Zero Waste Personal Care Swaps
I'm a true believer in treating yourself. Personal care and hygiene are obviously very important and shouldn't be cast aside. But for the sake of convenience and the need to capitalize on every single insecurity we have, personal care or beauty products over the years have become increasingly wasteful. Not to mention all of the toxins we introduce into our homes, air, water, and bodies with many of those products.
In a perfect world, we'd drastically reduce our need for most of them. But no one is perfect and the reality is that we've formed habits and have found things that work well.
Not everyone is willing to give up their personal care routine, so why not replace the products you use with ones that are mostly zero waste, better for your health, and better for the environment?
I've slowly been replacing products over the past couple of years with those that are more ethical, less toxic, as well as less wasteful. Some products I have not replaced simply because I don't use them often, I don't use them at all, or I've found something that works well for my family.
Unless something is bad for my health or terrible for the environment (goodbye microbeads!!), I don't dump everything at once to go buy alternatives. I emphasize this so much, but buying a bunch of new products before using up your old ones TOTALLY defeats the purpose of reducing our waste.
Also, if there is a product that works well with your skin or your teeth, or is recommended by a medical professional, please don't feel that you need to compromise your health for a zero waste alternative. There's no judgment here, don't worry!
When I first started on my zero waste journey, there were a few resources for personal care swaps, but now there's a bunch more products and options I would love to share with you!
Some I've tried and some I've yet to try. The criteria I used to curate this list include (**one product might not fit all criteria, but most):
There are a ton of wonderful DIY options out there as well; many of which come from fellow zero wasters I admire. If you opt for DIY products, I personally think it's better to buy some bulk ingredients with multiple uses than to buy a new bottle/container of something every time you need it. Some DIY ingredients might even be found in your kitchen/bathroom already!
My hope is that you can refer to this list when you're running low on a product and are looking for a better option. Many can be ordered online from zero waste shops I trust (brands are listed for you to order directly from if you'd like) and some can be found in retail stores/locations. All products and recipes can make for really great gifts that people will actually use!
In a perfect world, we'd drastically reduce our need for most of them. But no one is perfect and the reality is that we've formed habits and have found things that work well.
Not everyone is willing to give up their personal care routine, so why not replace the products you use with ones that are mostly zero waste, better for your health, and better for the environment?
I've slowly been replacing products over the past couple of years with those that are more ethical, less toxic, as well as less wasteful. Some products I have not replaced simply because I don't use them often, I don't use them at all, or I've found something that works well for my family.
Unless something is bad for my health or terrible for the environment (goodbye microbeads!!), I don't dump everything at once to go buy alternatives. I emphasize this so much, but buying a bunch of new products before using up your old ones TOTALLY defeats the purpose of reducing our waste.
Also, if there is a product that works well with your skin or your teeth, or is recommended by a medical professional, please don't feel that you need to compromise your health for a zero waste alternative. There's no judgment here, don't worry!
When I first started on my zero waste journey, there were a few resources for personal care swaps, but now there's a bunch more products and options I would love to share with you!
Some I've tried and some I've yet to try. The criteria I used to curate this list include (**one product might not fit all criteria, but most):
- Small, ethical, and (mostly) women-owned businesses
- Brands/products I have used or continue to use and like
- Products from shops I trust and who put trust in the brands they sell
- Products made from renewable and/or sustainable materials
- Products made with few and toxin-free ingredients
- Products that are cruelty-free or vegan
- Products with minimal, recyclable, compostable, and/or reusable packaging
- Products that can be refilled
- Products recommended by other zero wasters
My hope is that you can refer to this list when you're running low on a product and are looking for a better option. Many can be ordered online from zero waste shops I trust (brands are listed for you to order directly from if you'd like) and some can be found in retail stores/locations. All products and recipes can make for really great gifts that people will actually use!
Some DIY recipes or products may contain essential oils. In which case, I highly recommend doing your due diligence before using the recipe and/or products to ensure essential oils are safely used.
