Eco Friendly Dental Care from Ordo: Mouthwash Concentrate & Complete Care Toothpaste review

 

Looking to reduce the plastic waste in your bathroom? Make a start with the products that you use every day such as your dental care, and you'll be on your way to a more sustainable lifestyle in no time at all! Brands such as Ordo make it easy with their recyclable toothpaste tubes and reusable mouthwash bottles.

With Greenpeace's latest plastic waste campaign hitting social media this past month, the reality of our carbon footprint on the planet is difficult to bear at the best of times, so I always suggest that people start by making small steps by cutting down on the plastic that they use every day. Dental care is something that most of us undertake every morning and night which makes it a great place to start.

I'll be honest here; I've tried a lot of zero waste solid dental toothtabs and mouthwash tablets, and I've yet to find one that I would permanently make a switch to, so if you're in the same situation, I'd suggest choosing products that have recyclable and reusable elements to help cut down on your plastic waste.

The Recyclable Toothpaste

Toothpaste tubes are a massive problem for the environment as most that are manufactured cannot be recycled, and when you think about the millions of toothpaste tubes that are used in just the UK alone, it makes sense to find an alternative option. 

Ordo's Complete Care Toothpaste* (80ml, £4.50, link) is made from fully recyclable HDPE instead, so it can be disposed of in your everyday plastic recycling bin. It's also a great toothpaste which is SLS-free, vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for sensitive teeth. Recommended by dentists, it'll help to strengthen tooth enamel and keep your smile looking whiter.

The Refillable Mouthwash: Ordo Mouthwash Concentrate & Reusable Mouthwash Bottle

Refill bottles make a big difference and are easy to make a swap to, which is why I love this handy duo from Ordo. Their Mouthwash Concentrate* (80ml, £6, link) is an affordable switch as the concentrated formula dilutes to make four bottles of mouthwash so it's a big win for your wallet and the environment. Formulated by dentists, the cruelty-free, vegan-friendly mouthwash concentrate is alcohol-free and helps to reduce plaque buildup and prevent cavities, as well as freshening your breath with its Cool Mint flavour.

To use, just add 20ml to the Ordo Resuable Mouthwash Bottle* (£7.50, link) and there's a handy line on the bottle to show you exactly how much to put in, and top up the rest with water. That's it! You can then just use it as you would any other mouthwash. Don't want to buy an extra bottle? No worries, simply add it to a bottle of your own with 330ml of water for the same result.

Shop the full range at ordolife.com

Read more

Plastic Free July: 6 Easy Plastic-Free Beauty Swaps

 

As Plastic Free July comes to a close for another year, I wanted to share my 6 Easy Beauty Swaps to keep the awareness going and inspire not only everyone reading this to make better, more eco-friendly consumer choices for the planet, but as a personal reminder that there's always more that I can do myself as well.

If you're new to going plastic-free, my advice would be to just start small with one swap and take it from there. It can be rather overwhelming if you try and change everything all at once, not to mention expensive, so use up what you have first and then make your next purchase a plastic-free one. 

I still have an awful amount of plastic in my bathroom and beauty routine as you'll no doubt see from my Empties posts, and I'm going, to be honest here and say that I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to follow a completely plastic-free lifestyle, but making some changes is better than doing nothing!

Here are 6 Easy Beauty Swaps you can try to reduce your plastic waste:-

1 - Swap Your Morning Cleanser For A Konjac Sponge with The Korean Konjac Facial Sponge* (£9.99, link)

Suitable for even sensitive skin, Konjac Sponges have been popular across Asia for decades and have in recent years started to pop up in sustainable bathrooms in the west thanks to their completely natural and biodegradable nature. Made from the Konjac plant, these sponges appear hard at first, but once submerged in water, they soften and expand. Their unique structure gently cleanses the skin and you'll find many Konjac sponges are infused with Red or Green Clay (such as above) to help absorb oil, dirt, and impurities. They're designed to be used on their own with just water for a refreshing morning cleanse, though you can add a tiny amount of your favourite cleanser to them if you wish.

Konjac sponges last around 2-3 months, after which they can be composted. If you try this and like it, there are also larger Body Sponges that you can replace plastic loofahs with for another easy swap!

