $6-13

Ten Thousand Villages sells unique handcrafted accessories and home goods, made by small artisans who use traditional maker skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. 

The brand creates a few scrunchies that are handmade in Bangladesh or Guatemala using natural materials, like cotton and recycled cotton. 

Each scrunchie has a beautiful pattern and color, and you can read all about the maker who handcrafted it and how it was made.

Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and the World Fair Trade Organization. 

The company employs more than 20,000 artisans in more than 30 countries. It also works with women and artisans with disabilities to help them gain independence and break the cycle of poverty. 

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4) Girlfriend Collective

Materials: Recycled PET

Price: $6-9

Girlfriend Collective creates sustainable activewear and accessories for women, and aims to be as transparent as possible. 

The brand has two types of scrunchies on its website, and they are all made from recycled plastic bottles. Either sold individually or in a pack of three, Girlfriend Collective’s scrunchies are very affordable and created in a large range of colors.

Purchasing one of those contributes to diverting one plastic water bottle from landfills. The brand also discloses the amount of CO2 that is prevented and how much water is saved by choosing one of its scrunchies compared to a conventional one. 

To make them even more sustainable, Girlfriend Collective’s Neutral Multi Scrap Sport scrunchies are made from excess fabric from one of its collections. That way, the brand reduces its textile waste and turns it into new products.

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5) TAMGA Designs

Materials: Viscose

Price: $20

TAMGA Designs is a sustainable brand that sells women’s clothing and accessories. It was created when its founders lived in Bangladesh and witnessed the pain of people after a garment factory collapse.

TAMGA Designs makes a zero-waste scrunchie, available in three different styles. Each has a very chic and feminine pattern, and they are perfect if you want to add a pop of color to your outfit.

They also feature eye-catching knotted details that elevate your hair game instantly. 

Printed with GOTS-certified dyes, the company’s scrunchies are made from fabric off-cuts from one of its collections. They are made from LENZING ECOVERO, a sustainable viscose, which uses 88% less water than mainstream viscose, and it is entirely traceable. 

TAMGA Designs is a member of 1% For The Planet, and it has partnered with two non-profits to help protect Indonesia’s rainforests.

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6) Sustain by Kat

Materials: Organic Silk, Natural Rubber, Organic Cotton

Price: $7-12

Sustain By Kat is a sustainable brand that creates high-quality, timeless clothing and accessories for women and children. Its products are all made from natural and organic materials. 

The brand sells several types of hair ties, available in a large selection of colors.

They are made using organic silk, organic cotton and natural rubber, meaning they are entirely biodegradable. 

Something I love about Sustain By Kat’s hair ties is that the company uses non-violent silk (or Ahimsa silk), which is a lot more ethical than conventional silk. Plus, a great benefit of silk hair ties is that silk helps reduce breakage and pulls, making the elastic last longer. 

Made in Los Angeles, the brand’s hair ties are all dyed with plants, and the dyes are GOTS certified organic, meaning they are safer for you and the environment.

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7) Encircled

Materials: Recycled Polyester, Tencel, Organic Cotton, Modal

Price: $16-18

Encircled promotes slow fashion by selling ethically made and eco-friendly clothing and accessories for women, all made in Toronto, Canada. 

The company has two beautiful scrunchies on its website. Ultra-soft and made using upcycled textile waste, the Renew scrunchie is made from modal or a blend of Tencel and organic cotton.

You get to choose between seven different colors. 

You can also pick Encircled’s black Recycled Satin scrunchie that is made from a luxurious, silky recycled polyester blend. This one is very chic and you’ll want to keep it on hand at all times. 

Encircled is a certified B Corporation, and all its products are OEKO-TEX 100 certified, which means that no harmful substances are used during the manufacturing process.

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8) Terra Ties

Materials: Organic Cotton, Natural Rubber

Price: $15

Terra Ties is a small online brand that specializes in creating 100% biodegradable hair elastics. 

The brand’s hair ties are made using natural rubber from rubber trees and organic cotton, two renewable and biodegradable resources. They come in a pack of 27 black hair elastics to have you covered for years to come, without harming the environment. 

Terra Ties makes hair ties that are softer, thicker and more durable than most conventional hair ties, and they also do not pull or damage your hair. 

