Skincare

Sustainable sheet masks for the eco-conscious beauty junkie

Saving your skin and our earth

06.10.2023

By Low Sue Mae

Sustainable sheet masks for the eco-conscious beauty junkie

Great skin doesn’t have to come at the cost of our planet—here’s how you can get your weekly mask in without having to contribute to landfill.

We all know sheet masks are saviours to irritated skin, but these beauty products are actually creating more pollution and waste to planet earth. Just like wet wipes, normal masks are typically made of non-recyclable and non-biodegradable materials which can take years, if not decades, to break down. Plus, let’s not forget that these masks are also typically wrapped in individual plastic packaging!

Fortunately, though there is still a long way to go, the beauty landscape has made strides with respect to sustainable packaging and efforts. With it, more and more sustainable sheet masks have popped up in the market, creating eco-friendly alternatives for skincare lovers who want to reduce wastage. If you want to play your part in saving the environment while still indulging in a soothing face masking session at the end of a tiring day, we’ve found the best substitutes to shop:

 

The three types of sustainable sheet masks

The reusables

Silicone sheet masks are reusable, washable and non-irritating, making them a great alternative. However, they are a little different compared to your average sheet mask. They do not come with serums or moisturising ingredients—rather, they help to lock in the skincare products that you have used. They are made to be used as the last step of your skincare routine, sealing in all the products and preventing them from evaporating.

Because these silicone masks are made to enhance your skincare routine as opposed to treating your skin, they work best for those with easily irritated skin. You also get to customise your own mask experience by choosing different skin care products to tackle your skin problems. Most importantly, silicone masks are washable and can be reused indefinitely, saving you the cost of constantly buying new sheet masks as well as the environment.

The biodegradables

If you still want to enjoy your serum-packed sheet masks, good news—we’ve found some green alternatives for you. These masks are fully biodegradable, breaking down over time. Just pop them into your compost or dispose as normal!

The all-in-ones

Are you a daily masker? These bulk mask packets are here to fulfil your nightly needs without burning a hole in the planet. Packaged like wet wipes, these packets contain up to 30 sheet masks, each saturated in serum and hydrating essence. While it doesn’t eliminate waste entirely, it does reduce the amount of single-use plastic you’re putting into the landfill. TIP: To make sure that the unused sheet masks stay hygienic, take each piece out using a clean tweezer and seal the packet immediately after use.

 

Of course, the most sustainable thing you can do is switch over to liquid masks. Not only do they eliminate the unnecessary packaging, but they also decrease the amount of product wastage as you only use what you need!

 

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