In 2020, it should be easier to shop eco-friendly. Despite the growing number of consumers looking for sustainable brands, many remain out of reach price-wise. Luckily, there are still some brands that make eco-friendly swaps wallet-friendly. 

That being said, the most sustainable product is one you already own. You should always finish everything you have before buying anything new. Once you’re totally out of something and ready to make a sustainable swap, look here for some guidance! Obviously, this is far from a complete list. These are brands I know of and like.

This is part one of sustainable swaps: beauty and personal care. Part two will be household items. 

Makeup

Elate

This is the makeup brand I use! They are vegan and cruelty-free. In addition, face powder, eye shadow, and blush come in little tins that can be placed inside a bamboo palette, which drastically decreases waste. They also have a “perfectly imperfect” line, where you can purchase makeup with minor defects for a reduced price. They are, however, more expensive and shipping isn’t free. You can check their website to see if they are available near you, but otherwise, their products can be purchased online.

• Mascara: $28
• Foundation: $32
• Lipstick: $22

ELF

ELF is one of the cheapest drugstore makeup brands and they still manage to do good for the environment. According to EthicalElephant.com, they are vegan and cruelty-free. ELF is found at most drugstores including Target.

• Mascara: $3-$6
• Foundation: $6-$8
• Lipstick: $3-$6

Pacifica

Pacifica is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, according to their website. They also have a recycling program for their products!

• Mascara: $14-$16
• Foundation: $16
• Lipstick: $10

Skin Care

Acure

Acure is a skincare brand that also sells some hair and body products. They are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. 

• Face wash: $10
• Moisturizer: $17-$20

Soap bars

Bars are generally considered to be more eco-friendly than bottled products. Without the plastic bottles, they require less packaging and therefore less waste. They can be found at Earth Hero, the Package Free Shop, Target, and elsewhere.

Thayers

Thayers is an all-natural skincare brand. They are vegan (except for Slip Balms), gluten-free, and cruelty-free. I use this facial mist to keep my skin clear! This brand is found at Target and similar retailers. 

Perfume

by / rosie jane

by / rosie jane is a perfume company based out of California. All of their perfume is hand-mixed and comes in 100% recyclable packaging. They are cruelty-free, boasting a Leaping Bunny certification, and their perfumes are vegan. by / rosie jane can be found in Sephora and online. I wear their scent called Leila Lou!

• Perfume Spray: $65
• Rollerball: $40
• Sample collection: $20

Skylar

Skylar is a natural perfume brand, which is vegan and never tests on animals. Many, but not all, of their packaging is recyclable. Skylar perfume can be found in select Sephora stores in the US and Canada and online. 

• Perfume Spray: $78
• Rollerball: $29
• Sample collection: $25

Tools

Ecotools

Ecotools is an Earth and wallet-friendly brand. They can be found in most drugstores and Target. Their products are vegan, cruelty-free, and come in biodegradable packaging. They use recycled materials in their products. 

• Starter set: $10
• Single brushes: less than $10

Elate

Elate’s brushes are made of sustainable bamboo and vegan fibers. 

• Set: $85-$105
• Single brushes: $12-$24

Nail polish

Sally Hansen

Sally Hansen’s Good. Kind. Pure™ line is plant-based, and the entire company does not test on animals. This line comes in 30 different shades and a vegan top-coat. These polishes can be found at drug stores and Target. One bottle is $10

Removal

One eco-friendly way to remove makeup is to swap cotton rounds for something reusable. You can use a washcloth, buy reusable makeup rounds, or make your own!

I use coconut oil for makeup removal—everything just melts off your face! You only need a pea-sized amount for eye makeup and only a little more for the full face. Otherwise, any liquid makeup remover will work.

Deodorant

Natural Deodorants

There are plenty of natural deodorants on the market—Native is one of the most popular ones. However, these often come at over $10 more than the general options. If you can afford it, great! If not, there are other options.

DIY

One way to ensure your deodorant is eco-friendly is to make your own! Here is a deodorant recipe. If you don’t like this one, you can google other options. 