Terra Ties’ biodegradable elastics are ideal for all genders. They are colored with natural dyes, making them a healthier alternative for you and the planet. 

To top it all, the product and shipping packaging is plastic-free and made with recycled content.

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9) OhSevenDays

Materials: Up-Cycled Scrap Fabrics

Price: $25

OhSevenDay's scrunchies come in a pack of 3, and you can choose which patterns you want!

Based in Istanbul, Turkey, OhSevenDays is a mindfully made womenswear label creating sustainable staples from deadstock fabrics. So if you like color and multi-functional garments, this brand is for you! The label was created after the founder, Megan Mummery, stumbled across a small district of Istanbul selling off-cut fabric rolls left over from large garment manufacturers.

Unfortunately, they were doomed to landfill, which sparked an idea to create a sustainable, regenerative fashion line.

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10) Elle Evans

Materials: Recycled Nylon & Regenerated ECONYL®

Price: $11

The perfect scrunchie to match your Elle Evans swimsuit! We love that Elle Evans chooses to make each piece to order, meaning it is only produced when you buy it. This helps reduce fabric waste to a minimum, and the company even reuses smaller scraps and turns them into frills or straps for other swimsuits! They work with a digital printer that uses water-based, non-toxic inks and never discards inks down the drain.

It also ships its products through carbon-neutral couriers.

The company also donates 1% of all its sales to the Healthy Seas Initiative, which is the organization that collects the nylon waste used in Elle Evans’ collections.

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About the Author:

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.

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WHAT IS UPCYCLED BEAUTY?

Who would have thought that used coffee grounds, bruised fruit, or fruit pits could be the star ingredients in skincare products? Upcycled beauty products give discarded food waste a new life by using waste products to create delicious new cleansers, balms, and scrubs. It’s all the rage in the skincare world right now, and let us tell you — the trend is here to stay. 

We know the idea of discarded fruit or old tea leaves in your face mask might take some getting used to. But not only is it great for the planet, it can do wonders for your skin too. For example, did you know that brewed coffee grounds actually contain more antioxidants than unused ones?  

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A BRAND:

• Read the ingredient list carefully. Make sure the product is free of nasty toxins like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and synthetic colors or fragrances.

• The brand should be cruelty-free, and plant-based is always a plus.

• Look out for national or international certifications like ECOCERT, USDA Organic, or Leaping Bunny Certified.

• Sustainable packaging: Is it reusable, recyclable, or compostable?

• Is the brand paying its workers a living wage? What about ethical worker conditions?

• Bonus points if the brand is BIPOC-owned!

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR UPCYCLED SKINCARE BRANDS:

1) UpCircle Beauty

Upcycled ingredients: Used coffee, stone fruit pits

If you’re a fan of coffee, this one’s for you. London-based UpCircle Beauty uses upcycled Arabica coffee grounds in most of its products, which they get from local cafes in London. They have a range of coffee scrubs, including a floral blend face scrub ($22) for sensitive skin, & a body scrub with peppermint ($22). The coffee is blended with coconut and shea butter, so the scrubs are not only exfoliating and brightening, but also incredibly nourishing.

If you’re not a coffee girl, they also use fruit stones and chai spices in their products. Check out the cinnamon + ginger chai soap bar ($10) or our favorite Kaolin clay face mask ($26), made with ground discarded olive stones. 

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2) Kadalys 

Upcycled ingredients: Rejected bananas

Kadalys rescues bruised or “ugly” bananas and extracts the banana bio-actives for its skincare products. Banana oils contain essential fatty acids, vitamin E, phytosterols, and polyphenols, all of which promote skin health. The antioxidants in the oils help with skin nutrition and hydration and prevent aging.

Kadaly’s products are certified organic by ECOCERT and are free of nasty parabens, silicones, and synthetic dyes and fragrances. 

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3) Cocokind 

Upcycled ingredients: Used coffee

Cocokind’s products with their Asian-inspired flavors are the stuff skincare dreams are made of — plus it’s Asian (woman) owned! While upcycled ingredients aren’t the core focus of their collection, we love this scrubbing clay ($19) made with used coffee grounds which are sourced from a local coffee manufacturer in California. Made with coffee grounds which gently exfoliate, prebiotic chicory root which helps feed your skin biome, and red clay which deeply cleanses skin and prevents clogged pores, this is an all-round star product.

