The idea of sharing about sustainability has crossed my mind so many times. I have tried a few different ways, but fear or imposter syndrome would start taking over. One Sunday evening, I just said, “Ya know what? I’m just going to start talking about it.” It was cool to see the response from it, even if it was just two or three people responding. Anyways! I started with sharing products from the bathroom and wanted to add them all together in one space for you to refer back to!
Vegan Lip Balm | Meow Meow Tweet
It’s so cool to see all of the different products that are being invented or created or ones that are evolving. I have seen this chapstick on the Package Free Shop’s website a few times, and finally saw a review on it (if you watch Youtube, Sedona Christina is a really cool person! She talks all about being eco-friendly and sustainable). She was the one who gave the review which made me want to try it out!
This lip balm is definitely a little softer. It’s a bigger tube, too, but overall I really love it. As a previous Burt’s Bees chapstick lover, this lip balm is different, but not in a bad way. To keep things simple, I really enjoy it. I’m not a lip gloss or lipstick kinda gal, but this lip balm has that smooth consistency and does the job.
Here is the link to the vegan lip balm!
Shower Products | DIP
I’m going to be honest, I have only used four different types of shampoo bars, and two types of conditioner bars. When getting into a totally different avenue of products, especially going from liquid shampoo and conditioner to a solid form, I didn’t have anything to compare it to! So this is all just a learning process.
I originally used products from the Package Free Shop, but after a friend of mine photographed these Say Noap (rebranded as DIP) products, I just wanted to try them out! So shoutout to Kelee for being a boss photographer and friend. DIP has by far been the best shampoo and conditioner bars I have used. I’m not exaggerating. I could talk on and on about this company and their products. To name a few, they are all about creating top quality products, they believe everyone should buy *less*. Kate, the founder and owner, really takes pride in creating the best products for your hair.
Shampoo
The Everydayable shampoo bar in Tangerine & Honeydew, Coconut & Almond, Rosewater & Jasmine, Wild Sage, Rose and Matcha Tea, Tobacco & Driftwood, Mimosa & Sandalwood, and Fragrance Free! Each shampoo bar is $24 a bar lasts me about 3 months, maybe a little longer. I love this bar because it’s so light and lathers so well.
Something else to note — I LOVE that Dip came out with travel size versions of their products. It’s been so helpful when we take weekend trips, especially now that summer is here! I just keep them in my little soap bar case, and I’m good to go! They last a while, so don’t worry about it running out, and they are small, so they don’t take up space (nor do you have to worry about liquids traveling by plane).
Conditioner
The Trifecta solid conditioner bar has the same scents as the shampoo bars, at $32.00 a bar has so far lasted me 8 months! I wash my hair every other day, and have medium-long length hair, so if you wash your hair more or less than that then it may last you longer or may go through it just a little quicker (not by much though)* Not only does it last a long time, but it makes my hair so soft and shiny. Something else that’s cool is that you can literally put this on your hair after getting out of the pool or swimming at the lake or beach without having to rinse it out, which is great for everyone, especially the curly haired guys and girls!
Loofah & Body Wash
The loofah I use is a Mayan Loofah from the Package Free Shop. It’s made from plant fibers and is biodegradable!
As for body wash, I haven’t found one that I’m obsessed with. Before Dip rebranded, they had created a body wash bar, but since the rebrand, they’ve focused on the shampoo and conditioner bars first!
Other Shampoo & Conditioner Options:
Meow Meow Tweet Rosemary Avocado Shampoo Bar
Unwrapped Life Cleansing & Moisturizing Shampoo Bar
Unwrapped Life Round Shampoo Bar
Unwrapped Life Lavender Hemp Conditioner Bar
Unwrapped Life Round Conditioner Bar
Sustainable Razor | Leaf Shave Razor
Razors are something that I think might get overlooked when thinking about waste and impact on the earth. Around 2 Billion razors/razor heads are tossed each year. When I first really started to take sustainability more serious, they didn’t have the razor I use now. Safety razors have been around for YEARS. That’s what I started with. I believe I paid around $25 for mine. Single blade safety razors are a great option, though! I do recommend making sure you have extra time when shaving, and that you make short strokes and have a good shaving cream/shaving bar to use with it!
After about a year with the safety razor, I got a Leaf Shave Razor for Christmas 2019! This made shaving so much easier, and took less time. The Leaf Shave Razor gives you the option to add up to three razor blades. This allows you to get a closer shave, but if you don’t feel comfortable with all three blades, start with one or two! I will say, make sure you have a layer of shaving cream/shaving bar on the surface, because I cut myself pretty bad (it was totally my fault). I got really confident with this razor (especially coming from a safety razor) and it definitely humbled me after that cut haha.
