Horsemen of the eco-apocalypse
A person quickly gets used to the good, that's a fact. Over time, many things, procedures, processes have entered our lives, without which we are already without hands. Without them, we feel helpless and immediately run to the store. But is it environmentally friendly? Let's take a look at some simple examples!1. Disposable cotton buds
Cotton buds are very convenient. But unfortunately, it is for this reason that the inhabitants of the Earth throw out about 1.5 billion cotton swabs a year. Due to the one-time use, their life cycle is maybe 5-10 minutes. Until you throw them in the trash.
Once in a landfill, polypropylene, from which the stick itself is made, will begin to decompose into microplastics (balls with a diameter of up to 5 mm). Then it will get into groundwater and into the stomachs of fish, which swallow them, no different from water or food. And in the end, into our stomach along with this very fish.
It turns out that we eat cotton swabs?
To be fair, the war on cotton swabs has already begun. In 2019, the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs banned the sale and production of sticks, guided by just a short lifespan and not environmentally friendly!
2. Beauty products with non-environmental composition
We already know that non-natural products can be harmful to our skin. But at the same time, such products (in particular those that you wash down the drain) are also harmful to the environment.
Hydrophilic oil. The hydrophilic oil itself, if it has a high-quality and natural composition, can be washed down the sink. But components that are harmful to wastewater are often added to hydrophiles. For example, mineral oil and aggressive emulsifiers.
Mineral oil is a by-product of oil refining, essentially refined petroleum. No comment here - this oil should not be washed down the sink. In the composition, look for the words: Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Paraffinum Subliquidum, Paraffinum Liquidum. If you see PEG, PPG components and names ending in -eth (for example, Ceteareth-33) in the list, you should not wash the oil down the sink either - it pollutes wastewater.
Creams for depilation. Depilatory creams often contain ingredients that contaminate the water. For example, those that we have already talked about: mineral oil and PEG.
Hair dye. There are always chemical dyes in unnatural paint. Of course, they harm wastewater. The most dangerous are aromatic amines, carcinogens. They accumulate in the environment.
The best thing you can do in this situation is to study the compositions.
3. Spray deodorants
Spray deodorant has firmly entered the life of modern people. In many respects this was facilitated by advertising. Yes, and in itself the convenience of application.
Unfortunately, some deodorants release volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs or VOCs). It is from these molecules that urban smog is formed. As well as propellant gases that provoke negative climate change and contribute to air pollution.
4. Disposable beauty products
This also applies to masks and hydrogel patches for the area around the eyes.
There is only one comment here - besides the fact that the materials themselves from which these products are made do not decompose well in the environment, they leave a lot of packaging with a minimum life cycle. Which of course deals a significant blow to the ecosystem.
What happened next
Now there are many alternatives to disposable and non-environmental things. In any eco-store you can find a wooden toothbrush, a reusable coffee cup, and even all the same cosmetic sticks and discs. And in beauty markets, you can easily find cosmetics in recyclable packaging and with a good composition.
Therefore, we begin to form eco-habits now! Below we have collected the top habits that you can already do, we are sure :)
1. Buy reusable products
In particular, this applies to just cotton buds and discs. For the former, there are two cool alternatives - bamboo cotton swabs and reusable ones. Reusable exist for ear cleaning and cosmetic.
You can find both in any eco-store.
An eco-friendly option for disposable cosmetic discs - reusable flannel fabric. Or muslin napkins. Both materials are quite gentle to the skin, they are easy to rinse in water.
2. Pay attention to products in recyclable containers
Count how many jars are on your table right now - six, eight, more?
One day, they will run out of funds. So, the question immediately arises, is it possible to recycle the remaining jar? Is it easy to take apart and wash?
In order not to suffer every time, choose products in the most simple and recyclable packaging. All containers for SmoRodina products are cardboard, aluminum, glass. Aluminum and glass do not absorb odors or colors and are easy to reuse. The same goes for recycling.
And if you have found such a tool, but are worried about the recycling of the dispenser, then feel free to take it unassembled to the Collector Eco-center - they will recycle it correctly there.
3. Buy offline
Critics may argue that by going to the mall you encourage a huge waste of electricity and other natural resources that are needed to maintain it.
Unfortunately, now you can buy everything you need only in this way. But you can reduce your carbon footprint by not shipping!
One trip to the shopping center is the absence of CO2 emission from a courier rushing with express delivery by car, several meters of plastic packaging, and adhesive tape.
Three - five funds that, after going to the shopping center, can easily fit in your purse, are not worth the cost, believe me;)
4. Buy the funds you need
How do you know what you really need? First you need to temporarily disconnect from advertising, advice from bloggers, friends. This is important, as advice is given by people who have already approached these products, with all their skin characteristics. So, not the fact that they will suit you.
Advertising is simply designed to sell you another new beautiful jar.
If you are not very familiar with your skin, do not know its type and condition, and are trying to mask only external manifestations (redness, inflammation), advice from the outside will most likely not be useful to you.
But it will be very useful to visit a dermatologist. The specialist will tell you what components to look for in the means, which ones to avoid.
A little about how much makeup you really need
If you know your type and condition, we advise you to take a closer look at the minimalist SmoRodina care system: cleansing - toning - serum (basic care) - cream (basic care) - additional care (masks).
By following this system, you will buy much less funds. But all of them will be really effective!
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Cleansing is the most important step in skin care; the cleanser soothes the skin, gently removes the mixture of sebum and dust accumulated during the day;
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Toning - the stage helps to invigorate the skin a little, prepare it for basic care products;
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Basic care (serum) is actually the main stage in the entire care system; the concentrate has the main effect on the skin, responding to its basic needs;
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Basic care (cream) - the cream not only fixes the action of the serum, but also closes it (water-based serum gradually evaporates from the skin, leaving a minimum of useful components), retaining all the benefits in the skin;
- Additional care (masks) is a favorite stage of care after a hard day at work, during weekends or holidays. Masks pamper the skin, give it maximum benefit, make it radiant, and the face rested.