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The beauty industry puts out an enormous amount of packaging every year; most of it single use plastic. That means millions of tubes and bottles end up in landfill or the ocean.
Switching a few key items in your routine to refillable, plastic free, or waterless options can cut your personal waste a lot while still giving great results.
I switched parts of my routine to solid bars and refillable serums over the last two years and noticed two things fast: my bathroom counter felt calmer and my waste bin filled much slower.
This guide lists 12 practical swaps you can make in 2026. I chose items that are easy to use, travel friendly, and available at different price points.
I tested many of these products myself and also checked brand transparency and certifications where possible so you get swaps that work and are better for the planet.
Trueecoliving (TEL) Tip: small changes like a shampoo bar or a refillable serum can reduce waste and still give you great skin and hair.
In a Nutshell
- Small Swaps, Big Impact – Replacing high-waste items like shampoo bottles, cotton pads, and toothpaste tubes with bars, refillables, and reusable tools drastically cuts plastic waste.
- Refillable Systems Save Money – Using refill pods for serums, moisturizers, or makeup reduces packaging waste and lowers cost over time while keeping performance high.
- Solid & Multi-Use Products Simplify Routines – Shampoo bars, face oils, and multi-use balms replace several products at once, decluttering your bathroom and minimizing packaging.
- Natural & Reef-Safe Options Protect Health and Environment – Organic ingredients, mineral sunscreens, and plastic-free tools are safer for skin, waterways, and oceans.
- Gradual Transition Works Best – Start with 3–4 swaps, focus on your highest-waste items first, and store products properly to make your sustainable beauty routine simple, practical, and long-lasting.
Why Sustainable Beauty Swaps Matter in 2026
Sustainability in beauty is more than a buzzword now. Brands and shoppers want refill stations, lower water formulas, and simpler packaging.
Refillable systems are growing fast in stores and online, and many brands now offer concentrated or waterless products that last longer and ship lighter.
These shifts cut the amount of plastic and lower the carbon footprint embedded in products.
If you want reliable signals to look for, check for recognized certifications and brand transparency before you buy.
There are challenges. Good refillable or organic products sometimes cost more up front. Greenwashing is real, so watch for vague claims without data.
Look for certs like ECOCERT or clear recycling and refill policies. Start with three swaps that replace the items you throw away most often and build from there.
Trueecoliving Tip: Refillable and waterless products reduce packaging and often perform well. Start small and check for real certifications rather than marketing words.
The Top 12 Swaps
These swaps cover everyday skincare, hair, and makeup basics. Each mini section explains the swap, why it helps, how to use it, and quick tips so you can adopt it without stress.
1. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars Instead of Plastic Bottles
Shampoo bars are concentrated solid cleansers that work like liquid shampoo but without the water and plastic bottle.
They lather up and clean hair while using far less packaging. Many bars are made from plant oils and butters and last for dozens of washes.
For travel they are perfect because they are solid and do not count as liquids at security.
Usage: rub the bar between wet hands or glide it along your hair roots, then massage and rinse. Store on a draining soap dish between uses so it dries.
Bars need less water in their making, which lowers weight and shipping emissions too.
TEL Tip: Shampoo bars clean well, cut plastic bottles, and are travel friendly.
2. Refillable Skincare Serums and Moisturizers
Many brands now sell serums and creams in refill pods or glass jars with refill pouches. Refillable systems cut single use plastics and can lower cost per use over time.
Glass jars are heavier but easier to recycle, and refill pouches use much less plastic than a whole new pump bottle.
Usage: start with the product you use most, like a daily vitamin C or hyaluronic acid serum. Buy the base glass bottle once and then get refill pouches.
Keep the refill pouches dry and store them in a cool place to protect the actives.
TEL Tip: Refillable serums keep high performance actives while reducing plastic and long term cost.
Ad Corner: Expert pick for starting small
One easy starter I recommend is to try solid skincare bars as a complement to refillable serums.
