What are the ways men can adopt sustainable grooming practices?

There is no better time than today to begin living a sustainable life.

The word "sustainable" sounds like a tough thing to deal with, but with time and better practices, it is easy to achieve. With the current state of our planet, it is not easy to live a healthier life unless we take better steps. We are depleting our resources, and that is why consumers need to change the way they buy products and also improve their skincare practices.

Men are sometimes quite careless about their routine skincare practices. There can be many different reasons for that, and one of them is awareness. There can be various benefits if you have the essential vitamins, nourishing oils, and most importantly, plant-based, environmentally friendly products for proper male grooming.

The world of skincare and cosmetics is becoming less gender-specific and more of a health issue.

It is becoming common practice for men to follow a skincare routine that is not only limited to cleanser and moisturizer but also includes antioxidant serums, peels, masks, and more. And buying sustainable products, I can add, is another conscious step for the environment.

Men's grooming trends do not appear to be as popular, despite the fact that they are equally important. Grooming, in particular, is essential for all men. Let us check which things can help a man:

Recognize your skin type

Before buying a product, it is essential for a man to understand his skin type, because if he has sensitive skin, it can burn after using a particular product. While normal skin is unaffected, dry skin can be itchy and rough. After understanding your skin type, it becomes easy to buy a product. If you have acne on your skin, then choose products that are "oil-free" or don’t clog your pores.

Every man's skin is different, and there may be one-size-fits-all products that suit everyone, so it's better to get to know your skin and then buy sustainable products that are natural and cause zero waste in the environment.

Checking the ingredients of a product is a must.

As I used to do before, you must be following the practice of only checking the appropriate SPF in your sunscreen. Don’t you?

Sunscreen is just an example but apart from it for every cream we do the same thing. The skincare products for men can contain a variety of chemicals that results in developing allergens to your skin.

So, boys, you need to do a little research and ditch the oxybenzone, microplastics, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulphate, and more. Examine the ingredients and look for mineral-based natural products with environmentally friendly packaging.

A small recommendation for you try (although a personal research is a must):

The shaving practices

As with their careless nature, including my cousin brothers, I have seen how carelessly they buy anything that they see as easy to grab. That can not only be a harmful decision for your skin but also for the environment.

There are not clear facts on this matter, but it was mentioned in a research study that there were 2 billion one-time used razors and blades in the USA that were thrown away alone, which is a factor of concern. The plastic and non-recyclable razor blade cartridges do not decompose for many decades and create a huge waste in our environment.

What can we do? As a consumer, where do I start?

Sustainable shaving might be rebranded as "traditional shaving." As early as the 1900s, safety razors and solid shaving bars were the primary means of grooming. Consider buying a recyclable safety razor and a solid shaving soap bar as your first step toward reducing waste during your shaving routine.

You can use safety razors, which only require blade replacement every so often and thus have an infinite lifespan. The other sustainable option is using shaving soaps and bars that come in eco-friendly packaging and cause zero waste. You can check out the brand Jungle Culture for various sustainable and recyclable shaving tools and bars.

Other tips:

• Don’t use your usual soap to wash your face, as it can be harsh on your skin. Use face wash gel and facial cleansers that are healthy for your skin.
• To make your skin look brighter and reduce fine lines, it is good to moisturize your skin every day.
• If you see unusual spots or moles on your face, it is better to visit a dermatologist to avoid any damage to your skin or any disease.
• Use natural products that can give your skin a healthier life.
• Use trusted brands by buying sustainable sunscreen, shaving razors, skincare products, and more, so that you don’t cause any harm to the environment.
• Use hair colours and hair gels that are natural so that your hair also looks natural to give you a smart look.

You don’t have to do much, but start by taking small steps for your everyday skincare routine. Look smart and confident, and don’t forget to buy Murtle, which is your other grooming partner, to stand out among others.