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4) Three Ships 

Upcycled ingredients: Leftover bark extract

The Radiance Grape Stem Cell + Squalane Day Cream ($35) from Three Ships contains one of the most unique ingredients in this list: Upcycled bark extract, which is high in polyphenols that aid in skin elasticity, hydration, and calm redness. The extract is made up of four types of upcycled tree barks (red maple, black spruce, yellow birch, and jack pine) that are by-products of the lumber industry in Quebec, Canada. The bark goes through an extraction, filtration, and purification process before it’s finally used in the skincare products. 

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5) Circumference 

Upcycled ingredients: Leftover olive leaves

This regenerative gel cleanser ($48) from Circumference is a great option if you’re looking for a gentle, daily cleanser. The key bioactive ingredient is an olive extract which comes from upcycled olive leaves. Circumference partners with Brightland Olive Oil for their Waste-Not Sourcing Initiative to upcycle their organic olive oil by-products into luxurious skincare products. The olive extract is rich in antioxidants, making the gel ultra purifying, healing, and restoring. Your skin will love this one!

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6) Codex Beauty Labs 

Upcycled ingredients: Leftover soap shavings

Codex beauty labs makes the yummiest soap bars, and we’re big fans of this one ($10) from their Bia Collection. It’s made from upcycled soap shavings from the production of other Bia bars — how cool is that? Perfect for all skin types, the soap is made from ultra-nourishing shea butter and purifying pink clay, and is infused with citrus for that refreshing and energizing kick. Plus, it’s so pretty!

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7) BYBI 

Upcycled ingredients: Pumpkin 

You’ll never believe what BYBI’s Acid Gold deep renewal face mask ($23) is made of.

The key ingredient is a pumpkin enzyme which is extracted from pumpkin flesh, a by-product of the pumpkin seed industry. We’re obsessed with the texture — it’s a thick jelly which is super satisfying to apply. The pumpkin enzyme enhances cell renewal, and the mask also contains exfoliating natural AHAs, which results in brighter, smoother, and firmer skin. 

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8) LOLI Beauty 

Upcycled ingredients: Plum seeds 

LOLI Beauty uses upcycled superfoods to power its skincare line.

Their signature Plum Elixer ($68) is made from upcycled plum kernels. Rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins A and E, the oil is incredibly nourishing and healing and works great for both your skin and hair.

It also contains brightening pomegranate oil, soothing tea seed oil, and healing sea buckthorn fruit oil. 

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9) Le Prunier 

Upcycled ingredients: Plum kernels

Le Prunier, as the name suggests, is all about plums. The brand uses upcycled plum kernels for its beauty products, which are a by-product of the organic family plum farm. Their signature product is the Plum Beauty Oil ($72). Rich in essential fatty acids and phytochemicals, this oil is a powerful antioxidant booster and helps heal and hydrate your skin. Their newest product is Plumscreen ($78), a broad spectrum SPF 31 sunscreen that is reef-safe, white residue-free, and ultra-nourishing.

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10) Pai

Upcycled Ingredients: Bilberry Extract

Pai's C-2 Believe Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer gives you radiance without irritation with its sustainably-sourced, up-cycled bilberry extract ingredient. It is excellent for dehydrated, sensitive skin and helps soothe and moisturize without tightness. 

Their products are certified organic by COSMOS, the Soil Association, the Vegan Society, and Cruelty Free International and is London Living Wage accredited.

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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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how to have a zero waste period

The ability to wear white pants with mindless ease, complete control over emotional fluctuations, and unbridled physical comfort are just a few of the sacrifices women are prepared to make a week out of each month.  Our commitment to sustainability is not one of them. 

 In conventional period care the option to be eco-conscious has not always been available,  so it’s no wonder that most of us end up just going with the flow.  Unfortunately, from manufacturing to end of life, traditional pads and tampons come at too great of an environmental cost to ignore. 

Thanks to the brilliant brands behind the market’s most eco-friendly period products,  

maintaining a zero-waste lifestyle even on our periods is no longer out of reach. With modern design and innovative materials, we find a future that sheds us of our dependency on daily disposables.  These products also promote an approach to period care that emphasizes wellness and  livability.  

