Sustainable shopping can be tricky, particularly when trying to decipher between genuinely eco-friendly products and ‘green-washing’, a term coined to describe when brands convey a misleading message regarding how environmentally sound their products are.

According to Euromonitor International, 152.1 billion units of beauty and personal-care packaging were sold globally in 2018, most of which will likely never be recycled. Here are a few simple ways to green up your beauty routine.

1 - Use up what you already have
Often in our haste to live a more sustainable life, we simply end up consuming more, so the first step is to work with what you already have. Use up all your existing beauty and personal care products and slowly replace them with more sustainable, eco-friendly options. If you have products you don’t want, share with a friend or offer it to your local Pay it Forward group.

2 - Packaging is everything
When buying new beauty products, there’s plenty of ethically and environmentally friendly options to choose from, but the key focus when choosing should be packaging. Is it compostable, reusable, refillable or recyclable? Our Pure Planet Club Organic Lip Balms are not only made from natural ingredients, but the plastic-free packaging is made from 100% uncoated PCW paper that can be recycled or added to your compost. Products that are made with glass, aluminium and bamboo packaging are good options too.

3 - Buy less, buy well
While companies are producing more new beauty and make-up lines with every passing year, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of purchasing fast fashions, with trends that come and go in the blink of an eye. Focus on buying good-quality, dual-purpose products such as cheek and lip tints or tinted moisturisers, and always go for quality over quantity.

4 - Avoid single-use products
When you think of single-use products, coffee cups and straws probably spring to mind first, but they are also evident in our bathrooms and make-up bags. Make-up remover wipes, pads and cotton buds are often used for a few seconds then discarded and cannot be recycled. Opt for reusable make-up pads which you wash and re-use multiple times, bamboo or steel cotton buds, for example. It’s better for your wallet too as they will last so much longer.

5 - Don’t forget personal care products too
When it comes to your bathroom, there’s heaps of ways to make your space more eco-friendly, including stainless steel razors, bamboo toothbrushes, toothpaste tabs, bar soaps, shampoos and conditioners, and menstrual cups and reusable underwear. Order a bulk delivery of eco-friendly toilet paper to complete your bathroom eco-makeover.