Health & Lifestyle: Creating A Plastic-Free Dental / Oral Hygiene Routine

With routine dental appointments now cancelled until further notice in the UK due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's become more important than ever to establish a good daily dental routine at home to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Here are some of the best natural dental products on the market that will also help you to go plastic-free with your routine at the same time!

One Small Step - Swap Your Plastic Toothbrush for a Bamboo One

If you only make one change, make sure it's this one - simply swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one - super easy! Plastic toothbrushes are a major contributor to the growing pollution that's clogging up our oceans with over 3.6 billion of them thrown away worldwide; that's an enormous amount. Luckily, bamboo toothbrushes offer a biodegradable and sustainable alternative to this problem so when it comes to replacing your current toothbrush, why not make the switch? Woobamboo has bamboo toothbrushes for the whole family with prices from £4.49 (link).

No More Plastic Packaging - Buy Your Dental Floss In Refillable Glass

All dentists recommend flossing at least once a day as part of a good oral hygiene routine, but did you know that most plastic containers of dental floss are not made from recyclable materials? Many are simply thrown away with the usual bathroom waste, but you can now purchase your dental floss in glass thanks to Organically Epic. Their vegan-friendly dental floss is infused with Charcoal to remove stains and it has a refreshing peppermint flavour. You can also purchase refills to reduce packaging waste further and one pack will last around 3 months (£5.25, link). 

Bye Bye Plastic Interdental Brushes - Swap To Sustainable Bamboo Instead

I've been looking for a sustainable alternative to plastic interdental brushes for a long time and I was beyond happy to finally come across this nifty assorted pack from Woobamboo. Featuring a mix of interdental brush sizes, these are made from 97.6% biodegradable material including eco-friendly bamboo, so this is another easy swap to make (12 pack, £6.99, link). 

The New Natural Plastic-Free Toothpastes

Plastic-free toothpastes have been popping up on my beauty radar for a while now and a growing number of natural brands are bringing them to the market. I've tried several of them from various brands in a range of formats such as powders, solid bars and jars of pastes, and I have to admit that the latter has worked the best for me. I've been enjoying using the Sensitive Natural Toothpaste from Ben & Anna since my last plastic tube ran out and it has a lovely refreshing flavour, with a gentle but protective formula that's been specially created for sensitive teeth (100ml, £8.95, link).

A Glass Alternative To Plastic Mouthwash Bottles

Also from Ben & Anna, I discovered the matching Sensitive Natural Mouthwash which utilises natural ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn, Aloe Vera and Sage to disinfect, soothe and protect your whole mouth. The glass bottle definitely adds an extra touch of luxury to my bathroom sink! (500ml, £10.95, link).

Introduce A Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner 

For the most optimum oral hygiene, the practice of using a Tongue Cleaner has been popular in Ayurveda and natural health circles for thousands of years, yet I've only recently started to see more and more people in the West embrace them. This stainless steel option from Organically Epic helps to get rid of bacteria and dead cells that build up on your tongue, which in turn improves your sense of taste and banishes bad breath at the same time. With a lifetime guarantee, it's hygienic and easy to clean, whilst this handy 2-pack is perfect for you and your partner/family member (£6.15, link).  

Time On Your Hands? Try Oil-Pulling

Oil-Pulling is another long-standing Ayurvedic tradition which has become popular in the last couple of years and if you find yourself with lots of time on your hands in the mornings now, why not give it a try?! The general concept is based on Coconut Oil's prized natural antibacterial properties which help to draw out any build-up of toxins and pathogens, leaving your whole mouth cleaner than it's ever been before. It's also known to naturally whiten your teeth as an added bonus! 

To take part, simply add a teaspoon full of Coconut Oil to your mouth and move it around with your tongue, making sure to push it between the teeth - do not swallow it! Swish it around for 15-20 minutes and then spit it out into the bathroom bin (never spit it into the sink as the oil will solidify and cause blocked pipes!). It takes some time to get used to but I find it oddly satisfying! Using an organic, raw, cold-pressed Coconut Oil such as this one from Kiki Health will help you to reap all the benefits (500ml, £13.95, link).

Have you switched to any plastic-free alternatives recently?

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Eco-Style: 5 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Impact On The Planet Every Day #ZeroWaste

Reducing your personal impact on the environment can seem like an overwhelming concept at first, but with a couple of clever swaps, you can help change your daily habits into a more sustainable way of living. Plus, you'll save money in the long run!

Here are 5 easy and simple zero waste tips to get you started:-

 Tip 1: Swap Single-Use Plastic Bottles For ONE Reusable Bottle

Do you buy a bottle of water or a soft drink to have with your lunch at college/Uni/work? Why not invest in a reusable bottle instead? Not only are you cutting down on your plastic waste, but it'll work out a lot cheaper in the long term. There are lots of different brands of reusable bottles to choose from and I've been enjoying carrying around my Hydratem8 Insulated Water Bottle* (£19.99, link) which comes in a range of colours and designs, including this gorgeous floral Sweet Pea print that's perfect for Spring! It has a 500ml capacity and is made from professional grade, thermal insulated stainless steel, so it'll keep drinks hot for up to 18 hours, or cold for up to 30 hours.  

