Rethinking Beauty: Striving for A Plastic-Free Ritual

It’s no news that plastic has become a serious problem for the planet, but the deeper we look, the deeper we come to realise how it is so woven into our daily lives. From the clothes we wear to the creams we smooth at night, plastic has become an invisible thread within modern consumption. We tend to find ourselves asking the question of ‘what does “plastic free” really mean?’. Many beauty products marketed as sustainable still contain hidden plastics. Where some degrade into microplastics, others require industrial processes to break down. We often hear words like “green”, “natural” or “eco” are often loosely regulated, giving the illusion of responsibility without the substance to match. While we continue to carefully recycle what we can, much of it still ends up in landfills or oceans. The reality is that plastic is everywhere: in what we buy, how it is wrapped and sometimes even in the formulas themselves. Every July, Plastic-Free Month encourages us to take a closer look at the role plastic plays in our daily lives and its impact. It is a month that inspires people around the world to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and adopt more conscious habits. But this shift goes beyond trading plastic bottles for glass and metal ones or trying a bamboo toothbrush. It is about looking more closely at the products we use daily.

Every morning, we wake up and walk into one of the most overlooked contributors to plastic waste: the bathroom. From shampoo bottles to serums, toothpaste tubes to disposable razors, the beauty rituals we know and love often come wrapped in layers of single-use plastic, designed to be tossed without a second thought. Reducing plastic in your beauty routine doesn’t mean overhauling everything overnight. It’s about making smarter, more intentional choices over time. Start by swapping single-use packaging for refillable options like Noble Panacea’s skincare or UNIFROM’s oil-based perfumes. Also, look for products packaged in glass or aluminum instead of plastic that offer elegant, plastic-free alternatives. Solid formats are another easy way to cut down waste. Shampoo, conditioner from OUAI and even facial bars eliminate the need for bottles. Beyond formulas, rethink your tools: reusable cotton pads, bamboo toothbrushes and non-disposable razors make a noticeable impact. Try switching your body washes for a soap bar, from Humanrace or Meylon.

Refillable beauty products are one of the most effective and easiest ways to reduce plastic waste without sacrificing performance or luxury. Invest in environmentally conscious containers made to last, from perfume bottles to moisturizer jars. This way, you significantly reduce single-use packaging over time. Brands like Diptyque offer elegant refill cartridges for solid perfumes and diffusers. These brands are leading this shift, offering high-performance formulas housed in systems designed to be replenished and not replaced. The benefit is that less waste ends up in landfills and the overall carbon footprint of your routine is lowered with each refill. Refillables also invite a slower, more considered approach to consumption – one that values longevity, craftsmanship and conscious care over excess. Small shifts can spark lasting impact, especially in your beauty ritual. Begin by replacing single-use staples with elevated, sustainable alternatives. Shampoo and conditioner bars offer a low-waste approach without compromising on performance or pleasure. Even tools can be upgraded, such as biodegradable hair brushes, refillable razors or plant-based sponges. These bring both function and beauty to your shelf. Look to brands leading the charge like Gucci Beauty, which have designed refillable products such as their Cushion De Beauté foundation. Other notable mentions are Augustinus Bader who package their skincare, haircare and other beauty products in bottles made from aluminium and ceramic plastic-free packaging. Or think of body care with aluminum refills and waterless formulas from Aesop, or sheet masks by MZ SKIN who offer minimalist packaging to reduce waste or further use glass containers for many of their products. The ultimate hack? Refill where you can, decant when you must and curate a vanity with intention. One where every product looks beautiful, works beautifully and reflects a lighter footprint on the planet.