I’m on a quest to remove plastic from my life. Sick of buying big, thick plastic bottles of shampoo, soap, cleansers and lotions that probably will never really get recycled, I’ve been converting my bathroom and personal hygiene routine to the zero-waste* method, whereby I make as many of my own products as I can, and buy others either without packaging, or in reusable containers.

Making the change in the bathroom is much easier than you might think, and there are dozens of awesome makers right here in Beijing to help you on your way.

*Being truly “zero waste” is nearly impossible, and not meant to be taken literally. The goal is all about reducing your waste and shunning single-use plastic. 

Soap

This one’s easy! Just buy un-packaged soap bars from one of the many local soap-makers here in Beijing. There’s a wide variety of different perfumes, oils, and combinations available, but I am particularly partial to Verve bars (available via The Bulk House WeChat ID: TheBulkHouse_China), both the traditional and loofah-poured options. Homemade soaps also tend to be lower in sodium lauryl sulfate, an almost universally used ingredient in commercial soaps and shampoos which is renowned for stripping natural oils and drying out the skin. Prolong the life of your soap (and haircare) bars by storing them in such a way that they dry out fully between uses.

Haircare

Solid shampoo and conditioner bars are the bomb. Not only are they zero waste, but they also last forever and are perfect for travel. The ones I am currently using come from Lush (the closest store to us is in Hong Kong) and a local soap factory in Perth, Australia, however, The Bulk House does offer a solid shampoo bar. Conditioner bars are a bit trickier to find, if you know somebody making them in Beijing, let me know in the comments!

When it comes to applying, the shampoo bar lathers just like soap but with hair-friendly compounds. Conditioner bars do not lather, and instead require you working up a paste in damp hands for a while and applying to the hair, which takes a little extra work and patience. Post-shower, I keep my hair conditioned with hair oil from Zest Skincare (WeChat ID: Zestislife) and a slick of conditioner paste when I get out of the shower. And, every now and then, I top up with an easy DIY coconut oil hair mask.

Makeup removal

I am still working my way through a big bottle of Bioderma micellar water from my last trip to France, but when that’s done, I’ll be trying out the Face Balm and Super Hydr8 Face Serum by The Green Room (WeChat ID: TheGreenRoom) which my colleague Nicole Bonnah swears by. Instead of applying the product with wasteful cotton pads (which also soak up half the product), I just use my hands, but you can sew your own washable cotton pads or even crochet wool ones yourself.

Facial cleansers

After taking off any makeup, I alternate between the gentle Raw Honey facial wash from Zest Skincare and soap-free powder cleanser from Yellow Pummelo. I have dry skin, and the raw honey wash leaves my skin feeling cleansed and soft without being stripped of oils, while the delicious matcha-scented scrub cleanses my face gently and gives a great exfoliating buff. Both products are also made locally and you can return the containers to the maker for refilling. There are also plenty of recipes online for homemade cleansers using ingredients such as oatmeal, tea, coconut oil, honey and more.

Lotions and creams

My dry skin is rather easy to look after, and I generally just slather on BioOil at night and use a mix of sunscreen and lotion during the day. I’ve used BioOil for years but when my current supply runs out I’ll be trying out the Face Repair from Yellow Pummelo (WeChat ID: YellowPummelo), which comes in a glass dropper jar.

For the rest of my body, I’m still working my way through a giant tub of lotion I bought over a year ago, but I keep a tin of solid lotion bar from Yellow Pummelo in my handbag for when I’m out and about, and am eyeing off some of the many other local makers here like The Green Room, Velveteen (WeChat ID: franhanshing), Verve, Nuobelle (WeChat ID: ahneetah11) and more.

