The law relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy (AGEC) of 10th February 2020 contains several articles that directly impact the industrialists in the cosmetic sector. These are thus strongly encouraged, even obliged, to review some of their practices with the aim of limiting cosmetic waste. However, on a consumer scale, several simple actions can already be implemented by everyone to combat this waste.
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The practices to adopt to limit cosmetic waste.
Summary
- Selecting skincare products that are suitable for one's skin and its specific issues
- Finishing one's cosmetic bottles and jars
- Recycling one's bottles
- Giving a second life to one's 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 proportion of beauty products are discarded while they are not yet finished, or sometimes barely used. This can be partly explained by the fact that some individuals make mistakes in their purchases and invest in skincare products that are not suitable for their skin types and/or their specific issues. This then leads to skin reactions (redness, tightness, itching...) or simply dissatisfaction with the expected results on their skin.
Of course, these symptoms can also be the result of an allergic reaction to a component present in the product's formulation. If you find yourself in this situation, familiarise yourself with the list of ingredients in the specific skincare product to avoid any further allergic reactions.
To minimise such inconveniences as much as possible, it is crucial to understand your skin and its needs. Do not hesitate to conduct your skin diagnosis to discover your skin type and turn to suitable care.
Finishing one's cosmetic bottles and jars.
If the product is suitable for your skin, to minimise 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 opted for aluminium. Extremely lightweight and durable, it is one of the few materials that can be recycled indefinitely without ever losing its quality. Moreover, it is airtight: you can use your skincare product to the very end without leaving a single 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 has expired, one must refer to the PAO (Period After Opening). Generally, this 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 disposed of in the appropriate bins. At Typology, smaller packaging sizes are made of glass and the larger ones from recyclable plastic, to avoid being too heavy. The tubes are made of aluminium, a material that can be recycled indefinitely.
Giving a second life to one's cosmetic products.
Several beauty products can be repurposed to avoid having to discard them:
Clear nail varnishes and hardened, dried top coats can be applied to jewellery to prevent them from leaving green marks on the skin due to metal oxidation. Please note that if you wish to preserve your liquid varnishes for as long as possible, it is recommended to store them in the refrigerator.
A mascara or foundation that has dried out will regain its liquid appearance 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, do not hesitate to mix it with a bit of moisturising cream. This will save you from throwing it away!
Diagnostic
Understand your skin
and its complex needs.