2 - Swap Your Aerosol or Plastic Roll-On Deodorant For Ben & Anna Natural Deodorant* (60g, £9.95, link)

The natural deodorant market has literally exploded with more choice than ever before so swapping to a natural deodorant in eco-friendly packaging is one of the easiest swaps to make these days. I've reviewed so many over the years (check out some of my reviews here) and I often chop and change between different brands. 

My current favourite for summer has been this Ben & Anna Natural Deodorant in Persian Lime which has such a beautiful zesty and fresh citrusy scent. It comes packaged in a handy twist-up cardboard tube that's easy to recycle afterwards, and each purchase helps to support ocean cleaning projects around the world.

3 & 4 - Swap Your Toothpaste & Floss To Ben & Anna Natural Toothpaste* (100ml, £8.95, link) and Georganics Natural Activated Charcoal Floss* (£4.90, link)

I've talked about plastic-free dental routines in the past, and again, the market for these products has grown enormously due to consumer demand which is very encouraging to see. There are lots and lots of natural toothpaste to choose from and I have another favourite from Ben & Anna here who do a brilliant range of fluoride and fluoride-free options so you can pick the one to suit your personal needs. All of their toothpaste is packaged in glass jars with an aluminium lid and come with a little wooden spatula that you can use to dispense the paste straight onto your brush.

Don't stop with just toothpaste though! Dentists recommend that we should all be flossing at least once a day for optimal gum and mouth health so grab one of these Georganics Natural Activated Charcoal Floss that comes in a reusable glass jar and buy the refills whenever you run out.

4 - Swap Your Plastic Shampoo Bottle for Marley's Pure & Natural Shampoo* (50g, £11.50, link)

Natural shampoos are perhaps the trickiest swap so save this one for last if you're new to this as I have personally found them to be a bit of a journey to find ones that work for your hair. However, I'm currently enjoying Marley's sustainable Pure & Natural Shampoo in Euclayltpus and Green Clay which is specially formulated for oily/greasy hair types.

This is quite different from the usual natural shampoo bars that you see people using, as inside the plastic-free bag are natural shampoo flakes. To use it, you simply add hot water to the bag, leave for 30 minutes to dissolve and once cool, transfer it to a reusable bottle (this could be your previous plastic shampoo bottle). Pop the bottle into the fridge overnight to rest and come the morning, it's ready to use! This is a good one to try if you haven't had much luck with traditional shampoo bars, and instead prefer a liquid-based shampoo.

6 - Swap Your Hand & Body Wash For A Soap Bar* (100g, £2.49, link)

We've all been washing our hands like crazy during the pandemic and unfortunately, all of that plastic waste that's generated from hand wash bottles is adding up, so if you only do one of these swaps, make it this one. I've loved seeing old-school bars of soap come back into fashion again! Versatile to have next to every sink in your home, you can choose your favourite natural ingredients and scent and enjoy a truly plastic-free, zero-waste alternative. Once you've swapped your hand washes, why not try using a bar or two in the shower instead of shower gel? Another easy plastic-free swap!

What are your favourite plastic-free beauty swaps?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

April Empties: Products I've Used Up (+ How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties)

 

Can you believe it's the 1st May already?! It's time for another Empties round-up; a short but sweet little edit of everything I've managed to use up lately, plus some tips on how you can easily recycle your beauty empties.

Truthpaste Peppermint & Wintergreen*

After a disappointing experience of trying to use dental tabs instead of regular toothpaste recently, I decided to switch to this plastic-free Truthpaste instead which I discovered in a zero-waste beauty box. It has a thick, 100% natural, clay-based formula with added Aloe Vera, Neem, and Myrrh and I liked it a lot! It's super minty and refreshing to use first thing in the morning. Repurchase? I'd definitely buy this again, though I do tend to alternate toothpaste as this one doesn't contain any fluoride. 

The Ordinary Squalane Oil*

If your skin is playing up and feeling tight or dry, you can't beat a 100% pure Squalane Oil to help restore the moisture levels in your complexion. This one from The Ordinary is not only a great price, but it has UV protective tinted glass packaging and just seems to last a lot longer than some other brands that I've tried. Repurchase? Yes.

