If you’re looking for ways to clean up your personal care routine, we’ve put together a round-up of eco-minded brands for you to consider. From the sink to the shower to mental health, make some swaps in packaging, practices, ingredients and waste.
Chances are your current mouthwash comes packaged in a plastic jug. Instead of swishing a mixture made up mostly of water, clean up with GuruNanda Concentrated Mouthwash instead. Not only does it come served up in a jar that skips virgin plastics in favor of recycled materials, but the two-ounce solution is equivalent to the volume in 10, 16-ounces bottles of the other stuff. That’s because the mouthwash, which is made up of all-natural essential oils, is mixed with water a few drops at a time just before use.
Related: This long-standing natural soap company started by accident
The smaller bottle means lower transport emissions, packaging and overall waste. It’s also convenient for travel and falls within TSA guidelines for carry on travel. The company reported, “GuruNanda Concentrated Mouthwash is formulated with seven purpose-driven, sustainably harvested, pure and natural essential oils. The product contains no alcohol, fluoride, preservatives, gluten or toxic chemicals and it is not tested on animals.”
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This one takes you out of the bathroom and into a completely different environment — one that caters to your health and involves animals.
The Gentle Barn is a non-profit animal rescue organization with the goal of providing care for injured, aging and rescued animals. Visitors can watch, pet and even hug cows for a bit of loving therapy that benefits both parties. The three locations in California, Missouri and Tennessee house around 200 animals including cows, horses, pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits, llamas, emus, cats, dogs and birds.
Animal lovers unite in this unique environment, that is vegan and welcoming to all creatures that need a little extra (self) care.
After visiting the animals at the farm or working in your own organic garden, wash up with natural ingredients, not chemicals. Indigo Wild ZUM hand soaps are made by hand with attention to clean ingredients, not just clean skin. These soaps are plant based and completely vegan. Choose from a variety of scents for the liquid hand soap, which is made from natural olive, coconut and castor oils, aromatic essential oil blends, salt and water. Refills are available.
ZUM also makes all-natural bar soaps, if that’s more your style. Made with goat’s milk for a silky, moisturizing finish on the skin, ZUM bar soaps are available in many unique scent profiles. Also look for the brand’s body scrub, bath salts, lotions, balms and skincare items.
Protecting your skin from the damaging rays of the sun means finding products made with natural materials that are ethically sourced and ready to perform. MyChelle fits the bill with its clean skincare lineup that includes cleansers, exfoliators, serums, moisturizers and sun protection.
The company partners with TerraCycle so customers can send in all used product containers for recycling. Products are packaged in glass, cardboard or recyclable plastic. The company is also EWG Certified and collaborates with the Coral Restoration Foundation, the world’s largest non-profit marine-conservation organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs to a healthy state.
Free of parabens and aluminum, Crystal Deodorants roll on and offer protection for up to 24 hours. Products are cruelty free and vegan. They won’t leave those annoying white marks on your clothing and are available in several scents as well as an unscented option.
Crystal is the only natural deodorant brand to receive the prestigious Clean Label Project Purity Award for every product in the company’s line. Clean Label Project, is a nonprofit organization focused on bringing truth and transparency to consumer product labeling.
Ever feel a bit guilty about ditching all those single use cotton swabs? LastSwab is the solution. Replace 1,000 swabs with this sanitary, reusable option. Simply clean LastSwab with soap and water after each use and put it in its storage container, which is made from ocean-bound recycled plastic. LastSwab comes in two forms: one is for cleaning and the other is for makeup.
While you’re swapping out single-use items in your bathroom, toss the disposable cotton rounds in favor of this package of seven reusable makeup pads. They are made from natural materials like wood fiber and cotton and come with a convenient storage case made from recycled plastic.
Female personal care could also use a cleanup in the waste department. Replace the boxes and bags of tampons, plastic applicators and pads with LastPad, a washable and reusable sanitary pad. It’s available in three sizes to cover your feminine hygiene needs throughout your cycle and can be washed in the washing machine before storing in the provided case.
Stop cutting down trees for the convenience of toilet paper. Instead, use a product made from fast-growing, renewable and sustainable bamboo. It’s even wrapped in plastic-free packaging, making a statement about the company’s commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing.
Images via LastObject and Repurpose
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