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9 Best Recyclable Beauty Products Worth Adding To Your Routine

Honestly such an easy way to make an eco-friendly routine.

Headshot of Lauren BalsamoBy Lauren Balsamo
recyclable beauty products
Katie Buckleitner

Bad news first: Nearly 50 percent of Americans don’t recycle their empty beauty and personal care products—kinda understandable, given how confusing the rules around tossing these containers can be. But it's also kinda scary, considering that billions (yep, you read that right, BILLIONS) of new packaging pieces that are produced for the cosmetics industry every single year. Now for the good news: Recycling and properly disposing of our empties is getting a lot easier, as sustainable hair, makeup, and skincare brands work to clarify, simplify, and streamline the planet-saving process for consumers. So if you've been totally overwhelmed by the idea of switching up your beauty routine—even if you know you really should—here are the nine best recyclable beauty products that you'll feel good about incorporating into your routine.

1
Best Recyclable Face Wash

Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser

Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser
1
Best Recyclable Face Wash

Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser

Now 24% Off
$9 at Amazon$9 at Walmart
Credit: Courtesy Image

All Burt’s Bees empties (including this face wash) can be recycled via TerraCycle, a company that gives plastic and waste a second (or third) life. Just request and download a shipping label, drop your used stuff in a box, and send it back to TerraCycle. So simple—and free!

2
Best Recyclable Eyeshadow Palette

Athr Beauty Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone Eyeshadow Palette

Athr Beauty Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone Eyeshadow Palette
2
Best Recyclable Eyeshadow Palette

Athr Beauty Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone Eyeshadow Palette

Credit: Courtesy Image

Unlike many eyeshadow palettes, Athr's doesn’t use hard-to-recycle pieces like mirrors or magnets. This one’s made from aluminum and paper, so you can just separate the two and toss ’em in your recycling bin.

3
Best Recyclable Face Mist

PYT Beauty One & Done Setting Spray

PYT Beauty One & Done Setting Spray
3
Best Recyclable Face Mist

PYT Beauty One & Done Setting Spray

Credit: Courtesy Image

On the PYT Beauty website, you can select a product and click the “How I’m Sustainable” tab. It’ll break down each of the materials and components that make up the packaging plus how to separate and properly recycle them.

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4
Best Recyclable Lip Balm

Ethique Pepped Up Cooling Peppermint Lip Balm

Ethique Pepped Up Cooling Peppermint Lip Balm
4
Best Recyclable Lip Balm

Ethique Pepped Up Cooling Peppermint Lip Balm

Credit: Courtesy Image

Nearly 200 million plastic lip balm tubes are produced every year, and the vast majority of them aren't recycled. It's the reason why Ethique created this minty, moisturizing formula that's housed in biodegradable paper packaging that's fully compostable both at home and curbside.

5
Best Recyclable Shampoo

Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Shampoo Bar

Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Shampoo Bar
5
Best Recyclable Shampoo

Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Shampoo Bar

Now 11% Off
Credit: Courtesy Image

This innovative shampoo bar (one bar lasts about two months) is made with zero percent plastic so you don't have to do any guessing when it comes to recycling. Once you open the cardboard packaging, simply drop it in your recycling bin and you're done.

6
Best Recyclable Sunscreen

Saie Sunvisor Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 35

Saie Sunvisor Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 35
6
Best Recyclable Sunscreen

Saie Sunvisor Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 35

Credit: Courtesy Image

When it comes to transparency and sustainability, Saie does it best. Head to their site to see exactly how each product's packaging is made (this face sunscreen's's tube is made from 100 percent sugarcane bioresin, a renewable and carbon neutral form of plastic) and exactly how to recycle them too.

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7
Best Recyclable Moisturizer

Kinship Supermello Hydrating Gel-Cream Moisturizer

Kinship Supermello Hydrating Gel-Cream Moisturizer
7
Best Recyclable Moisturizer

Kinship Supermello Hydrating Gel-Cream Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image

All of Kinship's products—including this hydrating face moisturizer—take sustainability to another level. The lid and jar are made with ocean waste plastic (aka plastic that's been collecting during ocean clean ups) and post-consumer recycled plastic and is easily recycled too—just wipe it clean and drop it in your blue bin.

8
Best Recyclable Mascara

Izzy Zero Waste Mascara

Izzy Zero Waste Mascara
8
Best Recyclable Mascara

Izzy Zero Waste Mascara

Credit: Courtesy Image

Three months after buying, you’ll be reminded to ship back your used mascara in the canvas mailer it came in. Izzy will repurpose the wand and sanitize and refill the tube for the next customer.

9
Best Recyclable Body Wash

Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Body Wash

Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Body Wash
9
Best Recyclable Body Wash

Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Body Wash

Credit: Courtesy Image

This sustainable body wash's durable aluminum packaging can be recycled and reused for years. Once empty, schedule a free pickup with Loop, a circular shopping platform designed to eliminate single-use waste.

Headshot of Lauren Balsamo
Lauren Balsamo
Deputy Beauty Director

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram

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