Crazy Rumors Black Cherry Lip Balm*

I love, love, love Crazy Rumors Lip Balms and this Black Cherry flavour is one of my favourites for sure - I must have gone through loads of these over the years! It's cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and very affordable. Repurchase? I don't need to as there was one in last month's LoveLula Beauty Box :D

Green People Forest & Fruit Cypress & Tangerine Shower Gel*

Lovely, fresh and uplifting scent with a good mix of piney Cypress and fruity Tangerine notes, I'm a big fan of this Green People Shower Gel. Perfect to use for morning showers to help put you in a great mood for the day! SLS-free and made with 83% certified organic ingredients. Repurchase? I have a lot of shower gels and body washes to use up at the moment, but I will come back to this at some point in the future I'm sure.

Tropic Smoothing Cleanser*

Last, but not least, I've finished up a favourite cleanser of mine from Tropic. This Smoothing Cleanser has a luxurious, cream texture and doubles up as a make-up remover to gently melt away all traces of makeup and impurities. As it's a cream cleanser, it doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped afterward and it's easy to follow up with the rest of your evening skincare routine. Repurchase? Yes.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

• All of the glass and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-
• Recycling the pumps, lids and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Green Beauty: The Plastic Free Edit #PlasticFreeJuly

Going plastic-free is a journey that many of us are currently taking as we actively cut down on our plastic waste to help save our oceans and the environment. As we near the end of the Plastic Free July campaign, I wanted to share some of my favourite plastic-free green beauties in this handy edit that covers shampoos, hand and body soaps, toothpaste, deodorant and hand sanitiser.

 Shampoo Bars

Having tested out well over 40 or 50 different brands of shampoo bars over the years, I can honestly say that no two shampoo bars are the same and it's a real trial and error process to find 'the one' that will work perfectly for your hair. Some people find this easier than others depending on their particular hair types and concerns, and thankfully there are more and more shampoo bars being released to address frizzy hair, dry hair, coloured hair, damaged hair, greasy hair and everything in between - I promise 'the one' is out there somewhere so don't give hope just yet if you're finding the switch from plastic a bit more difficult than other people's experiences.

I'm a big fan of My. Haircare Rescue My Hair Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar which I dedicated a whole post to here earlier in the year, and for this round-up, I wanted to shine the spotlight onto two more options that have been working really well for me. 

If you have a fussy scalp like mine that's prone to dryness and dandruff and gets easily irritated, I would recommend trying EarthKind Shampoo Bar for Improved Scalp Health* (50g, £6.95, link). This vegan-friendly formula is free from sulphates and contains Tea Tree and Eucalyptus essential oils which have natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties so they can fend off the bacteria and yeast that can cause dandruff. I find this one really gentle and soothing for when my scalp feels itchy or sore and it has a lovely fresh scent to it.

Another SLS-free and vegan-friendly option is Nuddy Ultra Volume Shampoo Bar* (100g, £8.95, link) which is amazing if you have fine and dull hair that needs a bit of a volumising boost. It's pH balanced so again, great for sensitive scalps, and is infused with the likes of Coconut Oil and Argan Oil. This bar lathers up beautifully and makes your hair much more manageable and shiny. Fruity fans will also love the Acai Berry and Peach fragrance which is very summery.

 Body & Hand Soaps

Good old-fashioned bars of soaps are well and truly back in the nation's bathrooms, and the choice out there is utterly outstanding. From handcrafted, small-batch, artisan-style soaps to mainstream brands that you can pick up alongside your supermarket shopping, the options are seemingly endless when it comes to multi-purpose soaps that you can use for hands and body. I would be here all day if I listed all of my favourites so here are just two brands that I've been using a lot recently. 

The Tropic Cleansing Body Pebbles* (130g, £8 each, link) are round body soaps that are perfect for using in the shower and their larger size makes them easier to hold too. These are great for dry skin as they contain Shea Butter and Oat Oil to help moisturise, they lather up well, and with four different scents available, there's something for everyone; I particularly love the Original and Creamy Colada Body Pebbles, both of which smell gorgeous.

For a budget-friendly alternative, you can't beat the amazing Organii Cream Soaps* (100g, £2.95, link) which are SLS-free, made from 100% natural ingredients, are vegan-friendly and produced Carbon Neutral with Greenpeace energy. These deliciously creamy Shea Butter based soaps have natural essential oils added to them after saponification and they've recently brought out five new scents, two of which you can see above; Almond & Avocado and Verbena & Lemon. They're heavenly! 

