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Taking off makeup does not have to contribute to global warming.

Photo by EcoPanda, Unsplash

Single-use wipes are becoming an extremely unfashionable accessory to store in makeup bags. Slowly but surely, society has come to the realisation that they do absolutely no favours for the skin, and even more importantly, the environment.

It is time to wash away the global unhealthy habit of using makeup wipes as a quick fix while ignoring the long-term knock-on effects.

We all know, everyone dreads reaching the end of a long day and having to take their makeup off. This small task requires a surprising amount of effort, which is made much easier by grabbing a wipe from the bedside table. More time for beauty sleep, right? Well actually, maybe not. As convenient as these little wipes are, they really pack a punch when it comes to their ingredients list, meaning our skin could in fact be getting worse overnight.

The truth is, 9.3 million makeup wipes are flushed down the toilet daily. They play a key role in polluting waterways and can lead to enormous sewer build ups. London’s ‘Fatberg’ last year amounted to an astonishing 11 double-decker buses. Coastlines too have been affected, with statistics from the Marine Conservation Society showing the number of makeup wipes washed up on beaches has increased by 50% since 2013.

While these figures are alarming, the wipes themselves are also made from harmful materials such as polyester and polypropylene. Further packaged in plastic, the entire product is non-biodegradable and ends up in landfill where it can take up to 100 years to decompose. Not only this, but ingredients in the wipes themselves such as alcohols, chemicals and parabens are really going to upset the skin. Included to keep the product moist and effective, it is clear to see they do more harm than good. From irritation to increased sensitivity and even enhanced breakouts - is convenience really worth bad skin and a poorly planet?

So, what can be used instead?

Do not panic. There are now many solutions on the market that offer a perfect swap out to help soothe skin and save waterways. Below are a few examples of best-selling products.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki, Pexels

1. Face Halo Reusable Makeup Remover

Made from HaloTech fibres, these handy little spheres only need water to rid the face of makeup- magical. Face Halo also goes one step further in helping to reduce produce in landfill with their upcycling incentive. At the end of a Face Halo’s life, they can be sent back and re-made again. Approximately £15.50 for a pack of 3, they can each be used up to 200 times.

Photo by Face Halo

2. My Little Eco Shop Clean Sponge

An award-winning makeup remover, this ideal oval traps makeup and gently exfoliates the skin while doing so. By simply using this product, hundreds of single-use makeup wipes are being saved from landfill – it is that easy. Made from ethical microfibers, this remover puff is great if you are on a budget, at only £3 each.

3. Tendertouch Organic Cotton Pads

Plastic-free and fully biodegradable, this makeup remover solution can be composted once it reaches the end of its life. If you do not already know the benefits of organic cotton, it is dubbed one of Earth’s most efficient substances. To name one, the material requires little to no additional water meaning there is no strain on water supplies. These are not to be confused with traditional cotton pads however. Unlike disposable one-time use pads, the Tendertouch pads can last a year if cared for properly. The pack contains 8 cleansing pads which come in an organic drawstring bag for £9.99.

With all this information there is no excuse to not make the switch, so what are you waiting for?

It is incredible how something simple and trendy like buying second-hand shows to be the best choice for the planet and ourselves when paired with a healthy decluttering and an organised spring cleaning.

Photo by Cottonbro, Pexels

Choosing second-hand can help our finances and break today's consumeristic chain. To kickstart the change, consider decluttering. Interiors therapist Suzanne Roynon offers expert advice on how to carry out a sustainable spring cleaning.

Social Habits And Data

Photo by Julia M. Cameron, Pexels

We all collect more than we need either for the sentimental link to gift, an impulsive shopping spree or the hope to squeeze back inside some dear, old and shrunk clothes. An annual wardrobe spring clean can be the perfect way to give unwanted clothing a new lease of life. The latest data from Shpock’s annual Second Hand Effect report, released ahead of World Environment Day (5th June), shows Britons potentially saved 5,175 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions last year by buying and selling on the app – which is the equivalent amount of emissions as driving around the world in a standard car 574 times or driving to the moon 60 times.

Pros Of Decluttering And Second-hand

Photo by Victoria Borodinova, Pexels

Decluttering is a satisfying and healthy habit to gain more space and clear our mind in one go. It often starts from clothing and it ignites a green renovation. Giving away, or re-homing pre-owned clothing contributes to a circular economy; while buying second-hand translates into saving in gas emission, usage of water and wastage during the production chain. From January 2021 to March 2021, Shpock data saw the number of fashion items sold on its website increase by a third on average (33%) and future predictions show that by shopping on marketplaces, Britons could be potentially saving 1.2 million tonnes of plastic, 7.8 million tonnes of steel and 0.7 million tonnes of aluminium.

Photo by Rachel Claire, Pexels

Interiors therapist Suzanne Roynon shares her top tips and tricks on how to carry out a sustainable spring clean:

1. 'Give yourself time and focus on items not bringing you joy. Spring cleaning the wardrobe isn’t a ten-minute job, but when you get it right, you’ll save yourself countless hours in the months and years to come. Take everything out of your wardrobe and pile it on the bed. This is where you get totally honest about each item; does it remind you of anything unhappy, disappointing, hurtful or bring you down in any way?'
2. 'Always Think Sustainably - give pre-loved items a new home. When it comes to letting your unwanted clothes and possessions go, use marketplaces to sell items on, they have a huge array of buyers and it's also a great way to earn money. Never send stuff to a landfill.'
3. 'Tackle drawers, shelves and anywhere else you keep foldable clothes. Follow the same principles to assess how they make you feel and if anything does not make the grade, let it go. Do the same with accessories, jewellery, gadgets, and products – anything you don’t use isn’t serving you and it’s taking up space.'
4. 'Time to organise and clean - give the items you're keeping a fresh space. Before putting anything away, vacuum and give every drawer and cupboard a wipe down with a suitable cleaning product inside and out. Your clothes deserve a fresh, clean space and so do you!'
5. 'Think about the clothes-hangers you use. The brain responds well when things are ordered, so using hangers which match rather than a jumble of odd shapes and colours is a simple mind-hack as well as being visually rewarding.'
6. 'Order your wardrobe. Hang clothes so items of the same type are together and sort them by length; that way you’ll know exactly where to find your perfect outfit every day. This method makes putting away laundry much more straightforward and your eye will appreciate the organisation each time you open the door.'

The 'three Rs' rule never fails: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Original data by The Red Brick Road

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