You may have heard the term “sustainable beauty” being thrown around the web, but what does it actually mean?

Sustainability is all about being a conscious consumer and purchasing products that are safe for the planet and population in the long-term.

The horrible truth is that there are 25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean, of which many are the result of cosmetic items, due to it being a fast moving industry. You can read more about the environmental impact of the beauty industry here.

We want to share with you 5 ways in which you can play your part in becoming more sustainable with your skincare!

1- Reuse Your Product Containers

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Arguably, one of the reasons which often draws us to buy particular beauty products is due to its’ cute packaging, right? Well, once you are done with the product, why not re-use the container for another purpose…

For example, you could use a moisturiser tub to hold hair bands or cotton buds, or re-use a spray bottle for a face mist!

2- Ditch the Face Wipes

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We’ve been saying this for ages, but it really is time to ditch the face wipes!

As well as being irritating for the skin, face wipes can have a horrible impact on the environment once disposed of as most of them are not bio-degradable.

Instead, opt for a cream or oil based cleanser that’s sensitive enough to be used around the eye area. Think of how much good you will be doing for your skin and the planet! Here’s a great alternative…

If you find that you have been experiencing breakouts related to your face wipe usage, our chemical peel treatments are very effective at combatting this.

3- Also.. Ditch The Cotton Pads

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As well as makeup wipes, you should also look to replace your use of cotton pads. Cotton pads tend not to be biodegradable either, due to the  process that’s used to create them being harmful to the environment. Instead, look to use a re-useable face cloth such as this one, or a muslin cloth to remove your makeup and cleanse your face.

Make sure to get a soft cloth so that you don’t irritate your skin and remember to wash them regularly to avoid bacteria build up which can cause breakouts.

4- Reduce Your Water Usage

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The average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water every day!

By turning off the tap when you’re not using it, such as when brushing your teeth or cleansing you can save five litres of water a minute. This is definitely something we’re all guilty of, but it’s a small and easy step to help adopt new sustainable habits!

5- Make Use of Beauty Recycling Schemes

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Next time you’re out shopping, why not bring some of your empties in return for some lovely incentives! MAC Cosmetics have their “Back to MAC” scheme whereby if you bring in 6 empty MAC products, you’ll receive a new lipstick free.

Boots has also recently launched their recycling scheme in-stores, where you can bring in your empties and receive Boots points to spend on your future shops.

See… there’s rewards to being sustainable!

 

Thank you to everyone who took part in our November giveaway. Follow us on Instagram @simplyclinics and @dryoussefhaffar to stay updated on future giveaways and for more skin tips!

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