 Toothpaste & Deodorant

It's the little things that really add up when you're switching to plastic-free alternatives, so have a look at the everyday products that you and your family use, and see if there's one which is plastic-free next time when it runs out. Most of us use toothpaste and deodorant every day and whilst these plastic-free alternatives are more expensive, they have much better ingredients in them and are made by ethical brands so if you can afford to, invest in those companies that you want to see more of by purchasing their eco-friendly products for a better world for everyone.

There are lots of options becoming readily available for plastic-free toothpaste, from solid bars and 'tooth tabs', to tubes that feel like regular plastic but are actually made from biodegradable sugarcane. I know many of my readers prefer products which are packaged in glass so the Ben & Anna Natural Toothpaste* (100ml, £8.95, link) range would be perfect for you. The paste is a little thinner than the mainstream equivalents, but it's easy to use the mini wooden spatula that comes with each jar to scoop up a small amount and apply it to your toothbrush - then you simply brush your teeth as normal - easy! With fluoride and fluoride-free formulas available, you simply can't go wrong.

Plastic-free deodorant alternatives also come in a range of different formats, but the most common is as a solid stick or cream in a jar or tin, the latter of which you'll find from We Love The Planet. Their Forever Fresh Deodorant* (48g, £8.99, link) is a hard-working deo which keeps you smelling fresh all day thanks to a powerful combination of Beeswax, Coconut Oil and Cornstarch Powder, citrusy essential oils and botanical herbs. It has a thick and creamy balm type texture and is easy to apply with your fingers. 

Hand Sanitiser

Whilst we don't yet know what the lasting physical and mental effects of Coronavirus will be for ourselves, we do know that the ongoing fight against it requires billions of pieces of plastic to be produced and ultimately thrown away, whether in landfill or burnt into the atmosphere. Much of this is unavoidable at this point in time as sadly as there is no cost-effective alternative yet to plastic-based PPE, but there are a few things that we can do as individuals to help. We can switch to plastic-free soaps for hand-washing, wear a reusable cotton/cloth face mask that can be popped into the washing machine after each use, and we can make better choices about the hand sanitiser that we carry everywhere that we go.

One such brand who are leading the way is Beauty Kitchen who have developed an Organic Vegan Hand Sanitiser (link) as part of The Sustainables range. Made with 62% alcohol, Organic Aloe Vera and naturally antibacterial Mint essential oils, it has a light and refreshing, non-sticky feeling and comes packaged in a recyclable aluminium bottle. You can either refill this yourself by purchasing more direct from Beauty Kitchen, or you can send it back to them for free as part of their Return, Refill, Repeat scheme (read more here) where it will be washed and reused. You can also do this with the plastic pump when it wears out and Beauty Kitchen will recycle it for you!

What are your favourite plastic-free alternatives?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 

Read more

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?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

The Eco-Friendly Gift: Green Future Box review

Living a more sustainable lifestyle doesn't have to be boring or daunting. Quite the opposite in fact! With a subscription to the Green Future Box, you'll receive a specially chosen selection of plastic-free alternatives that you'll use every day.

We all know that we need to change some of our daily habits to help save the planet and preserve it for generations to come. I'm sure most of you reading this have already made changes such as ditching single-use plastic or making the pledge to go vegan or to eat less meat. If you haven't yet and want to, the Green Future Box is a great place to start and appeals to sustainable beginners, as well as those who are currently living a more responsible eco-friendly lifestyle. 

The aim of Green Future Box is to provide subscribers with plastic-free alternatives to products that they may use every day or on a regular basis. Everything inside the box is cruelty-free and suitable for vegans too, plus the contents are guaranteed to be worth a minimum of £30. When you sign up, they ask you a couple of questions which allows the company to customise the box to your needs, and it's worth pointing out that you can change these answers or cancel your subscription at any time.

I was kindly sent last month's Green Future Box to review which naturally came delivered in completely plastic-free packaging - yay! 

 Flawless Micellar Water Aloe & Lavender (100ml)

Packaged in a recycled glass bottle complete with a recycled aluminium lid (both of which can be recycled again after use), Flawless Micellar Water is a gentle cleansing fluid that's infused with natural extracts such as Aloe and Lavender to be kind to sensitive skin types. Simply pour a little onto a reusable cotton/cloth pad and sweep over the face to remove makeup, daily grime and impurities. I love using this as a first cleanse in the evening to 'take the day off'.

