An In-depth Guide to an Eco-Friendly Makeup Routine

The world is constantly going through changes. As we mature as a civilization, it is becoming more and more apparent that our way of life simply isn’t sustainable unless we make some serious changes.

learn about eco friendly makeup routines

Our planet has just about had enough with us, which is why it’s always a good idea to reduce your carbon footprint. One way to do it is to use an eco-friendly makeup routine and today we’ll tell you all about it! 

What is Eco-Friendly Makeup? 

Although our awareness of ecology has tripled over the last few decades, this word is still being misused a lot. At some point in time, it became trendy and every dishonest and honest party out there wanted to use it in their product placement. That being said, eco-friendly makeup does exist and it is very real. 

What defines eco-friendly beauty products is sustainability. The work and materials that go into making beauty products are incredible. Sourcing raw materials, processing them into something usable in the beauty industry, mixing the right ingredients to come with the right solutions, packaging it all, and then distributing it is a massive job. 

Eco-friendly makeup and eco-friendly beauty products are defined as those that account for ecology and sustainability at every step of this complex manufacturing process. 

How to Find Eco-Friendly Makeup Alternatives? 

The definition of sustainability is often twisted depending on whom you speak to. There are people who think that sustainable beauty products have to be made with zero carbon emission, using zero synthetic materials while producing zero waste. 

Needless to say, that type of thinking is unrealistic. While makeup with zero-waste does exist, it may not be what most people think. There are different gradients to reducing waste and leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint. 

Where to Start? 

Going for a sustainable, eco-friendly makeup routine will require you to do some research. Your first step should be finding brands that are dedicated to sustainability. There are many different ways a brand can be sustainable so don’t be put off if your brand of choice isn’t ticking all the boxes on this list.
learn about using eco friendly makeup

Look for Sustainable Ingredients 

Most beauty product manufacturers have several options when it comes to sourcing materials and ingredients for their products. Using a very rare plant that only grows in a certain climate or part of the world isn’t sustainable. 

Such sources can’t keep up with the increase in demand. Many manufacturers are opting to go with similar sources of ingredients that are 99% similar to the original. The only thing lost in this swap is the ability to slap a fancy label on a product. The rest is functionally the same in most cases. 

Responsible Packaging 

If there’s one issue any brand can work on, it’s the reduction of packaging waste. Most companies who design and make products in the beauty industry heavily rely on packaging to meet their marketing needs. Deciding to ditch this practice in favor of reducing waste and being more sustainable in the long run is a mark of a truly eco-friendly brand. 

Not only that but shopping for brands that promote eco-friendly packaging gives you an easy way to single out beauty product manufacturers that are sustainable. 


While switching to sustainable makeup products already puts you on an eco-friendly makeup routine, there is still something you can do to help the environment. Recycling leads to cleaner oceans and less pollution. By being conscious of your makeup and the waste it produces, you can save the world from a bit of waste all by yourself. 

Sounds easy, right? Although recycling comes down to separating your waste, you’d be surprised how many people simply give up in the long term. If you can make a conscious decision to recycle your waste and stick to it (including packaging, makeup materials, and other items), you can prevent a large amount of plastic from finding its way into the oceans. 

Considering that scientists have found traces of microplastics in newborns a few days before this short guide was written, whatever plastic packaging you prevent from entering the world waters is a win for humanity. 

Start Small 

Creating an eco-friendly makeup routine isn’t something you have to do overnight. Also, no one expects you to single-handedly end global warming and save the seals. All anyone can ask from you is to do your best to reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainability with your consumer habits. 

Even switching to makeup that isn’t wasteful with packaging is a plus. It’s making a dent in the larger issue. A small dent, but a dent nonetheless.

Susan Harris

By Susan Harris