 Tip 2: Prep Your Own Lunch & Choose Plastic-Free Snacks

It can be tempting to want to purchase your lunch out every day, but not only is this expensive, there's also all of that single-use packaging waste to deal with, most of which can't or doesn't get recycled. Prep your own lunches at home and save yourself around £25-30 a week - easy! With the money that you've saved, you can buy a reusable lunchbox instead that will last you for years to come. IKEA has some very affordable glass options (from £2, here) with different lids (the bamboo ones are great) that can also be used to heat food up in the oven, as well as storing food in the fridge and freezer.

Don't forget your snacks too - ditch the plastic wrapped variety and pop an Apple or Banana into your bag instead for a healthy, zero waste option.

 Tip 3: Say No To Disposable Cutlery and Straws

Every day, millions of plastic straws and cutlery across the UK are thrown away after lunch is over and whilst the EU has recently voted to ban these items by 2021 in a bid to get rid of unnecessary single-use waste, it's unclear at this stage as to when a ban would come into force in the UK due whatever the hell happens with Brexit. Get a head start by keeping a set of cutlery and a reusable straw in your bag. Bambu do a brilliant range of cutlery that's made from sustainable bamboo (my chopsticks, for example, are £1.50, link), and reusable stainless steel straws are popping up everywhere on the high street or you can purchase some online (EcoStrawz have a large range here).

 Tip 4: Always Carry A Reusable Bag With You

Most of us already do this, but I wanted to include it as a reminder as I see so many people on social media say that they've forgotten to bring their reusable bags with them when they've popped into town. Fold one or two up and tuck them into your handbag so that you've always got one with you and stick a few in your car door too for any impromptu trips to the supermarket.

Tip 5: Use Your Local Library

I've seen a lot of zero waste posts online lately that are heavily focused on reducing plastic waste, so I've decided to round off this particular post with something different. I'm an avid reader as many of you who follow me on Goodreads will know, and I've gotten back into the habit of using my local library to borrow books instead of buying them. The main reason was to save money at first and when I actually thought about how often I re-read a book, it just makes a lot of sense to borrow them instead. This way you also help to support your local community by keeping public services open, and it's better for the environment too. 

Do you already do all of these?

What are your daily zero waste tips?

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New In Beauty: REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm review + Recycled Ocean Plastic Campaign

REN have been making waves (pun intended!) with their recent Recycled Ocean Plastic campaign, and with the addition of an exciting new product launch, I just had to dedicate a blog post to them. Here's what's been happening in the world of REN in case you've missed the latest news on social media.

New product launch: REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm* (30ml, £40, link)

Last month, I received an exciting package from REN which contained a full-size jar of their latest launch, the Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm. This newbie is part of the brand's hugely popular Evercalm range which is targeted at sensitive skin types and I've used several products from this line over the years. 

The new Overnight Recovery Balm is a powerfully rich and hydrating night balm that's packed full of ultra-nourishing plant-based oils such as Olive, Almond, Borage, Jojoba, Sunflower and Linseed. These oils are naturally rich in lipids and active enzymes which help to strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier, as well as giving it an intense shot of moisture at the same time. Beta-Glucan is also included to soothe and calm any visible signs of sensitivity as it acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, so this is a fantastic product to try if you're currently suffering from any irritation or redness due to sensitive skin.

I've been using the Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm after cleansing in the evenings instead of using a night moisturiser or facial oil (as this is so hydrating, you don't need anything else). A tiny amount goes a long way and it has a lovely light texture that's perfect for doing a facial massage with. It doesn't feel greasy but you do have to massage it in for it to fully absorb, as you would with any other type of balm product. I've had some patches of redness around my nose and on my cheeks in the last month, and this has instantly calmed everything down.

My skin also feels much more hydrated, softer and plumped up in the morning. It feels very luxurious and pampering to use, and it has a pleasant subtly botanical/natural scent that reminds me of a spa. Needless to say, it's a delightful luxury night treatment to add to your evening skincare routine and I can see myself using this even more as the seasons start to change in the coming weeks.

REN's Recycled Ocean Plastic Campaign

The alarming rate of plastic pollution in our oceans that's destroying delicate eco-systems and threatening the existence of thousands of species has caused a massive outcry from people all around the world, and many are now looking at ways to reduce their plastic consumption and consumer waste in a bid to stop the problem from escalating even further.

REN has been helping out in various ways, from organising beach cleanups across the UK with the charitable organisation Surfers Against Sewage (participants have been rewarded with REN products to thank them for their time), to their commitment to being a zero-waste company by 2021, changes are afoot and it's great to see a beauty brand as global as REN taking these positive steps forwards.

