Want to reduce your plastic consumption? Here's how to start in the bathroom

Solid skincare FTW

One movement that I’ve been happy to see lately is the plastic-free one.

It’s something I’ve been striving towards for around five years now, but lately I’m noticing more and more people trying to actively find ways to reduce their plastic consumption.

I know firsthand how challenging it can be, because plastic is pretty much everywhere these days … but my journey has taught me that it’s easier to eliminate it in some places than others.

So for today, I’d like to focus on how to eliminate plastic from your bathroom. I’m pretty sure it’s where I started, and nowadays the plastic-free options are better than ever. Plus, there are some options that have been around forever — when it comes to a plastic-free bathroom, sometimes it’s just a matter of going back to the basics.

Plastic-free skincare

I know most of us are used to having our skincare in bottles and tubes, but allow me to introduce (or re-introduce) bars into your life.

Solid skincare is honestly such a game-changer when it comes to reducing plastic consumption.

And the funny thing is that — for the most part — it’s always been there. I’m talking soap bars, baby.

I think a lot of people find soap bars old-fashioned or ineffective, but I believe that’s just social conditioning from Big Skincare. Plus, some of the artisanal handmade bars are simply beautiful!

I’ve made the switch to bars for my hands, body, and face. I have separate ones for all three body parts, but depending on how high or low maintenance you are with skincare, you might use less.

One thing I love about bars is that they last so much longer than liquids. A single face bar lasts me a little over a year — and yes, that is with daily morning and evening washes. I even double cleanse most evenings. I have to replace my hand and body bars more often, but it’s still only a few times a year. So using them is just a win-win-win situation: they’re better for the environment, more cost-effective, and good for your skin.

Here in Canada I’ve become a fan of the brand Nezza Naturals, who are local to my city. I like using the pink clay face bar, and their natural loofah soap bar is really cool. For the record, these are not affiliate links. Just sharing what I actually have in my bathroom.

I’m not too picky with the soap bars I use for hand washing, so I’ll usually just pick up whatever has plastic-free packaging at the drug store.

If that recommendation doesn’t work for you for whatever reason, you can find a brand that does by Googling or searching the following terms on social media:

• Solid skincare

• Face bar

• Body bar

• Handmade/artisanal soap*

*I recommend this term, because many mass-produced soap bars are still wrapped in plastic.

There are certain products that I still use in non-solid form, mostly moisturizers and lotions. I have seen body butter bars and am curious to try them, but for now I’m good with using up what I have. To avoid plastic, I buy these types of products in glass or aluminum packaging. It’s not too difficult to find if you buy from a sustainable/eco-friendly skincare* brand. I’m still a fan of Nezza’s for these, but I also recently came across the brand Truly at my local drug store and am a little bit obsessed. The products and branding are really inventive and cute, and their packaging is glass!

*More search terms to add to your arsenal

Plastic-free haircare

This is another area where it’s pretty easy to ditch plastic — at least when it comes to the foundational products. Shampoo and conditioner bars were one of my first plastic-free swaps five years ago, and I’ve gotten so used to them that liquid haircare feels weird to me at this point.

I won’t go into too much detail because I’ve already done a big overview of my favourite shampoo and conditioner bars, but I’ll reiterate that they share the same benefits as solid skincare: they’re long-lasting, environmentally-friendly, and the high quality ones actually work really well on hair.

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PSA: Shampoo bars work just as well as their liquid counterparts

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I’ll admit, I’m not as versed in other plastic-free haircare products and that is something I want to explore more. I go through phases of not using any additional products (I find my hair can get weighed down easily with too much product), and I’m currently using up some pre-existing curl cream. Once I’m done with it, I’d love to find something that’s lightweight yet moisturizing in a plastic-free package. I’ll keep you updated if that happens.

PS: I’m also very open to recommendations if anyone has them. I have wavy/fine/high density hair if that helps.

Plastic-free body care

Is this the right word? Essentially I’m talking about deodorant. Natural, plastic-free deodorant is pretty easy to find, but I know its efficiency is sometimes questionable. Right now I’m using a mostly natural drug store deodorant in a glass container, and I’m pretty happy with it. If anyone has any recommendations for effective natural deodorant, please share!

Area of opportunity: plastic-free dental & eyecare products

My bathroom isn’t fully plastic-free, and it’s mostly because of these two categories. I have seen some options, like bamboo toothbrushes/electric toothbrush heads, toothpaste tablets, and bamboo floss, and have made switches where I can.

Eyecare is definitely a struggle. I wear contacts a lot because I find them more comfortable than glasses — it’s nice to just see well without anything else on your face, you know? But unfortunately, pretty much all contact-related products (cleaning solution and lens cases) are always plastic. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any non-plastic options. I know I could just suck it up and wear my glasses, but I’m just not that hardcore. I like having a taste of 20/20 vision, and contacts are the only way I can get it at the moment. Maybe one day I’ll get laser eye surgery, but for now all I can do is compromise.

If there are any innovators in the eyecare product space reading this, you’ve got a golden opportunity for plastic-free contact lens accessories. I’d buy them, at least.

Aside from that, you can eliminate a high percentage of plastic products from your bathroom by making just a few simple switches: skincare and haircare that’s either solid or packaged in glass or aluminum, and certain eco-friendly dental products. There will be an adjustment period and some stigma-breaking required, but if I can do it, so can you.

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Thanks for reading! Hope you found this helpful if you’re on a plastic reduction journey. I’d love to know if you have any other ideas or suggestions, so drop them in the comments!

And for more minimalist beauty and living insights, you know what to do.