The vanity metric
How personal care is costing the planet — and what to do instead.
For Plastic Free July 2025 I focused on my personal care routine. Not just making a few swaps, but changing the way I think about plastic in the bathroom - what I use, why I use it, how it’s made, where it goes.
It’s easy to justify our choices with “I didn’t know” or “I don’t have time.” But let’s be honest — we Google everything from ‘time it takes to poach an egg’ to ‘when is best to visit bali’. The information is out there. If we’re not looking, it’s probably because we don’t want to know.
That’s not judgment. That’s just… reality.
We are a product of our environment, habits, and advertising. So this is about awareness — not guilt. Once we become aware, we can make better choices.
Here’s a breakdown of what I looked into, what I found, and the better habits I’m trying to build:
Toothpaste
The problem:
Tubes are mostly made from HDPE or multi-layer plastic — hard to clean, hard to recycle.
The Lids are NOT recyclable in NZ. (No lids - period)
New habit:
Clean & recycle if you're keen. Or switch to toothpaste tablets or solid bars in glass or tin.
Brands to try: Solid, Eco Store.
Toothbrush
The problem:
Conventional toothbrushes = landfill. Every. Single. One.
New habit:
Use a bamboo toothbrush, reusable brushes, ethically made ones. (with compostable or replaceable heads).
Brands to check: Eco Warehouse, Eco Store, Fongky, Crescent Nest.
Shampoo & Conditioner
The problem:
Bottles are usually #5 plastic = recyclable once, maybe.
Lids? Again, landfill.
New habit:
Buy in bulk, refillable options or use plastic-free options like shampoo bars.
Brands to check: Ethique Shampoo & Conditioner Bars – NZ-made and compostable packaging, with over 10 million bottles saved. Natural Care
Product Comparisons
Pantene Pro-V Shampoo (375ml)
Around $7.50 NZD
Comes in a plastic bottle
Lasts about 40 washes → that’s roughly 7–9 cents per wash
Contains sulfates (SLS), silicones, synthetic fragrance, and preservatives
Pantene is widely available and affordable, but many of its ingredients can be harsh on sensitive scalps—and the plastic packaging adds to your bathroom waste.
Ethique Solid Shampoo Bar (110g)
Around $23.00 NZD
Packaged in a plastic-free, compostable box
Lasts up to 100 washes → about 17–20 cents per wash
Made with coconut oil, cocoa butter, and essential oils, with no SLS or synthetic nasties
Ethique costs more upfront, but lasts longer, comes with way less packaging, and is made from ingredients that are kinder to both your body and the planet.
Loofah
The problem:
Plastic gloves, mitts, loofahs = bacteria magnets + not recyclable. yuck!
New habit:
Use a biodegradable loofah or just... your hands.
Brands to check: Bed Bath & Beyond, Pure Nature, fancy ones (FYI- Pure Nature $3 compared to same products sold elsewhere)
Body wash
The problem:
Plastic containers, synthetic ingredients, and water-heavy formulas that don’t go far.
The habit:
The “pump” is seen as the cleaner, more convenient option. But it’s mostly branding. Try refills or bars of soap!
Product Comparisons
Palmolive Liquid Handwash (250ml)
Price: Around $4.50 NZD
Est. price per wash: ~3–4 cents (approx. 125 pumps)
Key ingredients: Water, SLS (foaming agent), synthetic fragrance, preservatives
Packaging: Plastic bottle
Ecostore Soap Bar (80g)
Price: $3.50–$4.00 NZD
Est. price per wash: ~4–5 cents (approx. 80–100 washes)
Key ingredients: Plant-based oils, natural fragrances, no SLS
Packaging: Recyclable paper wrap
With liquid soap, you’re mostly paying for water, synthetic additives, and a plastic bottle. It might seem cheap and convenient, but the true cost stacks up—on your skin, your wallet, and the environment. Bar soap, on the other hand, skips the plastic, uses fewer ingredients, lasts just as long, and actually feels like real soap. It's a small switch that makes a big difference.
Brands to check: Ecostore, Beyond Soap, Fair + Square
Deodorant
The problem:
Deodorant containers have multiple materials, and liquids inside, meaning they are hard to recycle. Most end up in landfill.
New habit:
Clean your #5 deodorant packaging, try a deodorant in a cardboard tube or glass jar.
Easy to find at supermarkets now!
Brands to check: Everkind (I love) Ethique, Slonaturals, Raw Nature
Beauty Products
The problem:
Squeezy tubes & small containers are often unrecyclable or contaminated.
That trending highlighter? Might be landfill-bound before it hits your cheekbones.
New habit:
Ask: Do I really need it?
Look for brands with refill systems, minimal packaging, or recyclable glass jars.
Brands to watch: Ethique, Aleph, Scenturie, Emma Lewisham
How’d you score?
Rate your personal care routine — for the planet, not just your skin.
This is about awareness and providing information you need. You don’t have to overhaul your life in one go. Instead, the next time you need to renew a product just think twice and try something better for the planet (and yourself!) and then tell someone about it.
Every swap makes a difference—less plastic, fewer chemicals, more intentional habits.
