The law pertaining to the fight against waste and the circular economy (AGEC), enacted on February 10, 2020, contains several articles that directly impact the industrialists in the cosmetic sector. These individuals are thus strongly encouraged, and even required, to review some of their practices with the aim of limiting cosmetic waste. However, on the consumer scale, several simple actions can already be implemented by everyone to combat this waste.
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Practices to adopt to limit cosmetic waste.
Summary
- Selecting skincare products that are suitable for one's skin and its specific issues
- Finishing your cosmetic bottles and jars
- Recycling one's bottles
- Giving a second life to your cosmetic products
Published April 8, 2022,
updated on June 20, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Selecting skincare products that are suitable for one's skin and its specific issues.
A significant portion of beauty products are discarded while they are still not finished, and sometimes barely used. This can be partly explained by the fact that some people make mistakes in their purchases and invest in skincare products that are not suitable for their skin types and/or their specific skin issues. This then leads to skin reactions (redness, tightness, itching...) or simply dissatisfaction with the expected results on their skin.
Of course, these symptoms could also be the result of an allergic reaction to a component present in the product's formulation. If you find yourself in this situation, familiarize yourself with the list of ingredients in the skincare product in question to avoid any further allergic reactions.
To minimize such inconveniences as much as possible, it is crucial to understand your skin and its needs. Do not hesitate to perform your skin diagnosis to discover your skin type and turn to suitable care.
Finishing your cosmetic bottles and jars.
If the product suits your skin, to minimize waste, it is recommended to use it up to the last drop. Certain packaging and materials limit product loss. For instance, for all our tubes, we have made the choice of aluminum. Extremely lightweight and durable, it is one of the few materials that can be recycled indefinitely without ever losing its quality. Moreover, it does not allow air to pass through: you can use your skincare product to the very end without leaving a drop for better preservation.
Focus : Should I continue to use my cosmetic product if it has expired?
No, this could lead to irritations and/or the emergence of blemishes. To determine if a product is expired, one must refer to the PAO (Period After Opening). Generally, it is indicated by a logo that represents a jar, on which is written 3M (3 months), 6M (6 months), 9M (9 months), 12M (12 months), 24M (24 months) or 36M (36 months).
Recycling one's bottles.
Generally, packaging materials are recyclable, they simply need to be thrown into the corresponding bins. At Typology, smaller packaging sizes are made of glass and larger ones are made of recyclable plastic, to avoid being too heavy. The tubes are made of aluminum, a material that can be recycled indefinitely.
Giving a second life to your cosmetic products.
Several beauty products can be reused to avoid having to discard them:
Clear nail polishes and hardened, dried top coats can be applied to jewelry to prevent them from leaving green marks on the skin due to metal oxidation. Note that if you wish to preserve your liquid polishes for as long as possible, it is recommended to store them in the refrigerator.
A mascara or foundation that has dried out can regain its liquid form through heat. Soak it for 5 minutes in a glass of hot water.
Note : If the formulas remain dry after bathing, add just a single drop of castor oil.
To lighten a foundation that is too dark, don't hesitate to mix it with a bit of moisturizing cream. This will save you from throwing it away!
Diagnostic
Understand your skin
and its complex needs.