To say it simply, this is not your mother’s period. 

WHAT’S SO WRONG WITH TRADITIONAL PERIOD PRODUCTS?

Typically made with non-organic cotton and single-use plastic, the manufacturing of these products require an energy and water intensive process. A single pad can be made of up to 90% plastic and tampon applicators are made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The most harmful part of traditional period care comes after use. Designed to be disposable, a staggering amount of pads and tampons are discarded each year, and either sit for centuries in a landfill expelling chemicals or find their way into our sewer systems, contributing to the rising problem of plastics in our oceans. On top of that, pads and tampons come individually wrapped adding to the overuse of plastic packaging. 

HOW CAN PERIOD CARE BE MORE SUSTAINABLE?

It’s time to stop the cycle and welcome the era of a zero-waste period! Limiting our dependency on conventional cotton and single-use plastics are always going to be a win when it comes to caring for the environment in our purchases. Finding a product that lasts and doesn’t cause overcrowding in our landfills or harm to our oceans takes our efforts to the next level.  Menstrual cups, reusable pads, and reusable period underwear are all accessible sustainable swaps that eliminate the need to constantly throw away and rebuy. These products are not only designed to fit your body comfortably, but also your lifestyle, with no-leak protection no matter how you move throughout the day and without having to have harsh chemicals near your most sensitive parts. 

Better for your budget, body, and planet. PERIOD. 

OUR TOP PICKS FOR A ZERO WASTE PERIOD:

1) The EarthHero Collection

The eco-friendly online marketplace earns their name as planetary protectors with a variety of sustainable menstrual products. A standout on the site are the  Saalt Silicone Menstrual Cups. Made from 100% medical-grade silicon, these menstrual cups are completely chemical-free and not only offer 12 hours of protection, but an easy-to-use alternative to single use pads and tampons that will last you years. A follow-up favorite from EarthHero are the Smarliners Organic Reusable Pads and Liners . These GOTS certified products are made from organic cotton without the use of any plastic or toxic adhesives commonly found in their disposable counterparts. Just use, launder, and reuse! 

Not ready to go reusable, but still want to make a change? Check out their Tampon Tribe Organic Cotton Tampons, Pads, and Liners. EarthHero understands that when it comes to period care, it’s not always a one product fits all formula, and while these are disposable they make great strides in reducing their carbon footprint by using only organic cotton free from harmful chemicals. Tampon Tribe, a female-owned business, is also dedicated to giving back with their initiative that donates a pack to those in need for every pack sold.

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2) The Cora Disk by Cora

Achieving high marks in both their environmental and social actions, CORA is a certified B-Corp company that spotted the need for women around the world to feel empowered by having a safe and sustainable period. The Cora Disc is equipped for your heavy or light days and can hold the equivalent of 5-7 regular tampons. Made to fit most bodies with their easy insertion/removal design, this reusable menstrual disc is meant to last up to 10 years.

Emphasizing convenience and care, the ultra-soft silicon disc also self-empties when you use the bathroom without you having to remove the product.

The “barely there” feeling allows you to wear your disc comfortably during sex, exercising, swimming, or however you move throughout your day.

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3) The Lily Cup by Intimina

As one of the smallest reusable menstrual cups on the market, the Lily Cup is said to be the perfect starter for those who are new to the reusable cup game or have a higher cervix. Intimina, a Swedish brand who provide a range of feminine hygiene products, created the Lily Cup to roll as thin as a tampon for simple insertion. With up to 8 hours of protection, this sustainable period solution provides all day comfortable coverage with a no spill rim and easy to remove stem.

The Lily Cup is made from 100% medical grade silicone and comes in two sizes dependent on your flow and pelvic floor strength.

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4) Organic Cotton Reusable Pads by Rael

Reusable and washable period pads are the perfect replacement for your daily disposables. Have a waste-free period with a product that is not only plastic-free and made from organic cotton, but can also be used up to 120 times. With reliable leak protection provided by their 5 layers of absorbent organic cotton, users experience the breathable comfort of a chemical free period product. The Rael reusable pads come in petite, regular, large, and overnight sizes to fit your needs, and their wrap wings with fastened snaps secure the pad in place for additional security.