Body
BODY WASH 🠊 BAR SOAP
LOTION 🠊 LOTION BAR, COCONUT OIL, REUSABLE CONTAINERS, OR DIY
- Lotion bar in tin by Brooklyn Made Natural
- Lotion bar in tin by Sustainyoself
- Refined Coconut Oil by Nutiva
- All-in-one moisturizer in a glass jar from Booda Organics
- DIY lotion by Beauty in the Crumbs
EXFOLIANTS 🠊 DRY BRUSH OR DIY SUGAR/SALT SCRUB
- Wood dry brush from Wild Minimalist (dry brushing has many benefits!)
- DIY brown sugar body scrub by One Crazy Mom
SUNSCREEN 🠊 REEF FRIENDLY ZINC FORMULAS IN ALUMINUM
- Reef friendly, zinc formula in a tin from Package Free Shop or from Wild Minimalist
BUG SPRAY 🠊 DEET/TOXIN FREE FORMULAS IN PAPER/ALUMINUM
- Organic tick/bug spray in aluminum bottle from Package Free Shop
- Natural bug repellent stick from Wild Minimalist
Face
LIQUID FACE WASH 🠊 BAR SOAP- Rose & charcoal bar by Brooklyn Made Natural
- Tea tree & charcoal bar from Package Free Shop
EXFOLIANT 🠊 DIY SUGAR/SALT SCRUB
- DIY sugar scrub by Goin Zero Waste
ALCOHOL TONER 🠊 WITCH HAZEL OR ROSEWATER
- Geranium & palmarosa witch hazel mist in a glass bottle from Package Free Shop
- Rosewater toner mist by Brooklyn Made Natural (can be requested plastic-free)
- Witch hazel & rose petal toner by Thayers
SHEET FACIAL MASKS 🠊 DIY OR FACE MASK IN GLASS/ALUMINUM
- DIY blackhead busting face mask by Going Zero Waste
- DIY moisturizing green tea face mask by Going Zero Waste
- Bentonite & charcoal face mask by Brooklyn Made Natural (can be requested plastic-free)
- Rose & bentonite clay by Brooklyn Made Natural (can be requested plastic-free)
FACIAL SPF MOISTURIZER 🠊 IN GLASS/ALUMINUM
- Tinted face moisturizer with 30 SPF from Package Free Shop
CHAPSTICK 🠊 IN TIN/PAPER TUBE
- Lip salve in tin from Wild Minimalist
- Vegan lip balm in paper tubes from Package Free Shop
Makeup
PLASTIC PALLETS 🠊 REFILLABLE BAMBOO PALLET
- Refillable & customizable bamboo pallet by Elate Cosmetics
FOUNDATION 🠊 REFILLABLE OR RECYCLABLE CONTAINER
- Refillable pressed powder foundation by Elate Cosmetics
- Liquid foundation in glass bottle by Elate Cosmetics
- Creme foundation in glass, bamboo jar by Elate Cosmetics
PRIMER 🠊 RECYCLABLE CONTAINER
- Primer in glass, bamboo, and recyclable plastic pump bottle by Elate Cosmetics
BRONZER, BLUSH, HIGHLIGHT 🠊 REFILLABLE PRESSED POWDERS OR TINS
- Refillable pressed powder bronzer by Elate Cosmetics
- Refillable pressed powder blush by Elate Cosmetics
- Refillable pressed powder highlight by Elate Cosmetics
- Cheek/lip stain in a tin from Wild Minimalist
EYE SHADOW 🠊 REFILLABLE PRESSED POWDERS
- Refillable pressed eyeshadows in many colors by Elate Cosmetics
BROW FILL 🠊 REFILLABLE BALM OR USE EYESHADOW
- Refillable balm by Elate Cosmetics
EYELINER 🠊 DIY OR USE EYESHADOW
- DIY eyeliner by Going Zero Waste
MASCARA 🠊 REFILLABLE MASCARA CAKE OR DIY
- Refillable mascara cake by Besame Cosmetics
- DIY mascara by Going Zero Waste
LIPSTICK/LIP BALM 🠊 DIY, IN PAPER TUBES OR TINS
- DIY lip to cheek by Going Zero Waste
- Tinted lip balm in paper tube by Sustainyoself
- Lip paint from Wild Minimalist
COTTON BALLS, MAKEUP REMOVER WIPES 🠊 REUSABLE FACIAL ROUNDS
- Reusable cotton facial rounds from Wild Minimalist or Package Free Shop
- Reusable bamboo facial rounds by Creek Side Kid
