When I was a kid in the 1960’s my family did not have much money... we saved up all the little bits of soap scraps and then my super-thrifty-and-low-waste Mom would make them into a “soap pouch”. She would cut a small double sided square out of a section of an old thin towel or face cloth, put the soap slivers inside and then just sew a simple external seam all the way around it. This is what us kids used in the bath tub all the time... it’s a pretty neat childhood memory (nobody else that I new had “soap pouches” and I thought they were really cool and fun to use), but when I think about it, “soap pouches” are also pretty dang practical. I definitely need to start saving my soap slivers and making my own “soap pouches”... my Mom would be so proud!!!!

For the tongue cleaner: I just use a metal spoon... Maybe not as aesthetically pleasing but works fine.

There is a layer of skin that surrounds the eyeball (the conjunctiva), so don't worry, it is impossible for things to get behind the eyeball (this also applies to contact lenses, they just actually get caught under the lids). Also your eye has a higher temperature so coconut oil will stay melted, will just make you a little blurry for a bit because it leaves a film (similar to when you can still feel oil on your skin) :) x

There are reusable q-tips for those who dont wanna stick a little bamboo stick in their ears. Also for those using apple cider vinegar as a hair cleanser, please distill it with water. There are also other options for hair cleansers for those who dont want their hair to smell sour (ALSO CLEANSE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE NOT TOO OFTEN)

To anyone when you make your own beauty products make sure to have a preservative!! Do some research. If something mixes water and oil has a water base or comes into contact with water you need a preservative! You can get then natural but you need them. Water is whats needed to grow bacteria so do research.

Just use a glass nail file! Way easier and also zero waste😅

Apple cider vinegar should definitely be diluted in water, and the pH should be measured afterwards to be around 5!

This isn’t your typical “zero waste” video. Love it

I use coconut oil around my eyes and I'll admit that I have gotten some into my eyes once or twice. Came out within the day. Eyes are self cleaning, so I think it's good. Do what makes you comfortable tho of course ~

My aunt loves her glass nail file, it lasts forever

Interesting, haven't heard of the sandstone nail file before! I've been using a crystal glass nail file for many years now and it's still going strong. Supposedly it's better for your nails or something too but idk, I first got it because I was sick of having to throw away those plastic or cardboard-based nail files. I just use a toothbrush to scrape my tongue. And I have a metal version of your bamboo ear cleaner stick, but it's from my parents when they were young lol.

The funny thing is I realised when I stopped using highly perfymed shower gels, body lotions etc. is that - my skin is never dry anymore and I have not used any bodylotion on my skin for years - just in the face, and a few times in winter on my hands when I have been without gloves outside. Many skincare products is so unsecessary and makes your skin craves it if you stops using it, and have weird ingrediensens that does no good for the body. Less is more.

So I don’t know anything about using coconut oil as a makeup remover but when I think about it, Coconut Oil melts at body-temperature so how should it solidify behind/ in your eyes?

My favorite hack is to wet your soap slices and stick them onto a new bar of soap

I dermatologist told me that deodorant with any kind of fragrance or essential oils can really irritate your armpits. That’s bamboo ear pick is so cool, I had no idea they ever made that, same with the nail filer.

I myself bought one of those cardbox deodorants once. Unfortunately the cardboard was lined with some kind of plastic film on the outside. Keep an eye on that.

Another option for zero waste hair ties are hair sticks, most are made of sustainable materials like wood, bamboo, copper, etc and they’re really easy to use once you understand how they work and they come in a variety of sizes and work for all hair types

When a soap becomes so thin I take a new soap and after wetting it I kind of stick the soap scrap underneath the new soap. That way you can use every bit of that soap. There's no need to put extra effort for melting down the scraps😊😊. I hope this helps. You can just use coconut coir for scrubbing instead of a loofah.

I see a new Gittemary video, I click! Thank you for these useful tips and inspiring us to live as low impact as possible!! ^^

Another suggestion instead of loofahs is wash cloths!

