

When you’re busy or tired it can be hard to think about how to build a low-waste skincare routine into your day. So we asked a few people who already have low-waste or zero-waste skincare regimes to share them with us for inspiration. From “a splash of soap and water” to a fully homemade set of products, there is something to suit us all.
Before we get started – a little disclaimer from us. Ailuna is in no way affiliated or connecting with any of the brands mentioned, apart from the ones we stock in our own shop. The recommendations given are purely based on personal experiences from each of our contributors. Speaking of contributors – thanks so much to everyone below who shared their low-waste skincare routines with us. It’s been fascinating finding out about everyone’s different regimes.
8 minutes to read
I use witch hazel in a glass bottle about twice a week as a cleanser and toner. I was using it on cotton wool (which is made from shorter cotton fibres and is a byproduct of the cotton industry) but switched to washable pads when it ran out.
I also ran out of moisturiser recently and stopped using it! I realise now that maybe my skin was drying as a reaction to the moisturiser I had been putting on it. This sounds counterintuitive but sometimes I find excess products do more harm than good on my skin.
I use Neals Yard honey and orange face scrub about once a week. For dry skin on my legs and feet I use Lavera Sensitive cream in a tin, and homemade calendula balm.
I’m all about using natural and low-cost products on my skin and it works great for me. I wash my face with a face soap bar from Westwood Naturals. I love it because it’s totally natural and is made locally to me in Bristol.
I use coconut oil as a moisturiser. I don’t find it too oily so I use it morning and night. The coconut oil I use is from Lucy Bee – it’s great because it’s responsibly sourced, which means the coconuts used aren’t picked by monkeys, as is the case with some coconut oil on the market.
Raw shea butter is great as a moisturiser. I’ve used it for ages and it has the added bonus of having a natural SPF in it (about 6-10). It does tend to smell a bit as it ages so my partner isn’t too keen on it, but it really doesn’t bother me!
In the past, I have used coffee grounds as a scrub. I just mixed them with a little bit of coconut oil and it was lovely. Another great scrub is loose-leaf mint tea with sugar or salt and oil. It smells amazing and leaves my skin really soft.
A couple of years ago I made a decision to attempt to be zero-waste in the bathroom which led to me making lots of switches in terms of products.
I don’t have the most complicated beauty routine, but it suits me just fine and keeps me clean and fresh every day in my work as an Integrative Therapist. I use natural soap like Auromere along with a sea sponge or face washer to clean my face and exfoliate. I follow this up with Hyaluronic Acid from The Ordinary topped with a combination of oils that I blend up myself (rosehip, carrot and hemp), which I buy in glass packaging.
I also moved to making my own deodorant (some batches are more successful than others) out of Shea butter, arrowroot, coconut oil and essential oils and I wash my hair with shampoo bars from Funky Soap, which I love.
I use Boots cucumber micellar water as a face cleanser every other day. I know it is in a plastic bottle and I want to find another one once this one is used up. But I have had it for a long time and it’s always best to use up what you have rather than buying something else. I should probably use it every day but I don’t use makeup every day so it doesn’t feel necessary. I use a reusable pad from Imsevimse, so no cotton wool waste.
Afterwards, I use plain olive oil as a moisturiser in the summertime. When I need a bit more moisture in winter I go back to a favourite of mine, Decleor Aromessence Neroli which is in a glass jar.
I don’t have a skincare routine. I spend a lot of time gardening and run my own social enterprise, so occasionally I borrow so of my partner’s face oils and products as a treat to help me relax. She has a much more involved routine than me but as a general rule, I just use water. I don’t wear makeup , which probably helps. I do often get complimented on my skin and occasionally I am asked for ID buying alcohol. I’m in my 30s so I take that as a win!
If you are looking for more inspiration or for a particular low-waste skincare product, please check out the Ailuna shop by clicking below.
We have loved learning how we can be a little less wasteful in the skincare department but we would love to see more! If you have a low-waste or zero-waste skincare routine, please send us a brief description and a photo and we will share on Instagram and Facebook.
Or you can join our Facebook community to see what others are doing. We can’t wait to see you there!
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