As for a shaving cream, The Package Free Shop does have shaving bars (Leaf Shave has them, too). When I run out, I just use my conditioner bar, or I will use the travel size version conditioner bar from Dip!
All About The Smile | Gotta Have Clean Teeth!
Like I have said earlier, it’s so cool how people have taken the opportunity to create and re-invent a new solution to reducing waste. Toothpaste doesn’t have to just be from a tube. It also doesn’t have to be in a paste form…
I found Bite Toothpaste bits from a Facebook Ad. Probably one of the only times I have been thankful for ads running through out social media haha.
They come as a tablet, held in a glass jar and aluminum lid. Refills come in paper packaging. I have been using them for about three years now! I use the fresh mint flavor, and haven’t tried any of the other flavors yet. I have been on a subscription base and the fresh mint does the job for me! The Bite brand has always been finding new ways to upgrade their products and make them even better than before. They truly care about wanting to help reduce waste and I think that’s the coolest thing. Other products from Bite that I want to try: Their Mouthwash Tablets and Tooth Whitening Gel, as well as their body balm and deodorant! So I will update you guys when I try them 🙂
The rest of the products I use are a biodegradable floss, tongue scraper and a bamboo toothbrush. All of these I bought from the Package Free Shop. The floss comes in a glass container with a stainless steel lid. The floss is slightly thicker than “traditional floss”, so I find that I get a better clean if that makes any sense haha. You can buy floss refills and use the same glass container! I have been using the floss for around two years now and floss every day. I’d say one spool of floss lasts me about 3 months? The tongue scraper is simply that! It’s not sharp, it doesn’t hurt, but it does help reduce bad breath, and to get rid of bacteria. I use it every time after brushing my teeth! As for the bamboo toothbrush, it’s just a way better option than a plastic toothbrush. It did take me a second to get used to, I think because the width of the toothbrush .. head? The part with the bristles wasn’t as wide as my previous toothbrush, so it doesn’t cover quite as much surface area, but just an adjustment, it’s not a big deal! I keep my old ones to use to clean the bathroom or clean my shoes, basically anything that needs some extra TLC.
Skin Care
I’m not big on wearing much makeup, but skincare is more my jam. My routine is also very simple. I use a face wash bar/face cleansing oil and a moisturizer.
Face Wash
I use a Tea Tree and Charcoal face wash bar…can you guess where it’s from? Package Free Shop. Haha if you can’t already tell, I found that company when I was starting my sustainability journey so I’ve stuck with it!
The other face wash bar I just started using — Say Noap’s face cleansing bar.
Both bars are great for cleansing! I do think Say Noap’s bars are phenomenal. It’s so soft on my skin. From the first time I used it, I could tell a difference. But since they aren’t selling any with the rebrand (hopefully they will in the future!), I do think the Tea Tree and Charcoal bar will do the job! I used it for about one and a half to two years, and it lasts forever!
The rest of my skincare is from Primally Pure. I love their Cleansing Oil, Baby Balm, Body Oil, and Blue Tansy Face Cream. I use the Cleansing Oil when my skin feels like it needs a deep clean, because you can use quite a bit pretty quick, so for everyday cleansing, I’ll use the bars. Then follow up with the baby balm or the tansy face cream. Primally Pure is a brand all about less is more. They focus on bringing quality not quantity when it comes to ingredients. The majority of their products come in glass jars/bottles, but things like their deodorants and chapsticks and their bigger bottles of body oil (I believe) come in plastic containers. They don’t market for sustainability, but they are focused on being more natural and only using real, natural/organic ingredients.
Cleansing Oil – Cleansing your face with oil does sound different, but I promise it works. It’s moisturizing, my skin always feels soft after using. It’s a simple process, too! You put a quarter size amount of oil in your palm, rub it in your hands to then start rubbing it into your skin for 60 seconds. After you’re finished, grab a wash cloth, get it wet with warm water, ring it out, then lay it on your face for a few seconds and then start wiping off the excess oil on your face! I follow it up with a moisturizer.
Baby Balm – I love this balm because it’s multipurpose. It’s obviously meant for babies, hence the name, but it’s also great for any use! I have read some reviews that said it helped with their eczema, or they use it as an eye cream, which I personally haven’t really seen a huge different for dark circles. It’s not super heavy, but it is thicker. If you want to use it as a moisturizer, you will obviously use more on dry skin, but if your skin is just slightly damp still from washing your face, you will use less! There really isn’t much of a scent with this balm, either, which is nice if you use multiple different creams/face washes. Overall, I love this product. It’s inexpensive, and lasts a long time. I don’t really have a for sure time frame, but if I had to guess, the small jar lasts me a few months easily.
