Ways to minimise plastic use in your skincare routine

We often don’t think about how many non-biodegradable plastics we accumulate when we buy beauty products.

The good news is that going green is not as tedious as you may think. Here are a few easy ways for you can switch up your routine and adopt more sustainable habits, that will be good to both your skin and the environment.   

1. Ditch disposable items for reusable alternatives

Many of us use cotton pads or face wipes in our skincare routine. Unfortunately these much-loved, single-use products come at the expense of the environment.  

Peter Davies from the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) explains that cleansing wipes are made of materials such as polyester, polypropylene, cotton, and wood pulp. 

“Of these, only cotton and wood pulp are readily biodegradable,” Davies says.

Reusable facial wipes such as muslin cloths or organic rounds are an eco-friendly option. Not only can they be used multiple times, which saves you money in the long-run, but they are also naturally hypoallergenic and anti-microbial which is a win for sensitive skin types. Plus, they just get better and softer with time.

2. Consider buying ‘naked’ products

Say goodbye to bottled cleansers and hello to ‘naked’ or packaging-free products. Opting for products that use zero packaging is an obvious choice when it comes to minimising unnecessary plastic pollution. 

According to Hazardous Waste Specialist at Remade Recycling, Deidre Dippenaar, “One cleansing bar is the equivalent to three 250ml plastic bottled cleansers and can last for up to 85 washes.”

You can also switch to products that are contained in recyclable bottles, boxes and containers like the Clicks MyEarth range, so that when a product reaches the end of its life, it can be recycled instead of going to a landfill.

"If you can’t find naked products that work for you, you can always buy products that are in glass bottles or reuse your empty plastic bottles and just buy refillable packs,” Dippenaar suggests. 

All of the bottles, tubes and jars in the Iwori products collection are also made of 100% recyclable materials. Try out their Rooibos Night Cream - you won't be disappointed!