Want A More Natural Beauty Routine? Here Are 6 Easy Changes You Can Make

By Kate Marin

We’ve all had a tuned-in friend tell us they’re making the switch to a more natural beauty routine. Though the change might seem ambitious (we know how long it takes to curate your go-to products, after all), the benefits (like living more sustainably and being more conscious of what you’re putting on your body) are absolutely worth it.

There actually is a simple — and affordable — way to transition to a cleaner beauty routine. In collaboration with Cotton, we’re sharing six subtle changes to your routine that can actually make a major difference. If everyone made just a few simple swaps, we’d be making significant strides toward protecting our planet (and ourselves, too). From limiting usage of chemical-laden products to cutting down on water waste, here are a few easy changes you can make now.

Check out more ways to live in cotton here.

Earth Therapeutics Moisturizing Hand Gloves
Ever since keratin gloves became the latest manicure trend, beauty insiders have been using them at home. But think about it: The plastic gloves that contain keratin and other skin-nourishing ingredients are single-use, meaning a lot of material gets tossed away — especially if you're giving yourself multiple manis a month. Why not DIY a cleaner version? Massage your hands with a lotion packed with keratin, then slip into a pair of cotton gloves made for moisturizing. They easily wash clean for plenty of reuse, and because of cotton’s tough fibers, they won’t get worn out after the first round.
Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes with Cotton Extract
Taking off your makeup is never easy, but it’s especially tricky in the pesky eye area that accumulates layers of primer, shadow, liner, and mascara. Instead of using cleansing solutions that require intense scrubbing (and a longer-running faucet as a result), invest in natural towelettes that take makeup off in just one swipe. Each is infused with softening cotton extract to soothe sensitive skin and protect against irritants.
Detox Deodorant Kit: Original
Even if you’re reading labels on your deodorant, some questionable chemicals can be hidden in the “fragrance” component. And because your underarms contain lymph nodes and sweat glands, it’s a spot where you can be more susceptible to absorb harmful chemicals—that makes a natural formula all the more important. Natural essential oils like rosemary and tea tree oil can act as antiseptics, and their antibacterial properties can fight odor before it starts (and add a nice scent, too). Be sure your deodorant is aluminum- and chemical-free.
Clean Classic: Cool Cotton
Did you know that perfume is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to toxic ingredients? Because what goes into many fragrances is considered a trade secret, companies aren’t required to divulge as much information as they would for other beauty products. Thankfully, a new crop of perfumers that focus on allergen- and chemical-free formulas have emerged, and we feel good about spritzing on their scents. Clean Beauty Collective is a great choice because it’s transparent about its clean ingredients and also comes in eco-conscious packaging.
Nude Lip Crayon Duo
What we put on our lips inevitably ends up in our mouths. There’s actually a staggering statistic out there that says a woman will consume seven pounds of lipstick in her lifetime, on average. Switching to a lip mask and crayon duo crafted from orange peel and shea butter and is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates means you won’t be ingesting anything that’s bad for you.
DRYBAR The Morning After Shower Cap
Even if we have the time, daily hair washing can strip our strands of healthy oils. A shower cap is our trusted sidekick because it’s the only way we can ensure our blowout stays put while we rinse off. This one’s terrycloth lining absorbs shower steam, and a cotton-lined elastic grip ensures the fit is secure. Less hair washing means less time under the shower head — and that’s a win for the environment, and your hair.