Guide · 3 min read
Plastic-free skincare that still performs
From microbeads in scrubs to single-use tubes, skincare is full of plastic you can lose without losing results.
Skincare sits on your skin and ships in plastic, and some of it is plastic. As recently as 2015, an estimated 8 trillion plastic microbeads were rinsing into US waterways every day from scrubs and washes. Refillable formats and mineral formulas keep the routine and lose the throwaway plastic.
Skip the microbeads
Check exfoliants for polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon on the label, because that is plastic. Choose products that exfoliate with natural materials like sugar, salt or ground seeds, and that come in glass or aluminium rather than plastic.
Refill the packaging
High-performance serums and moisturisers now come in refillable glass and aluminium, so you keep the durable outer and replace only the inside. The formulas and shelf life are the same as conventional packaging.
Sun and lips
Mineral sunscreens in aluminium tubes skip both the plastic and the reef-harming chemical filters, and lip balm in a paper push-up tube replaces the classic plastic stick.
Common questions
- How do I spot plastic microbeads in a product?
- Scan the ingredient list for polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon in any scrub or wash. If you see them, choose a product that exfoliates with natural materials instead.
- Do refillable skincare brands compromise on quality?
- No. Refill systems are built around the same formulas and shelf life. You keep the durable glass or aluminium outer and simply swap in a new refill when you run low.
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