Oil cleansing tutorial guide + break-out eliminating tips for oily and acne-prone skin! Oil cleansing as a first step or for make-up and sunscreen removal is not only zero waste--it's one of the best things you can do for your skin! The reason for this is that oil attracts oil, effectively removing oil-based cosmetics, creams, and excess sebum (along with the dead skin cells and skin proteins likely to cause acne). This makes it a particularly good option for oily and/or acne-prone skin types. You should see a reduction in day-to-day oiliness, as well as blackheads and sebaceous filaments. Unfortunately, a lot of folks have a bad experience with oil cleansing because they haven't been taught how to do it properly and have been recommended the wrong oil for the job. The most common cause of oil-cleansing problems is coconut oil. I'm not bagging on coconut oil as a bit of a zero-waste wonder, but unless you know it works for you as skincare (and for some drier skins, it does), then coconut oil should not go on your facial skin! Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, due to its fatty acid content. It's also difficult to actually rinse off properly, so it has a habit of trapping make-up, dead skin, and keratinocytes to the skin. These then cause blockages in pores, bringing the natural bacteria found on the surface of skin into the pore, and bam - the world's worst pimple! So, when choosing an oil, it's always best to look for linoleic acid-rich oils. This is true for all skin types, but is essential for those with acne-prone skin. Almost all acne-prone skin is deficient in linoleic acid, which works by breaking down sebum--the skin's natural oils. Acne is not so much always triggered by the quantity of oil being produced but by the quality of oil being produced. Unfortunately, some people's natural oils flow more like honey than water, which is why their follicles/pores plug up more often than others. It's not anyone's fault that this happens to them, and it can be annoyingly high maintenance and make zero-waste skincare more difficult. But a good linoleic acid-rich oil will help to 'thin out' those natural oils and keep them free-flowing, while removing any excess from your skin without stripping it (stripping skin can actually trigger more oil production)! So, what should you use? Sunflower seed oil. It's loaded with linoleic acid, has a low oleic acid content (important!), is widely available, is more affordable than boutique oils, and you can buy in bulk and use it for your cooking too! I also recommend hemp seed oil as another particularly acne-friendly option that can be easy to acquire zero-waste. Seed oils tend to be good in general, but you want oil that isn't going to sink into your skin too quickly either, which can be trial and error (I've certainly not used them all, but I've had this issue with, say, rosehip seed oil - a good source of important skin ingredients, such as Vitamin A and C). If you are acne-prone, skip olive oil, as it is insanely rich in oleic acid. Skip nut oils and avocado oil too (although these will work fine for many people. Perhaps another motivation is their expense and impact). How do I oil cleanse properly? Apply the oil to DRY skin (important!). Work it around your face, as you would any cleanser. If you're wearing make-up, this should visibly break down as you do so, but don't work the oil into your skin so much that it begins to absorb. Now, you need emulsify the oil. Emulsifying is KEY! To do this, wet your hands with clean water and then use them to work the oil into a milk-like consistency. Some commercial oil cleansers allow you to rinse clean, such as those sold in Korea, and these tend to emulsify so well that it may not even visually become milky. But normal oil should always visibly emulsify, and will also require some sort of cloth for removal. Wet your cloth and gently wipe away the oil. Bonus: you're getting a safe form of physical exfoliation, which means you can ditch scratchy scrubs that cause micro-tears and will usually aggravate acne. A note on scrubs: jojoba beads and rice powder are fabulous, safe alternative to things like pounded nuts and coffee grounds (and, of course, microbeads - we would never!). Rice powder, in particular, can be found zero-waste. I also particularly recommend chemical exfoliants, e.g. AHAs and BHAs, which can be bought from some zero-waste skincare brands and also sometimes in family or bulk-size containers from skincare ingredient wholesalers (Garden of Wisdom in the U.S. might accomodate requests for glass packaging). However, if you've never used these before, proceed with caution, do some research, purchase a low strength, and patch test behind your ear before applying to your face. Some starter ideas would be 0.5-2% salicylic acid for blackheads and acne, or 1-5% lactic acid or mandelic acid for surface exfoliation). Alternatively, try an enzyme exfoliant, or make your own exfoliating mask with ingredients such as mashed pumpkin and papaya (dairy milk and yoghurt are also options if you're not vegan). While citric acid is a chemical exfoliant, never apply citrus to your face at home, as the pH is inconsistent. It can cause burns to the skin! What should I use to remove the oil cleanser? Muslin is particularly gentle, which is great for anyone with mild-moderate breakouts, difficult skin conditions, or sensitivity. But if your skin is not so precious (mine is stubborn enough to be royalty!), anything made from cotton (organic if buying new) will do, such as terry cloth flannel, reusable make-up remover pads, or even just a cut-up cotton t-shirt or towel. This is a great opportunity to re-purpose some textiles or rags you have around the house. If you don't have any, ask a friend or family member if they have something you could re-purpose, or perhaps try a secondhand store before buying new. What about microfibre? It works really well. Well enough that your standard Makeup Eraser microfibre cloth or pad can actually take make-up off on its own followed by a cleanse. Microfibre is also a lot softer than a typical flannel. If you have one already, go ahead and make use of it, of course. Just be aware that it will release microfibres in the wash, and so you will need to purchase a filtration (Guppy) bag. Also, be aware that, if you do opt for a commercial oil-based cleanser, be sure to check the ingredients for plastic, such as polyethylene. Most oil cleansers are plastic-free by nature, but most cleansing balms still contain plastics. It's a shame, because I particularly love a good balm! There are, however, definitely plastic-free balms available in glass jars, and they make lovely gifts at this time of year. They are often expensive, luxury-style items, however, and that alone is likely to make bulk oils more appealing. I'm done. What next? I would recommend following your oil cleanse with a gentle, water-based cleanse using a product with a balanced pH--ideally mildly acidic. I would also avoid SLS and SLES in formulas, as they can be drying and too stripping for all but the oiliest skin. Choosing a cleanser comes with its own challenges as a consumer or DIYer (you could try Gittemary's rosewater tip! I like something with coconut-based surfactants), but zero-waste cleansers certainly exist, e.g. in bulk, as 'soap' bars, as cards (Lush), as powders, and in glass or metal packaging. Some brands also offer usually plastic refill sachets, which is at least a better option than plastic bottles and a decent thing to 'vote' for (just be sure that your container is sanitised, especially if the product is low on or not using preservatives). Do the best that you can do with your resources, your needs (obviously medicated cleansers, etc, are trickier), and within your region. People with dry skin don't always require a follow-up cleanse, so it's up to you to find what works best and where it's safe for you to go or to stop without damaging your skin. One change at a time, for the world and for you. Hope this helps some people!