Deodorant

Commercial deodorants are packed with additives and their packages are generally very wasteful. There are a plethora of natural deodorant recipes on the market, but the active ingredient in almost all of them is plain old baking soda. I apply it directly, patting it on like old-fashioned talc, and it works great for me, though it can be irritating to the skin directly after shaving. Erica Rodriguez, a local natural skincare maker and Experiential Education Facilitator (WeChat ID: Rica-Rod) recommends mixing it with arrowroot powder, cornstarch or another ‘carrier powder’ for a gentler option, while others use it with coconut oil to create a balm. Success with DIY deodorant is highly variable and depends on your natural hormonal balances, so don’t get too down if this doesn’t work out for you. Being zero waste is one thing, but feeling confident and sanitary is quite another.

Toothpaste

Disclaimer: I am not a dentist, and you should always consult your dentist and do plenty of research before changing up your dental hygiene habits. I make up small batches of toothpaste every week or so by combining baking soda and coconut oil. It is great at removing stains, however, you do need to be careful and brush gently as the abrasive nature of the baking soda (fine for teeth) is harsh on gums. Receding gums is no joke. Other very popular DIY toothpaste ingredients include bentonite clay, activated charcoal, and sea salt but each come with their own pros and cons. If you feel uneasy about mixing up your own toothpaste, many companies sell homemade, eco-friendly tooth powders and alternatives online, all of which are more eco-friendly than a tube of Colgate.

The Bulk House sells a variety of bamboo toothbrushes, and when it comes to flossing, the zero-waste community usually turns to floss made from silk or other natural fibers rather than the usual plastic.

Hair removal

I just hate plastic razors. Not only are they unrecyclable, but they only come in lame, gender-normative ‘lady’ and ‘man’ colors. I switched to a butterfly razor from The Bulk House a while ago, and haven’t looked back since. Blades cost next to nothing, but using a safety razor takes a smidgen more care than a plastic Gillette, so go slow at first. According to Michael Gora, founder of Straight up Razors, a German-owned company based out of Shanghai (WeChat ID: straightup-razors), humidity dulls a blade very quickly, so to keep the blade sharp for as long as possible, dry it off after each use, and don’t store it in the shower stall. When the blade is truly done for, Gora recommends putting it in a strong clear container, like an old plastic box or glass jar. When the container is full of blades, tape it shut and throw it in the trash. A trash picker will be able to safely grab it, identify the metal blades and take them to a recycling station.

If you prefer to wax, going to a salon is a pretty good zero-waste option, as is creating your own sugar wax, an age-old hair removal technique. I haven’t tried this personally, but many people swear by it.

Ears

First things first – you really shouldn’t be putting anything in your ear canal because the potential to cause damage to your eardrum is just so high. But if you just can’t resist having a dig around, at least swap out wasteful Q-tips with a bamboo earpick such as one sold by The Bulk House or pretty much any TCM grandpa. Just promise you’ll be very gentle while hunting around for wax.

Menstrual care

Tampons and sanitary pads are very polluting (they cannot be recycled and anything containing cotton requires a lot amount of water to produce), so for years now, I’ve been using a silicone menstrual cup, such as one pictured above. They come in a variety of names and brands (Moon Cup, Ruby Cup, Diva Cup, Luna Cup, Fleur Cup, etc.) but they are all basically the same products. Using a menstrual cup takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s really worth trying it out. I find it far more comfortable and convenient than tampons or pads, it’s far cheaper in the long run, and it drastically reduces your waste footprint, as one cup can be used for approximately ten years, replacing thousands and thousands of unrecyclable hygiene products. Other alternative or complementary zero-waste menstrual care options that are very popular include washable fabric liners (which you can sew yourself or buy), and ‘menstrual underwear’ like Thinx.

Above all, all bodies and cycles are different and for a variety of cultural, medical or religious reasons these options may not be suitable to all.

