Kleen exfoliating soaps (handmade in Kent) are not just vegan and free from palm oil (and sold in zero waste packaging). But they have integrated ropes so you can hang them up in the shower.
This way gravity drains the water, so you don’t need to bother with a slatted soap dish. Choose from Turmeric (with oatmeal & citronella) or Coffee Ginger Cacao (scented with patchouli, clove & orange oils).
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies. Keep these products away from children and pets due to ingredients like coffee grounds, citrus and cocoa butter.
As we age, our skin cells turn over less and less, and all dermatologists say that regular exfoliation is a good idea. This can be done in two ways:
Physical exfoliation can be as simple as using a facecloth or loofah (on your body). Or it can include made products like scrubs made with exfoliating ingredients from oats to coffee grains.
Chemical exfoliation is a bit more advanced. It likely has better results, but you have to be careful as some brands use a lot of chemicals. You’ll likely see these listed as AHA or retinol creams.
A Jar of Soothing Skin Washing Grains
Kutis Green Tea & Lemon Washing Grains are sold in a glass jar with a metal lid. Made with finely-ground coconut powder, Kaolin clay, Fuller’s Earth and organic oats, they are scented with essential oils.
Kutis Rose & Oat Washing Grains contain rose petal powder (to soothe red skin) and anti-inflammatory green tea powder. Scented with lemon, rose and grapefruit oils.
To use, just scoop one teaspoon of washing grains into your palm, mix with a few drops of water to form a milky paste. Gently massage on face, leave a few minutes, then massage with a warm cloth to remove. Or massage the paste into the face and wash off immediately, as a daily cleanser.
Upcircle Citrus Blend Face Scrub
Upcircle Citrus Blend Face Scrub is made from natural vegan ingredients, sold in a glass jar with a metal lid, so easy to recycle. Made for dry skin, it contains upcycled Arabica coffee grounds, sourced daily from London coffee shops and bars.
It also contains shea butter, rosehip, and oils of sweet orange and lemon verbena, to buff away dead skin cells, and to soothe redness and irritation.
To use, just apply to damp face avoiding the eyes, and massage in circular motions. Leave for a few moments, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Coffee tends to be finer than sugar or rice, so has added results (along with antioxidants). For a deep exfoliation, you can leave it on the skin for 10 minutes, before rinsing off.
A Solid Willow Bark Facial Exfoliator
SBTRCT Exfoliating Cleanser is a zero waste bar sold in sustainable packaging, made with natural ingredients. Created by the former execute of Bulldog Skincare, he decided to create his own zero waste vegan beauty brand, which has fabulous reviews.
This is made with willow bark (a gentler alternative to salicylic acid) and upcycled rice powder, to lift away dead skin cells and decongest pores. Buy the starter kit, then just refills after.
Exfoliating Natural Konjac Sponges
These exfoliating natural konjac sponges are the ideal alternative to nylon bath sponges, which leach microplastics into the sea, once rinsed. Made from Japanese potato fibre, they are also vegan friendly (sea sponges are made from living creatures, cut away with knives by divers).
Sold in zero waste packaging, konjac sponges are gentle enough for all the family. Just rinse to activate a gentle sponge that can be used alone or with your favourite cleanser, then rinse. After a few months, just bin to naturally biodegrade, or cut up and compost.
One sponge should last 2 to 3 months, with normal use. Use the attached rope to hang it up to dry, in a well-ventilated area. Sold in a pack of 3 or 6, the colours correspond to added ingredients for different skin benefits:
- White (konjac root)
- Green (French clay)
- Black (bamboo charcoal)
- Orange (turmeric)
- Red (red clay)
- Purple (lavender)