I’m so happy I found this video! Thanks so much for your tips. I wrote them all down and am inspired to start replacing products one at a time!

I bought a Mont Bleu Czech glass nail file and asked them to send no plastic. I've had it a couple of years now. The sandstone looks nice though!

The fair sunscreen is not reefsafe, just a heads up

Just found your channel today and already love it. You explain things so clearly and interactively way! 😊

I really respect her so much ik this isn’t easy but she is trying and thriving i love her content so much it really helps me and im sure it helps other people too❤️

I just use cotton ribbons to tie my hair(which goes nearly to my thighs by now). It gives me such a creative outlet while being infinitely reusable. I also made 4 strands braided belts from the same type of ribbons to match my braids when I feel like it. For face wash, I start with oil, rinse, then water with a high concentration of salt. It has worked wonders for my skin.

Thanks for letting me know about the sandstone ! To clean my ears, I'm using an OriNet (Kynéa brand) instead of q-tips, it's in metal and I have mine for 10 years know. I just love it !

Low waste - I use diluted castille soap to wash my face and hands. It's in a foaming dispenser (yes plastic but I intend to use it until it breaks). My skin never feels dry or tight afterwards.

For hair: I'm just cutting tights that I just cannot (usually the amount of holes is so big that they are more like leggins than a regular tights ;) ) and use it as a hair band. They are supersafety even for curls. For mouth oil rinsing you can use your cooking oil instead of buing new product. And a teaspoon for cleaning tongue is also good start without buying.

Audiologists and ENTs will try and convince you to not stick stuff in your ears to clean out ear wax as you can perforate your Tympanic membrane (ear drum) or push the ear wax onto the tympanic membrane, causing your hearing to lessen. There’s liquid solutions they recommend instead. You pour the solution in your ear for a couple seconds, tilt your head, and watch the wax come out of your ear. I’m not sure how eco friendly their solutions are though...

I've work at low waste in the bathroom. I'm going to be better in the kitchen. I'll pinch my way in doing better. Happy New year!!!!

Another fantastic thing for putting up your hair, hair pins. I have a bone and s wooden one that I love.

I also think it's such a good idea to reuse old soap scraps!!x

Great video thanks for all the alternatives 🙏🌹 I make my rosewater by my self with the roses out of grandma's garden I pick them wash them than I do it in a pot make it heaten up not boiling when I see the water changing the color I dreain them to a glass soap pump 😊

If that luffa has a pocket form you can Put there the tiny pieces of soup and use them

Nail filing pro tip: filing only one direction prevents breaking and catching!!! Really works :)

Thank you so much! I needed to see this. Took so many notes

Thanks for the tip about almond oil or olive oil for make up removal. They are easy to get in glass or metal.

I love your vibe ❤🌿🌻

I would recommend using jojoba oil for your body or makeup remover because it's most similar to the oil/sebum our bodies produce. Great video, you have a new subscriber here💕

I make all my own skincare products and I love oil cleansing. It really helps my acne. I use grapeseed and castor oil. Also make my own dry shampoo with coco powder and arrowroot powder. I'm trying to start making my own makeup now as I finish my old products.

