Tired of skin that feels like the desert? While on a mission to save your skin, it’s important to choose zero waste lotion. Keep on reading for some skin-saving solutions!
It is currently seven degrees outside as I sit down (inside) to write this blog post. I would love to tell you that seven degrees is the coldest it gets in Minnesota in the winter, but I would be lying. The silver lining – there’s bright blue sky, a fresh coat of snow, and brilliant sunshine. It’s just not the kind of sunshine that warms your skin when you walk outside. We’re talking biting cold air that likes to slap you in the face and freeze your nose. I don’t mean to complain. It’s a beautiful place to live (she says as she shivers). However, skin saving solutions are an absolute must. And, of course, cold air isn’t the only culprit for causing dehydrated skin. Hot climates can definitely create damage too.
We find ourselves in a bit of a predicament. The environment we live in is causing dry skin, but all those plastic lotion bottles in our cabinets will damage the environment right back! But maybe there’s a solution that’s smooth sailing for all of us and the environment too. Let’s get back to glowing, healthy skin with these zero waste lotion ideas. We’re talking a partnership between hydrated skin and zero-waste. Just let that sink in for a minute. We all have different needs when it comes to lotion, so let’s look at some brands that check different boxes.
Zero Waste Lotion: Best for Full Body
If you’re the type that wants to jump out of the shower, slather on one type of lotion and be done with it, then these are your brands. For me, a lotion is easy if it can be applied everywhere and is good for the whole family. So, let’s take a quick look at what makes these brands winners in my sustainable book (it’s a hypothetical book…I don’t actually have one).
Sustainable Seed
Seed Phytonutrients is an ethical company from the ground up (literally!). They believe that the majority of nutrients can be found within the seed of a plant. In essence, they source their ingredients from the purest part of the plant – the seed! And after they remove the oil from the seeds, they return what’s left to farmers to feed their animals. Zero-waste production at its finest! And who are their farmers? This company supports quality, organic farms. And they value these farms by paying for 100% of their crop up front, regardless of yield. A quick look at their sustainable values:
- Shower-friendly paper bottles (all made out of recycled materials)
- A pump recycling program with TerraCycle
- A commitment to preserving seed diversity
Their body moisturizer definitely reflects the company values. It promises to be gluten-free, vegan, and paraben-free all while packaged in a compostable bottle. The lotion formula includes three different seed oils, as well as coconut and jojoba oil. Though not scent-free, it only features the light and natural scent of bergamot and sea salt. The gentle scent is perfect for the whole family. The application is also light, which means a little goes a long way, making it a cost-effective option. Best part? Break open the bottle at the end of use, and you will find a little seed packet for you to plant in your garden.
Sensitive Skin Savior
For those with sensitive skin, coconut oil can be hit or miss, but aloe is almost always an ally. I’ve talked about Plaine Products before when it comes to personal care, but it’s time to go more than skin-deep. The founders of this company knew they needed to make a lifestyle change when they realized that every piece of plastic ever made still exists on the planet today! Considering the fact that less than 9% of plastic is actually recycled, the idea of switching to an aluminum lotion bottle is certainly appealing to me.
And that’s exactly what you get with Plaine Products. Their zero waste lotion comes packaged in an aluminum bottle that can be used again and again. When you run out of lotion, this company sends you a new bottle (without the pump this time). You keep the old pump from your first bottle and return the old aluminum bottle to Plaine Products for re-use. Let’s look at the plain lotion facts:
- Small business and made in the USA
- Vegan, cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified
- Hypoallergenic and safe for babies
- No synthetic fragrances (essential oils only)
- Shipping boxes made from all reused materials
The truth is, plain and simple, their lotion smells incredible and works wonders on someone like me with baby-delicate skin. Often times changing to a more sustainable lifestyle can sound daunting, but Plaine Products makes the switch simple. You don’t even have to worry about recycling anything – they do everything for you! Since I ship back my empty bottle, I don’t have to recycle the box that the new bottle came in. It’s a completely circular system!
Hero for Melanin
Unfortunately, lotion isn’t a “one size fits all” product. I have nearly see-through white skin, so just about any lotion is going to blend in with my skin shade. However, my dark-skinned friends might have trouble with lotions creating a white cast on their skin. Not to fear! There are some companies out there that are black-owned and celebrate melanin-rich skin. Founded by model and actor, Dorian Renaud, Buttah is specifically designed for black and brown bodies. While they do not market themselves as a sustainable brand, their lotion does come in a glass jar. Let’s take a look at what makes Buttah a better brand:
- Cruelty-free and organic ingredients
- Made in the USA
- Clinically validated
Buttah commits to choosing natural and organic ingredients over synthetic when possible. And while I hope that more eco-friendly companies begin to value and address the skincare concerns of darker skin tones, Buttah is a viable option in a limited market.
