How to make your beauty routine more eco-friendly – and save you money

From considered purchases to responsible recycling, we all know how important it is to make more eco-conscious choices in life, for the sake of the planet.

But what about your beauty routine? Notoriously one of the biggest producers of plastic waste, the industry is now stepping up its efforts to be more sustainable.

Here are some easy steps you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your beauty routine – and it may also save you a penny or two in the long run...

Swap wipes and cotton pads for reusable face cloths

Most face wipes and cotton pads aren’t biodegradable, and simply end up in landfills or in waterways. Instead, swap to machine-washable cloths and cotton rounds to cleanse your face and apply skincare. 

Usually made from cotton, bamboo or other natural fibres, they’re reusable, and a plastic-free way to cleanse – and will save you money on single-use products in the long term. Beauty Kitchen’s Dual-Sided Reusable Face Cloth or Large Reusable Cleansing Pads are great options – they’re made from a mix of hemp and cotton, and feel super-soft to the touch.

They usually cost £7.50 each, but you can get one of these PLUS four other brilliant beauty products for the same price when you buy the latest OK! Beauty Box, which costs £7.50 to new subscribers yet its contents are worth over £80. Just use 50FIRSTBOX at the checkout for 50% off the usual monthly price of £15.

Recycle your make-up

Because of its fiddly packaging, makeup used to be one of the trickiest beauty products to recycle. But Maybelline has teamed up with Terracycle to introduce makeup recycling bins in over a thousand Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury’s and Superdrug stores across the country. Simply drop in any old cosmetics, from any brand, and you can be sure they’ll be properly recycled.

Check your packaging

Single-use plastic is a big problem, but nowadays more and more brands are coming up with smart eco-friendly packaging solutions – from bottles made from ocean waste plastic to recyclable cardboard boxes, like the OK! Beauty Box, which is made from FSC-certified forests, recycled material or controlled wood.

Reach for refills

Lots of big brands now offer their products in refillable bottles, with super-sized top-ups available. This not only saves on plastic bottles, but also saves you money, too.