Toilet time

Here’s a weird confession: I secretly yearn to own a bidet. It’s like a spa, but for your butt! Like many people in Beijing, I don’t flush paper down my toilet at home as I don’t want to risk blocking the old building’s pipes, but I don’t like having to dispose of paper in a waste bin – not only is it kinda gross, it’s not very ecological: while paper is biodegradable, plastic garbage bags are not. My colleague swears by his Xiaomi bidet, and confirms that it has dramatically reduced the amount of toilet paper his family uses. If you’re ready to take it a step further, look into “family cloth” which is a truly zero-waste toilet solution, but not for the faint-hearted. I’ll let you research that one yourself…

General Tips and Advice

• Listen carefully to your body, because your health should always remain the number one priority. I recommend experimenting and trying out different solutions and going online to do extra research. If you are interested in joining the Beijing-based Zero-Waste community WeChat group, add WeChat ID THE_BULK_HOUSE _1 and request to join. The /ZeroWaste subreddit community is also a fantastic resource for inspiration, advice, ideas, and recommendations.
• Take it slow and don’t get overwhelmed. Buying new products to replace the old, perfectly usable ones you already have isn’t very ‘zero-waste’ so do make an effort to use up the products you already own first.
• The terms zero-waste, minimalism, ecological, and sustainable overlap quite a bit but they are not interchangeable. Unfortunately, it is not always totally clear what the ‘greenest’ or ‘most environmentally friendly’ option will be in any situation, but doing research and remaining flexible to change is the best way forward.

What did I miss? Got any other hot tips? Share them in the comments or drop me an email.

READ: Reduce Your Environmental Impact With These Zero Waste Travel Tips

More stories by this author here.

Email: annahartley@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @its_annahartley
Instagram: @its_annahartley

Photos: Courtesy of Verve, Zest Skincare, Yellow Pummelo, Straight Up Razors; Lush UK; Healthline; Thrifty Fun

I’m back with more winter remedies to help you fight dry skin and hair during Beijing’s winter and beyond. This week will feature a few new kids on the artisan block, and if you’re looking for inspired natural and organic products for your hair and skin, look no further.

Nuobelle, Whipped Shea Butter and Super Moist Leave-in Conditioner

Nuobelle’s premise is all about handmade products using natural ingredients native to Africa. This brand takes great pride in promoting all the gorgeous vitamin rich oils and butters from the Continent that help to heal, sooth, grow, and moisturize.

Their products are particularly good for folks like me, who have natural hair of the coily, curly, afro type but is equally good for those who just need to revamp their cosmetics shelves at home with earthy, nutrient rich staples for any hair and skin type.

I’m a huge fan of shea butter, which is a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea (karite) tree. In its raw form it is usually the color of Ivory. I would advise staying away from the processed versions, which will look whiter in color. Shea butter is completely organic, adds shine, soothes the skin, and helps with hair breakage while adding nutrients to the scalp.

With all its benefits, I have sometimes personally found that shea butter, in its raw form, would often fail to penetrate the skin or have a lasting nourishing effect throughout the day. Instead a translucent or oily residue would settle on the surface of the skin and quickly evaporate under clothing, so you can imagine my delight when I tried Nuobelle’s Whipped Nkoto, which delivered on calming and moisturizing dry patches.

Light as a mousse, Nuobelle’s Whipped Nkoto is exactly that, whipped into a cloud that’s a joy to use. When placed in the hands, little air bubbles collapse into a less heavy oil that’s easy to apply and soaks directly into the skin. The butter, which has been created using grape seed oil, coconut oil, and almond oil is fragrance-free, and as described on its packaging, definitely contains love.

The Super Moist Leave-In conditioner is super in more ways than one. I have genuinely struggled to find the best product for my naturally coily hair and previously spent many months out of the year speed-dating all kinds of products that draw you in with promises of softer tresses. Made with raw honey, green tea, mint, and other essential oils, this sweet concoction (it literally smells like a candy store) hydrates and is one of the best detangling products I’ve had the pleasure of using.