Blue Tansy Beauty Cream – I started using this one because of my mom! When I went back to Kentucky to visit last year, I saw her skin, and it was literally glowing. It looked so healthy! (She also eats well and drinks a lot of water, but her skin just looked even better). She said she was using the Blue Tansy Cream and let me use some, and wow. It’s really good. This one is more of an investment but it’s so worth it. I’m all about taking preventative measures, especially when it comes to skin, so to me it’s worth it. This does have a more distinct scent but I like it.
Update: They now call it Soothing Cream!
Not skincare, but good for the body..
These products are some things I use daily/weekly. Gua Sha Stone and Dry Brushing.
The Gua Sha Stone
Gua She is used in traditional Chinese medicine. This stone is amazing. I have been using mine for about two-ish years now. It’s great for increasing circulation, lifting and tightening loose skin at the neck and jawline, improves skin firmness, can help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For someone who doesn’t have prominent cheek bones, or a sharp jaw line, this stone has really helped give my face some more “shape”. It helps accentuate the bone structure I do have and also takes away the inflammation/morning puffiness. I use it basically every morning/when I remember to do it, and I highly recommend.
I bought mine from the Package Free Shop, but Primally Pure also sells them. You can find it on Amazon, but I always prefer to buy from companies who strive to better the world, and or independent companies. I’d much rather spend a little extra and support a company I love than just buying directly from Amazon. BUT. you do what you can! I’ll link the one I use and the one Primally Pure offers, too!
Primally Pure – Gua Sha Stone $44
I couldn’t find the Gua Sha stone I bought from them, but linked another! The Package Free Shop – Gua She Stone $16
Dry Brushing
It’s basically a brush that has dry, stiff bristles that you brush on your body, but there are so many benefits! I personally have been doing it for about a year or so and do love it. I use it before I shower (if I’m not showering after playing volleyball or working out). I do think it helps kinda flush out that extra inflammation or bloated feeling when I wake up the next morning, plus I can always use a little extra help with blood circulation and lymphatic drainage!
The Benefits
- The obvious: it’s a great exfoliator! Dry brushing makes your skin so soft.
- There are claims that it can reduce the appearance of cellulite.
- Increases blood circulation
- Helps with lymphatic drainage
- May help improve digestion
I got my dry brush from Primally Pure, but I think they have changed to a different style! You don’t want to use your big dry brush for the face because the bristles are so stiff, so face dry brushing, the brush will have a bit softer bristles. I will have the dry brushes linked below. The Primally Pure dry brush is now circular, but I also linked a dry brush that looks like the one I have, too.
Primally Pure Dry Brush
Amazon.de (For those living in Germany) Dry Brush
Deodorant
Okay, this is the last thing I will talk about! A friend of mine had gifted me a crystal deodorant. My mom has used these for a while, and I’ve heard great things from my cousin, too. I started using the one my friend gifted me, and I was honestly surprised.
I know you are probably thinking…a crystal deodorant? I thought the same thing.
They actually work, and I’ll tell you how! There are so many chemicals and things in conventional deodorant. Thankfully, my mom has always talked to us about those things, which I will say, didn’t mean I only used a natural/organic deodorant growing up. Playing volleyball and softball, well sports in general, and the summer heat, the organic kind didn’t always get rid of the stink. I did use the known name brand deodorant, but only when I had to — before a game or going to the gym, but every day life? I’d either wear the organic kind or none at all. (I don’t care if you judge me).
Crystal deodorant is basically a natural alternative to deodorant. Did you know one of the reasons you smell under your armpits is because the sweat comes in contact with bacteria? Sweat is (generally) odorless. That’s where the crystal deodorant comes into play! According to this article I found on healthline.com, crystal deodorant is made of a natural salt called potassium alum. This potassium alum is shown to have antimicrobial properties. Therefore it eliminates the bacteria in that area, which in return means you don’t smell.
I use this deodorant daily, and although there isn’t a scented kind, I just don’t smell. It’s a weird thing to grasp if you have never heard of or used it before, but it works. I can only speak for myself and my experiences, though! I know my younger brother had tried it but it might be a bit more difficult for guys or anyone who has more armpit hair. I do recommend this alternative, even if you use it for everyday use, and use something “stronger” if you’re going to be working out or outdoors, but I plan to still just use the crystal. It works for me, and I wanted to share!
**oh and it lasts forever.
Just be aware, a lot of the crystal deodorants you can buy are encased in plastic, so I will try to only link ones that are sustainable.
I’ll link a few I found:
Package Free Shop – Crystal Deodorant – $20
Salt of the Earth – Crystal Deodorant – $6.65 (I have not used or ever heard of this brand/company, but wanted to add it because it was a plastic free option).
Biork Plastic Free Crystal Deodorant – 13.80 (GBP) = about $16.70 USD
I know this Blog is jam packed with all the info, but I wanted to share everything I use in the Bathroom! I hope it’s helpful 🙂
xo,
Madi