Ethique makes concentrated bars that replace cleansers or moisturizers and cut packaging immediately.
Their bars are designed to be long lasting and are made to minimize water in the formula.
If you want to test a low waste approach that actually performs, a single Ethique bar can be an approachable first swap.
Shop Ethique solid bars.
3. Solid Facial Cleansers or Waterless Formulas
Switching your liquid face wash to a solid cleanser or a waterless cleansing balm cuts bottles and often means fewer preservatives and fillers.
Solid cleansers are made to lather and rinse like a normal wash and many are pH balanced for gentle use.
Waterless balms melt on contact with skin and remove makeup and grime without added water in the product formula.
Usage: wet your face, rub the bar into hands or directly on skin, massage and rinse. For balms, warm a small amount between fingers and wipe away with a damp cloth.
Keep the bar dry between uses to extend life.
TEL TIP: Solid cleansers and balms remove makeup and cleanse without the bottle waste and with concentrated active ingredients.
4. Reusable Organic Cotton or Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads
Throwaway cotton pads and wipes add up fast. Reusable pads made from organic cotton or bamboo are soft, washable, and work with micellar water or oil cleansers.
Keep a small mesh laundry bag for the used pads and wash them with your regular laundry.
How to Use: replace the pads and wipes you use daily with one set of reusable pads and have 6 to 8 in rotation. Store them in a small jar by your sink for easy use.
TEL TIP: Switching to washable pads cuts daily waste and feels gentle on skin.
5. Refillable Natural Lipstick or Lip Balm
Many brands now offer refillable lipstick tubes or solid lip balms in compostable or metal cases.
These use better pigments and allow you to replace only the refill rather than buy a full new tube. Metal cases can be kept for years and look sleek on a vanity.
How to use: choose a refillable line you like, buy one case, then order refills in your favorite shades or scents. Clean the case lightly between refills.
TEL Tip: Refillable lip products save packaging and let you keep a quality case for years.
6. Mineral Based Foundation or Powder in a Refillable Compact
Liquid foundations often come in heavy plastic bottles with pumps that are hard to recycle.
Mineral foundations and powders in refillable metal compacts solve that problem while also being gentler on skin.
These formulas usually rely on minerals like zinc oxide and mica rather than heavy synthetic fillers. They allow skin to breathe and work well for sensitive or acne prone skin.
Usage Guide: apply with a dense brush and build coverage slowly. Refillable compacts let you replace only the powder pan when it runs out. Over time this cuts down packaging waste and saves money.
TEL Tip: Refillable mineral makeup reduces plastic and supports healthier skin.
7. Bamboo Toothbrush and Toothpaste Tabs
Plastic toothbrushes are one of the most common bathroom waste items. Bamboo toothbrushes use biodegradable handles and can be composted once the bristles are removed.
Toothpaste tabs replace plastic tubes with glass jars or paper packaging and clean teeth effectively using natural ingredients.
Usage Tip: chew one tablet, brush with a wet toothbrush, then rinse. Replace your bamboo toothbrush every three months just like a regular one. Compost the handle when worn out.
TEL TIP: Bamboo brushes and toothpaste tabs remove daily plastic from oral care.
8. Reef Safe and Natural Sunscreen Sticks or Bars
Many chemical sunscreens harm marine life and coral reefs. Reef safe sunscreens use mineral filters like zinc oxide and come in sticks or bars that avoid plastic tubes.
Solid sunscreen is also easier to pack and does not count as a liquid.
How to use: warm the stick or bar on your skin and rub in evenly. Mineral sunscreen may leave a light cast at first but blends in after a few minutes. Look for broad spectrum protection.
TEL Tip: Mineral sunscreen protects skin and oceans while cutting plastic waste.
9. Organic Face Oils or Multi Use Balms
Face oils and balm sticks replace several products at once. A good oil can act as a moisturizer, makeup remover, and glow booster.