MAKEUP REMOVER 🠊 LIQUID COCONUT OIL
- Liquid coconut oil in glass jar by Nutiva
MAKEUP BRUSHES 🠊 BAMBOO BRUSHES
- Bamboo handle with taklon bristles (synthetic) by Elate Cosmetics
- Bamboo handle, recycled aluminum top, & taklon bristles by Ecotools
Hands & Nails
LIQUID HAND SOAP 🠊 BAR SOAP
HAND CREAM 🠊 IN TIN/GLASS
- Lavender hand cream in tin from Package Free Shop
- Organic hand salve by Brooklyn Made Natural
PLASTIC NAIL BRUSH 🠊 WOOD/BAMBOO NAIL BRUSH
- Biodegradable wood nail brush from Wild Minimalist or Package Free Shop
CUTICLE CREAM 🠊 DIY
- DIY cuticle cream by Wellness Mama
NAIL POLISH 🠊 NORMALLY IN GLASS BUT OPT FOR LESS TOXIC BRANDS
- Non-toxic, vegan nail polish by Karma Organics
NAIL POLISH REMOVER 🠊 ACETONE ALTERNATIVE
- Soybean oil nail polish remover in glass by Karma Organics
Deodorize
DEODORANT 🠊 DIY OR IN PAPER TUBE/GLASS
- DIY extra strength deodorant with by Going Zero Waste
- Deodorant in paper tube from Package Free Shop
- Baking soda free cream in a glass jar from Package Free Shop
- Baking soda free cream by Brooklyn Made Natural (can be requested plastic-free)
- Sensitive skin deodorant in a glass jar by Sustainyoself
- Cream Deodorant in a glass jar by Booda Organics
PERFUME/COLOGNE 🠊 LOCKET (yeah it's a thing) OR SOLID PERFUME/COLOGNE
- Perfume locket by The Humble Hive
- Solid perfume by The Humble Hive
- Solid Cologne by The Humble Hive
Hair
LIQUID SHAMPOO 🠊 BAR SHAMPOO
- Dog Cedarwood Lavender Shampoo Bar from Wild Minimalist
- Shampoo bars by Brooklyn Made Natural
- Shampoo bars from Package Free Shop
LIQUID CONDITIONER 🠊 BAR CONDITIONER OR APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
- Conditioning shampoo bar by Brooklyn Made Natural
- Conditioner bars from Package Free Shop
- Dilute 2 Tbsp of AVC in water (old shampoo/conditioner bottle works). Squirt a little in your hair, leave in for a few minutes and rinse.
DRY SHAMPOO 🠊 DIY OR POWDER FORM IN GLASS
- Dust cornstarch or arrowroot powder on your roots using an old makeup brush. Mix in a bit of cocoa powder if you have brown/black hair. Brush and shake out your hair a bit to blend in. It will soak up all that oil.
- Arrowroot powder & bentonite clay dry shampoo from Package Free Shop
HAIRSPRAY/SALT SPRAY/POMADE 🠊 DIY, AEROSOL & TOXIN-FREE, OR STYLING CREAM IN A TIN
- DIY hairspray by Wasteland Rebel
- Herbal hairspray by MiaBotanica
- Texturizing sea salt spray in recyclable, metal bottle from Package Free Shop
- Styling creme in a tin from Package Free Shop
HAIRBRUSH/COMB 🠊 WOOD/BAMBOO
- Beechwood & hornbeam brush from Wild Minimalist or Package Free Shop
- Beechwood comb from Wild Minimalist
- Pearwood & goats hair paddle brush from Package Free Shop
HAIR DYE 🠊 HENNA DYE (free from metallic salts)
- Henna dyes by Lush
HAIR TIES 🠊 COMPOSTABLE PLASTIC-FREE HAIR TIES
- Organic, plastic-free, compostable hair ties from Package Free Shop or Wild Minimalist
Hair removal
DISPOSABLE RAZORS 🠊 SAFETY RAZORS
- Stainless steel safety razor from Plastic Free Shop
- Replacement blades from Plastic Free Shop (Albatross has a take-back program to recycle blades)
- Safety razor kit (blades, stand, razor, sleeve) from Wild Minimalist
- Electric razors work great too!
