Living Verde

Sustainable Make Up Removal

We all know the convenience of single use makeup remover wipes, cotton rounds, and other packaged, single use facial products. And most of us already know how wasteful these products can be. While these products are extremely convenient (especially at the end of a long day) they are not worth it!

If you’ve ever had issues with makeup wipes causing breakouts or skin sensitivity – you’re definitely not the only one. Makeup removing wipes can be harmful to all skin types. According to an article on http://www.mdinseattle.com, makeup wipes not only do not actually remove your makeup, they can irritate your skin and cause more harmful issues than breakouts. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Tanuj Nakra stated, “[Wipes] spread around makeup and debris without truly removing it all, and the wiping action itself is inflammatory. Rubbing the skin daily can lead to a diffuse, low-grade inflammation that can cause pigment irregularities and other complexion maladies.” Clearly this is not something we should be using regularly on our skin!

An alternative people use often is cotton rounds with makeup remover or micellar water. While this is safer on the skin, it is another very wasteful option. Using cotton rounds everyday can add up to the amount of waste you create, and the production alone of these cotton rounds can be extremely wasteful on it’s own.

Today, there are several options that you can use to avoid using options such as wipes or cotton rounds. There’s face wash, cleansing oils, makeup “erasers” where all you need is water, and many more.

Check out some sustainable options here.

For a more sustainable and skin-safe makeup removal process, I recommend purchasing reusable bamboo cotton rounds. They are perfect to remove your makeup with your choice of cleansing oil or natural makeup remover.

(Click here to see the Reusable Cotton Rounds I recommend on amazon)

I personally love using them to apply toner, or just to refresh your skin! They’re super easy to throw in a little laundry/lingerie bag to use over and over again. Switch to a more natural makeup removing process and leave your toxic single use wipes behind 😉🌿

Reusable Utensils

For years now, I have been carrying around my bamboo reusable utensil set. Even though these sets have become more popular, I still have a surprising amount of people that ask me what it is when I take my set out, or looking at me like they are shocked that I had a set in my bag! This is surprising to me, because plastic utensils are without a doubt one of the most pointless and wasteful daily items used in the world today. Second to that being straws. Plastic straws and utensils are flimsy, disposable, and unnecessary.

Compared to reusable utensil sets, reusable straws have become much more mainstream. Which is why I think it’s important to discuss how much you should avoid single use plastic utensils. We use them for one quick meal, and throw them away to pile up with the thousands of other pieces of plastic we come across daily. Working in New York City, I noticed that so many delis and grab and go style restaurants will automatically put this cutlery in your bag with your food. Even when you don’t need it! (Getting a spoon, fork, and knife when you just bought an apple?!)

As an alternative, I recommend purchasing a to go utensil set. (Mine is the bamboo set from @togoware)

Click here to see the ToGo Ware set (To Go Ware including the Package Free Shop’s logo)

These sets normally come with a fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks. I’ve had mine for YEARS and they have helped me to avoid so much waste!

I keep mine in my bag every day and after each meal will rinse or wipe down the utensil to wash when I get home.

As for straws, if you don’t own any reusable straws, here are a few options:

Stainless Steel Straw Set (Package Free Shop)

Stainless Steel Straw with Cleaning Cases and Travel Bag (Amazon)

Reusable Silicone Straw Set (Amazon)

Reusable Glass Straw (Package Free Shop)

Carry one of these to go sets around, throw in a few reusable straws, and start saying no to single use, plastic utensils and straws!

Sustainable Periods

For the longest time I thought I’d never be able to switch over to the sustainable options I had for period care.

It wasn’t until I learned about the toxins that were in the tampons and pads I had been using for years, that I realized I first needed a more natural option. I began using 100% cotton tampons, which made me feel a bit better – but I still wasn’t sold that this was the best option for me. My period care still felt incredibly wasteful.

I began doing some research, and found that menstrual cups were way more effective in absorbency, safety, sustainability, and more. Menstrual cups can hold up to 1 ounce of liquid, which is more than double what a super tampon or pad can hold.

Last year, I gave in and purchased a menstrual cup when I was in Europe for over a month and wanted to avoid carrying around tampons or pads.

I have not looked back since! I don’t have a specific brand to link, as I purchased the first menstrual cup I saw with a long stem (important to know first if you have a low or high cervix…). (Cervix Info Here!)