Flawless Detoxify & Cleanse Activated Charcoal Organic Sheet Mask

Also from Flawless is an Organic Sheet Mask, which like the Micellar Water, is made in Wales in small batches. Open the packet and you'll find a biodegradable organic cotton sheet mask which is saturated in a detoxifying formula that features ingredients such as Activated Charcoal, Aloe Vera, Juniperberry, Rosemary and Patchouli. Apply to a clean face, sit back and relax for 15-20 minutes whilst it works its deep cleansing magic to draw out impurities and soothe blemishes and breakouts.

 Little Green Wood Reusable Face Wipes

This cute pack of handmade Reusable Face Wipes from Little Green Wood are made from organic cotton and fleece material and have a different texture on each side to suit your personal care needs. The woven cotton side is great for using with your favourite cleanser morning or night and provides a little exfoliation for the skin at the same time, whilst the fleece side is super soft and ideal to use with the Flawless Micellar Water above to gently remove eye makeup. Once you're done, simply place them into the organic cotton mesh bag provided and pop them in with the rest of your laundry in the washing machine - easy!

Georganics Natural Toothpowder and Natural Floss

Plastic waste from everyday products such as dental care is a massive issue for the planet but with this duo from Georganics, you needn't be part of the problem anymore. Their Natural Toothpowder comes in a glass jar with an aluminium lid and boasts natural whitening and stain-removing properties thanks to a base blend of Magnesium and Sodium Bicarbonate. The fluoride-free powder is also flavoured with Spearmint and Eucalyptus for a breath-freshening result every time. Never used a toothpowder before? Just wet your toothbrush and dip it into the jar, then brush as normal.

Follow up with the Natural Floss which is made with Activated Charcoal fibres and you'll have a happy and healthy oral hygiene routine that doesn't impact on the planet!

Green Future Box* costs £19.99 with free UK postage - subscribe at greenfuturebox.co.uk

Do you subscribe to an eco-friendly box?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Introducing: My EcoBox - May 2019 review #FreshStart

Adopting a more environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle can seem a bit daunting or overwhelming at first, especially if you're new to the concept or haven't really given much thought about the changes that you can make before. To help you on your way, I'm delighted to introduce a brand new subscription box called My EcoBox who released their first ever box last month.

My EcoBox is a monthly subscription box that basically makes sustainable living super easy by sending you useful products to help you to reduce your waste and personal impact on the planet. These products are the kinds of things that you'll likely use every day so that the changes really do add up, and they'll blend seamlessly into your daily routine like they've always been there. Honestly, it couldn't be easier to go green in 2019!

Last week saw the exciting launch of My EcoBox's first box and I was delighted to be sent one to review. The box is entirely plastic-free and themed 'Fresh Start' to get you started on your zero waste journey, so let's take a closer look at the contents.

Save Some Green Tooth Tabs 

Did you know that most toothpaste tubes (the standard soft plastic, flexible ones) can't be easily recycled and that many councils in the UK can't collect them for recycling with the rest of your plastic waste? Considering that the majority of us brush our teeth at least twice a day, switching to a plastic-free alternative has never been more important and these Tooth Tabs are a brilliant idea!

To use them, simply pop one in your mouth and chew until it feels smooth, then brush your teeth as normal. They're formulated with fluoride like regular toothpaste and are perfect for travelling with because they're solid so they won't affect your carry on liquid allowance at the airport. 

Save Some Green Stainless Steel Angled Straws with Cleaning Brush 

Get a head start on the plastic straw ban with these chic and stylish Stainless Steel Angled Straws. These reusable straws can be used in all of your favourite hot and cold drinks and this set of four comes complete with a cleaning brush - another easy plastic-free swap for the whole family!

Bliss Botanicals Joy Soap Vanilla and Shea Butter 

I absolutely love the fact that solid bars of soap have come back into vogue again because I've been using them for years as a hand soap by all of the sinks in the house. This particularly lovely bar of soap is made by Bliss Botanicals and it smells so, so good - like something that you would pick up from Lush. Ditch the liquid soap dispenser and replace it with one of these for silky soft hands, or use it in the shower or bath.

rCup Reusable Travel Cup 

I'm so pleased that My EcoBox has included a Reusable Travel Cup in their launch box because it's one of those products that I constantly see people talking about purchasing on social media, but then they don't get around to it. A staggering 2.5 billion takeaway coffee cups are thrown away every year just in the UK alone, and it's estimated that up to 98% of these can't be recycled due to the plastic lining in the cups, which just adds to the growing landfill waste problem.