SHAVING CREAM 🠊 PLAIN OL' SOAP, BAR SOAP FORMULATED FOR SHAVING
- Shave soap by Brooklyn Made Natural
- Shave soap bar from Package Free Shop
- Vegan shave soap with a wooden brush by VossBotanicals
AFTERSHAVE 🠊 AFTERSHAVE IN A TIN OR IN GLASS
- Aftershave balm in a tin from Package Free Shop
- Aftershave tonic from Package Free Shop
WAX STRIPS 🠊 ASK FOR A SUGAR WAX AT THE SALON OR DIY
- DIY sugar wax by Kale & Cotton
Oral care
PLASTIC TOOTHBRUSH 🠊 BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH
- Bamboo toothbrush from Package Free Shop
- Bamboo toothbrushes in a pack of 4 from Wild Minimalist
- Child-size toothbrush from Package Free Shop
- Child-size toothbrushes in a pack of 4 from Wild Minimalist
TOOTHPASTE 🠊 POWDERED, TABLET FORM, IN A JAR, OR DIY
- Toothpowder from Package Free Shop
- Toothpaste in a jar from Wild Minimalist
- Toothpaste tabs by Lush
- DIY by yours truly
FLOSS 🠊 REFILLABLE FLOSS
- Refillable silk floss (compostable) by Dental Lace
- Refillable vegan floss (not compostable) by Dental Lace
MOUTHWASH 🠊 TABLET FORM
- Mouthwash tabs from Wild Minimalist or Package Free Shop
PLASTIC TONGUE SCRAPER 🠊 METAL TONGUE SCRAPER
- Stainless steel tongue scraper from Package Free Shop
Period
TAMPONS 🠊 MENSTRUAL CUPS
- Menstrual cups by Lunette
- Menstrual cups by Diva Cup
- Menstrual cup (brand) comparison chart
PADS 🠊 REUSABLE CLOTH PADS
- 100% organic cotton & reusable pads from Package Free Shop (many shapes/sizes available)
- Reusable cloth pads by StichandFloByDe
Mom & baby
COCOA BUTTER/STRETCH MARK STUFF 🠊 IN A TIN/GLASS
- Daily moisturizer with cocoa butter in tin by Booda Butter
- Larger amount of daily moisturizer in glass by Booda Butter
- Belly balm by Among the Flowers
NIPPLE RELIEF 🠊 SALVE IN A TIN OR SILVER NURSING CUPS
- Nipple salve from Wild Minimalist
- Silver nursing cups from Package Free Shop
- Bosom butter by Among the Flowers
DISPOSABLE NURSING PADS 🠊 REUSABLE CLOTH PADS
- Cloth pads from Wild Minimalist
LIQUID BABY SOAP 🠊 BAR SOAP OR IN A GLASS
- Organic baby bars by The Bodacious Bee
- Lavender wash by Among the Flowers
Other bathroom essentials/accessories
TOILET PAPER 🠊 RECYCLED/BAMBOO TP IN PAPER PACKAGING OR BIDET
- 100% recycled TP by Seventh Generation
- Bamboo TP by Who Gives a Crap (subscription service)
- Bidet attachment by Tushy
COTTON SWABS 🠊 GO WITHOUT OR COMPOSTABLE ONES
- Compostable bamboo & cotton swabs from Tiny Yellow Bungalow
PLASTIC LOOFAH 🠊 NATURAL SPONGE OR LOOFAH
- Natural sponge from Package Free Shop
- Natural loofah with soap by The Goat Fetching Soap
SOAP DISHES 🠊 DISHES THAT PROVIDE GOOD DRAINAGE FOR BAR SOAPS
- Wooden soap dish from Package Free Shop
- Wooden soap dishes by Brooklyn Made Natural
- Plant-based plastic soap dishes by Soap Lift
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