Shampoo/Conditioner

Renpure

This is shampoo and conditioner I use. All their products (except for the Biotin & Collagen line and Keratin & Argan) are vegan. They don’t test on animals, but they are not certified cruelty-free. Their products can be found at Target, some drugstores, and some grocery stores.  Shampoo and Conditioner at $8 each.

Bars

Because they aren’t liquids, they don’t need plastic packaging. At Earth Hero and the Package Free Shop, there are plenty of options for shampoo and conditioner bars. Some options can also be found at Target.

Body Wash

Renpure

I use their body wash as well! Their products can be found at Target, some drugstores, and some grocery stores. Their body washes lather well (and last longer!) with a loofah. Body washes are $8 each.

Bars

Again, bars (usually) require less packaging. Body bars are available almost anywhere other body soaps are found. 

Loofah

The most sustainable option is to not buy anything! However, some soaps last longer with a loofah, so it may be worth in the long run. Keep in mind that loofahs usually need to be replaced once a month to prevent bacteria and mold. 

Washcloths

One option is to use washcloths you already own! These are obviously reusable and should last you a long time.

Natural loofah

Natural loofahs are another option. They can be found at some drugstores—do your research to find one. This natural loofah from the Package Free Shop is compostable. 

Silicone scrubber

Silicone scrubbers can be found near loofahs at stores. 

Lotion

Acure

Acure is back because they also have a lotion! Their lotion is $12 and can be found at Target.

Ethique

This is another great brand! Ethique lotions come in blocks— which we already know the benefits of. Ethique is cruelty-free, plastic-free, vegan, sustainable, and palm oil-free. Their lotion is $13 and can be found at Target. 

Toothbrush

Bamboo toothbrushes are a new way to be sustainable. They can be found at Amazon, Rite Aid, and other retailers. When using a bamboo toothbrush, be sure to read the end-of-life instructions. There is a good chance the bristles need to be removed before composting the handle.

Razors

Safety razors

Safety razors are replacing disposable ones in the sustainable community. The handle is supposed to last a lifetime, and the blades are recyclable (although not in every municipality, so check!) 

Albatross is one brand that sells safety razors and blades. Their razors are $25 at the cheapest, and the blades $2.50 for 10. They also have a blade take-back program. 

Leaf is another brand that sells metal razors. One razor and 20 blades runs for $79.

This safety razor is only $17 on Amazon. 

Blades can also be bought on Amazon, and newcomers to the safety razor world can purchase sample packs to try different blades out. 

Razor banks are one way to dispose of razor blades after they’ve been used. This razor bank claims to hold 300 blades! Then, the whole thing can be safely recycled.  

The Good Trade published a resource for safety razor beginners. 

Flamingo

If you’re not quite ready for the safety razor game, there is an alternative. Flamingo is like a traditional disposable razor, but you reuse the handle and change the cartridge at the top. The handle is $10, and the cartridge replacements run for $16 for 4. Flamingo can be found at Target.

Menstrual Products

Sustainable period products can be…complicated. There are limited options, and they are very dependent on personal preferences. Don’t feel bad if you can’t make these swaps. Periods don’t make it easy.

Period Underwear

The first option is reusable period underwear. These are basically thick underwear that absorb your period. After use, they can be washed in the washing machine. One popular brand is Thinx.

Reusable Pads

These are strips of fabric that button to stay in place. I’ve heard that they don’t stay as well as the disposable kind. Here is one option for reusable pads from Earth Hero.

Menstrual Cups

This may be one of the more well-known sustainable options. Like tampons, menstrual cups sit inside the body. These are also reusable, so you don’t have to spend money on pads or tampons anymore! Here is a resource detailing everything a beginner needs to know about menstrual cups.

Clothes

The most sustainable way to shop for clothes is to buy secondhand. This could be at your local thrift shop, Goodwill, or at Thredup, an online consignment shop. 

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Other Resources

• The Good Trade
• Shelbizleee
• Ethical Elephant

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