Reading this in bed with a face full of makeup on, far too exhausted to make the several-foot trek to your bathroom? No need to freak out yet! One time and you’re more or less fine.
Making it a habit, however, is another story.
Because nighttime is prime time for skin regeneration, and when you block your skin’s ability to breathe, you slow the process down. This can leave your beautiful mug more vulnerable to a host of things like oilier skin, breakouts, uneven skin tone, wider pores, and, worst-case scenario, allergic reactions or infections.
For more info, we got a hold of Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, a New York City–based dermatologist, to talk us through the effects of hitting the hay before hitting the sink.
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
If one of your 2020 goals is to use more eco-friendly products and less plastic, then you, my friend, are in luck. I used a variety of different products in 2019 and want to share my faves with you. Even if you only switch out one of your plastic products for a more Earth-friendly one, you're already on the right track!
Meow Meow Tweet, Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed
I have acne-prone skin that gets a bit oily as the day goes on. I was VERY surprised at how well this solid face wash works for me. It's clarifying without drying my skin out, and my face always feels incredibly refreshed after I use it. Meow Meow Tweet's description says that the tea tree and eucalyptus oils help combat skin blemishes. That must be what's working because I don't break out when I include it in my routine twice a day (morning/night). The entire solid face wash lasted me about two months, and I'm already on my third purchase.
2.Daily Dry Shampoo, a different way to use dry shampoo that'll still help cut that greasy look.
Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed
To match my oily skin, I also have...oily hair! I would go through at least one can of dry shampoo spray every month. What can I say? I'm lazy when it comes to washing my hair. I saw an Instagram targeted ad for Daily Dry Shampoo and wanted to try it out. Guys, I really love it. You can control how much you use and where you're applying it with an applicator brush instead of just spraying your whole head with a spray can. A little goes a lot way, too. My hair looks fresh, nongreasy, and READY TO GO.
3.Reusable pads to use instead of disposable ones, and Loli Beauty's toner that is incredibly gentle on sensitive skin.
Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed
I know these are two products, but I'm putting them together for a reason. I don't like buying cotton rounds because you use them and then they end up in a landfill. I got the reusable makeup rounds shown from Makeup Eraser early in 2019, but I saw that they're no longer carried on the site. (So here's a similar product!) Hopefully they'll come back because they're great not only for removing eye makeup but also for applying toner. Loli Beauty's blue cornflower toner is my preferred product because it's super gentle on sensitive skin. Even better, the packaging that it comes in is 100% compostable!
Get reusable pads from Amazon for $14.59 and the toner from Loli Beauty for $38.
4.Terra Ties' biodegradable hair ties, a solution to getting your hair out of your face without harming the Earth.
Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed, Amazon
Hi, my name is Farrah, and I'm an expert at losing bobby pins, ChapStick, and hair ties. But for real, I wonder HOW many plastic hair ties I've lost that are now just...polluting the Earth. Ugh. I decided to make the switch to these biodegradable hair ties for that reason. Honestly, they're not much different from your standard (nonrubber) hair tie. They get the job done, and you can live your life guilt-free if you accidentally lose one!
2019 was a huge year for me trying to discover makeup brands that are zero-waste or plastic-free. If you walk into any makeup store, SO MANY of the products are packaged in plastic. And then what do you do when you're done with one? THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE. This blush from Antonym is packed in sustainable bamboo packaging and is 100% cruelty-free. And y'all...THE COLOR IS GORGEOUS. I've been using this daily since August and have barely made a dent in it. This pigment is called "Cheek Crush" and you absolutely do feel like you're crushin' it when you wear it.
6.Elate's Refresh Fresh Tint foundation, a lightweight formula for your face that lasts.
Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed
I'm not a heavy foundation user. I personally don't like how it looks or feels on my own skin. Elate's Refresh Fresh Tint foundation doesn't feel heavy on your skin, but that means you also don't get a full, thick coverage but instead more of a sheer coverage. It's perfect for what I want, which is to give my skin a little smooth boost so that it looks fresh — but still natural. I've had this for about four months and I'm almost to the halfway point. According to Elate, its foundation is packaged in glass jars with recyclable plastic lids. All the pieces can be rinsed and recycled, and the bamboo strip from lids can be crushed and composted.
Get it from Elate for $32 (available in 14 shades).
Lush
It's no secret that I really do love Lush products. Last year was my first time trying the Roots hair treatment, which is made with peppermint oils to revitalize your scalp and also virgin olive oil and honey to condition your hair. I used this about once a week because you have to apply it, wait about 20–25 minutes, and then rinse it off in the shower. But every time I used it I felt a difference! My hair was softer and had more volume to it. It took me about 10 months to go through the giant container, so in my opinion you're getting your money's worth.
Get it from Lush for $22.95-plus (available in two sizes).
8.Thinx period underwear, a better solution for reducing menstrual waste for people who have periods.
Thinx
I've really got to end on the best of the best. I tried Thinx for the first time this year because I was sick of throwing away so many pads, tampons, and panty liners every month. I have some health issues that make using a menstrual cup impossible, so I was really excited to try Thinx. First of all, it does not feel like you're wearing a diaper — or even a pad. And, yes, everything gets absorbed. I haven't had one leak or one mess while using mine. I only have one pair, so I hand-wash it after every use as well as to make sure it's throughly cleaned. However, I definitely want to get a second pair in 2020!
Get it from Thinx for $24-plus (available in sizes XXS–3XL and a variety of styles and colors).
Those were my favorite products of 2019, and I'm excited to try out more in 2020. Let me know your favorite eco-friendly product in the comments below!
