Our linear system of consumerism has created some problems for us. Climate issues are only becoming more extensive because of our overconsumption habits. So, we gotta be mindful of our habits until there’s more widespread systemic change. But can we be mindful and still partake in activities that aren’t typically sustainable?
I’ll admit it, I’m a consumer. It’s hard not to be since we need to consume to some degree to live. But, contrary to popular belief, to maintain habits long-term you shouldn’t give up things that bring you joy. The idea that you can’t care about the environment and like something seemingly frivolous is misleading because of that. The trick is to just make better choices. For instance, the beauty industry isn’t exactly known for its sustainability. But I firmly believe there are ways we can still like “frivolous” things and partake in an eco-friendly lifestyle. Your values and your actions can still be aligned while pampering yourself.
There are baseline things you can do to make self-care sustainable but let’s expand on that. With the rise of shower routine videos particularly, it’s hard to ignore the blatant rise of consumerism. We really don’t need everything social media tells us we need. But if you still want to pamper yourself (beauty can be so fun after all!) there are simple swaps you can make to lessen your environmental footprint. So, here are 3 easy ways you can make your shower routine more sustainable.
Ditch your plastic bottled body wash.
Finding body wash in alternative packaging is a big way to lessen your impact because our plastic problem is out of hand. But it’s even better if you opt for a bar soap. There are tons of plastic-free bar soap options, but bar soap is also lighter meaning it’s less resource intensive to ship. So, you’ll cut down on plastic waste and emissions! There are tons of amazing options that come in recyclable or compostable packaging. You can definitely find something that works for you! That’s an environmental and personal care win-win.
Choose better methods of exfoliation.
In so many shower routine videos I see literal walls of body scrubs. Not only is that level of consumption borderline sickening, but it all comes in plastic! Now, I love a good body exfoliation moment, but there are way better options.
Dry brushes, for example, are a great low-waste way to exfoliate. You can reuse these brushes for so much longer than a jar of body scrub will last. If dry brushing isn’t appealing you can also use a natural loofah. Natural loofahs are totally compostable and are also great at exfoliating! You can use it with a scented soap for a similar experience to using a store-bought scrub too. Or, you can make your own scrub! This way you can reuse the container and you can customize it to fit your skin and smell preferences. I personally love a coffee scrub (a DIY scrub using leftover coffee grounds is a great zero-waste idea!) but if I’m feeling extra boujee I’ll make a sugar scrub with dried flowers and essential oil.
Swap your liquid shampoo.
Like body wash, using less packing, less water, and causing less emissions is always better for the environment. So, swap your liquid shampoo for a shampoo bar! Shampoo bars cut down on and, in some cases, fully eliminate packaging waste. Plus, as long as you don’t keep it under running water, shampoo bars last for a shocking amount of time. There are so many options for so many hair types, so you can take care of your hair while lessening the environmental impact.
3 Easy Swaps For a Sustainable Shower Routine:
Ditch your plastic bottled body wash.
Choose better methods of exfoliation.
- Swap your liquid shampoo.
Give these swaps a try to do away with all the packaging and wastefulness while still enjoying a nice shower routine! There are so many ways to pamper yourself while still being environmentally conscious. What are your favorite sustainable shower routine swaps? We can do a lot for the environment, but as always, it’s not about being perfect but about being aware and doing what you can.