Zero Waste Lotion: Treatment for Trouble Spots
While the above brands are great for overall moisturizing, sometimes you just need a little extra for those dry patches. Especially in Minnesota winters or after summer sun, my skin craves an extra hydration boost. The following brands make great treatment products that your skin will drink right up!
Ethical Ethique
Soap bars are common, but did you know that lotion can come in bars too? Ethique bars were actually one of my first sustainable purchases, as I tried to cut down on plastic bottles in my bathroom. This New Zealand based company is passionate about revolutionizing the bathroom essentials industry. A few notes about their ethical products:
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and free from palm oil
- Fair Trade/Direct Trade Partnerships
- Carbon Neutral
Ethique’s lotion bar comes in a variety of scents, and each bar packs a punch! When you purchase this lotion bar, you are saving the environment from a sixteen-ounce plastic bottle and almost a half-gallon of water! Though the bar can be used all over your body, I think it’s especially good for those dry patches. It takes a little bit of time to get the hang of using a lotion bar instead of conventional bottled lotion. Ethique recommends using less than you think and applying the product when your skin is still slightly damp.
Ethique goes even further than quality products. Their packaging is 100% compostable. And for every order you place, the company plants one tree! In addition, they donate 20% of their profits to a variety of environmentally conscious organizations. Heads up parents, they even carry an adorable baby lotion bar!
Handy for Hands
I think for a majority of us, hand lotion is probably the most widely used type of lotion. We use our hands so much, constantly wash them, and mine certainly show some wear and tear. Especially during the winter, I don’t know about you, but my hands can feel like sandpaper. One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was a Moon Valley Organics lotion bar. My hands love this little bar of lotion-y goodness!
Moon Valley Organics is a USDA certified organic farm and small business. We’ll call it a farm-to-skin lotion bar. When first dreaming up the vision for their business, the founders wanted an herb farm that would protect pollinators while creating products to protect skin. And they are definitely achieving that goal! Aside from that mission, check out a few more Moon Valley facts:
- Certified B-Corporation
- Sustainable farming practices (even rainwater catching for crop watering)
- Packaging materials from recycled content
Their zero-waste lotion bar comes in the cutest little recyclable tin, and they offer four different scent options. I have the lemon vanilla bar and love the natural smell – it’s not overpowering at all! Though their product is not vegan (beeswax), their farm is clearly devoted to helping the bees, not hurting them. In fact, the farm features a four-acre pollinator sanctuary! In addition, they donate 10% of their profits to helping pollinators.
Pucker Up!
Though I’m not specifically talking about facial skincare in this blog post, I do want to give a shout out to my favorite lip moisturizer! There are some great zero-waste lip balms out there, but CocoKind’s mymatcha stick is my favorite lip balm and can be used all over! CocoKind is a one-of-a-kind skincare brand that has a special place in my heart. They are a small company that I’ve watched grow from online-only to being able to find them in my local grocery store. But their values remain the same:
- Transparency about sustainability
- Sustainable packaging (Glass, recycled ocean plastic, etc.)
- Diversity within their team (Founded by an incredible woman of color!)
- Organic and natural ingredients
- Fair, living wages
While I’ve tried (and loved!) many of their products, the mymatcha all over moisture stick might be my favorite. Ooh, that’s a tough call – I deeply love a few others too! Packed with nourishing antioxidants and hydration-filled ingredients, this stick is a saving grace. And it’s USDA certified organic! I mostly use it as a lip balm, but it’s fantastic for other dry spots too. Especially because it’s easy to slip into my purse, I like taking it on-the-go. I’m definitely not above dabbing some of this on my elbows. The tube itself is recyclable, as long as you remove the label sticker. It’s not a perfect zero waste product, but I so appreciate CocoKind’s continued work toward sustainability.
Let it All Sink In!
I feel like this post doesn’t even scratch the surface when it comes to zero waste lotion, but it still felt like a lot. So, I’ll give you a moment to let it all sink in.
Ok, moment over (not to rush you!).
There are many personal care companies out there working to positively impact the environment with their products. However, I wanted to focus this post on brands that were easily accessible for most Americans and not overly expensive. For example, Dirty Hippie Cosmetics is a fantastic zero waste brand with quality lotion options. They are homemade and customizable, but a bit on the expensive side for those used to conventional products. However, consider them an honorable mention and give their products a look.
I hope this post helps you say a final goodbye to plastic lotion bottles. But, before you toss your remaining plastic bottles, consider TerraCycle. Your old lotion bottle might turn into tomorrow’s playground. One thing is for sure: our skin is the largest organ of our body and deserves quality care. Anyone else in the Northern Hemisphere struggling with dry skin this winter? Let me know if you decide to try out some zero-waste lotion!
Be Well. With Love.
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