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5) Period Underwear from Thinx

Although they already top nearly every “best of” list (including our own!) The benefits of THINX period underwear still bears repeating. Available in a variety of styles and absorbency levels, THINX products provide a zero-waste alternative to pads and tampons with their multiple absorbent layers of fabric that can be washed and reused. OEKO-TEX certified materials make up a pair of THINX underwear that are comfortable, absorbent, and washable. Initial fears about the feeling of wearing period underwear have been dispelled by a plethora of positive reviews from satisfied pad and tampon converts.

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6) Reusable Tampon Applicator from Dame

For lifelong tampon users, the switch to something else may seem like a daunting feat. Dame is here to support your sustainable journey whenever you are in it, and provide the best options along the way. The reusable tampon applicator allows you to enjoy the comfort and convenience of a tampon applicator without the plastic waste. Built for every size tampon and with self-sanitizing technology, this reusable alternative can be used up to 12,000 times, saving that many single-use applicators from potentially ending up in our oceans. A safe swap that you need only rinse, dry, and go.

Consider pairing with Dame’s Organic Cotton Tampons for the complete eco-option.

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7) Lena Cup

Made in the USA, the Lena Cup is another reusable silicone menstrual cup on the market receiving high praise. With the traditional bell shape, this cup is designed to sit comfortably to collect your flow. The product comes in two sizes - small or large - and also has an option for those with sensitive anatomies.

Trusted as a quality cup for first time users, 90% of Lena customers never go back to pad or tampons. Intended for the active, wear your Luna Cup all day and even overnight with stress-free leak protection up to 12 hours. Each Lena Cup also comes with its own cotton storage bag for secure and easy transport.

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8) Disposable Bags from FabLittleBag

Big changes don’t happen overnight, and we recognize that habits are hard to break especially when it’s something as personal as period care. Even if reusable products aren’t right for you, there are still movements to be made in protecting the planet against the problems caused by pads and tampons. FabLittleBag exists to protect rivers, oceans and beaches from the pollution caused by flushed period products by providing sustainably sourced sanitary disposal bags. Instead of flushing your pads or tampons, discard your used products in a safe and discreet way.

FabLittleBags are made of plants, recycled plastics, and vegan glue, and remind us that even the little efforts make a big difference!

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About the Author

Julia Grinberg is a writer based in Philadelphia, PA. She is a blog contributor for the vegan shoe brand Sylven New York, and the upcycled leather accessories brand Hyer Goods. When she is not writing on the topic of sustainable fashion, she is crafting short stories for various outlets and is currently working on a collection of creative nonfiction essays.

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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Why You Should Avoid Talc

It’s time to talk about talc. In its most well-known form, Baby Powder, corporations claim it can diminish body odor, ease rashes, minimize sweating, treat sunburn, improve freshness, and more. Talc is used in consumer products like makeup, chewing gum, paints, polymers, vehicle construction, and appliances, making it hard to avoid.

Despite the supposed benefits of talc, it can cause a host of problems for human health. The inclusion of talc in personal care and cosmetic products has been linked to asbestos exposure, cancer, lung disease, and more. So why is talc still included in so many everyday items?

Here’s what to know about what talc really is, how it can negatively affect you, and how to avoid it in your daily routine.

What is Talc?

Talc is a naturally-occuring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It occurs in soft, layered sheets that are easy to harvest. Talcum powder is the result of talc that’s been finely crushed and blended. Once it’s in this state, the smooth, buttery composition makes it perfect for inclusion in a range of products (see this comprehensive list). 

Talc is primarily used to enhance the consistency of cosmetics. It’s also an anti-caking agent, making blushes and foundations easier to blend onto the skin. A wide range of cosmetic products include Talc, including eyeshadow, blush, face powder, foundation, bronzer, lipstick, lotion, mascara, and mineral powder. 

Talc in Baby Powder

Talcum powder is the base of Baby Powder, which has been marketed as a freshening, moisture-wicking material that boosts hygiene. Johnson & Johnson is the main producer of Baby Powder and has come under the most scrutiny for causing harm. 

Baby Powder was originally sold to combat diaper rash in infants, but its use evolved over time. Since mothers were the ones buying Baby Powder, Johnson & Johnson saw an opportunity to sell their product to a new target market: women.