Handmade with African pride. What’s not to love? WeChat: ahneetah11

M.E Soufflé, Sensitive Skin Edition

Hair and skin care company M.E is all about Mother Earth; her goodness and love, which manifest in the way nature is a gift that keeps giving. All around us are all the essentials we need for outer and inner well-being. M.E. is an acronym for Mother Earth or the Shona derivative “Amai” Earth. All their products are one hundred percent natural and organic.

Their mission is to seek out the best natural and organic oils from around the world; help their customers feel empowered, beautiful, and confident; and provide necessary and essential care and information throughout a customer’s natural hair journey. The premise of your journey may be for longer, stronger, softer hair, or a combination of all the above. Whatever your needs may be, M.E will have something to support you getting to your personal hair destination.

The Sensitive Skin Soufflé is made using shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil and can be used for the body and hair. The fluffy and light moisturizer is natural and sensitive enough to use on babies’ skin and was perfect for use when fresh out of the shower, while the skin is still a little damp. If using on the hair, apply to damp or dry hair, comb through and style. If you have a sensitive or dry scalp, I would apply some directly to the scalp and massage in after washing your hair.

This product when used on the hair is designed to add moisture and works specifically well with natural hair. If you don’t need to add oils to the hair, stick to using this awesome soufflé on the skin! I really enjoyed using this on the hands, neck and chest area, and also after a salt sea scrub (see below) on the feet.

The cream was soufflé-like and really added a nice sheen to my skin as a soothing edition to my morning routine. It was warming with a nutty scent and indulgently rich texture that melts into skin for hours of ultra-rich moisture.Check M.E. out on their website www.official-me.com or WeChat: puricake208

Enjoy Mother Earth and all of her gifts.

Soap Fresh So Clean, Artisan Baby Face and Diaspora Soap, and Foot Scrub

I’ve been a fan of Soap Fresh So Clean, ever since I saw these goodies on the vendor circuit, featuring in all the best-known and loved artisan markets. If you don’t know, you better get to know, because these soaps and scrubs are pure Beijing-winter-fighting essentials, that leave skin clean, refreshed, smelling great, and soft.

The company is dedicated to bringing you “bath products that clean the body and soothe the soul”, they have bars of luscious soap for sensitive, dry, and cracked skin. Whether you need a bar that exfoliates, moisturises, or both, Soap Fresh So Clean will have what you’re looking for. Each of the line’s artisan soaps specialize in an area to help with common skin problems. This brand offers products that are free from perfume, dyes, and other harmful ingredients that can lead to irritable skin, dryness, rough patches, and blemishes. They soothe and over time support reviving the skin, making it supple and gleaming with nutrients.

Both the Baby Face and Diaspora Soap add moisture, and the Diaspora edition is particularly good at exfoliating the skin. Each one can be applied directly to the skin or used with a loofah, flannel, or sponge of your choice. They lather up pretty nicely and rinse off, leaving squeaky-clean skin that’s soft to the touch. The marbling effects on the soaps are gorgeous and the natural fragrances are earthy and pleasant. Layers of nutrients, essential oils and butters make for indulgent showers or baths and of course make great little gifts. The soaps use generous amounts of olive, coconut and almond oils, not to mention natural butters that are rich in vitamin C.

The piece de resistance has to be the Soap Fresh So Clean foot scrub. Made using Himalayan sea salt, turmeric, olive oil, shea butter, peppermint essential oil, and avocado, among others, this alchemic remedy for tired and dry feet is everything a foot scrub should be and more. The peppermint and bergamot oils heal and sooth the skin, while the Himalayan sea salt helps to scrub away dead skin cells and calluses on the heel and balls of the feet. Yes!

I loved using this foot scrub on an evening, followed by generously moisturizing the feet with M.E’s Sensitive Skin Soufflé or Nuobelle’s Whipped Nkoto. Whip on a 100 percent cotton pair of soaks, and wake in the morning to gloriously smooth and supple feet!