However, via my friends’ reviews, popularity, and online impressions – here are the brands that I suggest checking out.

https://lenacup.com/

https://www.saaltco.com/

https://divacup.com/

Menstrual cups may seem like you wouldn’t ideally need any pads or pantiliners, however, sometimes you just don’t want to put that thing all the way in there for hours and want something a little easier to deal with. It’s not worth buying pads or pantiliners for this, and it certainly isn’t very sustainable. Or, you may just not be interested in a menstrual cup! Which is fine. I understand it is definitely not for everybody. So, in that case – I highly suggest period-proof, absorbent underwear.

A few months ago, I purchased my first pair of Thinx. Thinx is period-proof underwear with different styles that can absorb anywhere from half a tampon (for light days), or up to 2 tampons (for heavy days).

I decided to purchase these as another long term option for sustainable period care. Thinx not only catch anything from spotting to full on flow, but they are so cute and comfortable. I have 3 different styles of their “classic” pairs now, and I’m waiting for a need to try out some of the newer styles. Having one for each day of my cycle (and then some) would be ideal, but for now, 3 pairs is perfect.

Shop Thinx Here!

A more affordable option has recently become one of my favorites as well – the Bambody Absorbent Underwear. I purchased these on Amazon about 3 months ago and honestly I love them just as much as my Thinx. While they are not necessarily as “fashionable,” it’s underwear – at the end of the day we just need them to do their job – which in this case is to absorb any leaking or replace the need for a pad/pantiliner.

The Bambody underwear currently sold on Amazon include 3 pairs for approximately $35, depending on size/color. Much more affordable, and potentially more sustainable due to the 95% bamboo fiber they are made of! These bambody underwear are more of an alternative to Thinx, as I believe there is only one option for the amount of absorbency one pair can hold. However, I HIGHLY recommend either option.

Shop Bambody’s Absorbent Underwear Here!

These options and alternatives to the conventional period care we grew up with, can be perceived as pricey or expensive. However, think about the amount you spend each month or even every other month on a box of tampons and pads. These recurring purchases add up to at least $50-60 on period care a year. One menstrual cup can be as much as $40, with thinx costing UP to $40 for one pair. That’s $80 you’d spend once on items that can last you up to 10 YEARS! –

Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding either of these options ❣️

Facial Serums: Natural Oils & Their Benefits

Facial Serums – do you use one?
With the increase of interest in green beauty, many of us have been drawn to natural skin care products including serums due to either the use of natural ingredients or the promise of various benefits.

However, many of these serums have an up-charge due to their brand name or because of the popularity of these products. I personally have been making serums at home for over a year now and I highly recommend you do it too! It’s much more affordable and allows for less waste in the long run. All you need are your carrier oils of choice and the optional addition of essential oils for natural fragrance and some added benefits like an added level of antibacterial and brightening benefits. . . .

Here are some of my favorite carrier oils, all available on Amazon for $14 or less. The bottles are typically 4oz which last me the year depending on how many other carrier oils I combine it with.

Jojoba Oil – USDA Certified Organic, 100% Pure, Cold Pressed, Unrefined – $7.99

Perfect for combination skin. Balances sebum and moisturizes, but isn’t too heavy or thick on the skin. Perfect for acne prone, oilier skin due to its ability to mimic your skin’s natural sebum. Jojoba Oil is the perfect “starter” oil!

View more benefits of Jojoba Oil here.

Organic Rosehip Oil – USDA Organic Rosehip Seed Oil for Face, 100% Pure | Natural Cold Pressed Unrefined Non-GMO – $6.99

Rosehip Oil/Rosehip Seed Oil is great for dry, sensitive, and/or aging skin. Rosehip Oil provides deep moisturization, and is said to help with acne due to its ability to penetrate skin and provide a deeper source of moisturization and antioxidants.

View more info on Rosehip Seed Oil here.

NOW Solutions, Grapeseed Oil, Skin Care for Sensitive Skin, Light Silky Moisturizer for All Skin Types, 16-Ounce – $7.52

Grapeseed Oil is perfect for almost any skin type, as it does not block pores and contains many great benefits. Grapeseed Oil provides linoleic acids, which smooth and soften the skin. It is also great to soothe inflammation, for issues such as eczema, psoriasis, and more irritating, inflamed skin issues.