By 1975, Baby Powder was being sold as a trustworthy, freshening agent meant to improve women’s personal hygiene. Meant to keep women “cool and dry,” advertisements from the time feature taglines like, “It’s for when you’re alone...and when you’re not” “There’s only one smell I can wear anywhere,” and “Stay baby soft all summer through, baby.” These slogans furthered the belief that women needed to sprinkle Baby Powder into their underwear in order to stay fresh, dry, and, most of all, desirable. 

Like all cosmetics and personal care products marketed to women, Johnson & Johnson capitalized on the societal notion that women must enhance and alter themselves in order to feel worthy and accepted—no matter the consequences.

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Talcum Powder and Your Health

Given the name and intended use, Baby Powder should be safe for humans. And while it may deliver on its promises to ease rashes, reduce moisture, and promote freshness, evidence shows that Talc can also cause a flurry of health issues. 

For example, inhaling talcum powder (which is especially dangerous for babies) can cause difficulty breathing, lung damage, respiratory disease, and choking. If swallowed, talcum powder poisoning can lead to eye and throat irritation, wheezing, low blood pressure, and in serious cases, coma.

Baby Powder and Cancer

Talcum Powder (aka Baby Powder) is harmful because it can be contaminated with asbestos, a known cancer-causing agent. Asbestos is a highly toxic and regulated material that can result in the buildup of scar tissue in the lungs, the loss of lung function, and Mesothelioma, a serious form of lung cancer. 

One study looked at a group of women with mesothelioma, tracing their illness back to their daily use of a specific powder foundation brand. When the foundation was dusted onto their faces with a makeup brush, it released asbestos particles that were then inhaled—resulting in the development of the disease. In other research, women who regularly used Baby Powder in their underwear and between their legs to prevent chafing were three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer. 

Still, the findings linking talc to cancer are refuted by Johnson & Johnson, who said in a 2020 lawsuit they lost: “we remain confident that our talc is safe, asbestos free and does not cause cancer.” (They then appealed their $2.1 billion verdict, and were denied by the judge.)

Such statements contradict the company’s internal memos, which reveals Johnson & Johnson has been aware of potential asbestos contamination in their products for fifty years. These issues were first raised in 1958, and in 2011, asbestos was found to be a direct cause of ovarian cancer. Asbestos has been found in Johnson & Johnson baby products as recently as 2018. Since ovarian cancer is both aggressive and rare, such findings are important for helping keep children and women safe.

It’s also important to note that the carcinogenic effects of talc have not been assessed thoroughly by The US National Toxicology Program (NTP), a conglomerate of consumer protection agencies including The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the American Cancer Society, “The NTP has not fully reviewed talc (with or without asbestos) as a possible carcinogen.”

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Staying Safe from Talcum Powder

Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder has since renewed its formula to contain cornstarch instead of talc. However, talc is still used as an enhancement agent in a range of cosmetics, and Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder still could be contaminated with talc at the factory level. Given their history of non-disclosure, it’s likely best to steer clear of it all together. 

If you do want to use a product similar to Baby Powder, look for products labelled with cornstarch instead of Talc. For makeup, know that leading brands like Maybelline, L’Oreal, COVERGIRL, Stila, Dior, NARS, Black Radiance, and Laura Mercier all sell products that contain Talc. In contrast, brands like Pacifica, Glossier, Burt’s Bees, Mineral Fusion, and TheBalm all make some, or all of their products without talc and talc derivatives. 

You can also look at the ingredients list of a makeup product to avoid buying and using talc-containing cosmetics (In addition to looking for talc and talcum powder, it’s sometimes called magnesium silicate). You can find a list of clean makeup brands here.

Whether you personally have used Baby Powder and talcum products, or you know someone who does, this information can ensure you avoid its dangerous side effects.

Click here to read Michelle’s other Dirty Ingredients Series on Petroleum Jelly

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About the Author
Michelle Polizzi is an independent writer and storyteller with 7 years of experience creating content online. Her writing has appeared in leading publications like Bitch, WELL+GOOD, Insider, and Healthline, and she covers topics like sustainable living, mental health, and intersectional feminism. Currently, she's pursuing an MFA in creative writing.

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WANT to find SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

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