Top Tip

Try and keep shea butter products in a dry and cool place in the home. This helps the butter to keep a balanced consistency that’s easy to apply to the skin. Apply to damp skin and if using at night on the feet or hands, wear a pair of cotton socks or gloves for a deep conditioning night routine.

Photos: Anita Maala, London Treece, Olivia

I don’t know about you, but with each winter in Beijing, comes yet again another struggle to find the right remedies to fight dry skin and hair. My extremely coily hair and sensitive skin always adds a new dimension to this annual dilemma, and that’s why the discovery of the following inspired artisan creations has me reveling in suppleness and natural scents.

VERVE, Handcrafted Loofah Soap, Turmeric and Lemongrass Natural Soap, and Natural Body Butter

I have been conducting a lot of research lately into recycling, upcycling, and minimalism. I automatically associated the need for minimalism in my life with clothing and objects in the home, but Verve’s Citrus and Rosemary Loofah Soap could quite possibly be the answer to decluttering your bathroom shelves, and using this as your single go-to cleanse item for your morning showers.

I’m not sure if I’m the last to the soap-show, but combining a gentle exfoliating loofah with vitamin-enriched soap is inspired, and so what I needed to help tackle the removal of dry skin, while at the same time nourishing and cleaning the body

Throw out old flannels, sponges, and tired loofahs for something that will most likely cut your shower or bath time in half (having a different cleanser or soap for different parts of the body has made showering quite the morning process for me), and enjoy immediately smoother and softer skin. The scent of Citrus Rosemary is quite divine in addition to making your skin fragrant with herbal and tropical notes. I was already sold when I read “Loofah Soap” – who wudda thunk it!

From its beautifully presented floral packaging, I took out the Turmeric Lemongrass soap. Lemongrass has long been a favorite natural scent of mine, and before you even unravel the blue ribbon on the packaging, tropical fragrances belonging to the islands of South East Asia greet you. This will be a mainstay in my bathroom and soothes, cleans, and moisturizes all in one. Verve soaps are also so beautiful to look at. Buy them as gifts, and give the gift of supple skin this Beijing winter.

The body butter may look and feel literally like butter, but penetrates the skin without leaving any oily residue. I would recommend this to those who have medium to very dry skin. It’s sumptuous and makes for an indulgent bath-time routine (if you happen to have one of very rare baths that exist in Beijing). Take your time when applying as you really need to deeply massage the butter into the skin, and use in combination with the Loofah Soap.

Make your purchase through The Bulk House using the QR codes below or pop into the Roundabout Boutique, Mon-Sat. 9pm – 4pm. Cathay View Plaza, 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District 香江北路2号

The Green Room, Face Serum, Belly Oil and Balm

I think it’s common knowledge in most circles interested in artisan beauty products that The Green Room’s selections of alchemic oils have been redefining how many of us view essential oils and their all-round benefits. In little frosted glass bottles, which are beautifully labeled with Victorian-esque herbology illustrations, are well-balanced elixirs for dry hair and skin.

Smelling like a spa, the Super Hydr8 Face Serum, used in combination with the Face Balm, will transport you to fields of wild flowers, and breathe supple and dewy life back into your skin. The Balm can be used as a gentle cleanser, make-up remover, and massage oil; massage the oil in and gently wipe off excess before applying the Serum. If you use a foundation or concealer, add a few drops of the Serum, which for me brightened my look, left a lasting finish, and softened the skin. If expecting (or not), use the Belly Oil to help build and maintain elasticity, while at the same time adding moisture and nourishment. I applied it to damp skin and used it as a daily belly rub!

The Belly Oil can also combat dry skin in babies and kids. Use as a moisturizer on top of a water-based cream, or add to your kid’s bath. My little one, like his mommy, has very sensitive skin and has been battling with dry patches. This oil works wonders and is fragrance free.

