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Trying to shop plastic-free is very challenging these days, whether on the internet or in-store. Thankfully there are getting to be more companies that are creating low-to-no plastic products that are biodegradable and clothing that is made from natural materials. I’ve even found quite a few options on Amazon. I will be sharing the products in this blog post that I’ve found and tried; most of them are on Amazon and Etsy to make shopping quick and easy for more people. I will be adding to this post as I find more products.
Please note that Amazon’s packaging may contain plastic. Sometimes I get shipments from them in the brown paper envelopes and boxes with brown paper air pillows, and sometimes I still get the plastic envelopes and air pillows. I do try to recycle or reuse them.
Also, depending on the company, they may put their product in plastic packaging, even if the product itself is plastic-free. But, at least it is cutting down on plastic. *This blog post contains affiliate links from Amazon, Etsy, and other companies. I may get a small commission on qualifying purchases through these links (at no additional cost to you). All company names and trademarks are the property of each respective company.
I will organize the products into sections below, and continue adding more as I find and use them.
Plastic-Free Products for Home and Kitchen
This kitchen utensil set and spoon rest is made from American walnut wood and the holder is ceramic. Also, as a bonus, this is a small business!
 
Also, from the same company is this bread board and serving tray made from white oak and walnut wood with ceramic bowls. Their products are food safe and non-toxic. Hurray!
 
I’ve been using this dough whisk a lot. It works amazingly for mixing dough, but I also have been using it to froth milk for beverages and whisking ingredients in general. It is made of black walnut wood and stainless steel. It’s very sturdy and the company is a small business. This whisk is featured in my YouTube video that you can see here:
 
This is a nice set of 2 metal storage trunks. I love using them to store things around the house. They are plastic-free, except there was a plastic wrap around the middle of each one in the packaging.
  Clothing Made From Natural Materials
Here are garments made from cotton, wool, and other natural materials. No polyester allowed! Polyester clothing is basically like wearing plastic. I don’t include any acrylic, nylon, or spandex products either.
Although I’m trying to switch over to organic cotton, I am including non-organic cotton and material below, as it takes time and money to switch over to organic. Step by step is certainly better than not at all, so sometimes a middle-of-the-road approach is helpful to make it more doable and realistic.
These pants are 85% wool and 15% cashmere. I got a pair and they are so soft and comfortable. I can even wear them in the summer, because they are so breathable.
 
Here is another pair of pants that I got: they are a cotton and linen blend. They are very cool for summer, yet thick enough for fall.
  Natural and No-Plastic Products for Bath and Body Care
In this section, I will be sharing plastic-free and low-plastic products for bath and body, and makeup too.
These 100% cotton muslin cleansing cloths are wonderful to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin. The company is an Asian and women-owned small business, and made in the USA!
 