This rCup is the world's first insulated travel cup to be made from used coffee cups. It's also 100% leak-proof and features a nifty push open/close mechanism so that busy commuters have ease of access to their drink when they're juggling phones and everything else. Dishwasher safe and BPA free, make sure that you never leave home without it!

Greener Habits Co. Bamboo Toothbrush

Last but not least, there's a Bamboo Toothbrush from Greener Habits Co. These eco-friendly toothbrushes have become a popular plastic-free alternative as bamboo is an amazing sustainable crop that's also 100% biodegradable after use. It's estimated that we use over 300 toothbrushes in our lifetime, with most of these ending up in our rivers and oceans as plastic waste, so this is another super easy daily switch that you can make. Each Bamboo Toothbrush purchase also supports the Friend Farm Animal Sanctuary too - nice one Greener Habits Co!

My EcoBox* is a subscription box that costs £23 per month. To find out more and to subscribe, visit myecobox.co.uk

What do you think of My EcoBox?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

April Empties: Products I've Used Up

I can't quite believe that it's May already - where has the time gone this year?! Here are my latest Empties/products that I've used up, my thoughts on them and whether I'll be repurchasing any or not.

YOPE Ginger Sandalwood Natural Liquid Soap* (reviewed here)

This huge bottle has been in my bathroom for months and I've been using it for so many different things; as a hand wash, shower gel, to clean my makeup brushes, the list goes on! It's a brilliant multi-purpose liquid soap and I loved the fresh Ginger Sandalwood scent. My only bugbear with it was that the pump was prone to clogging up which was annoying. Repurchase? I'm trying to cut down on my plastic waste, so I probably wouldn't repurchase it as I'm switching to a lot of bar soaps instead, but I do like this range a lot.

Davines OI Shampoo (link)

I picked this up in the last Cult Beauty sale and it's such an amazing shampoo that's definitely worth all the hype (Caroline Hirons is a fan). It really suited my hair (fine with oily roots and dry ends/lengths) and a little went a long way which is a massive plus considering that it's quite pricey. Repurchase? Definitely will when I see it on offer again.

Benecos Seabuckthorn & Orange Shower Gel* (link)

If you want a shower gel that feels luxurious and high end but only costs £6, you can't go wrong with any of the body washes from Benecos. I've used this Seabuckthorn & Orange one a couple of times in the past and often go back to it because it smells so good! Lovely, gentle SLS-free formula too. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some others.

Human+Kind Orange Conditioner for Dry Hair

Another orange scented product that I've thoroughly enjoyed using is this Conditioner from the ethical brand Human+Kind. I loved the scent, texture and how it made my notoriously dry hair so soft and manageable after every use. Repurchase? Sadly not as I believe this has been discontinued now.

Organiqua Hemp, Peppermint & Cocoa Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

Looking for a plastic-free lip balm? Try this one! I've been using this lip balm since Christmas and it's served me well throughout the Winter months. It's 100% natural and has a simple blend of nourishing ingredients like Shea Butter, Hemp Oil and Cocoa Butter to keep chapped lips at bay. Repurchase? Yes, I'll buy it again once I've gotten through some of my crazy lip balm stash!

PHB Ethical Beauty Hydrating Facial Tonic in Ylang Ylang* (link)

This was a lovely toner to use when the weather was colder as it very much suited my skin when it was drier and more dehydrated. If you have mature skin, I think you'll also love this. Repurchase? Will do next Winter.

Ecodenta Coconut Toothpaste* (link)

I've had a couple of messages from people asking if I use natural toothpaste, so I thought I'd start putting them into my Empties posts for those who are interested. I've tried out a few from Ecodenta when they were in the Penny Sale at Holland & Barrett and recently finished this Coconut one. It helped to brighten up my teeth a little and I liked the coconut flavour which was a nice change from mint. Repurchase? Not sure as I'm trying some from Lavera now and think I prefer those!

What have you used up recently?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more