This brand has clearly paid attention to the refinement of blending oils for different uses and needs. Essential oils are not only for popping into your diffuser. The Green Room, among others are leading the way in how to use these wonderfully natural and healing ingredients to remedy almost every kind of beauty need. Wechat: TheGreenRoom

Velveteen’s Secret Potions, Galaelia Cleanser and Oriental Wisdom Serum

It’s time to talk DIRT. When thinking about protecting your skin during the long winter months in Beijing, one cannot but think about the dreaded pollution that clogs up the pores and leads to outbreaks of spots and patches of dry skin.

The colorful and whimsical packaging with a bohemian aesthetic mirrors the very personally crafted lotions and potions in Velveteen’s Secret Potion’s skin care collection. You can also find organic sprays and treatments for the home and if you ask nicely, founder Fran Hanshing can also concoct a solution for specific needs and uses (Hanshing made an awesome organic nappy balm for my baby, which was the best for his new born skin and came in a beautiful Chinese ceramic pot).

I have been using generic facial wipes to remove makeup and dirt from the skin. However, it’s always a struggle to remove mascara, and my skin is left feeling moisture-less and clammy. Enter the Galaelia Cleanser. This cleanser has totally revamped my daily dirt removal routine, making the process less of a chore and more of a luxurious excuse to carve out a little time in the evening to cleanse and clean the skin.

Using a single cotton pad, and two to three drops of Galaelia Cleanser, the removal of dirt and pollution residue from the face, neck, and upper chest was a breeze and left my skin feeling refreshed and clog-free. For make-up removal your go-to has to be La Pocion No.2, which can gently remove waterproof mascara and for me, the shockingly stubborn liquid bronzer I use to feign sun-kissed skin.

To complete my facial cleanse and makeup removal routine, I applied a few drops of the Supreme Oriental Wisdom Serum to the face, massaged it in and enjoyed woody notes of argan, lingzhi mushroom, ginseng, and lovage essential oils.Your skin will feel renewed and refreshed and, I kid you not, may even make your sleep sounder.

Hands are important! Treat them well, using Velveteen’s Secret Potion’s Abethia Velvet Hand Glove cream. I recommend purchasing some organic cotton gloves, washing your hands thoroughly, and generously applying some of this moisturizer. Sleep overnight with the gloves on to really help heal severely dry and calloused hands. WeChat: franhanshing

Top Tip: Natural soaps need to be kept in a dry place when not in use. Keep handcrafted natural soaps on a wooden soap dish with slates, holes or graded drainage to help make your soaps last longer. A diatomaceous earth soap tray is best.

The Bulk House

The Green Room

Velveteen

Photos: Sydney Bishop, Sarah O’Connell

In a bid to make our inside pollution days happy ones, I decided to start a collection of arts and crafts tutorials, that can be done at home with the kids. All the art supplies will be sourced from online stores so parents don’t have to brave the pollution. I am a big fan of kids craft that both look cool and are usable. A crafty child is a happy child, and a happy child is a happy life.

Soap making was something that was still on my to do list, since I inherited some soap making goodies from another expat leaving Beijing. I decided that my toddler needed to resolve her hand-washing reluctance. What better way than to all gather together and make our own soap?

I had a box of soap base and decided to add some coconut oil and lavender essential oils.  Lavender oil is one of the safest oils for kids to use. I found some dried lavender here and silicone molds here. You can use baking silicone molds, just don’t use them to make food after making the soap. I also used some additional kitchen utensils like a spatula and a whisk.

My daughter (almost 4) had a great time picking out molds and finally settled on the star mold. I cut the soap base and dropped it in a big pot. I am pretty sure I was supposed to melt the soap base over a warm water bath, but I didn’t quite follow the instructions. Doing it my own way!

We added the coconut and lavender oils and slowly melted the soap on the stove. My daughter added the dried lavender to the molds and I poured the melted soap mixture.

We put the soaps in the fridge overnight and, when they were ready, we popped them out of the molds. My daughter seemed very proud that she made her own soap and hopefully she will use them often, as the lavender will calm her down.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.