No. 21 // Eco-Minimalist Routines: Self-Care

Getting single-use plastic out my self-care routine has been a process. It’s not hard to find high quality facial care products in pretty glass jars but replacing the basics like shampoo and lotion has been an exploration of trial and error. I wanted to share a few of my favorite low/no-waste products and daily rituals; simple yet beautiful solutions that give my bathroom a spa-like feel and contribute to a low-waste, clean routine that feels good on every level.

I’ve searched (and searched) for a shampoo and conditioner bar that work as well or better than their bottled counterparts and, after many a disappointment, I’ve found it. Brixy bars lather and rinse beautifully, they use clean ingredients, smell lovely and leave my hair soft and shiny. Their bright, cheery packaging initially caught my eye and in this case, the book is as good as the cover…no, it’s better. Probably my favorite find of the year - Citrus is my go-to.

And while we’re talking bath bars, let’s talk about Camamu Soap. Who doesn’t love a beautiful bar of soap? I discovered this line in San Francisco while very pregnant, hardly able to tolerate scent of ANY sort. Even in this compromised state, I couldn’t decide which bar I liked best because I loved them all. I keep going back to their Dreamy Sky soap featuring an incredible gender-neutral scent of coriander, clary sage, marjoram and peru balsam essential oils. It’s every bit as dreamy as the name name suggests.

With three different bars of soap on your shower ledge, a pretty and functional soap dish is essential. I like this one from The Zero Waste Store because it has enough room to stack all three bars on their sides without getting sandwiched together.

If the mood for a bath strikes, I keep a large glass jar filled with epsom salts near the tub. For a luxurious after bath treat, my bathroom is always stocked with a petite canning jar like this filled with organic coconut oil which will naturally keep your skin moisturized, even in the driest of climates. No preservatives, no harmful ingredients, no plastic packaging and it looks beautiful on your countertop. Add a few drops of an organic skin-friendly essential oil or leave as-is for a light, barely there coconut scent. If you’re not a fan of the natural coconut scent, try avocado oil in an upcycled pump container - another one of my favorite go-to’s.

A dry brush routine is a really simple self-care ritual that I’ve only recently adopted but it’s quickly become 5 minutes that I look forward to every day. Detoxifying, exfoliating, relaxing = game-changing. I also enjoy these gorgeous gua sha stones from Wildling. The Empress Stone and Empress Wand are my favorites and a good gua sha routine, like dry brushing, helps with lymphatic drainage, detoxification and increased immunity along with other health and anti-aging benefits. Both of these routines activate the para-sympathetic nervous system, which aids in relaxation - something we can all use more of.

When talking self-care, perhaps nothing is more important than oral care. David’s toothpaste is natural, made with clean, US-sourced ingredients and packaged with sustainable, recyclable materials. And my all-time favorite floss is Dr. Tung’s smart floss. I am fanatical about flossing and this stuff is, hands down, the absolute best and their new packaging is plastic-free!

Of course, we can’t talk self-care without talking sunscreen. I use a non-nano mineral sunscreen from Raw Elements which goes on like a dream and is great for both swim and daily wear. I use it on my face and body. One customer review from a makeup artist hails this as a ‘unicorn product’ and swears by using it as a foundation primer. For me, the harder working a product is, the better.

Lastly, if you have dry skin and just need a little something extra, Badger organic skincare has it. They use only clean, high quality organic ingredients and their packaging is sustainable/recyclable. My hands always need more moisture in the winter months and their hand balm works wonders.

There are certain products I skip, like face wash. I don’t wear a ton of makeup so a warm washcloth at the beginning and the end of each day does the trick. Self-care is personal and this is the line-up that works for me. I’m always striving to live simply and I’m also careful not deprive myself of the things that make me feel beautiful, relaxed and happy. Minimalism doesn’t have to mean deprivation, but rather a winnowing down to the essentials that strike the right balance for you. Self-care should make you feel good. Incorporating products that are beautiful, clean and sustainable - well, that feels good, too. //