Amazing video as always girl!! ❤✌ some seriously helpful tips. I have never heard of the sandstone either... so cool!! I personally use a fully glass nail file (a little more expensive but lasts FOREVER and zero waste yo!) Had mine for 15 years #love 🌍🌿 Happy Friday!! xx

Good timing! I'm planning to go shopping to replenish my zero waste personal care products soon. I like the idea of using a sand stone as a nail file! 🌺With aloha, Heidi

Thank you for your ideas. For the soap bars you can buy or make a soap bag..

Loved this!!!

Thanks for the tip about coconut oil. Thats what I'm currently using as makeup remover but I do get a tiny bit of blur in my vision after using it so now I know why and the alternatives :)

I wash my hair in rain water or distilled water with sulfate and paraben free shampoo. I dont need vinager unless I am deep cleaning my hair and when I do that I mix in baking soda diatomaceous earth and active carbon in my shampoo and lather it all in thoroughly and then add the vinegar. This gets all of the residue from walking and biking out in the city I live in. It is useful to note that the longer and thicker your hair the less often you need to wash it Iwash mine every 3 to six weeks as needed and I use velveteen scrunchies and a head covering because I am mesianic. My hai does come down to my hips though and is thick so most people will need to wash their hair more often then i do.However I quite often dont even need the scrunchie because I can do a sarosan knot in my hair which is a viking bun that holds itself in place without a tie and then I just do my head covering like normal. i like the bamboo pick and the sandstone file. I dont like natural loofahs or sponges the loofahs are too rough and then fall apart and the natural sponges are good for facial care if you get the small ones but I personally like my bamboo bath poof alot better. I like my hemp moisturizer and I am common sense waste when it comes to moisturizer I mix my moisturizer with 1 part product to 1 part water. I hate safety razors I love the idea but I just hurt myself with them but I acknowledge in theory that if you can get it to work for you it is alot better and cheaper then disposable razors and in the United states you can currently get these at dollar tree. however I generally just use sugaring and reusable cloth strips for hair removal or just dont bother or use my personal hair trimmer. I use active carbon baking soda and mouth wash for my teeth. I buy the baking soda and active carbon in bulk and the mouth wash I am common sense waste about I buy the best cheapest thing I can and I refuse the bottle when I can for other things or recycle it but it is almost always a plastic container but hey I usually only go through a bottle every 4 to 6 months so that's not bad. With hygiene you really need to consider waste verses health verses cost so with all of these considerations my best recommendation for deodorant is lume. With reguards to makeup I use under eye concealer foundation and tarte clay eyeliner and dollar tree mascara. I am developing a magnetic eyeliner out of the magnetic fillings from those cheap kids hairy harry toys and clay eyeliners I am hoping I can mix silacone with the magnetic powder I make to make regular eyelashes magnetic. In march I should have time and money to do this as I currently am a tent storage unit mail box nomad who wishes to become a sailboat nomad, thus I need to put my money into getting a free boat rehabilitated in Jan and February.

For deodorant I like to use Wild. It's refillable and works SO WELL❤️

I loved your “that’s what she said” joke 🤣 you’re awesome, never stop :)

What brand of hair ties were those? I have such a hard time finding good ones that don't slip out of my hair

I found you recently Gittermary and I think you are fabulous! New subscriber here. 😘

how often do you change the eucalyptus hanging in your shower? :)

It is worth getting a natural soap saver bag, it can work as an exfoliation material and you can just drop little soap scraps in with without wasting energy to heat and melt them.

Si helpful thank you for sharing !

wowwwww sandstone nail file I LOVE IT

Honey + Sugar also makes a very nice lip/face/etc scrub!

Great advice! Keep up the awesome content :)

I have a glass nail file but it does have a plastic cover which bugs me

please please please, make sure you are diluting that apple cider vinegar at least to 1part vinegar and 2parts water. The PH on apple cider vinegar is way too low for your scalp and hair and can be damaging in the long run. If you have textured hair (waves or curls or coils) don't use it more than once a week or once every 10 days because it will dry out your hair. If you are using apple cider vinegar, I would recommend you skip the shampoo, the apple cider vinegar will be more than enough to clean your hair properly and if you use both a shampoo and apple cider vinegar then you will be removing all the good natural oils that your scalp produces and hence will end up having really dry hair.

Tusind tak for alle de gode tips! And specially for the one about the tooth paste! I once bought a charcoal activated one during a green fair in Copenhagen and when I opened the cardboard box the container was purely plastic. The toothpaste didn't taste very well either and would leave you with a very foul mouth taste a few days later. Any-ways, thanks for the tip and keep up the great energy in your channel. xx hilsen D.