Foraged Fields makes completely plastic-free skincare and makeup. There is no plastic in the packaging or shipping either. Also, the ingredients are pure, basic, gentle, and healing. A small business run by a skilled woman with such a kind heart.
Entirely plastic-free skincare products and makeup. Even the packaging and shipping material is plastic-free!
Blinking Owl Acres is another small business run by a talented and kind businesswoman. Many of the products are plastic-free.
A few of my favorite items from this skincare and makeup company.
Dr. Stamler’s Sensitive Skin Care products are mostly plastic-free. He makes soaps and skincare products from organic ingredients. He is a very generous businessman and donates all profits from his small business to charity.
Soap and skincare products made by a doctor. Largely plastic-free.
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Over the years, I’ve tried various skincare products and routines, trying to find something that would work for my skin and be affordable too. One day after being so frustrated that my skin was getting worse and I was having to add more products trying to correct the increasing problems, I decided to get rid of all the superfluous products and routines and go as simple as possible. I had been buying organic products, but found even organic and natural products had ingredients that were either unnecessary or actually not good for the skin. I had ongoing acne, clogged pores, and skin that would peel and be prone to redness. In addition to this affecting my appearance, it also affected the way I felt physically. I think it makes sense when one’s skin is inflamed and struggling, it can make you not feel good overall. The skin is, after all, an organ.
So, I finally decided: forget all these products and complicated routines. And, although I never bought overly expensive products, it was adding up to more than I wanted to spend on skincare and makeup. Below you will find the products I discovered in my search for the most natural, basic, and affordable ideas. Everyone’s skin is so different, so these may not work for you. Also, be aware that just because a product is plant-based it can still cause reactions, allergic or otherwise. Test products first and try them at your own risk. I just hope there is something helpful here for you, if only knowing you’re not alone in the struggle for healthy skin. The companies I feature in this blog are ones I found randomly in hours of research and I currently use their products. Most, if not all, are very small businesses. I hope all the hours, and trial and error effort I put in, can save you some time and trouble.
*I belong to the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate programs, which means I may get a small commission on purchases through the links featured below. FYI, I already used these products before belonging to any affiliate programs.
Washing Up and Moisturizing
First, let’s start with washing the skin. I tried soapnut powder which worked okay. Definitely worth trying. Also, white kaolin clay is very gentle for cleansing the skin. Pink kaolin clay stained my bathtub and skin. Amla powder stained my skin when using it as a paste to wash up with, even though I read online that it doesn’t stain skin. I use it in my homemade shampoo and it doesn’t stain my skin in that mix when it runs down from my hair, but using it straight on my skin did stain. It was minor and washed off after several soap washes, but that’s not something I want to deal with. So, I am currently using Dr. Stamler’s soaps. They are completely unscented; they only have the wholesome smells of the organic ingredients in them.
This is one of the several Dr. Stamler soaps I use.
This is a pure olive oil Castile soap by Dr. Stamler. It only has two ingredients: olive oil and distilled water. It’s gentle and nourishing. It’s very soft, so it’s important to keep it on a soap dish with good drainage.
Also from Dr. Stamler, is this pure olive oil Castile soap. It is coconut oil free and fragrance free. For those with severe allergies, it can be a great option as it only has organic olive oil and distilled water in it. Very pure and gentle!
White kaolin clay can be used as a gentle skin cleanser or mixed with soapnut powder. Both have a pH that is friendly to our skin’s natural pH. These are the brands I use. I just mix the powders together and add enough water to make a paste. I add an essential oil sometimes.
I add marshmallow root powder sometimes too. It is very gentle on the skin. I also use it as a hair conditioner.
Here I’ve mixed some various powders and some aloe vera in a bamboo bowl. I just added water to make a paste.
I rotate between the Dr. Stamler soaps and the homemade powder mix. I use the same for both face and body wash. So that’s step one of the two step skincare routine: just wash up face and body with a simple soap or homemade wash.
Step two is moisturize. I use the cream below for face and body. Simple! I also use the cream for a clear mascara.
This cream is available in three versions: the original version plus vegan and coconut oil free.
The cream comes in a 2 ounce jar. It’s in glass or you can request cardboard, which is my favorite. Either way, it’s plastic free!
The cream is made by a plastic-free company, Foraged Fields.
Here are a few other moisturizers I use and recommend. I rotate these with the aforementioned cream. These are oil moisturizers rather than cream:
When I have time I like to do gua sha massage. I’ve found it really does make a difference. I received good instructions with pictures from this book.
Here are some essential oils that I sometimes add to the homemade face and body wash:
I have also started purchasing from a company that sells pure essential oils and carrier oils at a great price and variety of sizes. You can visit their shop here.
Minimalist and Healthy Makeup
For makeup: I have a very simple, minimalist routine now. It continues to evolve, but I currently use a clay-based face powder from the same company I buy the face cream from. It also comes in sample sizes so you can test the colors to find a match (the cream is also available in sample sizes). Additionally, the company makes beautiful blush and eyeshadow colors all made from clay and plants. As another plus, it is also a plastic-free company. The owner is amazing and has created many wonderful items. Link to her Etsy shop here.
This powder is called Gaia’s Kiss. It has a beautiful finish for the skin and a little bit of sparkle. I use it for special occasions, as it’s a more expensive product made from roses, pearls, silk, and a few other ingredients. It lasts a long time; a little goes a long way. You can click here or on the photo to see it on Etsy. The seller has other wonderful items in her shop as well.
Here is the link to my blog post about my homemade shampoo; conditioner and hair care:
www.starlightsarah.com/blog/easy-homemade-soapnut-shampoo |
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