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If you are a skincare junkie who wants to be environmentally conscious, here are some ways to take care of your skin in a sustainable way.
As a sustainability enthusiast, when my dermatologist told me that I would have to switch to not-so-green products, I was reluctant to a point. Or I would have been, two years ago.
As TrashySisters spoke about in their latest reel, there are a million ways to be sustainable without harming the largest organ on your body.
We just have to accept that in this regard realistic sustainability is imperfect sustainability.
So, if you are a skincare junkie who wants to go sustainable, you are at the right place. As Cassandra Bankson said, skincare is not just self-care; it is also hygiene. This is important to remember when we begin our sustainable skincare journey. Why, you ask? Well, from personal experience, I almost gave up on proper skincare because I couldn’t find sustainable products that were within my budget and suited to my skin. I still struggle with that, to be honest. Hence, this blog. To make sure if there’s even one person struggling like I am, they feel a little less alone. Now, let’s get rolling.
Imperfectly sustainable skincare is skincare that is as sustainable as you can make it within your budget and keeping your skin’s needs in mind. Sustainable skincare can be vegan, zero-waste, ethically made, organic, natural, and many other things. Some argue that organic and natural aren’t always the most sustainable, and others say that DIY isn’t as effective as buying products. However, since there is no legal definition yet of “sustainable skincare,” everyone can mix and match to make their own definition.
Then why add the term “imperfect” behind it? After all, being financially viable is also a part of sustainability.
There is a myriad of reasons.
So now that we know why imperfectly sustainable skincare is a thing, let’s get rolling on how to build that skincare routine.
Go to a dermatologist.
I am no dermatologist, and before you start anything with your skin, my recommendation is to always go check with a dermatologist. You will know what skin type you have, what issues your skin is facing, and what products are best for it. I know speaking up can be difficult but let your doctor know you are trying to build a sustainable skincare routine. Show them the products you are interested in, and as Cassandra Bankson says, turn and learn the ingredients. Your dermatologist will know if those ingredients will have the right effect on your skin or not.
If, for whatever reason, this is not an option, try and change your routine one product at a time. Keep using what works, as TrashySisters said but if you have to change, slow is steady. Try a product for at least a month before you decide whether it’s good for your skin or not. If there are any side effects, though, stop it immediately. There are other sustainable products out there, and sustainable living should never come at the cost of your health.
Your dermatologist or a doctor is the best person to tell you this, despite all the online skin consultations available. Knowing your skin concerns allows you to know which ingredients your skin needs to stay healthy. For example, those with acne-prone skin often benefit from tea tree oil in their products, but this could differ from person to person. Building a skincare routine that works for you means building one that works for your skin in the long term. You can make this routine sustainable by looking for companies that source the ingredients you need sustainably and package them in reusable or low-waste packaging. GiftGreen India, for example, has a body butter that is packaged in tin-which is plastic free, and they send their products packed in reused boxes.
If you wear makeup, you need to double cleanse, which means you need cotton balls to clean your face. Or do you? You can use reusable cotton pads or micro-fiber towels that can be thrown in the wash and used again and again. While cotton can have its own issues, recycled or upcycled cotton is a sustainable choice for a cleanser as opposed to makeup wipes that damage your skin and the planet. You can also look at products that come in plastic-free packaging, low-waste packaging, or support companies that do take-back programs and refill programs to reduce waste. Looking at Zoobop to see a company’s packaging and recycling policies is always a good idea.
Choosing eco-safe ingredients when possible is important as these ingredients do not let toxins into our waterways, saving both marine life and human health. Zoobop also allows you to see if the ingredients a brand uses are eco-safe and safe for humans.
You can also check if the company you are supporting sources their ingredients in an eco-friendly and ethical manner. Look for certifications such as fair trade, sustainable sourcing, and so on. As far as possible, try and aim to support companies that have a sustainable supply chain.
Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. No one can stress the importance of this enough. While I, too, miss my sunscreen once in a while, that truly is no excuse for not using SPF, and neither is a plat-friendly life. Spending time in the sun is necessary to get vitamin D, and using sunscreen is necessary to protect our skin. Do not forget or skip SPF, please.
The same goes for lip balm. Moisturizing our lips is necessary. I tend to use either ghee or Kamarkattu’s lip balm recently, but there are many options available on the market, including tinted lip balms for colour enthusiasts.
Good skin health comes from healthy eating habits, and staying hydrated keeps our skin young-looking and moisturized. Drink plenty of water. An eco-friendly way to do the same is to carry your reusable water bottle around. For hygiene’s sake, wash it every day. Doctors recommend changing your reusable water bottle when you can see it has accumulated dirt and is not getting any cleaner after washing.
The world today is full of trends that come and go. While enjoying them is not necessarily a bad thing, consistency really helps your skin. The planet also benefits from you not using unnecessary products that give you no personal satisfaction or good skin health.
These are just some tips on how to build a sustainable skincare routine. There are many others, such as using what you have at home. While I am not a fan of DIY, I swear by using a cold spoon to reduce under-eye puffiness. Just know as long as you can find a balance between your skin’s needs and the planet’s needs, you are being sustainable. You do not have to sacrifice satisfaction or hygiene to have a sustainable skin-care routine today. However, remember imperfectly and healthy sustainable living is better than no sustainably living or burnout.
Image Source: Canva Pro
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