Just curious but I was under the impression that natural fibers don't stretch like elastic. For those hair ties to stretch and snap like that, there would have to be some form or synthetic element to them ould t there?

What is wrong with a glasfile? I have two for 5 years and they file like on the first day. I also have a glas Footfile wich is great also.

Okay but do you use this 13 tip with body lotion to face too?

Where do you source your shea butter?

We have a normal coffee pot, so we have a bit of coffee grounds everyday - I am not vegan, so I use the grounds mixed with honey/coconut oil from glass jars for a body scrub. I don’t drink coffee, my mom does, I’d probably not buy it otherwise, but this way, it’s low waste! Salt and sugar are great, too! Reusable cotton pads and oils from a glass bottle for my hair are things I already use, when it comes to regular lotions and soaps, I’m not there yet - using just oils and regular soap bars isn’t sufficient for my...let’s say fussy skin. But I’m always learning, those were great tips. Will try the body butter with shea! 💚

You can also use a glass file! It lasts a long time too

But how should it get hard if you Body temperature is around 37 degrees Fahrenheit and coconut oil harden at 23 degree

This is amazing

Where is your sand stone from?

I actual use my natural loufah as an exfoliator and a sponge for dishes obviously not the same loufah haha but one as a loufah amd one as a dish sponge

Where did you get these pumps (the one filled with the apple cider vinegar) from? 😍

what’s the black dot in yr hand??

Used soap (bar soap) to wash my hair and i keep a bottle of apple cider vinegar for a rinse. Was nice.

i have the same nailfile for like 10 years and its a regular store bought one

You should not stick anything into your ear without visual control. You can easily puncture your tympanic membrane or cause microtrauma or you can simply clog your ear even more. Your ears should only be clean by a professional or a special liquid that dissolves the wax.

For deodorant you can make it out of coconut oil, bicarbonate soda and corn flour. You can also add essential oils. I’ve found it works really well. I usually just add corn flour and just a bit of bicarbonate then add coconut oil until it is creamy in texture. Also bicarbonate soda can irritate some people so use only a bit especially to start with.

these hacks are legit!

I am now using bamboo brush and charcoal Once a week i use soda powder to whiten my teeth. Also i found a soap shampoo so cool!!!

so inspiring

Wow I love your videos so much and how to save money love you bff 🌸🌼

“That’s what she said.” XD You’re great.

What's with the dots on your hands???

I use jojoba or sweet almond oil for my face (and hair), never coconut oil because it's quite pore clogging, along with a warm washcloth to exfoliate. The skin on your face is way more sensitive so you have to be careful. Same with sugar scrubs, I only use them for my lips or body.

I wanna try the cedarwood juniper deodorant

Hvor køber du jojoba olie fra :)

Wait so u leave vinegar in your hair???

If you have sensitive skin and want a zero waste exfoliation alternative use a brush for dry brushing, there are extra soft versions, here in Germany they are called „Busenbürste“. I love mine very much. And if you are like me and cannot shave properly with a savety razor try shugaring instead. Can be diyed pretty easy. :-)

Hi! Black dots drawn on palm of a woman is an international "save me" sign to let people know of a domestic violence.

You can wash your hair with filtered water and you can pour a little bit of vinegar

if you're in the UK there's a zerowaste all-natural sunscreen called "Shade", I haven't tried it but have been meaning to when super drugstore sunblock runs out!

I have eyebrow envy from this video. Great zero waste suggestions too!

You should do more videos of you actually making diy stuff yourself 🥰❤️

I have a problem! I try to live more ecological by for example bringing my own bags to the grocery store instead of buying plastic bags there...BUT by doing this I’m running out of planting bags at home to cover my garbage cans... what can I use instead of plastic bags to cover my garbage bags at home?

I just have to ask cause of you mentioning the hairties. The ONE thing zero waste I can not seem to find is hairclaws or similar items. I am down to my last plastic one. And I do NOT want to buy a new plastic one. But I would love to find a place to buy a nice iron or wood hairclaw. Do you or maybe someone reading this, know of a shop (maybe online...as I am in the Netherlands) to buy such things from? I am positive these things can be made out of wood or metal... I can't believe it has to be this hard to find them tho!

I don't use anything to remove by makeup but sunflower oil and my hands (and after that a makeup remover by the body shop), no need for anything like a cotton round or something

Where did you get the hair ties?

Ι love your "dots" tattoos...real or henna and what is the meaning?? I love it!!!!❤

They make glass nail files also

What do you recommend as a vegan mouth flush (tandtråd)? I've seen zero waste options but i think those are made out of silk which isn't vegan