Their latest environmental campaign focuses on their partnership with TerraCycle, where they have created a new 100% recycled plastic bottle that contains 20% reclaimed ocean plastic. As recycled plastic isn't as clear as first use plastic, the bottle has a grey tint which you can see in their award-winning Atlantic Kelp & Magnesium Body Wash* (£22, 200ml, link) - the first product to be packaged in this new hybrid recycled plastic packaging. The bottle also features an innovative metal-free spring in the pump to make it fully recyclable and the new recycled plastic packaging will be phased in across REN's full global distribution by 2019.

Whilst I know that recycled plastic packaging isn't the saviour to the problem of plastic pollution, it is a welcome helping hand in a better direction and an admirable effort from a global beauty brand to be doing something like this, when many other larger brands are still sadly doing nothing. Hopefully, the actions of companies like REN will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

To find out more, visit renskincare.com

Do you agree that brands should be doing more to change their packaging?

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Sustainable Beauty: 4 Ways To Reduce The Amount Of Plastic In Your Makeup Bag

The world is finally waking up to the fact that its plastic consumption needs to change ASAP, and whilst there are some amazing developments underway with regards to future sustainable packaging, beauty consumers can start to take some steps forward today by making sure that as many of their next makeup purchases are as plastic-free as possible. Here are four tips to give you a head start in the right direction!

From top to bottom: NEEK Skin Organics Natural Lipstick in Come Into My World* (4.5g, £15.99, link), Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipstick in Acai* (4g, £17, link), Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights* (4g, £26, link) & NEEK Skin Organics Natural Lipstick in Mystify* (4.5g, £15.99, link). 

No. 1: Start With Lipsticks

If your makeup bag is anything like mine, you'll open it up and find a sea of lipsticks, but luckily for all of my fellow lipstick junkies, lipsticks are one of the easiest make-up products to buy plastic-free - especially if you love your higher end brands. Ilia are a firm favourite of mine and all of their Lipsticks and Tinted Lip Conditioners come packaged in recyclable aluminium tubes (be sure to check out their Illuminators and Multi Sticks which are packaged in the same way too). 

The new Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipsticks collection all feature tubes that are made from 40% post-consumer recycled aluminium and the cap can be easily recycled again after use. They have a wide shade range and the formulas are brilliant! 

For something completely different, why not try NEEK, an organic and natural Aussie brand whose Natural Lipsticks are not only 100% natural and vegan-friendly, but they are packaged in sustainable bamboo casing with an aluminium tube. Two of my favourite shades from them are Come Into My World and Mystify, which you can see pictured above.

From L-R: Charlotte Tilbury Bar Of Gold Skin Gilding Highlighter* (sold out) & PHB Ethical Beauty Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in Almond* (3g, £9.95, link).

No. 2: Embrace Cardboard

Makeup packaged in cardboard nowadays is a lot sturdier than it used to be, and card-based options are fantastic for travelling with because they are so lightweight. The majority of makeup that I have which comes in cardboard casing features an aluminium metal pan to hold the product, so after you've used it up, you can dismantle it and recycle both parts. 

There are many green beauty brands which now use cardboard packaging, including PHB Ethical Beauty who sell pressed mineral Eyeshadows, Finishing Powders, Primers, Blushers, Bronzers and Foundations in this format, so that's just one brand with lots to choose from!

It's also worth checking out some of the mainstream higher end brands like Too Faced, Benefit and Charlotte Tilbury who all offer blushers, bronzers and highlighters in iconic cardboard boxes. 

From L-R: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelee (5.1g, £18, link), KIKO Cream Crush Eyeshadow in Pearly Chocolate (5g, £6.90, link) & Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Creme in Butterscotch (4.5g, £24, link).

No. 3: Make Friends With Glass

Glass is perhaps one of the most environmentally friendly packaging options to look out for because it can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. This is in comparison to plastic which can only be recycled around 7-9 times before it loses its structure and, even paper can only be recycled a handful of times before its fibres get too short to be of use.

A huge number of beauty brands have regularly used glass pots for years to house all manners of formulas such as cream eyeshadows, concealers, potted eyeliners, and many multi-purpose products like cheek and lip tints also often fall into this category (the popular Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelees are a good example of the latter). 

Again, higher-end brands like RMS, Tata Harper and Becca are more likely to use glass as it's a more expensive material and makes a product feel more luxurious, but some of my high-street faves are starting to repackage some of their products into glass such as KIKO, so be sure to keep an eye out on your next shopping trip.

No. 4: Refillable Makeup

Makeup that you can refill has been a popular option in the green beauty world for many years, with luxury brands like Kjaer Weis (Lip Tint in Rapture* pictured, 3.5g, £41, link) leading the way and making the most beautiful cases that you'll want to keep and refill forever. Seriously, these weighty metal beauties are like a collectable work of art! 

As is often the case with refillable makeup, the initial outlay is usually quite expensive, but when you factor in only having to pay for the refills thereafter (as well as the environmental win of using a lot less packaging in the future), they can work out more affordable in the long term. 

Other brands that offer refillable makeup include Ecco Bella, Living Nature, Pure Anada, Alima Pure and Zao Organic Makeup, and I imagine many more will be launching their own refillable options in the near future!

Are you wanting to reduce the amount of plastic that you buy?

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