Multi use balms work for lips, cuticles, dry patches, and even hair ends. These usually come in glass jars or metal tins that last longer than plastic tubes.
How to use: apply a few drops of oil after cleansing or tap balm where skin feels dry. Because these products are concentrated, a little goes a long way.
TEL Tip: Multi use oils and balms simplify routines and reduce packaging.
10. Refillable Mascara or Eyeliner
Eye makeup is often thrown away quickly due to hygiene concerns, which leads to constant plastic waste.
Some brands now offer refillable mascara and eyeliner systems where only the inner cartridge is replaced. This reduces waste and still keeps products safe and fresh.
Usage: choose a refillable system from a trusted brand and follow replacement timelines for eye safety. Clean the outer case between refills.
TEL Tip: Refillable eye makeup cuts repeat plastic without sacrificing hygiene.
Explore 15 practical, high-impact sustainable living habits I follow daily: ditch single-use plastics, compost, eat more plants, save energy & water, buy secondhand & more. Start greener now!
11. Gua Sha or Jade Roller Tools
Gua sha stones and jade rollers are reusable tools made from natural stone that support circulation and facial massage.
They replace disposable tools and require no electricity or batteries. With regular use they can reduce puffiness and help products absorb better.
Usage Tip: apply oil or serum, then gently glide the tool across skin using light pressure. Clean after each use and store in a dry place.
TEL Tip: Natural stone tools are zero waste and long lasting.
12. Compostable Face Masks or Sheet Mask Alternatives
Traditional sheet masks are single use and wrapped in plastic. Compostable masks made from plant fibers or reusable mask sheets paired with your own serum reduce waste.
Clay masks and powder masks mixed at home also avoid excess packaging.
How to use: apply reusable masks with your favorite serum or mix powder masks with water as needed. Clean reusable sheets after each use.
Trueecoliving Tip: Compostable or reusable masks reduce weekly beauty waste.
How to Transition to a Sustainable Beauty Routine
Start by using what you already have. Finish products before replacing them unless they cause irritation.
When something runs out, swap it for a sustainable option instead of replacing everything at once. Focus first on high waste items like shampoo bottles, cotton pads, and toothpaste tubes.
Store solid bars properly so they last longer. Keep them dry between uses and avoid leaving them in water.
For refillables, label refill dates and clean containers before adding new product. Budget wise, bars and refill systems usually cost less over time even if they seem more expensive at first.
Lastly, replace products gradually, store them properly, and focus on the biggest waste items first.
Conclusion
Sustainable beauty in 2026 is no longer about compromise. These 12 swaps prove you can care for your skin, hair, and body while cutting plastic waste and supporting ethical brands.
From shampoo bars to refillable makeup, each change removes unnecessary packaging and simplifies your routine.
You do not need to be perfect. Even switching three or four products can prevent hundreds of plastic items from entering landfill every year.
Based on personal usage and tests, these swaps work well, last longer, and feel good to use. Beautiful skin and a healthier planet can go hand in hand.
Which swap will you try first? Share in the comments, pin this guide for later, and subscribe to trueecoliving.com for more practical eco living tips. Thanks sir/ma
5 FAQs
Yes! High-quality bars lather well, clean hair thoroughly, and last longer than a standard bottle. They are concentrated and often gentler because they contain fewer fillers and preservatives.
Refillable products typically last as long as their single-use counterparts. With proper storage and handling, you can use refill pouches or pods for months, making them cost-effective over time.
Absolutely. Bars, balms, and refillable compact powders are travel-friendly since they don’t count as liquids at airport security. Just keep them dry and stored in a small case or pouch.
Upfront costs may be higher, but most refillable and solid products last longer than conventional alternatives, so the long-term cost is often lower. You also reduce waste disposal and clutter.
Check for certifications like ECOCERT, GOTS, Leaping Bunny, or EWG-verified. Transparent brands provide details on packaging, sourcing, and ethical production. Avoid vague “eco-friendly” claims without proof.
