By Cindy et Benoit
Contents
Why switch to a zero waste bathroom?
Every year, millions of plastic bottles are thrown away in our bathrooms. According to the Planetoscope website , for shower gels alone, nearly 511,000 bottles are sold every day ! If we add to this the many other bottles of cosmetic products (shampoo, toothpaste, hand wash, etc.) it makes you dizzy!
Of course, switching to zero waste mode in your bathroom is not always easy to do: we have our habits, we don't necessarily like change and above all, we don't want to complicate our lives by choosing the ecological alternative that will suit us best.
That’s good, we have the solution! We take stock, for you, of the advantages and disadvantages of different ecological solutions in order to see more clearly!
Solid cosmetics
What is solid cosmetics?
As its name suggests, a solid cosmetic is a cosmetic that does not contain water, hence its solid form. These cosmetics are therefore more concentrated in active products. They are also more natural, as they contain fewer preservatives, but are also more environmentally friendly. Shampoos, deodorants, toothpaste, etc... all hygiene products are now available in solid versions.
Why adopt them? The positive points :
Ecological:
The big advantage of solid cosmetics is the ecological footprint which is reduced. is Superfluous packaging eliminated and this significantly reduces the amount of plastic waste thrown away. This makes it a more environmentally friendly choice.
Economic :
They generally last longer than their liquid equivalents: they do not empty as easily and we therefore use much less. They are therefore more economical in the long term than their bottled counterpart.
Practical :
Their compact format makes them ideal for traveling, they take up less space and there is no risk of your shampoo bottle spilling in your suitcase.
Effective :
Being more concentrated and with simpler compositions (without preservatives or synthetic ingredients), solid cosmetics will have better effectiveness for the skin and hair . And since they contain less water, there is less risk of bacteria developing. In addition, all the solid cosmetics that you will find on our site are certified ORGANIC and made up of more than 90% ingredients of natural origin.
The small negative points:
Habits: We know it well, the transition to solid cosmetics disrupts our habits a little. The transition can sometimes be confusing: the change in texture of liquid products can confuse some people. Application to the skin is also slightly different and may be more difficult to apply to the skin. Especially since its absence of packaging for the storage of solid cosmetics requires greater attention if we want to guarantee their longevity.
Conclusion
However, once you have passed the milestone, the skin or hair finds itself less damaged, the bathroom less cluttered by the numerous bottles thus replaced and what's more, it's economical: welcome to your new zero waste bathroom.
Cosmetics to reconstitute
What is a reconstituted cosmetic?
Cosmetics to be reconstituted are made from dry powders, concentrates or granules which are diluted in water. Refills are often packaged in recyclable paper packaging and you only use one bottle that you reuse (this can be made from recycled plastic or glass).
Why adopt them? The positive points :
Easy to use :
The big advantage of these cosmetics is that it does not change your habits, you always use a liquid product. But in this case, no plastic thrown away , because we keep the bottle which we fill again and again with cleaning between each refill. And just like traditional products found in supermarkets, there are a multitude of different scents.
Easy storage:
Packaged in small bags, the cosmetics to be reconstituted are easily transported and are also easy to store . They don't take up much space in your bathroom cabinets.
Ecological:
It's also an eco-friendly solution, because you only buy one bottle and reuse it with each refill. You only have a small recyclable bag as waste. You therefore considerably reduce the amount of plastic thrown away.
The small negative points:
The disadvantage of these products compared to conventional products is that there is a rest time once the product is reconstituted (from 30 minutes to 24 hours depending on the product). This is why it is good to get ahead of time to refill your shower gel, shampoo or deodorant.
Certain cosmetics will also foam less than traditional products, because they do not contain foaming agents (surfactant) in order to have a product that is as ecological as possible and healthier for the skin. Indeed, these foaming agents are optional, their mission is to trap dirt to facilitate its elimination: foam does not wash and it is not because a product foams a lot that it will wash more effectively.
Conclusion
Despite a waiting time once the water is added, cosmetics to be reconstituted are the solution closest to the use that we know of conventional cosmetics, this can be a first step of choice in the world of zero waste without disrupting his habits.
Choosing between solid or reconstituted cosmetics
Well, it remains above all a very personal choice depending on each person's preferences. Both of these options offer environmental benefits and are also better for your health than traditional products.
Whether you opt for the compact practicality of solid cosmetics or for a more classic experience of cosmetics to be reconstituted, you are choosing more sustainable and more ecological consumption for our planet.
Here we will answer some preconceived ideas about solid cosmetics.
Solid cosmetics are more expensive:
Even though the product may seem more expensive to purchase, solid cosmetics have a longer shelf life than liquid products. In the long term, they are more economical. Be careful, however, to store them well so that they do not wear out too quickly. Use a soap dish so that they dry well between uses.
Solid cosmetics are less hygienic:
Solid products are naturally antibacterial, because they contain little or no water. No microbe can therefore survive!
Solid cosmetics are difficult to use:
Although their use is different from liquid products, they are very simple to use. It's just another way of doing things and another habit to adopt.
- For a solid shampoo : simply run it under water and rub it on the palms of the hands or directly on the hair to make it lather.
- For a solid deodorant : wet it slightly and rub it under the armpits.
- For toothpaste in a tablet : chew the tablet and use your wet toothbrush to lather it.
Solid cosmetics are not effective:
When we are not used to using solid products, we think that they are less effective than their liquid counterparts. However, they are just as effective! Our solid cosmetics are composed of natural ingredients (vegetable oils, essential oils, plants, etc.) which have very effective properties on the skin and hair. And on top of that, they respect the environment.
Solid cosmetics are not easy to transport:
Quite the contrary! For travel, solid cosmetics have a very suitable format and they do not take up much space. Plus, there’s no risk of them tipping over. Carry them in a soap case that fits perfectly even if your product gets wet.
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