Plastic Free July is here! So, if you’re looking for a great excuse to explore ways to minimise plastic or go completely zero waste, this July is a perfect time.

Before you fill up your tote bag with jars and head to your local bulk food store, the first step to reducing plastic is to pause and do a ‘plastic stocktake’ of your home. This is where you look around and through your cupboards and drawers to get to know where you use the most single-use plastics in your home. Often, this will be in the kitchen and bathroom.

Plastic Free July have a great quiz you can take if you’re unsure which plastics you can minimise and swap out for reusable or low-waste options. Some common single-use items are plastic bags, bottles, and coffee cups, all of which have very easy-to-find reusable alternatives now.

But what about those items that are harder to stop using, like products in your skincare and beauty routine? There can’t really be zero waste swaps for all plastic, can there? We’ve done our own plastic stocktake and have curated some of our favourite zero-waste skincare swaps to help you tackle those trickier single-use plastics in your bathroom.

1. Lip Balm

We love ELIA Balms & Blends lip balms! Vegan, natural, high-quality, and in a biodegradable container, they’re the only lip treatment you need.

There is no compromise of natural and quality ingredients with ELIA products. Their lip treatments come in three flavours – Restore (Unscented), Recover (Litsea and Peppermint), and Mrs Grey Tea Infused. All types have soothing and hydrating properties to ensure that your lips are well cared for in any weather, any time.

Each treatment also has a generous helping of zinc oxide to protect your lips from damaging UV, as well as raspberry seed oil and vitamin E oil to keep your lips supple and nurtured. Best of all, no plastic required!

2. Cleansing Oil

Say goodbye to single-use cleansers in plastic bottles and hello to soft, glowing skin and a clear conscience with Winki Zinc’s cleansing oils, packaged sustainably. Available in two different formulas – summer fruit or olive, avocado & jojoba – these cleansers gently remove dirt, make-up and sunscreens without stripping your skin of its own beneficial oils, and without leaving a big environmental footprint.

3. Face Scrub & Exfoliator

The best part about going zero waste with your skincare is that you’ll often get a free tin or container to reuse after you’ve finished with your product. This is exactly how Sunbutter Skincare have designed their collection. Check out their Rosalina & Marshmallow Face Scrub, a 3-in-1 gentle exfoliant, cleansing powder and clay mask for sensitive skin.

4. Deodorant

Are you still using deodorant in cans or plastic? Once you’ve met ELIA Balms & Blends’ natural deodorant in their reusable tins, you won’t go back! Available with or without bicarb, they have a formula for everybody. Check out their range or order your introductory samples here.

5. Sunscreen

It’s time to stop buying sunscreen in plastic bottles and tubes because we’ve found your new favourite: Sunbutter Skincare’s SPF50, water-resistant AND reef-safe sunscreen in a durable tin. What’s more, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, rubs in clear, AND it’s made right here in Australia in a solar-powered factory. Have you tried Sunbutter sunscreen yet?

6. Lip & Cheek Tint

Who said you had to use plastic to achieve a subtle, glowy makeup look? Winki Zinc’s Lip & Cheek Tints are our favourite must-have in your beach bag or daypack. The packaging is biodegradable and the formula is free from oxybenzone, fragrances, and preservatives. How would you use these low-waste colours?

We get just how challenging going plastic-free can be, especially when it can take a while to work through skincare and beauty products. Our number one tip is to go slow, use up what you have first, and invest in quality new products when the time is right. Before long and through those small swaps, you’ll have achieved your plastic-free goals and created earth-friendly habits to last a lifetime.

Are you taking part in Plastic Free July this year? Which items do you find hard to find a low or zero-waste alternative for? Join in the conversation over on our Instagram, we’d love to hear your thoughts.