For most of us, our beauty regime is the way we kick off each day – the one little piece of me-time that is always guaranteed. When a routine is so ingrained and so important, it is easy to see how this might be overlooked when looking for places to make eco-friendly changes. This is a guide to some small changes you can make to help the environment without ruining your regime. 

Ditch the Disposables 

Where ecology is concerned, reusables are royalty. Plastic cotton buds can be replaced by wooden-stemmed alternatives or a damp linen cloth, wrapped around your finger and swabbed around the appropriate area. Wipes should be replaced with biodegradable, plant-based alternatives or ditched completely in favour of a cloth with baby oil or balm. 

Watch the Water 

Water waste is a huge issue across the world, but it’s an easy one to tackle. Remembering to turn off the tap when it is not in use will save more than you could imagine. A running tap is estimated to waste over 6 litres a minute. That means just switching the tap off while you brush your teeth could save over 24 litres in a day. 

Remember to Recycle 

Many beauty products come in recyclable packaging these days, so take advantage where you can. If you end up with containers that are non-recyclable, you could try to reuse/upcycle them. Old perfume bottles will make excellent mini flower vases, or can be decorated with paint, gems or mosaic tiles for pretty displays. 

Bin Plastic Brushes 

Hairbrushes, make-up brushes and other applicators are probably the most overlooked items on this list, but all of these are now available in sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives. Look for wooden or charcoal brushes with non-plastic, non-animal bristles or pins. Maintaining make-up brushes with regular cleaning will also help them last longer. 

Save It for Yourself 

Overusing products is easily done but paying a little more attention to what you use can help you save on products, money and packaging. Most shampoos recommend only using 10ml, which is about 2 teaspoons, so foam it up and see how far you can stretch it. Similarly, moisturiser doesn’t need to be painted on, just covering the necessaries is fine. 

Have a think about your own routine and what changes you can make to help heal the world. A small change made by many people can make a huge difference to the environment and we all want to pass on a better world.