January means big back-to-school resolutions, right? We know that when we come back from vacation, we have our toiletry bag with our dozens of cosmetic products, half of which we've used... And when it's time to put it away, we think, "I really need to sort all this out to make more room in my bathroom..."

We have the solution! We're giving you some tips and advice to get back to (or start) the green essentials of your beauty routine, all with a zero-waste goal.

Zero waste is trendy, but isn't it a bit ambitious?
Besides, at first glance, just because you use a shower gel and an aerosol deodorant once a day doesn't mean you're endangering the planet. No, of course not... but if everyone thinks that way, no improvement is possible!

We all start the week by opening our bin to throw away yet another makeup remover cotton pad that bounces and falls back on our foot because the bin is full! We feel like we spend our lives emptying it... And that's probably true: sanitary textiles still represent 34 kg per inhabitant per year!
With that, we can only decide to gradually adopt a green routine!

In fact, it's simpler than it seems. It saves money, it's good for your health, and what's more, it protects the planet. All benefits, right? Why didn't we think of it sooner? Yes, we're wondering the same thing...

To begin, we advise you to proceed in 3 steps:

1. Sort through your products

Inventory the products in your bathroom and determine the products you REALLY use. No matter how many products we have in our bathroom, we always use the same ones. This will allow you to get back to the essentials of your products, and when you repurchase, only buy the ones you actually use. In the meantime, finish the products you don't use, or give them to interested people. It's always better than wasting. If you're going zero waste, you might as well be zero waste!

2. Ask yourself the right questions to help you find alternative solutions for these essential products

• Could a multi-purpose product (and natural, of course) not replace my makeup remover, my face cream, my body milk, my hand cream, my lip balm... ?

If one product can replace several, you gain 100%: less expensive, less packaging, more space in your bathroom, easier to transport... Now's the time!

• What packaging can I eliminate?

The product container (in a tube or jar), or the container of the container: Indeed, products are often over-packaged, and as for the materials used, they are not the best in terms of ecology.

3. Adopt green alternatives to essential products

There are more and more indispensable products in our daily lives that fit into our green routine.  

• Bulk products

You have the option of buying your shower gel, shampoo and conditioner in bulk to put in a nice reusable glass bottle, for example. At least you choose your eco-friendly packaging that will perfectly match your bathroom! Not bad, right?

• Solid products: the must-have

Bar soap:

More green than shower gel, and more economical because it lasts much longer. Made with 100% vegetable oil (like Aleppo soap, for example), we recommend choosing one that is cold-saponified because these retain vegetable glycerin, which is essential for hydration.

It's practical, zero waste, good for us. It even has a retro feel, like our grandparents' time!

 Deodorant:

There are more and more solid deodorants available, in aluminum or glass jars, or even in recyclable cardboard packaging. Generally, one solid deodorant is equivalent to about two classic stick deodorants. Once again, economical and green.

Shampoo:

It makes hair less greasy and therefore cleaner. The same principle as bar soap: healthy, eco-friendly, natural, zero waste, more economical, and it lasts much longer than liquid shampoo!

Toothpaste:

Practical, economical, natural and less aggressive than its tube counterpart; or try to prioritize aluminum or recycled plastic tubes.

And for DIY enthusiasts, there are plenty of quick recipes using everything in your kitchen cupboards to make shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes and other cosmetic products.
For the less manual, there is Les Petits Prödiges, which allows you to get back to basics and reduce your waste with the multi-purpose balm, or the solid deodorant in a biodegradable tube!

 To learn more about our multi-purpose balm, just click here! 

• The ultimate green: durable accessories!

Toothbrush:

You can buy them with replaceable heads to reduce plastic use.
The Zero Waste trick: a bamboo toothbrush with nylon bristles (recyclable) or boar bristles (fully compostable).

Cotton swabs:

It can't be said enough, but they are such an ecological disaster that they will be banned in France from January 1, 2020 with the Biodiversity Law of 2016 (phew!).
Don't wait and start using paper and organic cotton swabs now.
The Zero Waste trick: the oriculi, a bamboo or stainless steel stick with a curved end that allows you to clean your ear.

Reusable cotton pads and makeup remover wipes:

Made from washable fabric and therefore infinitely reusable! Easy to make or available online or in zero-waste stores, these wipes are practical, eco-friendly, and will also save you money.
We recommend bamboo fiber wipes; this material has degreasing properties, so you don't even need makeup remover – just dampen the fabric and wipe your face.

Menstrual protection:

We know that feminine hygiene products represent significant costs that we cannot avoid. Just like washable cotton pads and wipes, there are washable pads, made in France and with glamorous designs. It's the same principle as a classic sanitary napkin, except instead of throwing it away, you wash it carefully, and the next day: repeat! And this for at least 2-3 years.

If you prefer, there's the cup, a reusable silicone menstrual cup that can be worn for 6 hours, with no chance of accidents. An ecological solution that pays for itself in just a few months and can be reused for 5 years!

Loofah washcloths:

Completely made of 100% natural fibers from a dried exotic fruit, loofah will have many uses in your bathroom. Exfoliator, cleanser, in the form of a glove or sponge, it allows your skin to regain its elasticity, eliminate dead skin cells, stimulate blood circulation... In short, another little gem that's good for you and the planet!

With all this, there's no reason not to have a green bathroom! Plus, it saves money, so how can you not be won over?

If you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out our zero-waste challenge at the office or our zero-waste challenge in the kitchen!

And do you want us to tell you a secret?
Among all these magical products mentioned in this article, we will soon be launching 4!