Everything You Need to Know About Transitioning to Cruelty-Free and Zero-Waste Beauty Products

Are you thinking about switching to earth-friendly beauty products? It?s not as complicated as you think. However, there are certain things to keep in mind before you make the switch. Here?s everything you need to know about transitioning to cruelty-free and zero-waste beauty products.

?What are cruelty-free and zero-waste beauty products?

?Cruelty-free and zero-waste beauty products are kind to your skin and the environment. These products:

• ? ? Have not been tested on animals
• ? ? Do not contain animal ingredients and other harmful ingredients
• ? ? Come in compostable or recyclable packages and containers

To determine if a product falls under this category, check the ingredients and inspect the packaging. You may also research the manufacturer to learn more about their mission, vision, and advocacy.

What You Should Know

Don?t throw your products away.

Once you realize that your products are neither cruelty-free nor zero-waste, it?s tempting to toss them in the trash. But don?t do it! Getting rid of products you have not fully used up is just as cruel to the environment.

In fact, statistics show that the global cosmetics industry produces about 120 billion packaging units every year. And the majority of these are considered non-recyclable. If you simply throw them away, you are contributing to this environmental issue.

Instead, use them up and reuse or dispose of their containers responsibly. If you don?t feel like using them at all, give them away instead. There are organizations that accept used beauty products you no longer need, and unused products that are nearing their expiry date. Some of these organizations are Share Your Beauty, Project Beauty Share, and Give and Makeup.

You will save more.

When people hear the words ?cruelty-free? and ?zero-waste?, they associate these with ?costly?. But if you try to study more about sustainable living, it?s quite far from the truth.

For instance, a cheaply made lipstick may cost you 10 dollars, while an ethically-made lipstick may cost you 100 dollars. It is easy to assume that you will spend less on the 10-dollar lipstick, but cheap products often come with cheap ingredients that cause health risks. When you do develop health issues, you will end up spending way more at the hospital for treatment.

The same holds true for disposable products and reusable products. For example, disposable cotton rounds typically cost around 5 dollars, while reusable organic cotton rounds can cost you around 15 dollars. Disposables seem cheap at the onset, but how often do you actually buy them? Add them up, and you would be surprised by how much these drain your savings.?

Luckily, many sustainable brands such as LastObject, OKO Creations, and TruEarth offer alternatives to everyday disposable products at affordable prices so as to not hurt your wallet and ensure a safe transition to the perfect zero-waste lifestyle.??

Go easy on yourself.?

When transitioning to cruelty-free and zero-waste beauty products, one might think it?s all or nothing: if you don?t go all out, then you?re still not helping the environment. But this type of mindset will set you back along the way.?

Transitioning is a process. It takes time, and you will make mistakes. That makeup remover you bought may have ?cruelty-free? written on the label, only for you to find out later that the manufacturer behind it doesn?t actually practice sustainability.

But don?t beat yourself up over it. It?s a typical mistake that people make when they transition. Remember, ?A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.? Go easy on yourself, learn from your mistakes, and do better next time.

It?s different for everybody.

Transitioning to cruelty-free and zero-waste beauty products is different for everybody. There?s no one-size-fits-all process. What works for some people may not work for you.

This is important to understand, because we often compare other people?s journeys to our personal journey. It?s a human emotion that can consume you when left unchecked. But it?s also a decision, which means you can get yourself out of this mindset.

Whenever you find yourself comparing, remember these things:

• ? ? Everybody is unique. We all have different preferences, lifestyles, and journeys. So, we can?t properly compare ourselves to each other.

• ? ? Focus on yourself. There is only one person whom you can control: yourself. When you start comparing, you are focusing on someone else you have no control over. And it?s a complete waste of time and energy.

• ? ? Treat yourself fairly. Comparing is never a fair game. You will always compare what you think is someone?s ?best? to what you know is your ?worst?.

• ? ? Have an attitude of gratitude. Practicing gratitude is a great way to keep you from comparing. It encourages you to focus on the good things and be content with what you have.

Now that you have these ideas, you are more than ready to transition to cruelty-free and zero-waste beauty products. And don?t forget to have fun! Remember, life is not only about goals. It?s also about the journey.