Last year, the global cosmetics industry produced more than 120 billion units of packaging. While we still have a very long way to go, more and more brands are working to decrease their carbon footprint and stop waste. If it is recyclable, wrapped in cardboard or tin – amazing! But if it comes in plastic wrap, find a more eco-friendly option. 

Garnier Organic Lemongrass Detox Gel Wash, $11.99 from ASOS

Antiperspirant is often packed with aluminium and chemicals like parabens and synthetic perfumes, so it isn’t exactly great far Mother Nature. If you’re looking for a greener approach, try a natural deodorant. Trust us, these guys have come a long way. Designed to keep you smelling fresh throughout the day, there are now a whole heap of next-gen natural and aluminium-free deodorants that actually work.

Skin Natural Deodorant, $11.80

The humble bar of soap has undergone a makeover, and it’s gaining some serious momentum. Rich in natural, sustainably sourced ingredients, the new slew of beauty bars are not only good for your skin and hair, but many are packaged in recyclable cardboard and minimal packaging, making them friendlier to the environment. They’re also mega-concentrated, meaning they’ll last longer than that bottle of body wash or shampoo, and they’ll nix water wastage at the same time.

Lush Seanik Shampoo Bar, $25

Bamboo toothbrushes not only look cute on your bathroom vanity, but they’re way better for the environment than their plastic cousins. Bamboo is a fast-growing resource and completely biodegradable, meaning it’ll rot away in the compost rather than stick around in landfill for thousands of years. And we’re not even exaggerating – the toothbrush you used as a kid is still kicking around.

Colgate Bamboo Charcoal Toothbrush, $13.50 (for a pack of two)

A whopping 12,700 tonnes of sunscreen is thought to wash into the oceans each year – crazy, right? And this isn’t just for all the water babies out there – even if you don’t swim after putting on sunscreen, it can wash down the drain and into the ocean when you shower. To protect your skin and coral life, natural sunscreens are more reef-friendly than chemical sunscreens.

Little Urchin Natural Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30, $27.95

Did you know 75 per cent of sewer blockages involve face wipes? Facial wipes and cotton pads are a huge source of waste because of their single-use nature. Do the environment a favour and switch to a more eco-friendly option to remove make-up and clean your face.

AfterSpa Magic Makeup Remover Cloth, $3.49

Text: Bauer Syndication